How 'bout Sweden?

[Corbeau]

My brother just got transferred to Sweden for a three-year stint -- Gothenburg, where he works for Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget or SCA. His specialty is running plants that transforms wood pulp into diapers for seniors.

I'd told him I'd pay him a visit at one point and I'm wondering "how are the roads over there?". Starting from Gothenburg, should I go north and explore the rest of Scandinavia or south and check out the Continent? (Think one week with my lil' bro and two weeks of sport-touring on two wheels...)

Bike rentals? Put one of my bikes (by then I'll have more than one) on a container and ship it?

Thanks

[Orson]

I did some investigating while researching for my Norway trip.

I was told that northern Sweden is "nuthin but trees". This I was told by a Swedish guy on the V11 forum. I also heard the "nuthin but trees" reference from a couple of other sources.

As far as scenery goes, Norway is the place to go apparently.

That's not to say that Sweden doesn't have its cultural charms (not to mention the Swedish bikini team   )

[Ant]

Give us a shout if you're coming over next summer, I'm planning on going into Sweden via Denmark and then either riding up to Nordkapp through Finland or Sweden (decided through the high tech method of a coin toss probably) and then riding back South along the fjords in Norway to get the ferry back across to Newcastle.

As for an actual answer to your question, I have no idea STN is all about opinions not facts... yeesh!!    
I've heard the "lots of trees" sentiment echoed from my research into Sweden but then again you might like trees and roads running through them, I probably would... For the first few hundred miles anyway

And as for which direction to head in, North or South. That is a really tough one, I'm obviously biased... I want to see something new, and I've seen the continent
However 2 weeks travel in a southerly direction could encompass a large amount of "The Continent" and give you quite a nice taster of a lot of different parts of Europe. What time of year would you be considering? Going North any time except summer would be silly but South is a viable option for most of the year unless you plan on heading into the mountains.


Oh and...

His specialty is running plants that transforms wood pulp into diapers for seniors.

is one hell of a speciality!!

[Corbeau]

Hey, I come from a land of "nuttin' but tress", so I might feel just like at home. (Except for the part where the female National Beach Volleyball team invites me to their sauna. Nope, I don't have that at home.)

So, "two weeks, head south, play in the Alps" sounds possible? I have no idea how relative distances are over there.

[Ant]

So, "two weeks, head south, play in the Alps" sounds possible? I have no idea how relative distances are over there.

Yep. so long as you don't mind one or two long days in the saddle to head south then that is definitely possible  

[Orson]

So, "two weeks, head south, play in the Alps" sounds possible? I have no idea how relative distances are over there.

If it were me, I'd head to the Norwegian fjords.

If there's any place that can match the beautiful scenery of the Alps, the Norwegian fjords would be the place. The Lofoten Islands also have a spectacular beauty.

On the negative side, Norway is beaucoup expensive. If you autobahn it through Germany, you can reach the foothills of the Alps in about 2 days from Sweden. So, you would use up 4 days getting there and back.

[Ant]

If it were me, I'd head to the Norwegian fjords.

Are you pining for the fjords?

[Cpl Punishment]

Does anyone else think that these over sized nappy products might be good winter gear?

[Ralf]

If it were me, I'd head to the Norwegian fjords.

If there's any place that can match the beautiful scenery of the Alps, the Norwegian fjords would be the place. The Lofoten Islands also have a spectacular beauty.

On the negative side, Norway is beaucoup expensive. If you autobahn it through Germany, you can reach the foothills of the Alps in about 2 days from Sweden. So, you would use up 4 days getting there and back.

1+

Try and rent a BMW GS, KTM, TransAlp et al. and tour Norway. Make sure you travel in July or August to enjoy the best travel weather.

[Bug R]

Hey, I come from a land of "nuttin' but tress", so I might feel just like at home. (Except for the part where the female National Beach Volleyball team invites me to their sauna. Nope, I don't have that at home.)

So, "two weeks, head south, play in the Alps" sounds possible? I have no idea how relative distances are over there.

JF, We have good friends in Stockholm and have travelled quite a bit in the area.
As for the landscape, You would be hard pressed to tell the difference between Algonquin Park and Sweden.
Roads are in great shape except they turn to dirt as soon as you travel off the main roads (Hint : Rent a dual sport), there is good reason why they produce so many rally drivers.
Finland sauna's are much more fun than Swedish one's.
In the alps distances are very deceiving, 200 km a day can be a lot.
Oh and plan a week each way if you are thinking about the North Cape from Southern Sweden.

Chris

[Global Rider]

So, "two weeks, head south, play in the Alps" sounds possible? I have no idea how relative distances are over there.

Even if you use 4 days getting there and back, it'll be worth it. You'll then be able to relate to some of our elevated levels of "enthusiasm"...and that we're not simply bragging.

Mind you, those 4 days will be slabbing it mostly. If you are renting, you'll chew up a lot of those "included" kilometers. You're better off flying down to Munich and renting there. From there its an hour into the Alps. Plus, renting in Sweden will most likely be $$$, like everything else in the Scandinavian countries.