The sun woke us both at 4:30! Although we went back to sleep for a bit, we left the hotel around 7:30 am. With few options. A Saturday during high season left nothing available.We planned to wild camp around the 60 km mark. Wild camping is legal in Sweden, and opportunities abounded all day. At the 50 km mark, Linda decided she’d rather stretch for Nykoping, an estimated 80 km, and a hotel.
We struggled today to find our rhythm. With the e-bike, Linda outclimbs me. She even coasts faster than I. She kept zooming off far ahead of me. It wasn’t until 70 km or so we figured out the default of me in front, at my own pace and cadence. She then followed using the e-bike for occasional boost, coasting ahead when down hill. Me in front didn’t work last year, as my mind would wander and I’d leave Linda struggling to match my pace.
Eurovelo routes wander, making distance estimates difficult. At 80 km Linda awarded herself the Trouper Award. The day consisted of long rolling hills–a lot of long rolling hills. The bike shop owner told us Linda’s e-bike has a theoretical range of 40-75 km at 5 bars of power. Through careful husbanding of power, we arrived at the hotel in Nykoping at 110 km, with two bars remaining. That extended range? All Linda.
Temperatures remain in the low 80s. The day began overcast. When that burned off we rode in the blazing sun. The back roads of Eurovelo 10 didn’t provide a lot of resources. Despite having packed more water than usual, we were running on vapors by the time we arrived in Nykoping.
Linda decreed that since we’d cycled two days of distance, we’re taking tomorrow off. Fair enough – she earned it. We’re both tired!
