This was always going to be the most complex day logistically. I was hoping to use 3 ferries, at the end of which I would have a direct road connection of 75 miles to Bodo on Sunday.

The first two ferries are on the Fv17 (the coastal road I’m following) – but then there is a 14km tunnel on the Fv17 where cyclists are banned. So we have to take a minor road to the third ferry. Which only runs twice on Saturday, the second sailing being at 13.05. And if I miss that then the next is 14.15 on Sunday.  To make it work will involve some rapid cycling between ferries – the gaps are tight!

So I was up early again, to another cold, cloudy but, thankfully, dry morning. The 10 miles to the first ferry included many short steep climbs – not ideal. On the quay at 8.00 were Gierty and Ana, and a dutch guy with his tent on a trailer. Company! All except Ana were determined to try for the 13.05 connection. (It turned out that Gierty and Ana had taken a lift in a car yesterday, following his puncture, and had managed to avoid the big climb. No wonder they had caught me up!)

After 20 mins of the 1 hour sailing we crossed the Arctic Circle. There was an announcement, and a sculpture on the shore to prove it. That’s the dot in the middle!Once disembarked, my new Dutch friend shot off and I couldn’t keep up. We had 16 miles and 300m climbing to do in 1 hour 40 mins. Gierty and I worked together well after he caught me up in a 4km tunnel. We made it to the second ferry with 20 mins to spare. After a 15 minute crossing we were off again. This time the gap was even more challenging – 19 miles, 380m climbing in 1 hour 30 mins. (My average speed has been about 11mph on my own).  This time Gierty and I caught the dutchman after about 5 miles and all three of us worked hard together. (Though his trailer was a pain for drafting). As you can tell, I really enjoyed the team time trial, and we made it easily with 10 mins to spare. Here is the triumphant team.

Arriving in Ornes we split up. Gierty went searching for a bike shop and the dutch guy set off for a distant campsite. I was tired and stopped a few miles on, as planned. A few hours recovery are needed. I must say that being only a day’s ride from Bodo and a train connection is reassuring after the remoteness and complexity of the past few days. Stunning scenery – though more sun would have been nice.