Cycling is fun. Cycling is social. Cycling is healthy. Cycling is safe. Cycling is just a great way to start and end a busy work day. Cycling is also for elderly people. Cycling in snow works just fine. Cycling in winter is just a matter of time and patience, and wool, wool, wool.
And not least, cycling in Stavanger is just so easy.

I have a deep respect for Finns cycling, because of Finland be up north and having a lot of snow through winter. Maybe and probably Canadiens cycle a lot too, but to me it seems like as a group the Finns are more visible, maybe because they are closer to me here in Europe. And that has been the best part of me showing photos of winter cycling here in Stavanger this month, to get in contact with a lot of Finns cycling ❤️

What about Alaska, Russia, Japan, Patagonia? Are you winter cycling too?

Thank you all for your following my winter cycling this month, commenting, sending messages, cheering and fellowing/let me discover you too.
Safe cycling 🚲😊🚲😊🚲😊🚲

#syklingistavanger #cycling #sykkel #sykling #norge #norway #sykkeltur #bike #stavanger #cykla #sykletiljobben #sykkeltut #january2026

The photo is from some years back, it shows a local custom of a Blåtur (look it up).

Dressed for cycling, with ordinary clothes.

Most important, the clothes people choose to wear when cycling is a personal choice. Hockey helmet and sunglasses, special kind of clothes, mittens, shoes and all the rest, is really of no importance to me. The number of cyclists is important. To me, to all of us.

Personally I prefer to use my ordinary clothes. I park my cycle, go to the library, meet someone at a cafe in the same clothes I wear when cycling. As a knitter I have a knitted hat, double-knitted mittens (that sometimes are not warm enough), a knitted sweater under my jacket, a knitted shawl and knitted socks (that is not warm enough sometimes either).
If clothes are what keeping more people away from cycling I would recommend to become an old woman not giving a shit.

#syklingistavanger #cycling #sykkel #sykling #norge #norway #sykkeltur #bike #stavanger #cykla #sykletiljobben #winter #vintersykling #sykkeltut #sykkelutstyr

Half full with spring or half empty with winter?

#syklingistavanger #cycling #sykkel #sykling #norge #norway #sykkeltur #bike #stavanger #cykla #sykletiljobben #spring #winter #rogaland #sykkeltut

They (siddisene) say that it is still winter here in Stavanger, but that is because they never have lived (and cycled) in Oslo (like I have).
The sun is out, and this is spring.

#syklingistavanger #cycling #sykkel #sykling #norge #norway #sykkeltur #bike #stavanger #cykla #sykletiljobben #spring #sykkeltut

I don't cycle because it is cheap. It's not.
Twice a year I need to get my cycle prepared, either for spring and summer, or for winter. Last year those two preparations cost me approx. $650. I changed all the working parts - and still got condensation in my gear line, not being able to use half of my gears for some days.

Using my bike like I do, everyday and for long distances, in snow and ice, cold days and especially on days when the streets are salted - makes it necessary to repair and change parts often. This is a photo of my new chain after 8 weeks of use. Mainly because of salt, some part because I don't wash and oil it enough.
Just saying.

#syklingistavanger #cycling #sykkel #sykling #norge #norway #sykkeltur #bike #stavanger #cykla #sykletiljobben #salt #winter #vintersykling #sykkeltut

It is a statistical fact that many who come to live in Norway as foreigners, leave again. Norwegians are actually one of the most introvert people there are, and we make friends in kindergarten - after that, not so much. Not even to other Norwegians. It is called by the foreigners as a joke, "single night friendship", because if we meet you friendly it is combined with alcohol.

Some years ago a young journalist cycled along Sognefjorden, the longest fjord there is, and she stated that she hated every inch of that bike ride. She had several arguments on why, but one of them was that it was so hard to meet people, and talk, socialize. Even if she was young, even if she was biking, even if she was Norwegian. And curious as a journalist.

All this to say, if you come to live here, be ready for a very solitary life.

I recognize all this, and as a Norwegian, it is part of my nature too.

But then people like S. appear and surprise us all.

I was waiting in line to get into the telephone booth for book hunting. He came out, and we talked for almost an hour. About driving in Norway, cycle locks and thieving, books, camping vans and cars in general, his wife (I know everything about his wife now!), and winter cycling in Stavanger ... among things. Okay, he might be considered a "single night friendship" too (without the alcohol part), but at least we agreed on cheering each other when passing by cycle.

And btw, I have met some really nice people in general, on cycle here in Stavanger, but not asked to photograph them. Usually it is only take a quiet question. Not making friendship, but meeting kind people.
Which is enough for me.
As a Norwegian.

#syklingistavanger #cycling #sykkel #sykling #norge #norway #sykkeltur #bike #stavanger #cykla #winter #vintersykling #sykkeltut #singlenightfriend

Based on this article: https://www.aftenposten.no/trender/i/6qzeOr/hoert-om-one-night-friendships-et-litt-saernorsk-fenomen-tror-forsker

We have 51 more minutes of light after the solstice in Stavanger now. And the spring is showing its first signs, the first primrose is up!
But, I'll keep my studded tires some few weeks more ... #justincase #weliveinnorway

#syklingistavanger #cycling #sykkel #sykling #norge #norway #sykkeltur #bike #stavanger #cykla #vårblomstring #primula #vintersykling #sykkeltut

And the snow has gone again. That is what I love about this new city of mine, the very short winter.

#syklingistavanger #cycling #sykling #norge #norway #sykkeltur #stavanger #cykla #fjord #rainbow #winter #vintersykling #dusavika

Watching the national TV, I discovered one of my designs suddenly appear on the presenter, photo number 2. Entering a cafe the other day a to me unknown woman sat with some friends at a table, wearing another one of my designs.

Wearing knitted cardigans and pullovers in wool is very much a thing here in Norway, and as a cyclist that is so much my preferred clothing, layer on layer of thin wool, I have also designed a woolen cycle-sweater ... 🐑

Anyway, seeing my knitting patterns out there in the wild always makes a good day better.

Not sure if you can watch these programs outside of Norway, but if you are interested in traveling in Norway, either by car, cycle, train or bus, this is the link: https://tv.nrk.no/serie/nasjonale-turistvegar

#syklingistavanger #cycling #sykkel #sykling #norge #norway #sykkeltur #bike #stavanger #cykla #sykletiljobben #snow #winter #vintersykling #sykkelgenseren #pinneguridesign #purewool #knitting #strikketut

Thanks to #nrk and #nasjonaleturistvegar for a screenshot from episode 2.

A question to all female (car-)drivers, how come you don't like cyclists?

Maybe this is a local (Norwegian) problem. Maybe it is just a sociological one, women drivers are more stressed. Maybe it has something to do with my personal experience that as a group I find men generally (important distinction!) more generouse than women. Maybe more men are cyclists and understand the problems we cyclists face in everyday cycling. Or maybe I am constructing something that isn't so.

I really dont understand it, and it has been on my mind for years.

In general terms, again important distinction, I experience female drivers less inclined to stop for cyclists crossing roads, they can even be somewhat pushy, trying to scare me, or at least owing the road. Women are better drivers than men so I don't understand why they seem to single out cyclists for their "hate".

Or is this just me?

#syklingistavanger #cycling #sykkel #sykling #norge #norway #sykkeltur #bike #stavanger #cykla #sykletiljobben #snow #winter #vintersykling #sykkeltut #controversialtopics