19th ATiC meeting
June 2005
Vibstad / Norway

The 19th ATiC Meeting was held from 27th June 2005 (arrival) until 30th June 2005 (departure).

After celebrating nearly 10 years of meetings more or less far in the south and pressing lots of sweat through goretex jackets this year we decided to switch directions towards a "cooler" trip and found another challenging location far in the north.

Our trip led us through beautiful norwegian lanscape and finally we stayed for three days at the most northern point of our trip in Vibstad Gard. Our accomodation was an old farmhouse reworked to offer rooms for tourists and ATiCs of course. The next bigger cities are Overhalla or Namsos, see this map for details.

After starting the trip with a small pre-meeting at Kieler Woche we realized that some bike was not really fully prepared for the tour. However, Axel did the impossible and arrived right in time in Vibstad :)

Since the trip to Vibstad was quite far for most of us, the main part of the event was "on the road". The first ATiCs met in Kiel for the ferry trip to Oslo, while the British folks joined in Bergen and some few others choose special tracks crossing baltic sea and heading through sweden. As expected for Norway the weather went wet directly at arrival in Oslo :)

Among other spots our common trip led us through icy mountains around Geiranger fjord and the evenings were focused on heating up in cuddly typical norwegian "hytter".

Along the road we saw lots of exciting glaciers like Nigardsbreen and endless amounts of water ...

This evening was Stefano's birthday party and again one hytter was choosen as the party and kitchen area ...

After a trip of roughly a week most of us arrived in Vibstad. Our accomodation was an old farmhouse lovely reworked from our host Jon and his family and furnished in traditional norwegian style. The evenings were reserved for tasting typical norwegian food and relaxing around.

Second day was fishing day and ATiCs tried to prove that they can survive on their own. Jon prepared us with fishing gear and a license for salmon fishing in the river Namsen nearby. Unfortunately ATiCs seem to be better in catching flies on the road than salmon in the river. Therefore not more than two small pieces of fish were the results of one day at the river and we were lucky that there were some other supplies available in the kitchen :)

Jon and exciting norwegian meals (ever tasted moose meatballs?).

Three days in Vibstad run away rather quickly and the ATiC group was heading home! We were at least that lucky that the sun came back for our trip home ...

The area offers lots of options for tours, excursions and non-AT related events. Tours are possible on- and off-road as well in the country as along the beautiful fjords and coastline.
A local speciality at the farmhouse are own fishing grounds for delicious salmon. Tough ATiC´s were equipped with fishing gear to prove their qualities in the cold river :)

Some ressources:

• Tourist information Overhalla
• Coastal road No. 17
• Webcam
• Norwegian Campsites

• Michael Dipper & Nina
• Thomas Mueller
• Gitta Schulze
• Torsten Metzner
• Adrian Burkert & Nadine
• Karin Lehmkuehler
• Werner Rosenthal
• Michael Krebs
• Ralph Mason & Carole
• Daniela & Guido Marangoni
• Sami Skog
• Udo Koelling
• Ingo Doering
• Gian Luca Giangualano
• Stefano Ghione
• Frank Mueller
• Falk Schmal
• Nick c/o Falk
• Axel Willimzig
• Sandrine Barbier c/o Axel
• Mark Schmal

We as the ATiC provide only information regarding to this event. We offer roadbooks for possible tours and try to help you in finding a suitable accomodation. However, you join all events totally voluntary and on your own risk. We are absolutely not responsible for things that happen to you or to your gear. In case of an accident, damage or loss you and the involved persons are fully responsible to each other. You cannot claim ATiC for any reponsibility.