Well thats the plan this summer :) Susie is happy for me to go away for a week on a bike ride so I have decided to set my sights on either following the coast North or South from Stockholm. As I havent seen anything of the SE of Sweden I am going to head South
So this blog is going to serve as a planning diary and then a blog of the actual trip.
Now I know from my Ireland days what I am capable of but I have to be honest and say that though I did the coast of Ireland I didn't cycle more than 2 days. This time I plan to be cycling everyday so being realistic I should set my sights at no more than 100 miles a day.
Day 1
I think Norrkoping would make a good place to head for on day 1. Accomodation is going to be a problem because Sweden doesnt seem to be great on B&B. Plus it can be expensive so I need to stick to slightly larger towns and go for the "Vandrarhem" or Hostel type rooms.
I think this would be a good start Norrkoping
Day 2
Getting to Norrkoping is pretty easy but getting further down is harder because the back roads are pretty small and easy to get lost in. I really am going to need superb maps or a GPS (I have in mind the Garmin 705)
So for day 2 I think I would like to get to Oskarshamn though in reality I probably could get to Kalmar easily enough as long as I dont get lost.
Day 3
Down to Kalmar and across to Oland. Ideally spend a night in Borgholm.
Day 4
Explore Oland by going to both the far North and the far South. It looks to be perfect cycling country with plenty of things to see. Also close to the sea which is what I love.
Spend the night in Kalmar.
Day 5
Cross country to Solvesborg looks about doable. Again lots of windy back roads but I bet it will be interesting ride.
Day 6
Around to Malmo and stay the night in Lund. Maybe get in touch with Torbjorn and arrange to meet up. Been many years since I have seen him :)
Day 7
Seems a shame to waste the last day travelling back so I probably go to Hassleholm and catch the train from there. I guess I need to find out if they allow bikes on the train and if so how I can book it all.
Well lots of planning to do.
I think also I need to join Swedish Youth Hostel Association
