Hi all -
Got a spot to Norseman 2022 at Celtman this year (one of if not the best race(s) I’ve ever done).
Anyone have a lodging lead for the week of August 6, 2022 in Eidfjord?
Also any tips for training for a 2 hour climb on the bike plus Zombie hill would be awesome.
Thanks,
Todd
No info for you, but congrats. It’s on my bucket list, but not sure I’ll be able to do it.
If I do it, I might need to use a snorkel, I can’t seem to get myself to exhale out when swimming in colder water.
Congrats on securing a place at Norseman!
In 2017 quite a few of us lodged in Ulvik, which is across the water from Eidfjord, but does require waking up a bit earlier to drive over the Hardangerbrua.
If you value convenience then would recommend staying at Quality Hotel Vøringfoss, which is where the race expo is held. They aren’t taking online bookings for Aug 2022 yet, but you can always drop them an email: https://www.nordicchoicehotels.no/kontakt-oss/
Also, would strongly recommend thinking about finish line lodging as well, since options around Gaustatoppen are limited and book up very quickly. We stayed at Den Lykkelige Sportsmann which was a very convenient location.
The initial climb out of Eidfjord is long, as you note, however isn’t particularly steep. Just requires you to keep pressure through the pedals, so is reasonably similar to a Zwift group ride.
I think more people struggle with the final climb (Imingfjell), which is shorter but steeper. That being said, you’ve done Celtman so I don’t think you’ll have any issues.
Nothing prepares you for zombie hill, but doing hill repeats as part of a brick session helps.
Let me know if you have any other questions! 
Done it twice. Wish I could do it again I would go it in a heart beat.
Both times I was late booking accommodation but found a room here. Its tiny but walking distance to the race start and clean.
http://www.kvamsdalpensjonat.no/
For the finish I rented a cabin here:
https://www.kvitaavatn.no/?lang=en
Its a short drive (15 mins?) from where you get off the lift if you get to the finish at Gaustatoppen. Or its at the finish line if you finish at the white T-shirt finish line. Its very basic but we absolutely loved it here. You can eat like in king in the race hotel next door (Gaustablikk) but I warn you nothing is cheap around that area. Staying in the race hotel is eye wateringly expensive for what it is - but I guess its out of season and they can charge what they like.
You are going to have a blast. Its an amazing race. Good luck.
Congrats on securing a place at Norseman!
In 2017 quite a few of us lodged in Ulvik, which is across the water from Eidfjord, but does require waking up a bit earlier to drive over the Hardangerbrua.
If I´d do that, I would spend the (short) night before race day at the Camp (I reckon they will have one, they had in 2017). At the finish we stayed at Kvitåvatn Fjellstue.
So funny just yesterday I daydreamt about going back. Best race I´ve ever done. Spoiled everything for me afterwards though
Raced in 2014. Agree with others, race of my life.
We stayed at Fjord & Fjell in Eidfjord night before. Was great spot to stay. https://eidfjordhotel.no/en/
After the race we stayed at the Gaustablikk Hotel (race HQ). Also recommend. Easiest logistically… and great camaraderie the night after the race… people in the restaurant all eating, sharing stories. And super convenient for the awards the next morning.
To prep, broadly:
As others have said, first climb is long but not difficult. You can blow your legs though. You just want to be in as awesome riding shape as possible, build leg strength. Not just for the first climb, but for all of them.
If a black shirt is your goal, the race for it is really to the base of Zombie Hill, not the race up it: ride well… and run the first 15 miles of the run strongly (it’s mostly flat, around lakes, etc.) to make sure you’re positioned well in the race by the time you start the climb up Zombie.
Other than the race leaders, everyone else will hike up Zombie, not run. So if you are comfortably in the black shirt range… there won’t be that many people who will be able to catch up with you.
My experience: my support crew (2 brother-in-laws and wife) took turns hiking with me - was a great way to celebrate the day with them (they are hugely important), and a way to keep positive. And when you transition to the last off-road bit… it will all be gravy. Enjoy it. Nothing else like it.
Good luck.
Other than the race leaders, everyone else will hike up Zombie, not run. So if you are comfortably in the black shirt range… there won’t be that many people who will be able to catch up with you.
My experience: my support crew (2 brother-in-laws and wife) took turns hiking with me - was a great way to celebrate the day with them (they are hugely important), and a way to keep positive. And when you transition to the last off-road bit… it will all be gravy. Enjoy it. Nothing else like it.
Good luck.
This. When I turned onto Zombie Hill and saw everybody walking in front of me, it was clear that I will get a black shirt and I told my girlfriend to park the car and walk down to me and then we hiked to the top of the Gaustatoppen. I think that is the best thing about the race, because you can get to share it with your support, because without them it wouldn´t be happening and it is a long and hard day for them too.
Raced the last one they held, 2019. Pure 100% awesomeness and one of the best days of my life.
Ideal accommodation at the start is anything in Eidfjord, the Quality Hotel Voringfoss would be perfect but books out very quickly. Handly to be close not just for race day but also for race brief, registration etc. I was a bit slow off the mark and ended up in an AirBnB about 40 minutes drive away in Lofthus (Austria’s apple orchard) but it was no drama, honestly. The drive over on race morning gave me some time to chill and eat some waffles :-).
For the finish try and get in the Gaustablikk Hoyfjellshotell. The post-race buffet is held here as is the t-shirt ceremony the next day, and the finish line for the white t-shirt racers. It’s where it’s at, move heaven and earth to get in there!! It was so good being able to have a couple of beers with the buffet and be in the thick of it.
I was lucky enough to go up the mountain and my support team (my brother) parked up next to the black t-shirt cut-off, plenty of parking. He walked with me from there which I think is what most do, although there is a shuttle bus from the cut-off to the bottom of the Gaustatoppen trail where it is compulsory for your support to accompany you. Can also walk/jog (mostly walk) up zombie hill but unless you have two in your support crew it would be a drag to go and retrieve the car! After the race I got the funicular down but my brother had to wait in the non-racers queue (or walk down, but he was knackered!!) so I got on the shuttle bus and fetched the car to go pick him up.
The long climb out of T1 does go on up forever but on fresh legs and with lots of company it was probably my favourite part of the ride! Imingfjell is harder because your legs are tired, but you get plenty rest after the plateau on one of the longest descents you will ever ride on the way back down to T2.
My race report is far too long and rambling but there might be some useful nuggets in there for you, I included plenty about logistics;
https://forum.slowtwitch.com/forum/?post=7010932
Cheers, Rich.
I’ve only ever fantasized about doing the race, but what bike setup do you guys use? I would hate to lug my P3X up all that altitude. Do you just do road bike + clip-ons? Pure road setup? I know you provide your own crew, are there designated spots for them to provide aid or is it ad hoc along the course? What kind of vehicle do you rent?
I rode my TT bike with a disc wheel, same as any other race, but I’m quite happy taking it up and down hill. Most others were on TT bikes too, but not an insignificant number on road bikes. I am pretty sure I would have been slower on my roadie, up on the Hardangervidda plateau in particular you want all the aero.
Your aid doesn’t begin until something like 40km after T1 when the road starts to level out a bit, and the cars and bikes take a different route up the hill (bikes on the “old road”). After that the aid can be given anywhere* but your support car has to be parked legally, outside the lines at the edge of the road. From a pragmatic perspective your best bet is to look at the recommended aid stops on the race org’s map, we used that as our basis and scoped out an extra stop or two stop using Google maps (and confirmed it on the drive into Eidfjord coming over from Oslo).
Recommended aid stops here;
https://map.nxtri.com/comp/
I rode my TT bike with a disc wheel, same as any other race, but I’m quite happy taking it up and down hill. Most others were on TT bikes too, but not an insignificant number on road bikes. I am pretty sure I would have been slower on my roadie, up on the Hardangervidda plateau in particular you want all the aero.
Your aid doesn’t begin until something like 40km after T1 when the road starts to level out a bit, and the cars and bikes take a different route up the hill (bikes on the “old road”). After that the aid can be given anywhere* but your support car has to be parked legally, outside the lines at the edge of the road. From a pragmatic perspective your best bet is to look at the recommended aid stops on the race org’s map, we used that as our basis and scoped out an extra stop or two stop using Google maps (and confirmed it on the drive into Eidfjord coming over from Oslo).
Just curious, but could you swap bikes during the race?
Recommended aid stops here;
https://map.nxtri.com/comp/
Hi Todd
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions regarding Norseman.
I have raced it and I have also been support.
Thanks all! This was super helpful. I’ve got lodging all set up now and am just starting to map out the year to hopefully snag a black shirt.
Hi Todd,
Congratulations on getting a slot. Norseman is the best race ever!
I’d recommend staying at the main hotel recommended by the race organisers. It’s very central and hear the ferry. Don’t forget that the race is a point to point so you will also need to book a lodge at the finish line.
Regards training. Zombie hill is a beast so suggest lots of hill repeats on tied legs. If you have a good watts/kilo on the bike then the hills are okay.
Best of luck.