This is my favourite day of the Ride. Simply because it passes my home town of Norrköping. After the first 45kms in we stop at Ica MAXI Ingelsta. Kenneth who runs Maxi is well up for this. He's our stage sponsor sorting out the food and beverages for our stop, plus my good lady wife and three of the kids were there to greet me. Not only did they provide us with Marabou chocolate (A tip we picked up from CK Ceres the year before on their club ride) but they also sorted the coffee. Something which is a must if we're to keep this man happy ;)
After Norrköping, it was with a just light heart that we continued the tricky way out of Norrköping from this side of town. Past the old port roads and railway lines and would you believe it, we got a puncture right outside Ford who sponsored us with the van above. So 25 cyclists trunced into their main showroom with their bikes and Habib took our picture. (Must ask him for that)
Puncture sorted we were back out on Arkösundsroad towards the next depot on the northside of the Bråviken water inlet. This requires a ferry, and once again the Ferrymaster was playing "power"games showing who's boss. I understand they have their schedule to adhere to, but honestly; A bunch of girls and guys cycling from Lund to Stockholm would have had me saying "come on you lot, on you get" doing an extra trip (takes ca 4mins to get over)
Well on the other side we all descended from the Ferry and into our next depot, here we really needed to fill up. It was a hot day and the next 50kms to Katrineholm started with a nice hill, 5/7% for 2kms. Not Italy class, but all the same ;)
Whilst here I was interviewed for TV, something I try to keep away from but they really did insist this time ... it was a good report they did so no complaints.
Gabbi and Devon were there too along with Jenny and I sat on a small jetty with Devon and we chatted and held hands for 15mins .... THAT'S Quality. And once we've made Katrineholm, it would be home again by van for Billy, Alex and I to stay at my place.
Apart from the odd waterstop ...
... the rest of the trip went smooth ;) CK Ceres in Katrineholm once again outdone themselves with a buffet worth its name. Thanks Annica ... A quick visit to Donken, and they home ... Nice! Well done all. 'Only' 3 days left ... starting to get that empty feeling ....
