2011 & 2012 Sweden

<span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"><font color="#000000">The first day brought us along “Sverigeleden” out of Gothenburg. As always you have to be very carefully not to lose the cycle track in town. After the first trip around Mälaren, I was more aware about the Swedish cycle environment. Signed cycle tracks runs primarily on Streets! I have chosen a combination of cycle tracks and minor roads to get the best out of the trip</font></span>

The tour was mainly along minor roads, with less traffic. We were very lucky with the tail wind, it pushed us forward. Heavy rain comes later that day. In the evening there was a good possibility to drying  our wet equipment. Hällekis is a beautiful village, the YH is located in former accommodation for worker during the industrial period, worth to see.

Day three of the tour Gothenburg - Stockholm; Interesting cycling from deep countryside to the centre of Mariestad. After a short rest in the centre of the town for a cup of coffee we set of for the Göta Canal. We finished that day in National Park „Tiveden“. The YH Village in Tiveden is worth to see

Nach Ausfall des GPX Gerätes, wurde die Route nachträglich erstellt. Ungefähre Strecke I lost the date through some problems with the gpx devise. Route is the approximately done route. 

<span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"><font color="#000000">Along the Canal we stopped for coffee plus cake at a YH, managed by an Austrian - Swedish couple. By Soderkoping the Canal ends and we headed north and stayed over night in the Village Navekvarn. The B&B / Vandrahem is located within the centre. The little islands near the village invites for a walk, we have done it by beautiful sun setting.</font></span>

<span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"><font color="#000000">For the tour Gotheburg -Stockholm you probably need about a week. However if you are lucky and have more time than you might do some extra km and might see and discover far more in this beautifully country. I advise you take a mix out of calm country roads and cycle lanes so far they exist. </font></span>

<span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"><font color="#000000">One day Trip; From Solna with the SL “Pendeltag” to Södertalje and back to Stockholm mainly along “Malardalsleden”. The idea was to take a ferry. Sometimes you are just surprised if the sign for the ferry is there but it has ceased to work many years ago. - Just go back the same way.</font></span>

<span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"><font color="#000000">Many possibilities to choose your way. Following the signs are not always easy. Mälardalsleden runs primarily on roads with moderate car traffic and sadly on many occasion it is just along the main road.</font></span> &lt;span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: &quot;Verdana&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"&gt;&lt;font color="#000000"&gt;Done: 2011 - 06 -12&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/span&gt;

Last day of the three day-tour. Balsta is also  the start point for the tour up to north in 2012. Balsta is the most remote station for SL pendeltag (train) to Stockholm. You might find a very good overview of all bicycle routes in Sweden  in „Skyltade Cykelleder i Sverige“ However be aware that Cycle lanes in Sweden runs primarily on (main) roads. Done: 2011 - 06 -13

The first day up to Umea tour starts in Balsta. In good mood and bright weather we went off for Sala. Our equipment, for the next two weeks, is well stored on the bicycles, actually that is also enough for longer tours. Maps for the today's navigation is simple fixed on the steering. I preferred for that tour printed maps and a Garmin device for recording the tours. Tour Done 2012 05 26

Day two, again good weather. We have had lunch in a small pizza that we have found by accident. You should not miss out such opportunity in Sweden! That might be the only one for that day. Sala Silvergruva is worth to see. The distance we are covering in our daily trips might be different, but on this day we were surprised by road maintenance, it was impossible to cycle. We had to push our cycles over big stones for five km. For certain parts we are heading along “Sverigeleden”. &nbsp; Done 2012 - 05 - 27

Out of Borlange along Sverigeleden was a bit a night mare. I “lost and found” Sverigeleden. Although I consider myself a good navigator, in towns without proper maps, and no signing for cycle lanes, it is very difficult. I have the choice go along main streets which I try to avoid on all costs. In this case, at the end I have given up to follow “Sverigeleden” and searched our way out of Borlänge on the main streets. Later there was good cycling in quiet nature, mainly along &bdquo;Fabodleden&ldquo; Done: 2012 - 05 - 28