Vätternrundan facts for kids
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| Race details | |
|---|---|
| Date | mid-June |
| Region | Sweden |
| Discipline | cyclosportive |
| Type | one-day |
| History | |
| First edition | 1966 |
The Vätternrundan is a very long bike ride held every year in Sweden. It's a 315 km (196 mi) (about 196 mi (315 km)) event. Before 2020, the main course was 300 km (190 mi) (about 186 mi (299 km)). This exciting event takes place over two weekends in June.
Thousands of people join Vätternrundan. For example, in 2011, nearly 28,000 cyclists finished the ride. They could choose from different distances: the main 300 km (190 mi) course, a 150 km (93 mi) (about 93 mi (150 km)) course, or a 100 km (62 mi) (about 62 mi (100 km)) course.
The longest course goes all the way around Lake Vättern. It starts and finishes in the town of Motala. Many people from other countries also join. In 2011, cyclists from 37 different nations took part.
For the 2012 event, only 23,000 people could sign up for the main ride. This helps keep the event safe and organized.
Contents
How the Ride Starts
Cyclists begin their journey in small groups. Each group has about 60 to 70 riders. They start every two minutes. The first group usually sets off on Friday evening at 7:30 pm. The last group starts early on Saturday morning, around 5:30 am.
In 2010, a special starting time was added for faster cyclists. If riders wanted to finish in less than 9 hours, they could start later. These faster groups began between 9:00 am and 9:30 am on Saturday. This helped reduce crowding on the course. It also made the ride safer for everyone. All cyclists must finish the course by midnight on Saturday.
Not a Race, But a Challenge
Vätternrundan is not a competition where people race against each other. Instead, it's a personal challenge. Each rider's time is measured using a special device on their helmet. This device is required for all participants.
After the event, a list of starting times, checkpoints, and finishing times is posted online. This type of event is called a motionslopp in Sweden. It means a recreational or exercise ride.
Support Along the Way
Along the Vätternrundan course, there are about nine stops. These stops offer food and drinks to keep riders energized. They also provide first aid if anyone needs help. Some stops even offer free massages for tired muscles!
When cyclists reach the finish line, they get a medal. They also receive a certificate to show their achievement. A meal is also offered to celebrate their accomplishment.
For safety, personal support cars are not allowed on the course. Riders cannot have friends or family give them supplies during the ride. This helps keep the roads clear and safe.
After finishing, cyclists who drove to the event cannot use their cars for six hours. This rule is very important. It's because fatigue from the long ride can cause accidents. Police sometimes check drivers to make sure they follow this rule.
History of Vätternrundan
The first Vätternrundan was held in 1966. Only 334 people completed the course that year. At first, the route went counter-clockwise around the lake. But in 1974, the direction was changed. This change happened several years after Sweden switched to right-hand traffic.
In 2021, there was still one amazing person who had completed every single event since 1966. This person is known as a "pioneer."
Who Started It?
The Vätternrundan event was created by Sten-Otto Liljedahl. He was a doctor who specialized in sports medicine. He was also the team doctor for Sweden's national football team for many years.
Dr. Liljedahl came up with the idea for the bike ride while spending summers in Motala. He wanted to study how training, food, and effort affected people. He tested his ideas with trial runs around Lake Vättern. In 2011, a statue was put up to honor Dr. Liljedahl.
Recent Events
The Vätternrundan in 2020 was canceled. This was because of the Coronavirus pandemic. The 2021 event was also affected by the pandemic. It was moved from mid-June to early September.
Other Events Connected to Vätternrundan
Vätternrundan is part of a special series of sporting events in Sweden. This series is called En svensk klassiker, which means "A Swedish Classic Circuit." To complete the "Swedish Classic," you have to do several different endurance challenges.
Vätternrundan is also linked to the Scandinavian Circuit Tour. This is another series of cycling events in the Scandinavian region.
External links
- Google map
- Photos of the Vätternrundan 2014
- Vätternrundan at SVT's open archive
| En svensk klassiker |
|---|
| Vasaloppet | Vätternrundan | Vansbrosimningen | Lidingöloppet |
