Heja! heja! Heja! (3 cheers in Swedish). I did the VR in 1994 in the leisurely time of 17 hr. Certainly the most bicycles I've ever seen ! I started at 3 AM (temp was around 0 C, warmed up to about 18C no rain and tailwind up the west side of the lake. In the 300 km I only climbed about 1200 m, so It is a relatively flat ride
Great documentation of the race. I've ridden the Vätternrundan twice myself. A tip is to try to start somewhere around 3-5 AM. That way you won't have to use any bike lights. Also you can start out wearing all the clothes you plan to wear since it's only going to get warmer during the day. Plus you don't have to cycle during those hours when your body really wants to sleep. Fun to see the depots, I never really stopped at them during my rides. Must be horrible trying to force down that porridge or that burnt lasagna during the wee hours in the morning. :-)
Really loved your commentary and the way you documented the ride. I did this ride back in 2015 and it absolutely kicked my butt. Back then, I was just an amateur cyclist with a piece of metal that weighed almost as much as I did lols. Was just getting into the sport. I'll be returning in 2022 to actually race, and hoping I can complete it in under 8hrs.
It's an amazing ride. A great challenge you've set yourself. I was really happy with my ride. If I was going to try to do it faster I'd gather a pelton and do it that way, but I enjoy the stops and the blueberry soup too much :)
Great job, it's a lovely ride, it was my first sportif and having never ridden more than 100k I was quiet nervous. I started an hour before you and got in at 11.28 Saturday morning so really happy! Doing it again next year!
Fantastic! Respect! No excuse for 30 minute wait at portaloos or bad coffee. Otherwise brilliant organisation. Incredible average speed for that distance. Absolutely awesome.
Thanks Malcolm, I'm pretty pleased with the over pace, the good roads in Sweden make it easier as well, especially when you don't have to worry about potholes in the dark.
Thanks for this. We plan to ride the Vätternrundan next year (2019). Looking forward to it. We hope - no, we are sure - it will be an amazing experience.
I'm glad you enjoyed the video. You will have a fantastic experience I'm amazed at how well it was run (except for the one stop with lack of toilets). What is your start time?
Hi. I`ve ridden it 14 times. Make sure to start after 3`o klock in the night, you don`t need lights then because it`s sunrise at that time during summer i Scandinavia. If your start is earlier you can change it for a small fee. It`s worth it. Then you don`t need to carry so much clothing either. When the sun goes up it becomes warmer quickly. Riding in the dark with so many other and sometimes unexperienced riders is dangerous. Good luck!
You will have a great time it is an extremely well run event. For clothes remember there are depots around the ride that you can drop stuff off to be sent back to the start where you can pick it up, it was pretty easy to do. So if you ride at night and want to get rid of a jacket or other layers the next day it's a good option.
Adventurous, brutal, and what beautiful scenery... what better than to do this kinda thing with your better half, how exciting!!! Both of you must be REALLY in shape!! My only phobia is having to Go to the bathroom... but yes, what an achievement for sure! It's no wonder you shouldn't drive right after something like that. Simply loved it! To see this video really gets me pumped to go out an achieve long rides. I just can't find anyone that will go with me, so I ride solo (lone wolf) rather helps me meditate, I don't talk much, just enter another state of mind, which I actually like. Great therapy! But must train a tad more to do what you guys did lol. Loved it, thx so much:-) :-) :-) :-)
Nice video and I will keep this event in my back pocket for the future. Thank you. I'm shocked riders would throw rubbish away for any reason othry than a proper bin. As for drafters some people can be dangerous.
Very well done! Touring is a different kind of marathon to this event. I’m not sure I get the appeal, but I have admit the mad cyclist in me was beginning to think about 2019!
It was so frustrating, we actually lost about that when you factor in Nathan's standing in line too. I can't understand why so few there. Should I do it again I might have to bring a one or two of my own instant, not the best but much more drinkable! ;)
@@dhthomas123 my husband spotted them about 20 minutes into waiting for me... We had our bikes parked across from them 🤦♀️ I still can not understand why at a major stop there was only 6 toilets!
Hi, I really enjoyed watching the video you prepared following your participation in the 2018 edition of the Vatternrundan. I am looking for a challenge or objective for 2020 and I think this ride would do the job. Can you please let me know how I can contact you (email address) for advice ? Thank you
Hats off for you both, very impressive! It feel quite brutal, with the tiredness, and to be focused despite of it, hunger, pain, etc...I'm not keen driving in such events either, group ride event's can be nerve wrecking, but in the end there's the great feeling of have it done and after couple of month's you might think, well let's do it again :)
Flapjacks are absolutely the best super food for breakfast and during the ride, you can bake them using your own recipe or buy them from a shop, I always have them with me when going for a long ride. Keep the chains tight 🚴 👍
I save and deheel (is that a word?) old cotton or wool socks to use for toe warmers/protectors. Sometimes tape them around the arch. When they're spent I recycle or compost them. Check out the film Breaking Away for what to do with unwanted cyclists drafting on your back wheel, heheh.
That might be worth trying, I'll have to remember that next time I have an old pair. I've tried tinfoil on my toes in the past which does make a difference. This ride I wore my touring shoes and my DaFeet socks which are amazing, and my feet were alright.
Great video and very helpful. I have two questions. First a 300km ride is a huge challenge alone how tough are the climbs? Second what would you recommend is the best time to start. I notice you started late evening but I have also been recommended to consider starting at about 3:00 in the morning as the sun rises?
Nice footage! I finished the VR 4 times and I loved every ride. Especially those last 5 km with all the endorphin kicking in. If you liked the VR, I recommend the Mecklenburger Seenrunde! Better food in the depots and nice landscapes too ;-) See you in Motala or Neubrandenburg
Thank you for the suggestion, I will be sure to look that one up as I really enjoyed the Vatternrundan. This years mass ride (I only do one a year) is the Gran Fondo Whistler in Canada :)
The record time is 6 h 33 min by team berg (team mountain) by all regulations. with out cars infront. but some has gone faster but not with the same rules.
Hi Richard, thanks for the comment. The website is a bit contrary, in the history it says under 2014 the first rider crossed the finish line 5h 20 minutes after the start... But as you say under 2015 it says a new record of 6h 33minutes was set.... Perhaps a typo on the site?
Hi, lovely report for someone trying the VR300 for the first time like me :-) Just a questions about the Garmin. I have the same model and I hope to finish at the same time as you. How can I fix the settings to guarantee the battery to the end? or a battery pack is obligatory?
I doubt the battery could last until the end... if you were going to attempt it you would need to turn down the screen to the lowest brightness and turn off all bluetooth and Wifi signals off and make sure not to have navigation on (you don't need it anyway). However I don't think it can even last doing all that. A small battery pack and cable don't take up much room... it's really the only way to be sure to get the whole ride as far as I know.
Glad you found it helpful. I would consider it a flat route, though I did hear someone on one of the hills say "I thought this was supposed to be flat". But I think 1650m or so over 300km is pretty flat. None of the hills are steep or long. You can try my Ride With GPS link, that one says it was over 1800m so take your pick on what you believe!
Here's is another one to try. Not as many riders, and not around a lake. but you get the idea. And no night riding. www.aukweb.net/events/detail/18-238/
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Heja! heja! Heja! (3 cheers in Swedish).
I did the VR in 1994 in the leisurely time of 17 hr. Certainly the most bicycles I've ever seen ! I started at 3 AM (temp was around 0 C, warmed up to about 18C no rain and tailwind up the west side of the lake.
In the 300 km I only climbed about 1200 m, so It is a relatively flat ride
Fantastic human effort and very informative. Thank you.
Great documentation of the race. I've ridden the Vätternrundan twice myself. A tip is to try to start somewhere around 3-5 AM. That way you won't have to use any bike lights. Also you can start out wearing all the clothes you plan to wear since it's only going to get warmer during the day. Plus you don't have to cycle during those hours when your body really wants to sleep. Fun to see the depots, I never really stopped at them during my rides. Must be horrible trying to force down that porridge or that burnt lasagna during the wee hours in the morning. :-)
Really loved your commentary and the way you documented the ride. I did this ride back in 2015 and it absolutely kicked my butt. Back then, I was just an amateur cyclist with a piece of metal that weighed almost as much as I did lols. Was just getting into the sport. I'll be returning in 2022 to actually race, and hoping I can complete it in under 8hrs.
It's an amazing ride. A great challenge you've set yourself. I was really happy with my ride. If I was going to try to do it faster I'd gather a pelton and do it that way, but I enjoy the stops and the blueberry soup too much :)
Great job, it's a lovely ride, it was my first sportif and having never ridden more than 100k I was quiet nervous. I started an hour before you and got in at 11.28 Saturday morning so really happy! Doing it again next year!
Fantastic! Respect! No excuse for 30 minute wait at portaloos or bad coffee. Otherwise brilliant organisation. Incredible average speed for that distance. Absolutely awesome.
Thanks Malcolm, I'm pretty pleased with the over pace, the good roads in Sweden make it easier as well, especially when you don't have to worry about potholes in the dark.
I like how your videos are made and travelling like that is one of dreams. Please keep your videos coming.
Great video! In three I will do the same rout but it will not be a video. Thanks for the inspiration!
Congratulations to you and Nathan. Thank you for sharing your adventure with all of us!
Thanks 😀 It's a great ride, which surprisingly isn't very well known.
Nice to add value to life. It's raining here while I watching this video. Hmmm I get excited to get out my bike
Amazing job done to both you & Nathan. It looks like a fantastic event. You did a great job covering it.
Thank you 😀
Thanks for this. We plan to ride the Vätternrundan next year (2019). Looking forward to it. We hope - no, we are sure - it will be an amazing experience.
I'm glad you enjoyed the video. You will have a fantastic experience I'm amazed at how well it was run (except for the one stop with lack of toilets). What is your start time?
@@OneLessCar 1h52 am. That is for us "in the middle of the night" :-).
Hi. I`ve ridden it 14 times. Make sure to start after 3`o klock in the night, you don`t need lights then because it`s sunrise at that time during summer i Scandinavia. If your start is earlier you can change it for a small fee. It`s worth it. Then you don`t need to carry so much clothing either. When the sun goes up it becomes warmer quickly. Riding in the dark with so many other and sometimes unexperienced riders is dangerous. Good luck!
Great video and really informative commentary. Well don3 to both of you
YES !! I just entered as well. Woohoo! Looking forward to it, I'm so excited!!
Good luck you will have an unforgetable ride. I think this might be one of the few rides I'd do a 300km ride for again! :)
Thank you! By the way, there is a special version for women only, the Tjejrundan. Shorter distance though.
Amazing effort. thanks for posting - I am doing it in 2 weeks and needed to understand clothing etc. Really helpful.
You will have a great time it is an extremely well run event. For clothes remember there are depots around the ride that you can drop stuff off to be sent back to the start where you can pick it up, it was pretty easy to do. So if you ride at night and want to get rid of a jacket or other layers the next day it's a good option.
Great video! Thanks for sharing. That looks like an awesome experience. Kudos to both of you for riding and finishing.
Such a great video! Thanks for sharing.
Well done to you both. Looks an amazing event!
Awesome, haven't heard of this before, not likely I'll do it from Canada but it would be nice.
It's a good one to keep in mind should you ever find yourself in Sweden the 3rd week of June 😉 You never know!
Adventurous, brutal, and what beautiful scenery... what better than to do this kinda thing with your better half, how exciting!!! Both of you must be REALLY in shape!! My only phobia is having to Go to the bathroom... but yes, what an achievement for sure! It's no wonder you shouldn't drive right after something like that. Simply loved it! To see this video really gets me pumped to go out an achieve long rides. I just can't find anyone that will go with me, so I ride solo (lone wolf) rather helps me meditate, I don't talk much, just enter another state of mind, which I actually like. Great therapy! But must train a tad more to do what you guys did lol. Loved it, thx so much:-) :-) :-) :-)
Thank you for very good content. It helps a lot to prepare for "unknow" for me :)
CU with others in MOTALA in two weeks ! :)
Glad it helped! Enjoy the ride it's a really well organized event! 😀
Nice video and I will keep this event in my back pocket for the future. Thank you.
I'm shocked riders would throw rubbish away for any reason othry than a proper bin.
As for drafters some people can be dangerous.
The nets are considered proper bins in the Vatterundan.😀 I thought it was a pretty clever idea, they are hard to miss and make clean up easy after.
Very well done! Touring is a different kind of marathon to this event. I’m not sure I get the appeal, but I have admit the mad cyclist in me was beginning to think about 2019!
We lost an hour at those loos too. Couldn’t agree more on the coffee, vile. Looks like I was pretty consistently about an hour behind you 😁
It was so frustrating, we actually lost about that when you factor in Nathan's standing in line too. I can't understand why so few there. Should I do it again I might have to bring a one or two of my own instant, not the best but much more drinkable! ;)
There were some permanent toilets on the site, that not many people spotted. I handy tip for next time you do it. goo.gl/maps/2s7ihfrkrtD2
@@dhthomas123 my husband spotted them about 20 minutes into waiting for me... We had our bikes parked across from them 🤦♀️ I still can not understand why at a major stop there was only 6 toilets!
Awesome! I love rides like this and meeting fellow cyclists! Looks like a great time- except the porridge- HA! Nice job!💗🚲
Thanks! Yes the porridge definitely needs work. They need to get those Swedish chefs on it.
Just got in for 2020 - yippeeee! Superb vid - just the sort of info needed. Thanks
Hi, I really enjoyed watching the video you prepared following your participation in the 2018 edition of the Vatternrundan. I am looking for a challenge or objective for 2020 and I think this ride would do the job. Can you please let me know how I can contact you (email address) for advice ? Thank you
Great video and performance too!
Hats off for you both, very impressive! It feel quite brutal, with the tiredness, and to be focused despite of it, hunger, pain, etc...I'm not keen driving in such events either, group ride event's can be nerve wrecking, but in the end there's the great feeling of have it done and after couple of month's you might think, well let's do it again :)
I thought I'd like to do it again before I crossed the finish 🤣 I will bring my own flapjacks for breakfast next time though 😉
Flapjacks are absolutely the best super food for breakfast and during the ride, you can bake them using your own recipe or buy them from a shop, I always have them with me when going for a long ride. Keep the chains tight 🚴 👍
Lovely ride! Hope you had a great time!
excellent video. Your commentary is very interesting.
+davex5424 I hope you mean in a good way 😂
I save and deheel (is that a word?) old cotton or wool socks to use for toe warmers/protectors. Sometimes tape them around the arch. When they're spent I recycle or compost them.
Check out the film Breaking Away for what to do with unwanted cyclists drafting on your back wheel, heheh.
That might be worth trying, I'll have to remember that next time I have an old pair. I've tried tinfoil on my toes in the past which does make a difference. This ride I wore my touring shoes and my DaFeet socks which are amazing, and my feet were alright.
Well done u 2, fantastic video.
Great video and very helpful.
I have two questions.
First a 300km ride is a huge challenge alone how tough are the climbs?
Second what would you recommend is the best time to start. I notice you started late evening but I have also been recommended to consider starting at about 3:00 in the morning as the sun rises?
This looks awesome!
The first thing I noticed.. no flashy red lights... Lovely. I hate to ride behind a flashing backlight.
great video, very inspiring
Thank you! Hopefully it will encourage a few people to give this amazing ride a try.
So inspiring.
Nice footage! I finished the VR 4 times and I loved every ride. Especially those last 5 km with all the endorphin kicking in.
If you liked the VR, I recommend the Mecklenburger Seenrunde! Better food in the depots and nice landscapes too ;-) See you in Motala or Neubrandenburg
Thank you for the suggestion, I will be sure to look that one up as I really enjoyed the Vatternrundan. This years mass ride (I only do one a year) is the Gran Fondo Whistler in Canada :)
Kudos👍
Well done looks an epic ride
It was epic! I'd love to do it again one day.
The record time is 6 h 33 min by team berg (team mountain) by all regulations. with out cars infront. but some has gone faster but not with the same rules.
Hi Richard, thanks for the comment. The website is a bit contrary, in the history it says under 2014 the first rider crossed the finish line 5h 20 minutes after the start... But as you say under 2015 it says a new record of 6h 33minutes was set.... Perhaps a typo on the site?
Great video (part 1 & 2)
Thank you!
Hi, lovely report for someone trying the VR300 for the first time like me :-)
Just a questions about the Garmin. I have the same model and I hope to finish at the same time as you. How can I fix the settings to guarantee the battery to the end? or a battery pack is obligatory?
I doubt the battery could last until the end... if you were going to attempt it you would need to turn down the screen to the lowest brightness and turn off all bluetooth and Wifi signals off and make sure not to have navigation on (you don't need it anyway).
However I don't think it can even last doing all that. A small battery pack and cable don't take up much room... it's really the only way to be sure to get the whole ride as far as I know.
This is worth a read... www.cyclingweekly.com/reviews/computers-gps-watches/garmin-edge-1000
@@OneLessCar tks!!
Hi, Thanks for comprehensive vlog. The Strava link is not working for me. Was there much climbs along the route or was it flat and straight?
Glad you found it helpful. I would consider it a flat route, though I did hear someone on one of the hills say "I thought this was supposed to be flat". But I think 1650m or so over 300km is pretty flat. None of the hills are steep or long. You can try my Ride With GPS link, that one says it was over 1800m so take your pick on what you believe!
@@OneLessCar Thanks for the reply. Could you link the strava again, when you get time ,please as i couldn't get it work.....
sorry I forgot the ride with gps link. ridewithgps.com/trips/24385684
You are very nice person.
amazing
congratulations...
Here's is another one to try. Not as many riders, and not around a lake. but you get the idea. And no night riding. www.aukweb.net/events/detail/18-238/
Orbital London, very interesting! Perhaps a good reason for a visit next summer 😀
9:27 what sadelbag is he using? Been looking for a bigger one and they seem to be a bit hard to find
He's had it for ages, it's a Specialized one, it expands so it's quite handy.
You say Vätternrundan very funny😬😂😂
Ah my Swedish is rusty 🤣🤣🤣