offroadfinnmark day by day - as narrated by Gerit Pfuhl and Lasse Ørnebakk

Gerit Pfuhl, the only female rider in offroadfinmark, and Lasse Ørnebakk made Dictaphone recordings in the course of the race, and have written down their most important moments. Teaming up with Tor Oskar Thomassen they ended in second position in the test race of 2008. Below is their story of the race.

Editor: Sigrid Aas.

Day 0

Summary: The riders who do not live in Alta arrive by car and airplane. The competitors go to Finnmark University College where the Sports Department are prepared to test their lactate level, O2 max, haemoglobin, blood sugar, urine concentration and body composition() before the race. The plan is for a second test to be performed after the competition; and then research will be done on the basis of the results. The riders focus on fine-tuning their equipment and logistics.

Day 1 - the race starts with a Prologue up to the Haldde northern lights observatory, a.k.a. the castle of Soria Moria!

Summary: The Prologue gets underway, starting at fjord level and leading up to the Haldde summit - a popular destination where a tractor path winds all the way up to a sharp mountain peak. The historical northern lights observatory crowns the summit, recalling Soria Moria and all kinds of Disney castles. When the Prologue is over, Bidos is served to both riders and spectators.

Gerit: The Prologue didn't start until 10 p.m. and it took me a while to find my rhythm on those steep ascents, with tumbling rocks and often very technical cycling. I had planned to make it at around 80-90 minutes, but was very pleased to find that it took me only 70. People had come out to watch and the atmosphere was good. Unfortunately, the low-lying clouds obstructed the view, which people say is really nice. I didn't get to bed until 2 a.m. - a little bit too late considering what was ahead of us.

Lasse: Riding up the mountain was good fun, but I soon punctured and needed to borrow a tube from another rider. It didn't take long to replace, but as I was getting nearer to the summit I punctured again. Instead of replacing the tube again I pushed the bike to the top; my time suffered quite a bit a result. It was good to get a bite to eat at the top, but it was a shame about the view, and that I wasn't able to cycle down because of the puncture.

Day 2 - The first stretch. Gerit, Lasse and Tor Oskar ride from Alta to Sørstraumen

Summary: The team originally consists only of Gerit and Lasse, but when Tor Oskar's teammate came down with a cold before the Prologue he joins the other two. They compete against two other teams, and start last because of the Prologue results. The distance between Alta and Sørstraumen is about 80 km, which takes 8 hours for the team.

Gerit: I haven't slept very much since we finished so late yesterday. We pack our bags and get ready to start. The opening ceremony is at 1 p.m. and we start at 3.15, 15 minutes behind the race leaders. The first part of today's cycling is fine, but things get wet and, eventually, very cold. I struggle to regain my body temperature and we need to cross several brooks. The natural scenery is spectacular, with a wonderful view of Alta and, toward the end, of Sørstraumen. The final descent is steep, and it feels great to get to some warm food and drink at Sørstraumen. I take a shower and dry my clothes; my body feels great again and I haven't caught a cold.

Lasse: The first bit, in the municipal sports track, is easy. When we turn into the mountainside we need to cycle upward a long way until the path levels out at the vidda. Usually, this terrain should be possible to cycle on, but because the ground is extremely wet this summer it's easier to lead the bicycle up the steepest bits. The downhill cycling toward Badderen and Sørstraumen at the end is wonderful, and we choose to spend the night in order to maintain our sleeping cycle.

Day 3 - Sørstraumen - Kautokeino

Summary: The team encounters difficult terrain. Tor Oskar's brakes stop working and Gerit experiences pedal problems. The mosquitoes are intense.

Gerit: We start in early morning and have a nice climb of about 2 hours from the fiord to the highest point. Then the terrain becomes nicer, with a superb natural environment and beautiful views. The temperature is just perfect and the mosquitoes stop pestering us for a while. The last 4 km before Reisavann are very varied and technical; we come through it unscathed, expect for one of my shoe cleats. Tor Oskar's breaks stop functioning, they've lost the oil pressure and we're unable to fix it.

By Reisavann we eat a little and try to fix my shoe, but now the pedal breaks, and I have to make do with what I have. Tor Oskar still doesn't have brakes.

Closer to Kautokeino the terrain turns more difficult, with marshes and creeks. Miraculously, Tor Oskar makes it unharmed through some steep descents without a brake; he brakes with his shoes. The shoe covers end up totally devastated.

We're forced to lead our bikes for more than 10 km and there are LOADS of mosquitoes. They bite through my tights, and it hurts; adding to the frustration caused by the missing pedal. We feel blessed when we arrive at the Kautokeino checkpoint, where we get a bit of food, some mosquito repellent and a new pedal.

Lasse: The ascent from Kvænangsbotten toward Abbo is steep at the beginning. We climb a technically difficult hill of 140 altitude meters. The ascent is 940 meters in total. At the top the tundra is rather flat, but becomes more hilly and technical as we get closer to Reisavann. We sometimes have to walk. There's no wind, and I see the fish jumping in renowned fishing lakes; I feel something like a "fisherman's twitch" taking control of my right hand.

Tor Oskar is perfecting his own personal braking technique, using his shoes downhill as brake pads; it's quite an achievement that he's doing so well considering the circumstances. At one point, he approaches fast from behind hollering for me to move, while aiming for the nearest piece of marsh to slow down.

Closer to Kautokeino we need to walk for more than 10 km; the terrain is impossible to cycle on and for a few km the path vanishes from sight. I see two foxes, some reindeer and grouse. The final stretch is a descent on ATV tracks until we reach the asphalt road in Kautokeino to spend the night.

Day4 - Kautokeino - Mollisjok

Summary: Tor Oskar's brakes are fixed, but they fail again... The easy terrain in these parts is made exciting by a powerful river current.

Gerit: We've had some sleep in Kautokeino and the broken pedal has been replaced. Also, I feel relieved to have found a mosquito lotion that actually works. The stretch to Masi proves an easy ride, the terrain is good. We stop for some food and drink in Masi, and then start cycling upward again, heading for Suosjavvre.

Tor Oskar's brakes stop working again; he needs to do without brakes all the way to Suosjavrre. As before, his shoes and shoe covers take a beating.

The terrain is easy-going, apart from a few creeks and a big river. The force of the current makes it impossible for me to cross alone; Lasse needs to give me a helping hand. The mosquitoes aren't bothering me as much anymore. I've become accustomed to them, and the lotion seems to be working. We're making slow progress between Suosjavrre and Mollisjok. Tor Oskar runs out of energy and we need to let things take their time. It feels excellent to arrive at Mollisjok, to good food and a mosquito-free night!!!

Lasse: Kautokeino - Mase is an easy stretch, something of a restitution exercise. I see a few reindeer. We stop for a while in Masi. Toward Suosjavrre lovely mountains surround the horizon and the cycling terrain is very good, even at a point when we have to do without a path. Yet again Tor Oskar's brakes give us problems; the best solution is probably to get a new bike at the next checkpoint.

Before getting to Suossjavrre we have to cross a river with a strong current, where the water reaches our hips; the water runs high this year! I need to hold on to Gerit to prevent her being carried away by the current. We carry our bicycles across above our heads. On our way, we encounter a small house, in a place where you truly wouldn't believe that anyone could live; but there is clearly someone who does. Tor Oskar gets another bicycle and we make a long break to replace some equipment and have small meal.

On the way to Mollisjok the cycling terrain is good. We see plenty of grouse and bump into some flyfishers. We spend the night in Upper Mollisjok, enjoying the most comfy beds of the race. We're served home-salted salmon, our hosts are outstanding and our clothes are hung up to dry in the sauna. What a joy!

Day 5: Mollisjok - Skoganvarre, 23 straight hours!!!

Summary: Good food and tempting beds.

Gerit: From Mollisjok to Ravnastua I would have benefited a full-suspension bike. Mine is a hardtail and I suffer from pains in my Achilles tendon. After Ravnastua, we stop at Karasjok for a 2-hour compulsory stop. Then we leave for Valjok along a well-marked trail. My left arm goes a bit numb as a result of braking frequently. In Valjok we get great food and are tempted by the warm beds in the Lavvo, but we choose to move on toward Skoganvarre. Straying from the itinerary at one spot, we have to walk a great deal. I attempt to find some solace in the thought that nothing could be worse than Reisavann, trying to think positively while rain and sleet wash over us. I'm very tired. What bliss to arrive to the checkpoint, after nearly 24 hours of cycling!

Lasse: I feel lucky to have a full-suspension bike from Mollisjok to Ravnastua, a flat, but rocky and very technical stretch. My teammates don't have full suspension and obviously struggle in this rock-strewn place.

From Karasjok to Valjok the topography is somewhat friendlier. We see two moose, one of them a huge bull of 5-6 years. In Valjok we're greeted with a sumptuous table with the best food of the entire race: yoghurt, vegetables, bread spreads and more. The temptation to jump into one of the beds in the lavvo is overwhelming, but we have to push onwards to Skoganvarre, where we are to spend the night.

Part of the stretch from Valjok to Skoganvarre leads upward along a nice and discernible path. After a while, however, it becomes difficult to make out, and we lose it, having to carry our bicycles for almost 30 km. We eventually come back to the trail again and find our way to Skoganvarre after a seemingly endless ride.

Day 6: Skoganvarre - Alta

Summary: A distance calculated to take 4 hours took 10. The eyelids feel heavy, but the team's iron help them narrow the gap to its rivals

Gerit: I awake feeling eager to finalize the race. We estimate this stretch to take us 4 hours, but we expand this to 6-7 hours to give ourselves a safety margin. Eventually, it will have taken us 10. The scenery on the way is amazingly beautiful, and I have an extraordinary experience.

Keeping the focus gets increasingly difficult, my eyelids are heavy. We stop at Bojobæski to eat and get our energy levels back for the final part.

We're supposed to be able to cycle the entire last bit toward Alta. Getting soaked while crossing a few creeks is not as bad as it may sound; it actually helps us concentrate. The race concludes with the exercise trail running through Alta and we're greeted in a grand way, the local papers are there along with more curious people on a Thursday at 9 in the morning. We're not far behind the other team now; we've closed in considerably toward the end.

What a great ride this has been, with so much beautiful natural scenery along the way. My body is worn out but I'm soon back to normal. I'm definitely doing this again next year - provided I get my hands on a full-suspension bike!

Lasse: We cycle on good terrain almost the entire way, apart from a few kilometres, when we can't find the track. The views are wonderful, with mountains and tundra as far as the eye can see. We gravely underestimated the time this stretch would take, but we enjoy ourselves in the terrain from Bojobæski to Alta's town center; apart from the one hill we need to mount on foot we do the last bit at a rather good pace. We've been closing in on the race leaders in the last few days and are no more than an hour behind when we reach the goal. The experience of Finnmark's nature has been amazing, and I recall with gratitude all the hard-working and helpful volunteers who took such good care of us both at checkpoints and in Alta