Vätternrundan 2026
Sweden's Vätternrundan is claimed to be the world's largest mass participation long distance sportive, run out of Motala, Sweden and traverses the banks of the gigantic Vattern lake in the middle of the country. No short cuts possible unless you want to swim across the lake !
At 315km, and 15,000 riders, the entire town is taken over for 48 hours with the first riders departing from 19:30pm on Friday 12th June and last starting around 05:30 on the Saturday. Early start riders have to negotiate the dark hours between 23:00 and 04:00 as they ride around the coast of the lake, on mostly closed roads in small groups. The only time limit is midnight on Saturday - regardless of when you start.
Theres plenty of stops en route with a wide variety of Swedish foods at the stops, from Swedish meatballs to blueberry soup through the night hours. The ride is all about eating and refuelling to keep going.
Three riders from Lincoln Wheelers are taking part - Tom, Graham and Adrian and in Adrian’s case this is the second time he has taken part. Logistics start on Thursday with flights from Heathrow to Arlanda and then on down to a hotel the Skavska area, about 90 minutes drive from the start area. With a late start time for the group of 20:40, there will be plenty of time to get down to the start village and assemble bikes for the big ride. Cycling through the night will require good bike lights and with no flashing lights permitted, multiple lights to get through the night.
After the ride is completed, all riders are kept in the village until six hours after they complete the ride to ensure they get some sleep, and before they are allowed to drive away, the police check that you have waited the obligatory six hours - and they don’t allow excuses - safety first.
For all of us, its all been about training in preparation, with multiple 200km rides in the UK, in Audax events and rides with club friends - and in some cases, a 300km Audax even thrown in.
It’s great way to test yourself riding at night in a (relatively) safe environment for those looking at longer Audax rides of 300km, 400km and longer.
