Bicycle Touring Sweden - Everything You Need To Know

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  • Опубликовано: 28 авг 2024

Комментарии • 98

  • @BikeTouringMike
    @BikeTouringMike  5 лет назад +6

    Finally made a video about the many topics surrounding bicycle touring in Sweden. As I say in the end of the video, please feel free to leave your questions in the comment section below if there are any other topics I might have forgotten to mention in the video.

    • @HARDYSFISHINGADVENTURES
      @HARDYSFISHINGADVENTURES 4 года назад +1

      This answers all my questions thank you I plan to cycle the eurovelo 10 in May

    • @BikeTouringMike
      @BikeTouringMike  4 года назад +2

      Glad to be of help! Let me know if any other questions pop up in the future.

  • @HOG2001
    @HOG2001 5 лет назад +13

    I have never used a bike lock during my bicycle tour in Sweden. A great country with awesome people and stunning nature.

    • @BikeTouringMike
      @BikeTouringMike  5 лет назад +1

      I couldn't have put it better myself Roman. Well summarized!

    • @Per7nnesson
      @Per7nnesson 5 лет назад +2

      When I biketour and have a loaded bike I skip the lock most short stops but I would not risk that with a normal bike. I live down abit north of stockholm with much more people around than up in Lappland.

  • @F70100
    @F70100 4 года назад +11

    The Swedish Ambassador for Cycle Touring!
    Very informative; thank you Mikael 👍👍👍.

  • @jatsajatsa
    @jatsajatsa 4 года назад +5

    Excellent. To the point, full of information and delivered with your honest, slightly awkward, charm 😉
    I hope the Swedish tourist board are aware of your good work. Kudos

    • @BikeTouringMike
      @BikeTouringMike  4 года назад +1

      Haha! Thank you very much for your nice feedback!

  • @judithhill5599
    @judithhill5599 Год назад +1

    Thank you so much Mike. Really great information. We plan to cycle Calais to Kirkenes (or Nordkapp) this year. Starting mid May. We are both 70 and this will be our 4th long tour. We will camp. Any more information welcome.

    • @BikeTouringMike
      @BikeTouringMike  Год назад

      I will do a similar video about all you need to know when doing a cycling trip later on (after my current Norway series is finished). But in general Sweden and Norway are very similar culture wise. Norway is a little bit more expensive, but not that much. And a lot hillier and more scenic.

  • @Rlaplante73
    @Rlaplante73 2 года назад

    What a great informative overview for bike touring. I'm so glad to have come upon your Channel. It's one of my top favorites :)

  • @danielwyvern5
    @danielwyvern5 5 лет назад +3

    Thanks Mikael. Nice video.

  • @tomberglund1423
    @tomberglund1423 5 лет назад +3

    Another great video thank you for the information. I would love to see a video of you riding to your job in the summer

    • @BikeTouringMike
      @BikeTouringMike  5 лет назад +2

      Thanks Tom! That video is definitely coming up. In fact I've already filmed a version of it. But I wasn't pleased with the video, so I'm re-shooting it.

  • @oscarwaterman6137
    @oscarwaterman6137 Год назад

    I took my elaborate notes, thank you

  • @andrewrutherford2352
    @andrewrutherford2352 4 года назад +1

    really useful video - Sweden is already on my list so this was very helpful, especially about a hot tent a 4am! thanks

    • @BikeTouringMike
      @BikeTouringMike  4 года назад

      Glad you got something useful out of it. Don't remember exactly what I said, but a good idea is to calculate where the sun rises and make sure you have a lot of trees covering you in that direction.

  • @educationalvideos1149
    @educationalvideos1149 4 года назад +1

    Very interesting and very informative. Keep doing what you're doing, Mike!

  • @jerryz.3087
    @jerryz.3087 5 лет назад +1

    Thanks Mikael. ..good info! ... and tempting. That landscape up there is certainly appealing. Didn't think in my lifetime to be able to do a European tour, but worked one in this past summer. ...who knows, maybe Sweden's in the x-hairs. As always Mikael, great content, and thanks!

    • @BikeTouringMike
      @BikeTouringMike  5 лет назад

      Thanks Jerry! Hope to see you in Sweden some time in the future!

  • @takethepath
    @takethepath 11 месяцев назад +1

    Thank you very much for this informative video and all the tips. Actually I plan a bike packing tour in Sweden for 2024 in June.

    • @BikeTouringMike
      @BikeTouringMike  11 месяцев назад +1

      I hope I will be able to do an updated version during the off season (winter). But I'm working on a couple of videos on the Swedish Allemansrätten and how to avoid the mosquitoes when bikepacking in Sweden in the near future. Those videos might be of interest for you.

  • @bpetnoi1472
    @bpetnoi1472 4 года назад +1

    Thank you very much for a VERY informative video. I feel I don't have to do much more for my planned ride after viewing your video. Well done sir.

    • @BikeTouringMike
      @BikeTouringMike  4 года назад

      You're welcome! Glad I could be of help. Where are you planning to do your tour?

  • @rogervansimpsen1657
    @rogervansimpsen1657 2 года назад

    Hi Mike, only recently stumbled across your channel and I like the calm and to the point way you explain things...this one was very usefull because I plan to visit my former neighbor who immigrated to Sweden and I've plans to visit him, on the gravelbike offcourse...keep up the good work..grtz from Flanders.. 👍🏻🍻

  • @davidoliver6408
    @davidoliver6408 5 лет назад +1

    Excellent, Mikael. Very informative and inviting. Thank you.

  • @socaljoe
    @socaljoe 5 лет назад +1

    Thanks for making the video....very helpful and sure I will be watching again before I visit!

    • @BikeTouringMike
      @BikeTouringMike  5 лет назад

      Thanks Joe! Are you planning a trip to Scandinavia?

    • @socaljoe
      @socaljoe 5 лет назад

      @@BikeTouringMike Not currently, like you I have to work between rides. Hopefully within a couple years

  • @jamesporter5630
    @jamesporter5630 5 лет назад +2

    Thanks Mikael. This was a very helpful video.

  • @lifeisastruggle5517
    @lifeisastruggle5517 3 года назад +1

    tack för en mycket informativ video 👍

    • @BikeTouringMike
      @BikeTouringMike  3 года назад +1

      Tackar! Hoppas att du fick ut något av att se den.

  • @ofenzuzq72
    @ofenzuzq72 3 года назад +2

    Thanks a lot for that informative video !

  • @drewlucero3916
    @drewlucero3916 5 лет назад +3

    AWESOME information thanks for sharing. 🎥👍👍👍👍🎥🙏🚴‍♀️

  • @andrewmandrivnyk
    @andrewmandrivnyk 5 лет назад +1

    Well done Mikael ! perfect video.

  • @benbernard3725
    @benbernard3725 2 года назад

    Great video. Sweden sounds great, similar in some ways to Canada.

  • @GrizzlyOutdoorAdventures
    @GrizzlyOutdoorAdventures 3 года назад

    thank you for all your good information👍🚴‍♂️

  • @dk2428
    @dk2428 4 года назад +1

    Great video on a my favourite country. Clean, safe, awesome nature, great people!
    Such a shame they've still not changed their bike-on-train policy...

    • @BikeTouringMike
      @BikeTouringMike  4 года назад +2

      Well as a matter of fact they have actually changed it. You're able to bring a bike if it's packed inside of a bag and meet the dimension requirements. I think they are about the same as if you're taking your bike on a plane.

    • @dk2428
      @dk2428 4 года назад +1

      @@BikeTouringMike Great news!!! Next time i visit family near Jönköping, i'm bringing my bike with me. Tnx for sharing 🖒

    • @BikeTouringMike
      @BikeTouringMike  4 года назад +3

      I have to clarify that this applies to SJ, the goverment owned company. It can be different with other companies. Make sure sure to check with the train company first.

  • @Blueparradiddle
    @Blueparradiddle Год назад +1

    Hi Mike, thanks for all your great and informative videos. After watching your Nordkapp video, I set about looking into planning the same for possibly next year. Could you remind me of where the coach you took goes to and how long it takes, or is there a bus service to a Airport as I would be travelling back to Gatwick UK.
    Thanks again and take care on every trip.
    Mike

    • @BikeTouringMike
      @BikeTouringMike  Год назад

      I took the bus all the way down to Ravaniemi, Finland. But that's unessescary far to go. Instead I would take the local bus that goes a couple of times to Alta. It's stops by the Alta airport as well. That's what most people do, and take a flight from there.
      You could also fly out from Honningsvåg, but there are less flights from there, and the planes are a bit smaller, so I don't know about getting a bike on the plane from there.
      I am going to make a video all about these practical things somewhere down the road, and probably a ebook/pdf as well. I have written down a lot of material, but have gotten to actually sitting down and compiling everything. As usual...

    • @Blueparradiddle
      @Blueparradiddle Год назад

      @@BikeTouringMike Hi Mike, thank you very much for your kind reply. I will make a note of your info and await anymore that becomes available. I am off in 2 weeks to cycle the Caladonion way from Cambletown to Inverness, hopefully the weather is ok and the 'midge' have gone !.
      Take care and like many others looking forward to seeing your next video. Cheers, Mike UK

  • @lasr3n877
    @lasr3n877 11 месяцев назад

    Hi @Bike Touring Mike, thanks for your great tips! We found them very useful while Bikepacking through Sweden. Do you know by any chance such a shelter app for Norway as well? As this will be our next destination.

  • @Edenriboy.travel
    @Edenriboy.travel 11 месяцев назад +1

    Hello Mike.. great video. I want ride from the border with Norway to Sweden, road E10 in the north. This road pretty safe for Cyclists??

    • @BikeTouringMike
      @BikeTouringMike  11 месяцев назад

      The E10 might be OK from the border to Kiruna, mainly since you don't have any other alternative. But from Kiruna down to the coast, it pretty horrible. Lots of mining trucks and other trucks that provides the material for the big move of the town. Plus there are plenty of ethal 2+1 roads down toward Gällivare. I would stay off it at any cost.

  • @Jordan-xg4pn
    @Jordan-xg4pn 2 года назад +2

    Hur viktigt är det med "rätt" cykel? Väldigt sugen men som student har jag nog inte råd med den bästa cykeln.

    • @BikeTouringMike
      @BikeTouringMike  2 года назад +3

      Det är inte alls viktigt. Jag har åkt på en massa turer med min gamla hybridcykel som jag pendlar med till jobbet innan jag skaffade en "riktig" touringcykel. Pratar mer om det i den här videon: ruclips.net/video/4SKNyDaB9Es/видео.html
      Det viktigast är att du har en cykel som passar dig bra, som du är bekväm med att spendera många timmar i rad på. Sen går det att göra stora fynd på begagnatmarknaden. En gammal MTB från 90-talet kan bli en grym cykel att börja med. De är ofta gjorda av stål och är robusta och av bra kvalitet.

  • @edlaws6867
    @edlaws6867 5 лет назад +1

    Tack Mike, very informative. We've just been to Portugal and they have a fantastic cycle assembly area at Faro airport. As for the bears, if you do see one just lie by the side of the road and pretend to be an injured moose. I wonder if bears eat panniers?

    • @BikeTouringMike
      @BikeTouringMike  5 лет назад

      The playing dead strategy is what I've been tought is the thing to do in those scenarios. Portugal you say, that must have been a wonderful trip. I think we're going there in a year or two. Malin always talks about going there. I guess it must have been pretty hot there this time of year?

    • @edlaws6867
      @edlaws6867 5 лет назад +1

      @@BikeTouringMike A great holiday tack, not too hot. We were in Lagos, so much to do scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking. The cycle assembly area at Faro airport was fantastic, I don't know if other airports have these? I took a photo and posted a short video to show it.
      There was a video on the Norran website months ago of a bear taking an injured moose from the roadside.

    • @BikeTouringMike
      @BikeTouringMike  5 лет назад

      @@edlaws6867 That video of the bear was just a couple of days before I left on my tour along the Vindel River. To put it mildly, I had some concerns from certain family members about going to that region. It was fairly close to where i started my tour that weekend. I try not the get scared by news like that. What are the possibilities of me stumbling on that exact bear. Slim to none.

  • @ludwigfella
    @ludwigfella Год назад +1

    Thanks for the very useful information, Mike! You mention that the mosquitos usually arrive in the middle of June. When do they usually leave or at least get less?

    • @BikeTouringMike
      @BikeTouringMike  Год назад

      If differs a little bit from year to year. But in general, it's pretty bad for the first 2-3 weeks, then the number of mosquitos start to decrease by each week, and by mid August most of them are gone, except for a few ones at night. This of course also depends on where you are. The closer you are to the coast, the less mosquitoes. If you are up in the mountains (far from the sea) it's pretty bad in the beginning of summer.

  • @LordFata
    @LordFata 4 года назад +1

    Fantastic advice, thanks so much!
    I plan on riding from northern Norway through Sweden in July. Meaning I'll pass through Finland east of Käsivarren nature reserve and enter Sweden there, now trying to find a route to Östersund and onwards to Norway (Oslo). May I ask if you have any advice if taking the E45 to Arvidsjaur is a bad idea due to traffic or other reasons? From there it seems I could avoid the big national routes, e.g. by going via Lycksele and Junsele. I generally enjoy remote mountainous regions, that's why I picked the inland over the baltic sea thus far. Are there any favorite areas of yours in northern Sweden that i'd miss?
    Went from Östersund to Stockholm in 2016 and enjoyed the northern sections by far the most, cleanest air i've breathed. I'm sick with excitement already, what a beautiful country! Best regards

  • @alexmorgan3435
    @alexmorgan3435 5 лет назад +2

    Great video. A couple of questions.
    How about if you need a doctor or hospital because of illness or medical emergency?
    Bike shops, how common are they? Either to get spares or repair, or indeed bike hire if you don't want to bring your own bike for whatever reason?
    Also how common are IKEA stores for meatballs?

    • @Per7nnesson
      @Per7nnesson 5 лет назад +1

      Lets do the easy one first. Ikea, not that many in Lappland, here is a map ... www.ikea.com/se/sv/stores/
      Medical emegency. You will get treatment, then the question is who pays. If you are from EU/ESS you get the same cost as a Swedish citizen (symbolic cost of 10 to 20 euros). We have different deal with different countries, I think New Zeeland and Australia have the same deal as ESS, some States in Canda have a good deal and can even get some planned care... if you are from the US you need to pay (or have an insurance). The deals are mostly that what you do for Sweds we do for you...
      Bikeshops... depends on where you are...but Lappland is pretty empty once you leave the coast

    • @BikeTouringMike
      @BikeTouringMike  5 лет назад +3

      Per was kind enough to answer your questions already. But there is actually an IKEA in Haparanda which is right on the border between Sweden and Finland. However I would rather just buy meatballs at a supermarket, preferably a brand called Scan. They taste better than the ones at IKEA.
      Concerning bike mechanics, there is a directory at a site called www.cykelreparator.se. Forgot to include that info in the video.

  • @thabstract0ne
    @thabstract0ne 3 года назад +1

    Like your vids, man...I see a good amount of bike lanes on roads in Stockholm. How are the bike lanes on roads in smaller towns like Skellefteå?

    • @BikeTouringMike
      @BikeTouringMike  3 года назад +1

      It was bad a couple of years ago, but during the last couple of years it has really exploded. I'm livng in a town that's going through a major overhaul, due to the fact that one of Europe's biggest battery factories for electrical cars is being built here. So a lot of new roads are being constructed at the moment. And with every road built the are building cycle lanes running along it. And these are usually 3 meters wide, which is terrific. So my town is really coming along on cycling infrastructure train. I might do a video on it later on, perhaps in the spring when it's more suitable to film outside than it is at the moment. It's just too dark now most of the times.

  • @donaguitar
    @donaguitar 4 года назад +2

    Thank you very much for all this usefull information. Just one question, what about the altitude, are there a lot of hills ? are some regions flat ?

    • @BikeTouringMike
      @BikeTouringMike  4 года назад +3

      Sweden is relatively flat. I mean it's not like Holland but there aren't usually any big hills to climb. And a lot of the roads follow the rivers, which mean you will have a pretty flat ride. My latest tour was up on the Swedish mountains, and it had it's fair share of climbs. But it's still lightyears away from say Provence or Catalonia.

  • @BikeSeatPhilosopher
    @BikeSeatPhilosopher 5 лет назад +1

    Well done, Mikael! Do you have a video on suggested routes?

    • @BikeTouringMike
      @BikeTouringMike  5 лет назад

      Thanks! No, I do not, but that's a great idea for a video. I might do that in the "off-season". Thanks for the idea!

  • @george.stefanescu99
    @george.stefanescu99 2 года назад

    hej , mike ! I'm planning a short tour from skellefteå to luleå in August and I think I'm gonna camp really close to these cities , is any chance to see a bear in my campground ?Tak !

  • @richardtodd5418
    @richardtodd5418 Год назад

    Can you do a winter version of info

  • @undergroundcajmere2476
    @undergroundcajmere2476 3 года назад +1

    Great info man! Any tips for routes ?

    • @BikeTouringMike
      @BikeTouringMike  3 года назад +2

      The Wilderness Road is a great start. Takes about 5 days. I've done a couple of touring videos from my tour there last year.

  • @anotherbutt4chair454
    @anotherbutt4chair454 5 лет назад +2

    Mike how do you kill a bear? Did you just say 4 weeks Mandatory vacation? In july? In the US employers would have a heart attack.

  • @alafenetre81
    @alafenetre81 3 года назад

    Great info again! Is there an app for free shelters in Sweden?

  • @thubtenmunsel8873
    @thubtenmunsel8873 Год назад

    What time of year do the mosquitos leave?

    • @BikeTouringMike
      @BikeTouringMike  Год назад

      Well, they don't leave, but the number of mosquitoes decrease a lot during August. Of course it depends where you are, but during late August there are hardly any left.

  • @jatsajatsa
    @jatsajatsa 4 года назад +1

    One question: You describe mosquitoes but what about ticks?

    • @BikeTouringMike
      @BikeTouringMike  4 года назад +1

      Up in the north of Sweden where I live we have have a lot of mosquitoes, but basically no ticks at all. The ticks are more frequent int the southern parts of Sweden. Especially in the Stockholm region.

    • @jatsajatsa
      @jatsajatsa 4 года назад

      Bike Touring Mike 👍

  • @alfredogonzalez5163
    @alfredogonzalez5163 5 лет назад +1

    For the moment can’t go any where.my daughter for past 3 years fighting cancer n she can’t walk.

    • @BikeTouringMike
      @BikeTouringMike  5 лет назад +1

      I'm really sorry to hear this Alfredo. As a parent of three I understand how tough that can be. You are a great man to put your daughter first. Praying that she will get well.

  • @superbrian113
    @superbrian113 3 года назад

    Hi. Thanks for the information about biking in Sweden. i was wondering- is it difficult to get access for the purpose of loading my e-bike battery in Sweden ? Is it possible i.e. on gasstations or other places ? How big a range would you think should be needed on my battery- is 60 km enough- or should I bring an extra battery? I plan to drive from my home- Copenhagen all the way to the topnorth of Sweden or Norway . Thanks :)

    • @BikeTouringMike
      @BikeTouringMike  3 года назад

      Hello! When you're going through the southern part of Sweden you shouldn't have any problem, since the towns are so close to each other but when you get north of Stockholm they tend to get less and less frequent. Escpecially if you plan to go the inland route. If you go along Eurovelo 7 there are more towns, but also more traffic. When you pass the northenmost point of the Bothnian Bay, is when you're going to run into trouble. On some major roads there won't be a gas station or a supermarket for a 100 kilometers.
      Can I just ask a question in return. For a E-bike noob, how longs does it take to charge your battery typically?

    • @superbrian113
      @superbrian113 3 года назад

      @@BikeTouringMike My e-bike charge up to 100 percent in 2 1/2 - 3 hours. I have a charger doing 4 amps and the battery is 625 watt. ( I can do 60 km in in range at topshelp 25/kmt - At lowest level it ranges 80 km - The controller says it can go even further- but i haven´t tried it yet) on flat lowland. It seems i need an extra battery if i want to go all the up north :) Thanks for replying ! :) They are cons and pros on the e-bike issue- the best argument from me is that if I didnt have the motor- I would nok use the bike- it helps me 10-30 percent- but I drive 500 percent more with an e-bika than without it. So to me it is the best thing ever . Now I want to do longdistance in my old age. I am 63. So e-bike is for me the best invention ever- but others will say the opposit.

  • @louiskirby4266
    @louiskirby4266 Месяц назад

    Onya cobba , hopefully Sweedish beers h ave got better ,beers up champion 🏆

  • @anotherbutt4chair454
    @anotherbutt4chair454 5 лет назад +1

    Mike can a person on a bike outrun a charging bear? Im too poor to afford a gun.

    • @BikeTouringMike
      @BikeTouringMike  5 лет назад +1

      Wouldn't count on it. I think the best strategy is just to lie down and pretend to play dead.

    • @Per7nnesson
      @Per7nnesson 5 лет назад +1

      There have been 42 attack on people in Scandinavia since 1977, over 30 of them carried a gun (i.e out hunting), 40 of them had a dog running around. The risk of a bearattack in Sweden if you are just doing normal stuff is almost zero. There are no records of anyone on bike beeing attacked by a bear in Scandinavia, neither on people sleeping in tents. Soo if you biketour in Sweden you will most likely not see a bear and if you do try to get a photo of it while it is running away from you...
      And even if you could aford a gun you will not have one when you visit sweden, we have gunlaw, you would need a license and that is a big hassel to get.

    • @anotherbutt4chair454
      @anotherbutt4chair454 5 лет назад

      Per Sjunnesson, how about if i pack a juicy steak i throw it at the bear, then i bicycle away as fast as i can?