Norwich to Uppsala (Sweden) day 11. The final push

Day 11. The final push

As I got ready for the final push to Uppsala I realised that I was absolutely shattered, no idea why as I had slept incredibly well. Fortunately, thanks to Wednesdays bus action I had less than 60 miles left to do.

The first 30 miles were very dull and very slow as it was all through built up areas either side of Stockholm.

Once clear, I was in desperate need of a break but could only find a slightly ropey cafe,  needs must so I had a cup of tea and pre wrapped muffin.  At least it kept me going for a bit although the cafe rating was only 3.17.

After all the urban cycling it was good to turn the corner and be surrounded by my old friends the trees who kept me company for the next few miles.

I couldn’t have my last cafe trip being hot chocolate free so thanks to Dr Google I found another potential stop and this one delivered a pretty good chocolate and apple (it turned out to be apricot) bun thing. It scored a credible 6.72.

It was now one last 20 mile push for home. My smooth fluent pedalling from last weeks stages had long since disappeared and I was now having to rest my legs after every few pedal strokes. However I eventually rounded the corner and there was the inspirational sight of my welcoming committee. 

After 11 days, 932 miles, 5 ferries, 1 bus and 2 punctures I had made it.

Sadly as I had taken a bit longer than planned to arrive today, then apparently, the Uppsala brass band and mayor had had to go to another engagement but Mrs Crusader and Meg had made a fabulous celebration cake.

I have still no idea why I decided to undertake this trip, it just sort of happened. But most importantly what have we learned. (This was a very informative trip as normally we only learn 10 things but on this one we’ve learnt 20.)

1. Sweden is a long way from Norwich (especially on a bike)

2. It takes 34 times longer to pedal to Uppsala than fly there.

3. Uppsala has been put on the wrong side of Sweden

4. The wind is not always a prevailing one from the West 

5. On long rides always make sure you portable emergency bakery is well stocked

6. German bike mechanics don’t know anything about tubeless tyres except how to ruin them.

7. German DIY chain Toom has a cycling section 

8. If you cycle through a storm (such as Babet) you are likely to get very wet.

9. If you plan to cycle through a storm then make sure your waterproof gloves are actually waterproof or better still stay at home.

10. German buses all run on time as they don’t stop to pick up passengers 

11. You can’t get pickled herring at cafes in Denmark 

12.  Ironically in Denmark Danish Danish pastries are in fact, just called pastries.

13. There is nothing wonderful, wonderful about Copenhagen if you cycle round the edge of it on the cycle path ring road. (The same is true of Stockholm although to be fair it never claimed to be wonderful, wonderful).

14. You can’t get pickled herring in Swedish cafes

15. There are a lot of trees in Sweden 

16. In Sweden you can put a bike on a bus more easily than a train 

17. Drivers in Northern Europe always give priority to bikes at junctions and crossings (and it takes getting used to) but they haven’t had a war on motorists.

18. The best cafes between Norwich and Uppsala are in the middle of nowhere and occasionally have museums about famous cyclists you have never heard of next door. As a rule all others are average at  best.

19. If you ride for long and far enough your bottom will hurt.

20. Most importantly, if a child of yours moves to a foreign country never ever causally say that you will cycle out to visit them (and remember Mrs Crusader knows best)

Stats

	Miles	Time on bike	Average speed	Meters climbed	Miles to go
Day 1 Norwich to Harwich	77.64	6:05	12.8	784
Day 2 Hoek of Holland to Deventer	102.95	9:02	11.4	366	884
Day 3 Deventer to Cloppenburg	103.48	8:16	12.5	231	782
Day 4 Cloppenburg to Jork	90.45	8:20	10.8	538	678
Day 5 Jork to Heiligenhafen	96.11	8:18	11.6	604	582
Day 6 Heiligenhafen to Daley	86.59	6:47	12.7	637	483
Day 7 Daley to Bastad	95.67	7:36	12.6	705	388
Day 8 Bastad to Tranemo	95.09	8:19	11.4	856	173
Day 9 Tranemo to Jonkoping	58.76	5:46	10.2	540	123
Day 10 Nykoping to Stockholm	66.87	6:08	10.9	871	56
Day 11 Stockholm to Uppsala	58.43	5:39	10.3	689	0
Totals	932.04	80:15	11.65	6821

Todays route

Norwich to Uppsala (Sweden) day 10. More Trees

Day 10. More Trees

When I got up this morning the forecast was for it to be cold and drizzling all day. I have now learnt that in these conditions never take your gloves off as your hands don’t warm up again. I therefore researched how to operate the phone camera by voice commands so you don’t miss out on any good tree pics.

I also decided to put all 5 layers of clothing available to me on.

Once out of town my Garmin said to follow the road for the next 23 miles. It was a very straight road and much to my surprise lined with a lot of trees.

There was also little sign of civilisation. In fact sometimes there were village signs but no actual village, just more trees. These trees live in Hano, apparently.

After 23 miles of mind numbing pedalling it all became worth while when I came to an actual roundabout to negotiate.

After that adrenaline rush I was relived to see a small village, with actual houses and stuff, up ahead. I could hardly believe my luck as the local garage had a mini Starbucks.

I don’t often cycle to the big coffee shop chains but was prepared to make an exception. My hot chocolate and apple bun (that turned out to be ginger) were very welcome and the garage rated 5.89 on the EU approved European cafe rating system.

Then it was back on the road again, and guess what, more trees.

And no I’m not just using the same road and tree picture over and over again.

From here things took a turn for the better as I expertly timed my arrival at todays ferry crossing for just as it pulled in (or docked as us regularly ferry users like to say).

This ferry was free and paid for from hard working Swedish workers taxes. I therefore didn’t want people to know I was a British freeloaded so shouted my favourite Swedish chef lines over the noise of the ferry engine which I think fooled the captain and other passengers.

I also let my bike sit down while I stood up to rest my bottom. I’m sure my bike appreciated the break.

Now on the other side I pushed on until a few miles later I spotted a cafe in the middle of nowhere. At last a proper Swedish establishment to rate.

It was clearly often very busy as they had a food ordering buzzer system to let you know when your order was ready. It didn’t seem altogether necessary as the place was virtually deserted and I was the only new customer who arrived the whole time I was there. I dutifully took buzzer number 1 and waited at my table.

A couple of minutes later the waitress came over to point out that I was buzzing and I sheepishly returned the buzzer and went up to the counter to collect my Hot Chocolate and apple pie with custard.

I must say it was the finest on the trip and Eldtomta cafe och Butik (est 1879) rated a stunning 8.2 and easily into first place. 

After a final few miles of road and trees I entered Greater Stockholm and wove along the cycle path network to my hotel for my first daylight finish of the trip.

Tomorrow it’s just under a Grand Fondo to Uppsala and the waiting arms of Mrs Crusader and family before I start loosening up the running muscles ready for the Uppsala parkrun.

Tomorrow’s Weather

Stats 

	Miles	Time on bike	Average speed	Meters climbed	Miles to go
Day 1 Norwich to Harwich	77.64	6:05	12.8	784
Day 2 Hoek of Holland to Deventer	102.95	9:02	11.4	366	884
Day 3 Deventer to Cloppenburg	103.48	8:16	12.5	231	782
Day 4 Cloppenburg to Jork	90.45	8:20	10.8	538	678
Day 5 Jork to Heiligenhafen	96.11	8:18	11.6	604	582
Day 6 Heiligenhafen to Daley	86.59	6:47	12.7	637	483
Day 7 Daley to Bastad	95.67	7:36	12.6	705	388
Day 8 Bastad to Tranemo	95.09	8:19	11.4	856	173
Day 9 Tranemo to Jonkoping	58.76	5:46	10.2	540	123
Day 10 Nykoping to Stockholm	66.87	6:08	10.9	871	56

Todays route