FAQ

What kind of ride is this?

Length of Sweden Sverigetempot is a brevet . Simply,  a non stop ride with checkpoints, were you are required to arrange your own meals and accommodation? We are manning the halfway checkpoint at Östersund at a hostel. You may ride alone, or with others. The ride is sanctioned by RM; Randonneurs Mondiaux.

The maximum time for all riders is 210 hours. One or two groups will start each morning: Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

Thursday is allocated for the riders who think they may need all of the allowed time. The last group is meant for riders aiming for 150 hours or faster.

The manned control in Östersund will open sometime Sunday night. The opening of the finish will be when the first riders from the last starting group arrives.

Though this is not a race, most us us enjoy the thrill of records.  The fastest time to Smygehuk so far was in 2021 when a rider completed in 100 h 53 m.

Are my chances to ride gone if it’s sold out by Christmas?

Check out startplatser.se for opportunities to purchase race entries from riders who are unable to participate.

Where does it start and finish?

The brevet starts close to the Sweden-Norway border on the E10, 1 kilometer north of the ski resort Riksgränsen. 68°26’5.4″N 18°6’29.4″E.

The brevet ends by the Baltic Sea in Smygehuk, which is the most southern point in Sweden and the Scandinavian Peninsula. 55°20’14.1″N 13°21’35.9″E.

Where is the recommended place to stay before the start?

Katterjokk, 2 kilometers south of the starting line.

There are three places to stay: Katterjokk Turiststation, Arctic Lodge and RIBO Apartments

In the ski resort Riksgränsen 1 kilometer north of Katterjokk some more RIBO Apartments and the only food store in the area.

What’s the fee and what’s included?

2700 SEK (€ 245).

• Brevet card
• Pre ride something from the barbecue
• Bagdrop in Östersund (945 km/600 miles)
• Food and accomodation at the check point in Östersund
• Accomodation at the hostel in Smygehuk for the immediate post ride rest. Due to the number of beds available, we may be forced to limit the time you have access to a bed to 6 hours. There is no single room option.
• After party on July 11 and 12.
• An embroidered patch to official finishers

I’d like to send things to Smygehuk. How?

We will not transport luggage to Smygehuk this time. Instead you will prepare and pay for the shipment of your luggage. We will transport it from the starting point to the service point, and it will be delivered to the hostel in Smygehuk.

Detailed instructions will be posted on the website in May.

More than 95% of the transport will be by train this way!

Well, a bag drop service at least..?

Yes, to Östersund. In a PostNord Blue box measuring 35x22x12 cm.

When you leave the checkpoint we will deliver the box, it’s a postage-paid, to the service point. Maximum 2 kg Address it to wherever you want but not to the finish! We’ll return the trailer in Östersund but we will make an exception, and space in the car, for boxes belonging to those of you living abroad, who wants to avoid the custom declaration.

Detailed instructions will be posted on the website in May.

Do I have to qualify to ride Sverigetempot?

No.

What’s the Swedish climate like in July?

Wikipedia says:

”During July there is not much difference in temperature between the north and south of the country. With the exception of in the mountains, the whole country has a July-average temperature within the range of +15.0 C to + 17.5 C.

The relative strength of low and high-pressure systems of marine and continental air also define the highly variable summers. When hot continental air hits the country, the long days and short nights frequently bring temperatures up to 30 °C (86 °F)… Nights normally remain cool, especially in inland areas. (Our comment: some who rode all night experienced below zero temps in the midsection of the route during the 2016 ride.)

Most of Sweden is located in the ”rain shadow” of the Scandinavian Mountains through Norway and north-west Sweden. The blocking of cool and wet air in summer as well as the greater landmass leads to warm and dry summers far north in the country, with quite warm summers at the Bothnia Bay coast at 65 degrees latitude, which is unheard of elsewhere in the world at such northerly coastlines.”

What about wild animals?

You will most surely meet reindeers in herd on the road in Lapland. If you tire waiting for these peaceful animals to move out of your way, just start pedaling calmly). Mosquitos can pester you when you stop, especially up north, so always carry a repellant. There aren’t any aggressive dogs to chase you, or lethal reptiles waiting for you beside the road for that matter. You may meet hogs on the roads in the southern half, normally after sunset.

Will I be covered by an insurance?

No.

For your own sake, it’s very important that you have a liability, accident and health insurance. Foreign riders should make sure that a repatriation insurance is included.

You will sign a liability waiver before the start which releases Sverigetempot from responsibility for damages of any kind that may occur during the event.

Is riding with fellow participants allowed?

Yes! We encourage you to ride together.

Friendly local cyclists may show up on the route and perhaps offer you shelter from the wind. Thanks but no thanks! You can either ride alongside or in front.

Do I have to wear a helmet and do I really need lights on the bike in the land of the midnight sun?

Yes and yes. If the weather is good it’s very light the first night and perhaps even the second night (depending on the speed of your progress). It gets significantly darker the further south you ride.

Are tri bars allowed?

Yes.

What are the roads like?

The whole route is paved. However, in the north there are yearly road works. Some of them are done with after a few second but a few can be 10 kilometers or so. We reroute if necessary and possible without a very long detour.

Is the route fixed?

Yes. If you leave the route, you continue from the point you left it. Any means of transportation to get back to there is allowed.

How does the brevet card work?

In order to verify that you have taken the right way, the brevet card has to be stamped, signed and have the time noted. You hand the card to the staff at the commercial service you visit to get something to eat. In Östersund you have to get the card stamped at the manned check point (see more below).

Are there manned checkpoints?

Yes, one. In Östersund after 950 km.

Street Address: Biblioteksgatan 25 (on the route)

Opening hours: 15.00 July 6 – 09.00 July 9.

This checkpoint is equipped with the original Sverigetempot stamp. You have to get the stamp in the brevet card at the hostel during the time it is open. If you arrive later you can have your passage verified any place in Östersund.

We have the hostel by ourselves. It is on the first floor (of an old fire station) and there is an elevator. Yes, bring your bike inside!

Hot food is served day and night.

What about food etc along the route?

During daytime the first 1300 km (800 miles) there are some sections with 150 km (90 miles) between services. There are numerous sections with 60-90 km without food or drinks to buy. At 950 km you reach the city of Östersund where we treat you with the only manned control before the finish at Smygehuk. For the around-the-clock riders, there are 24 hour petrol stations with fast food in Dorotea (700 km), in Sveg (1200), Karlskoga (1500) and in Skövde (1700).

Am I scratched if I arrive late to the Östersund control?

If arriving at the official Östersund control after closing time, you simply have to find another place in town to stamp.

Are there no closing times at the check points?

We impose a time limit only at the finish, in Smygehuk.

What if i don’t receive any confirmation email after signing up?

First check your spam filter. If you don’t find it there, send us an email.

Will I receive a refund if I cancel my start?

No but you are free to find a new participant to whom you can sell your place. There is a fee of 100 SEK (€ 9) for that and the new rider has to pay that. It can be done until 7 days prior to start. In case of cancelling you need to inform us via email.

Use startplatser.se to conveniently sell your race entry if you’re unable to attend.