Saturday May 15th I was racing solo the famous Blomsterstien near Moss. The well-known path is a real beauty following the coast around Larkollen. What a fun ride it was!
Video in the bottom.
Where: Blomsterstien, Moss, Norway
Start/finish: Ekholt, Moss
Distance: 26 miles – 41 km
Elevation gain: 328 meters
Date: May 15th 2021
Starting time: 8 AM CEST
Weather: Cloudy, 10°C, partly wet roads
Elapsed time: 1h 21 min
Racing speed: 30 kph
Bike: Cannondale Topstone Carbon Lefty 1
Tires: Maxxis Rambler Gravel 40mm
Nutrition: Squeezy Sport Nutrition (Discount: 20% off (if buying more than kr 500) – Orset20 )
Pre race meal: Økoland (Discount: 20% off and free delivery – JOrset2021 )
Race kit: CCN Sport
Helmet: Met Manta
Shoes: Fizik Terra Powerstrap X4
Chain lube: Muc Off
Support crew: Manager Bjørn Bergenheim, and his friend Sigbjørn
The popular route is much used by Moss Cykleklubb, and conveniently it started just outside the garage of Bjørn Bergenheim, the manager of The Nordic Trailblazer.
Bjørn had set up the tent and prepared the Topstone when I arrived at 7.45. Sigbjørn, a friend of Bjørn, was there too, and after a quick coffee and kitting up with the new CCN kit I was ready to start.
The plan was to ride fast and set a new course record, without taking any risks, and be respectful to pedestrians and others.
From what I was told, the fastest riders had done the route in about 1h 35 min, which was the time to beat.
I did ride a recon the day before, but the course was really twisty and hard to learn, so I had to pay a lot of attention to the bike computer which kept me on the route.
A few detours when I didn’t manage to read the track correctly, but the technical parts were really fun. Right and left, up and down. Cornering trees and cabins.
The most southern part is really amazing. The path followed the sea line, and I was almost touching the water. The smell of saltwater and the sounds from the seagulls set the scene.
There’s something really fun about going fast on those gravel roads.
Even though it was technical, it was almost pancake flat so easy to keep up the pace. Going back the roads were straighter and inviting for speed.
I found the rhythm and pushed the pedals hard. I loved feeling like I was flying along the railways. Soon I was on the last five kilometers with asphalt road, and the closer I got to the finish, the more inspired I was.
I arrived the Nordic Trailblazer Headquarter, the garage of Bjørn Bergenheim, in 1 hour and 21 minutes. I new course record!
CHECK OUT: Blomsterstien GRVL on Strava
The Blomsterstien route is a super fun ride you should add to your planned ones. It’s really fun and offers an amazing nature and coastline.
I really loved the Kajalunden after 12.5 km and Engholmen halfway into the ride. These two are must-sees.
You can challenge my time if you want, but I advice you not to ride during times of the day with a lot of pedestrians, and please be respectful to others and follow the traffic rules.
