Two weeks in Sweden

[Geebe]

Morning All,

We're cycle touring / bike packing around Sweden for two weeks next month.

Mainly following the Sverigeleden, the plan is to start in Stockholm, head south to the Gota Canal, west along the canal path to Sjotorp, north to Karlstad to pick up the Klarälvsbanan greenway as far as Rada, then east and south back to Stockholm.

Accomodation will be mostly campsites & wild camping with a couple of B&B's along the way. What are those prepared shelters / camping areas called in Swedish? Are they mapped or signposted at all?

We will be cycling roughly 1000 km. Has anyone any experience of cycling in Sweden?

The route takes us close to Hans Karlsson in Klensmide and Svante Djarv in Avesta so hope to check them out. Do they do any specials for weary travellers I wonder (I'm sure I could make room for a nice carving axe and a blade or two...)

What other places / makers should we visit? Any other ideas?

Hoping to do a moose (elk?) and beaver spotting trip and a bit of canoeing.

Here's hoping Sweden is as flat as they say it is

 

[Arya]

Sounds like you are planning a wonderful trip I hope there will be a trip report!
Happy camping!

 

[Geebe]

Sounds like you are planning a wonderful trip I hope there will be a trip report!
Happy camping!

Thanks, can't wait! Will do my first trip report

 

[SaraR]

Doyou mean "vindskydd"? The symbol is a side view of a person with backpack and bent legs sitting under a diagonal line (like a slanting lean to).

Sweden is on the whole great for cycling (Swedes cycle a lot) but I would avoid the big fast roads. Technically you should use bike lanes when provided. No cycling on motorways (green road signs)

 

[crosslandkelly]

Sweden is a beautiful country, enjoy yourselves.
These are a couple of Vindskydds I stayed in recently.

 

[SaraR]

I've always been fortunate enough to get them to myself and everytime I wish we had them in the UK. (Even if you probably would have to share. ) Especially in soggy terrain!

 

[Geebe]

Vindskydd - That's exactly what I was talking about. Thanks guys!

Here is a map I just found on Google: Vindskydd Google map

@Crosslandkelly, you just reminded me I have to get a mozzy net. Any recommendations?

 

[crosslandkelly]

Mine was just a cheapo tesco jobbie, but worked well. Don't forget repellant.
Have a look here for mozzie nets. http://www.sportsdirect.com/gelert-...G0e-NmSqEabieUsLnyqPwFQviYfqHGshoCL1gQAvD_BwE

 

[SaraR]

Get a midge net, nothing worse than seeing the little buggers climb through the holes in the mozzy net.

 

[Janne]

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[Geebe]

@SaraR: You're scaring me now!

@Janne: By the sound of what SaraR is saying, I just might do that! Where do the savvy Swedes get their stuff?

 

[Janne]

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[Geebe]

In Stockholm you have Naturkompaniet.
One store is on Sveavägen 2 or 3 stops away from Centralen by the T- banan ( subway).

Thanks. Good to know. I'll have to get gas etc also.

 

[Janne]

Thanks. Good to know. I'll have to get gas etc also.[/QUOTExxxxxxx.

 

[Geebe]

Gas? On Thursdays the traditional dish is a Yellow Pea soup and Pancakes. Plenty of gas after that!

As we used to say... Taxi!

 

[Janne]

xxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

[Geebe]

You might not see moose. Deer maybe. Not sure about beaver.
Mosquitoes and gnats - lots of those!

If you plan to go canoeing take a light fishing rod with you. Short term permits are cheap.

47 species of Mosquito! That's mad Ted.

Might just have room for a hand line, space is very tight on a bike