A Tour of Sweden gallery
Slowtwitcher John McGovern joined Clas Bjorling, Jonas Colting, Bjorn Andersson and a few other folks at the 2009 Tour of Sweden training camp. They encountered long days in the saddle, stunning vistas, all kinds of weather, a variety of food, reindeer, drunks and more. New friendships were born, extraordinary fitness was gained and quite a bit of weight was lost. Plus there are endless stories, some of them were told by John McGovern on the Slowtwitch home page, but others will forever be kept secret. But you can enjoy these impressions of the 2009 Tour of Sweden training camp.
Links to John McGovern's daily updates.
Riding through a caleidoscope of colors during the early days.
The entire group rode together most of the time. At least until either Clas Bjorling or Björn Andersson decided to put the hammer down!
Open water swimming anyone?
No one can hear you scream here!
A much needed break initiated by someone yelling pissepaus.
Jan-Hugo from Norway rode off the front during the 280 k ride to Umeå and finished the day as king of the stage.
Magic mist and fog along the rolling roads of the Swedish north.
Björn Andersson is a speeding bullet and trees brake in his wake
The Tour of Sweden features long barren stretches of road with pine trees parading the peloton
The peloton en route to Bollnäs on day 6 and the dinner buffet is waiting!
Passing a runner on day 7, Swedes do love their exercise.
Clas Björling and Jonas Colting trailing the group at the end of day 8.
Along the shores of Lake Vättern there are a few medieval castles.
Luckily for the riders, the wind was blowing in their back on this 220 km ride from Jönköping to Örebro
Highlights on the road include a bus full of treats and a cup of warm coffee! This is Karlsborg and Björn towed the group in at 50 km/hour
Jonas Colting is cheerful and confident on the groups ability to endure the +1500 miles.
Björn Andersson has altered his position and is now believed to slice better than a hot knife through butter.
This is Klevaliden in Jönköping, an infamous climb often featured through Swedish cycling history. Topping off at 15 percent it made for some zig-zagging as the select few tacked this climb on after the 180 k ride.
During day 12, the tour finally went north and beyond. We´re in Santa Claus country now!
The north of Sweden featured sunny days and a nice coastal riding
