Tour of Sweden – day 8
Our longest planned stage, 280K, commenced at 8:30 am. We set out slowly as we worked our way out of town and into the countryside. The first hour covered only 18 miles. We we’re climbing up into a forest when we pulled over for a nature break and noticed snow still lying in the rain ditch. This caused some excitement as several riders are looking forward to the chance of riding in snow later in the week.
On the descent from the forest I spotted a fox trotting along the side of the road. A few miles later, we were stopped by a paving crew which closed the road to a single alternating traffic lane. The flag person was a stunning buxom blonde. I’m told that it’s the custom in Sweden to have really attractive flag persons for the summer paving crews, usually vacationing students. They apparently slow the traffic down through the work zones. Tobias tried to chat her up, but she waved us on.
After a while, there was another paving zone, this time manned by a temporary traffic light. Today, red meant go, but this zone was long, and after a mile we had to bunny hop up onto fresh, still warm pavement to avoid the traffic bearing down on us from the other direction.
Soon thereafter, we merged onto an expressway. The sign clearly stated “no bicycles” but to navigate lesser roads would have put us closer to 300K for the day. The wind was favorable, and we made great time, eventually crossing an impressive suspension bridge. Once on the other side, we pull into a nice restaurant with great views of the span and the river valley it commanded. We bought coffee, colas and pastries, and prepared to wolf them down, when Jonas invited us out to the balcony to take a seat and eat like civilized men for a change.
After 75 miles, we took another break. I got out my Blackberry from the van and called my wife, as it’s our 18th wedding anniversary. It was still 7:25 am back home and I woke her up. Happy Anniversary!
Back on the highway, Jonas got on the front and hammered at 30 mph for over 10 miles. There was a slight upgrade that went on forever and guys started popping off the back. I was 3rd wheel, behind Jan. Apparently, Jan didn’t like waiting for his turn, because he gave out a great shout then rocketed ahead. He got about 30 meters on us. Jonas slowly reeled him in and now Jan was also out the back.
At 100 miles we stopped again. While we were with the van, Jan rode past without us seeing him. He decided he would be the first to Umea. This was going to require that he go solo for the final 120K, but he was game. While he hammered, we chatted with the van crew. Joakim had climbed off at the 75 mile break and was now sporting a Burger King crown. He can really rub it in.
Back on the highway and the pace quickened, especially when Clas would get on the front. Our 5 man group of Jonas, Clas, Marco, Tobias and myself worked well together and we were covering the final 70 miles at 25 mph. With 30 miles together, we spotted the van at a rest stop. Tobias and Jonas swung off but Clas said – “keep going” so Marco and I hung with him. He kept pressing the pace and Marco was a machine. I had to keep wondering if I’d actually make it to Umea with them or if I’d get popped. My hands could barely grab the bars at this point. Then I recalled that today was Memorial Day back home and my pathetic suffering was put in the light of the ultimate sacrifices made by others so people like me can be free to play “pro triathlete” for 2 weeks in Sweden. So, with that thought in mind I dug deep and all of a sudden we were whizzing around the Umea exit roundabout and wheeling into the parking lot of the Scandic. What a relief, but short lived as Clas said – “come on, 15 minute transition run.” I couldn’t say no, and he was right – it made my legs feel better.
Jan was awarded Joakim’s paper crown at dinner as king of the Coltas camp as he held us off by about a minute. Well done!
