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@miro_o
I did this in 2012 on my road bike, with a bunch of friends. Strava >>>
If I were to do it again I would without a doubt ride it fixed. It's perfect.
The roads are wide, with a nice fasts surface. It's really easy to keep steady pace, the terrain is just so easy riding it's simply the kms that are the challenge. And dodging 20,000 other riders.
Just pick the fixed gear you like for distance riding and do it on that. I did a handful of 200k audaxes in the months prior to the ride to get used to pacing myself.
Stay happy and comfortable for as long as possible, eat well, sing, chat, ride with people you know, or don't know – whatever feels right at the time.
DO take turns if your sucking wheels. Don't expect a high level of riding etiquette from the other riders. You're riding in a mix of inexperienced charity riders through to pro-teams!
It's pretty bonkers but also very safe and well organised.
Take proper lights – it does get dark for a bit.
Carry on your bike clothing layers for all eventualities. Get a bar bag or something if needed. I didn't and rode through 6 hours of torrential freezing rain in a softshell gilet as my outer-layer and got closer than I've ever been to passing out on the bike. Even in June Sweden at 4am can actually be quite cold.
Motala is a nice, quiet town. There are places to camp (just north of the town – by the water) but also lots of locals rent out their houses. We did that as a group and it work nicely and wasn't expensive. Most other things is Sweden are quite expensive! PM me if you want the deets of the travel rep that sorted us out with accommodation.
I did it as a road trip staying in Copenhagen on the way but you can fly to Stockholm and hire a car.