2010-06-18 - Vätternrundan

300K around a big lake in Sweden, overnight.

Have been meaning to enter for a while, and they have filled most of the 20,000 places they have for next year, so I just signed up. http://www.vatternrundan.se/Default.aspx?module=4&content=68&lang=SV&fwsite=2

Get your names on the list!

Jacqui - it's a fantastic ride (um, its not overnight though)

My brother has done it a couple of times. I'm tempted. I'd better give him a call.

I've just signed up for the long course. My brother did it in 10 hrs 48 mins the first year and last year got it down to 9 hrs 5 mins.

Our start time is 3.08 am so we'll be riding into daybreak.

What have I done?

I'm extremely tempted.

Oh fuck... I've just signed up.

300KM is only 186 Miles.

I've gone farther in a single ride... but only once. Shit. I'm going to have to train for this, or at least not eat so many pies.

Nice one VB.

My winter rides now have a purpose. I've never done a distance anything like 300KM, but I guess i have until june.

Did you two get given start times when you signed up? Or is there a delay?

I'm signed up via my brothers Work Cycle Club so I slot into their times.

I opted for early, but it simply said wait 3 days for details.

The distance isn't a problem if you're in a group... it's more of an issue solo though.

The issue for me is choice of bike. Either very fast road bike (little effort, whizz through it compared to plod) or being able to carry stuff on the new touring machine (more effort, but greater ability to carry food and water).

I'm inclined towards the tourer, but the only time I've ever done this distance was on the road bike and at the end I still felt fresh. So that tempts me towards that. There were a fair number of feeding stations though (UK Etape + riding back to London for a gig = over 200 miles in 9 hours... but I did have London Dynamo support throughout).

I'll have a chat with my brother on the phone tonight. He did it on his cannondale road bike both times.

I'm thinking of getting some organised rides under my belt on gears early next year and try to go on regular club rides over the winter. It's all unknown territory for me at the moment.

The issue for me is choice of bike. Either very fast road bike (little effort, whizz through it compared to plod) or being able to carry stuff on the new touring machine (more effort, but greater ability to carry food and water).

You're only allowed to use the tourer if you're cycling to Sweden and back. By the sounds of it there's loads of food and drink stops, and I expect nothing less than perfect organisation by the Swede's.

I got myself signed up this morning. Opted for a late slot to start with a friend who'd already entered, but by the sounds of it they're all full now anyway so I'm looking at a 2am start. Prefer to do some of in the dark to be honest, should add to the epic-ness of it all.

Did anyone have any issues with the credit card processing by the way? Wasn't sure if mine went through properly but I still got an email with registration and payment numbers.

I appear to have registered too...

That's just careless. More so considering you don't have any gears.

That's just careless. More so considering you don't have any gears.

...yet.

Need a new project now that the new one is pretty much done.

It was a great challenge when i did this in 08. I am very jealous of all those going next year. I don't think I am in any shape to do this now, good luck to all those going. VB I think I need to ply you with some "dutch courage" on saturday.

Always wanted to do this since I'm from the area anyway. Think some guys from fixedgear.se did it last year(fixed that is). Personally I would opt for gears since there is a few hills and a bit of wind from time to time. Might see if there is any places left..............

Wow..... 180+ miles fixed.. "F" that!

@Spins & Brun... good work. I've promised my brother for about 4 years that I'd do this with him, probably more actually since he moved to Stockholm about 8 years ago.

Fingers crossed there will be a few others who can scrape in.

Des...are you considering??

I think my start time will be around 00:30.

In June light isn't so bad, so the road bike is a real possibility. Only really have to deal with about 3 or 4 hours of dark. Unfortunately it's not a full moon that night.

I'll wait until the Mather arrives and see how much I like the Rohloff hub and the dynamo lighting... it might just be the perfect bike for it.

I don't think I am in any shape to do this now, good luck to all those going.

Isn't that part of the point... you just sign-up, go "oh shit" and then work out what you need to do to get yourself ready.

And yup... RPM on Saturday :)

That's just careless. More so considering you don't have any gears.

i did it fixed.. no prob.

Des...are you considering??

Marco just entered this afternoon when I saw this thread and realised that it was about to sell out- its a great ride, are you going to give it a go?

I've just signed up!

Woohoo!

The issue for me is choice of bike. Either very fast road bike (little effort, whizz through it compared to plod) or being able to carry stuff on the new touring machine (more effort, but greater ability to carry food and water).

I'm inclined towards the tourer, but the only time I've ever done this distance was on the road bike and at the end I still felt fresh. So that tempts me towards that. There were a fair number of feeding stations though (UK Etape + riding back to London for a gig = over 200 miles in 9 hours... but I did have London Dynamo support throughout).

I am thinking road bike. There are plenty of rest stops, so not too much cargo required...

Rest stop Km Comment
Hästholmen - 43km - The first stop is usually reached quickly. The course is lined with cheering spectators and there are few hills. Beverages and buns.
Gränna - 81km - A rest stop at Gränna Glasbruk with beverages, buns and bananas. A new beverage for many is blueberry soup which is a smooth and syrupy drink. It is served warm if the weather is chilly or cold if the weather is hot.
Jönköping - 109km - During Vätternrundan the worlds largest hotdog stand is set up! Mashed potatoes and sausages are served as well as bread, porridge and bananas.
Fagerhult - 140km - Beverages, buns, bananas and a well-deserved rest.
along road 140 + Splash & go rest stop - water only!
Hjo - 178km - Hjo gives every cyclist a warm welcome! Here cyclists are served a warm meal of lasagne and sallad. A new snack for many is pickled salted gherkin, a juicy way to get some salt. For those who feel breakfast is more in order there is corn flakes, milk and coffee.
Karlsborg - 210km - A nice stop next to the old fortress. Beverages and buns.
Boviken - 232km - A beautiful nature spot many look forward to. Beverages, buns and bananas. Bananas are always served cut in half, for easy eating.
Hammarsundet - 262km - On the bridge over the sound you can view northern Vättern and its beautiful archipelago. Beverages, buns and bananas.
Medevi - 282km - Medevi is the site of an old spa. Here on a summery meadow cyclists can listen to music and have coffee with sticky buns with honey.

Sod it... I'll train on both. I'll decide the day of the flight depending on the weather forecast.