Lærdal Tunnel - World's Longest

One of the trip goals was to visit the Lærdal Tunnel, at 24.51 km (15.23 miles) it is the longest road tunnel in the world. It was completed in 2000 as part of the E16 that links Bergen in the west to Oslo in the east, without any ferries or mountain passes which can be closed in winter.

Lærdal Tunnel Cavern

The normal tunnel lighting is white, but there are three caverns which are meant to keep drivers alert, with yellow lighting as you approach, then turning to blue; you can stop in these.

The bike almost looks clean (it isn't!)

These areas (and other smaller ones) can be used as emergency turning points for lorries/coaches.

There was very little traffic, as witnessed by me standing in the middle of the road to get this shot!

Lærdal Tunnel (not much traffic - hopefully)

Tunnels vary a lot, and on a motorbike you are much more attuned to the environment than in a car; first you notice the temperature changes, getting a lot colder.

The Lærdal was unusual as the ambient temperature was 20 C, dropping to 10 C (typical) in the tunnel, then whilst still in the tunnel it went back up 20 C and then down again. I think this was to do with the ventilation system, and you also notice the air turbulence and noise from this.

Most newer tunnels have light coloured walls and good lighting, but some of the older ones have dark walls and poor lighting, these are "fun" on the bike, especially when water drips off the roof onto you visor, and you are getting dazzled by the oncoming headlights. These also tend to be the ones that have roadworks in them, with an uneven road surface that is hard to see; but, the majority of them are very good.