Mo i Rana – Storjord

The stage from Mo i Rana is a challenging and magnificent bike ride through Scandinavia's varied landscape. At the start you follow the flat Ranelva river before gradually climbing towards Saltfjellet, where rivers, lakes and dense forests give way to open mountain environments. The weather can be changeable - even in summer it can be cold and rainy, and high-altitude lakes can be ice-covered as late as June.

Along the E6, with a speed limit of 90km/h, traffic can be heavy during the day, so many cyclists choose to ride at night during the summer. Just before Røssvoll, about 8 km north of Mo i Rana, you are diverted around a tunnel with clear signs. Another 1.3 km long tunnel, located 3 km after Røssvoll, is also open to cyclists - but its dim lighting makes bike lights necessary.

The ascent to the Arctic Circle Center is gradual with a gradient of 2-4 %, although a strong north wind can make it tougher. The center's location at 692 meters above sea level offers a much-needed break with great views. The last 35 km are flat and descend towards the small community of Storjord, where hotels, tourist centers and the popular Saltdalselva river await.