In case you are trying to discover a new biking problem this coming summer season, Vätternrundan is one to shortlist. It’s the last word endurance sportive problem, using round a surprising 315km (196 mile) course in central Sweden.
Chances are you’ll not have heard of the Vätternrundan, but it surely’s an enormous occasion each in its distance and the variety of individuals. The journey is round Lake Vättern, the second largest lake in Sweden and begins and finishes in Motala, round 250km southwest of Stockholm. It takes place on thirteenth and 14th June this yr, and it’s nonetheless not too late to join for this spectacular sportive.
(Picture credit score: Vatternrundan)
Vätternrundan is in its sixtieth version in 2025 and with 25,000 riders it is thought of the world’s largest leisure bike occasion. It attracts riders from over 70 international locations annually, with its abroad profile growing year-on-year and over a 3rd of individuals now from exterior Sweden. There are round 80,000 riders and spectators in complete over the occasion week.
(Picture credit score: Vatternrundan)
Contributors set off in small teams all through the day and, though it’s referred to as a race by its organisers, it’s a basic sportive format, the place you may take your personal time, relaxation up when you could and discover refreshments on the 9 feed stations or within the quite a few cities and villages alongside the best way.
There aren’t any winners, however instances to checkpoints alongside the best way and to finish the course can be found to particular person riders post-event.
Because the journey takes place near midsummer, you may benefit from the prolonged daylight at this northern latitude. The biggest variety of finishers full the journey in round 14 hours, however the quickest get spherical in slightly over seven.
(Picture credit score: Vatternrundan)
Don’t suppose that as a result of the journey is across the shores of Lake Vättern it’s all flat. There are many ups and downs with Fagerhult the best city at 196m elevation and a complete of over 2,000 metres of elevation achieve.
If 315km sounds a bit a lot for you, there may be additionally a 150km route, two totally different 100km loops, and MTB and a children’ journey too.
(Picture credit score: Vatternrundan)
There are a great deal of lodging choices for individuals in and round Motala, with lodges, B&Bs, hostels and tenting, whereas many residents provide rooms or complete flats or homes to riders.
And a motorcycle expo to match the journey in measurement
(Picture credit score: Vatternrundan)
For this yr’s occasion the organisers have added the Nordic Bike Expo, which can happen across the harbour in Motola, proper subsequent to the beginning and end space. It is going to be a spotlight of the occasions surrounding the journey and is open on sixth and seventh June previous to the journey and likewise twelfth, thirteenth and 14th of June over the weekend of the Vätternrundan journey itself.
There might be round 60 bike manufacturers exhibiting, making it the most important bike expo in Scandinavia. Guests can have the chance to browse bikes and tools for street, gravel and mountain bikers from rookies to elite riders, in addition to bikes and package for leisure bike riders.
Main manufacturers partnering the Vätternrundan journey embody Shimano, Canyon, Craft, Wahoo – oh, and Carlsberg.
You will discover meals distributors, a children’ play space, talking occasions and a complete vary of different actions, in addition to bikes, bikes and extra bikes. There’s additionally a take a look at monitor the place you may check out a variety of the most recent bikes your self.
There’s extra data concerning the Nordic Bike Expo on this hyperlink for potential exhibitors.
Zwift has obtained into the act too, with a Vätternrundan group journey sequence main as much as the journey and there are extra coaching programmes on-line for riders aiming to finish the course in sub-15, sub-12 and even sub-10 hour instances.
Fascinated by using the Vätternrundan? You will discover out extra and register right here.
