The breeze touch my face with the smell of fall, and harwest. In front of me lies Tyrifjorden sparkling bright and in the east I see Gyrihaugen reflecting in Steinsfjorden. I change gears on my bike when i reach the top after passing over the long plain Steinssletta and head toward the hilly Røyselandet.the fields are colored in purple, green, brown and yellow from the vegetable and fruit production and in the distance, I see the tower of Bønsnes church.

about 50 km north of Oslo, surrounded by Steinsfjorden and Tyrifjorden you find Røyse and a little further down the road toward Hønefoss you find Norderhov. In this aria there are three churches Norderhov, Bønsnes and Hole. If you would like a nice bike ride in the beautiful hilly landscape of Ringerike and Røyse this is the perfect trip.

I recommend starting from Norderhov church because its easy to find, close to E16 and has a large parking place. From Norderhov you pedal your way out on E16 and Steinsletta toward Vik. You see Gyrihaugen on your left side and you are surrounded by large fields all around you. After passing Vik you start cycling in to what is called Røyselandet, and soon you reach the first church, Bønsnes.

Located on a hill overlooking Tyrifjorden and surrounded by large fields, this old church is definitely a good place for relaxation and solitude. Apparently the church was built by Olav den hellige (ST Olav) the Norwegian king who christened Norway but this is probably only folklore, however there is raised a memorial stone for the king next to the church. The church is built around 1100.

After spending some time at Bønsnes there is time to head back on the road for Hole church. You have Tyrifjorden on you left side and on your right the hill raises with apple trees and agricultural fields. If yo take this trip in late august as I did the fresh Norwegian Fall air is filled with the smell of grass and the harvesting of crops and all the apple trees and fruit trees you cycle by is filled with apples and plums and cherries. After some kilometers there is a sign toward Hole Church, you take the road up the hillside. When you reach the top the tower of hole church appears and in the north/east horizon you can also see the tower of Norderhov church.

Hole church is a brown Stone building built around 1200 with a beautiful cemetery and very nice surroundings.

After hole church you head back for Norderhov you pass the old army camp Helgelandsmoen and you get Storelva on your left side and soon the beautiful Norderhov Prestegård and Norderhov Church appears on the hill in front of you

Norderhov kirke was in historical time the most important church in Ringerike. Built around 1170 and it has a very fascinating history. In the old Prestegård (priest farm) there is a museum open in the summer season with a special focus on Anna Colbjørnsdatter, the local heroine whom in 1716 apparently single handily stopped the Swedish invasion of Norway and for that reason is mentioned in the Norwegian national anthem, but that Is another story.

The landscape, the weather the scenery and the buildings you encounter on this bike ride is magnificent there is no place in the world that match the beauty of Røyse ,Ringerike, Steinsfjorden and Tyrifjorden. A great place to find inspiration and to regain your equilibrium. I think that the best way to experience Ringerike is by bike and I will give more advice to where you can take your bike out for a spin when you visit Ringerike here on MyBestJourneys.com

This is the route I recommend:
http://www.gulesider.no/kart/;jsessionid=bPHSM9XxcXd9c6Ekon#lat%3D666268...

if others have great bike route tips in Ringerike or other places please write about them :)