nbjtours

Ramsele, Sweden

Day Nine 126 miles 3732 ft climbed

Today was not meant to be a special day,  but it will be one that I remember for some time. 

The campsite that we had stayed at Lycksele was one of the best we had ever seen, with the standard of facilities better than many five star hotels so although our stay was brief we gave it a big thumbs up. The view below is looking back to the campsite from the opposite side of the lake. 

 Unlike the forecast, the skies cleared and the morning ride was enjoyable,  if not dissimilar to yesterday’s In that what comes down must go back up, so that the first segment climbed back up to over 1600ft in steps that went up 100 or 200 ft a time then back down 50 ft so that it was difficult to get a rhythm. 

With the sun shining again things look just fantastic.    

 Note the colour of the houses in Sweden – most are the rust colour with white features, the next favourite being a yellow ochre colour. Other colours being very rare. 
The other thing that seems quite common is that you do not get rid of your car you just park it in the corner of your garden. I saw one house that must have had ten or so Saab 96 versions scattered around in different states of decay. 

Many lakes have diving platforms and the like, but the best raft I saw was below,all ready for candlelit evening meal in the middle of the lake! Note Scandanavian Gazebos have both filled in and mosquito net options so you can eat outside and not be eaten yourself.   

The countryside still mostly is forest with the odd small farm and I did see a red squirrel today. 

I also had an emergency stop when I heard a bang on my helmet and something on my head. Thinking it was a stick or twig I tried to get it out unsuccessfully, so had to stop to take my helmet off, together with a live,  but probably stunned bumble bee. Having  been stung in a similar incident a couple of months back, I thanked the little chap for sparing me. 

The segment to our planned  lunch stop in Asele ( pronounced Orseller) was a rolling one with not enough downhill. I also knew that we were yet to be at the halfway point for the day, but Asele was the only real town on route so choice was limited. 

We found a nice Konditerai where as ever the lady spoke good English. 

It was here that on leaving she asked where I was cycling to and after having told a story about a local priest who cycled the length of Sweden with some of his parishioners said ” you are cycling in the rain then”

The second half of the day was due to be 60 miles split into two with a tea break. Having kitted up for rain, following the lady’s advice, I got to the the camper dry and ok at the agreed halfway point, although did pass plenty more lakes  

 Chatting with Nigel, we said “hope the rain holds off as we may get away with it” these became fatal words. 
The next 10 miles were fine but with supposedly 20 miles to go it started to rain a bit. That was ok, but when the signs took me right instead of left I started back on a dirt road again. 

By this time the rain became torrential ( weather warnings etc) and I thought I was probably off route with at least 15 miles to do on a dirt road, the rain seemingly just getting harder and praying I did not get a puncture.  

 This was the only shot I dared take and most of the time it was much worse, as iPhones and water do not mix well and I needed to try keep in touch with the outside world. 
A few cars passed going the other way and what they thought of this mad Englishman beating down the road in the rain who knows, but any tiredness I had felt until then evaporated, as I dodged most of the potholes, really enjoying the challenge, although at the same time hoping it  would end soon as those 15 miles took an hour. 

Well it did, and with 5 miles to go I hit the main road and soggily pedalled on. Meantime Nigel had had his own dramas as the campsite was now closed for the season. Fortunately the owners live nearby and were just locking up as he arrived. Because of the dire weather he managed to sweet talk them into opening everything just for us. 

I nearly arrived 15 minutes before I did, but took a wrong turn 100 yards from the entrance, which added another 3 miles in the rain. I did then arrive completely soaked through, but feeling genuinely elated at completing such a difficult and long day in fine form, running straight into my exclusively readied shower, although finishing at 7.30 after a 8.00 start was not ideal. 

We even had time this evening to wash the bike down and lube the chain to stop it rusting. 

An amazing end to the day and 126 miles covered. This ride was always going to be a challenge but they are not always the ones you expect. 

I write this as the rain continues to batter down and we hope the forecast for light rain tomorrow comes good.