The clubhouse: Southern Sweden
23-12-13The original plan was to ride from Båstad to Gothenburg.
Two big days back to back on the quiet roads and gravel tracks in the southern Swedish countryside with our friends from the Cent Cols, testing gear at a time of the year that always makes riding long days outside a challenge.
An unusually cold snap and the corresponding dumps of snow meant that the plan had to adapt however, with the prospect of frozen puddles under snow and the remoteness of roads presenting unnecessary risk on the long ride up to Gothenburg.
The decision was taken to keep the riding more local to our starting point on the outskirts of Båstad, with a network of quiet roads and trails at our disposal and an ability to control more of the variables in conditions that could be classed as 'challenging'.
Temperatures below freezing meant layering up, with the cold also asking a different set of questions about fitness, concentration and bike handling.
Two great days of riding with friends followed, the stillness and the beauty of the snow covered countryside coupled with the reassurance that our gear could more than handle the conditions creating a warm buzz and strong sense of camaraderie in the group.
Below are some photos from the trip.
