På svenska mail: bobike@brasvar.se Introduction Routes Statistics Equipment Only in swedish. Album 2001 Only in swedish. Album 2002 Only in swedish. Album 2004

Statistics

The figures below are based on 16,270 kilometres of bicycling in 1996—1998; 2000–2002, and 2004.
Expenses for 2000 are not reported; they were 10% higher due to the cold and rain (better hotels).

Cycling

Bicycling routes had about 4% walking paths in cities; 4% terrain trails; 8% gravel roads, and 84% asphalt roads.
Daily trips varied between 30 and 155 km. Long stretches involved searching for hotel rooms late at night. The average stretch was 85 km/bicycling day or 78 km/vacation day. In really hilly terrain, the average stretch dropped to about 75 km/cycling day; on flat land, it rose to about 92 km/day. Tailwinds along the Danube and Drava Rivers boosted the average stretch to 120 km/day.
I usually keep to about 19 km/hour on country roads. My average speed on roads is 17.5 km/hour, and the total, including walking, 14.8 km/hour. My top speed on a straight asphalt road is 62 km/hour.
The old rule (average speed of 10 km/hour, including breaks) is about right. I start at 9 AM and start to look for a hotel around 5 PM, and I’m on the move 8-9 hours/cycling day. I rest my body about every 7th day.

Finances

    I . . .
  • Prefer to bike when the weather is like a late spring day, and the hotels are starting to open, i.e., prices are low.
  • Stay in inexpensive hotels (*-**), inns, or boarding house; sometimes hostels and sometimes expensive hotels.
  • Eat a hearty meal (preferably spaghetti) at restaurants.
  • Buy food and beverages for lunch/snacks in stores.
  • Select the starting point based on last-minute flights; fare, about SEK 1500 + 200.
  • Try to end up in Poland or in Germany (on a Friday night) for inexpensive trips back.
A six-week trip costs about SEK 17,000. In 2000, a four-week trip cost SEK 12,000. In 2002, a four-week trip cost SEK 9,200, while in 2004, SEK 8,900 covered costs for a slightly shorter tip.
On average, travel expenses run about SEK 3,400/trip. Entertainment plus odds and ends cost SEK 1200/trip and SEK 300/day as shown below: 
1996-98      Lodging  Restaurant Store   Total
Portugal     72       54         50      176
Spain        121      68         35      224
France       189      89         31      309   Only Formula-1 hotels
Germany      201      90         17      311   Most expensive in the north
Italy        254      84         23      368
Switzerland  260      150        30      446

2001
Germany      223      70         23      316   One night in an inn
Austria      231      87         25      343   Inn/hotel
Hungary      206      59         11      277   Hotel and a room (SEK 50)
Croatia      304      72         16      392   No hotel option
Slovenia     284      68         22      374   No hotel option
Italy        283      61         17      362   Albergo **
Sweden       170      70         30      270   Hostel with breakfast

2002
Austria      230      61         26      317   Inn with breakfast
Czech Rep    160      32         19      211   Few hotel options
Poland       210      33         26      269   Few hotel options in the north
Sweden       223      62         44      329   Hostel with breakfast

2004
Poland       184      36         16      236   Seven hotel nights + 1 farm
Germany      210      82         16      308   Hostel with breakfast
Denmark      212      61         28      300   Hostel with breakfast
Sweden       200      68         12      280   Hostel with breakfast
In 2001, exchange-rate (ER) losses reached nearly SEK 500 due to many currencies and raised withdrawal fees.
In 2002, due to fewer currencies, ER loss was SEK 130 and in 2004, SEK 210.

Return trip
    Previously, I used the German railway’s weekend ticket, which cost about SEK 150 and was valid for unlimited stretches for four persons – Saturday and Sunday – on regional trains. On one trip, I biked through Basel and about 20 kilometres into Germany and could ride the train to the Puttgarten ferry; 1000 km, 3 switches, for SEK 150. Several options are open from northern Germany to Stockholm if you pack your bike in a bag and can convince the conductors or bus drivers:
  • A berth on the Hamburg-Stockholm train costs SEK 750 with Railplus (SEK +180). But the Öresund currently makes this option more expensive.
  • Euroline’s Hamburg-Stockholm bus costs SEK 820 (-10% for retirees). Leaves about every other day.
  • The Berlin-Malmö private night train with berth wagon can cost SEK 450 in combination with Railplus, but it often costs SEK 700. The Swebus Malmö-Stockholm run costs SEK 350 for retirees (Copenhagen-Stockholm = SEK 410.)
  • The bus and ferry via Gdynia to Nynäshamn is an inexpensive option: SEK 610 with shared cabin.
  • The Polish SRS lines sold its Stettin-Stockholm trips, including ferry to Malmö, for SEK 500 (www.bubaab.com, Ekmanbuss AB).
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