A barrier for cyclists

The Eidsvåg mountain is a barrier for commuting bicyclists between Åsane and City center of Bergen.The shortest way is the highway, but unfortunately the road is just for cars of course, and through the tunnel bicycles are absolutely forbidden.

Yesterday I decided to try another trail than ever tested. I did not checked the map, because I thought I did know the way. That was a failure.

Weather was nice, but some rain showers were expected towards the evening. From my job I followed the cycle lane through the Sandviken district, crossed above the main road on a footbridge, and turned upwards along the local roads. Then I looked for the cycle path that I expected to ride through the wood to Eidsvåg. But where was that path?

I only found a narrow and wet trail, nearly inaccessible and never intended and adapted for urban use. I was not dressed to wade into the marsh and swamp forests, but maybe a short distance could  be possible.

To walk on the trail was not easy, and to bring a bike was quite a job. Anyway the view was great, but not in the direction I wanted to go. Instead I could look back in direction of the City centre.

The walk on the poor trail was time-consuming. Minutes became hours, dark and threatening rain clouds were approaching. For a moment I considered turning back to where I came from, but I overcame the temptation.

I came through when I felt the first droplets of rain. Now the darkness was becoming a problem. Fortunately I had brought my bus card. So when I came to a bus stop, I locked the bike and entered a bus. Later in the evening I went to pick up the bike by car.



Alternative distance

Living about 30 km from my job in the city means that cycling to job is a time-consuming and tiring activity.  So I need to find the shortest and easiest path for a bike ride. From the station in Indre Arna the journey by train take just 8 minutes. By touring bicycle I need about 100 minutes.
Between Arna and the city center of Bergen I normally cycle the northern route via Åsane, passing Ytre Arna, Nyborg, Eidsvåg and Sandviken. Between Eidsvåg and Sandviken it's possible to ride across the mountain Sandviksfjellet, also called Munkebotn. This is av nice path without car traffic, but I have to climb a steep road up to 150 m above sea level. The total distance from Arna via Munkebotn to city centre is 26 km. The road via Eidsvågneset is 2 km longer.

Alternatively I would like to ride the southern route via Nesttun, but the way between Haukeland and Helldal is very dangerous because of a narrow and very curved road with heavy traffic. The first part from Arna I use local roads From Nesttun to the city centre the cycle path have mostly good standard. The southern alternativ has about the same length as the Munkebotn alternativ, but is a few minutes shorter.

Year 2012, april 16.

This year I start my cycle to job activity earlier than ever before. My first ride was before Easter. I also have practiced travelling "car and bike" some times. Today is my first early morning ride.
At 6:30 I'm ready to go, it's a bright morning, sky is blue, but temperature is low, -1,5 C. I dress in wool underwears, double jersey, double jacket, knitted cap under the helmet and of course gloves. Half an hour later, close to Ytre Arna, the sun rise.


From Ytre Arna there is heavy but rather short uphill. I wonder how many meters I have to climb here (checked this later on a web-map: height level at at the intersection to E16 is 70 m). I would also like to know the whole height profile on the road to my job. There are some short uphills and some longer, in total can it be more than 200 m?

The next hour through Åsane today' s ride is a nice experience, however closer to the city I reach this obstacle:


This temporary construction has lasted for many months. The reason for this tragic condition is roadworks to expand the lanes for cars. Cyclists are patient, and we hope that this "hens path" finally will be removed in short time.