Best time so far in wet and windy Vätternrundan

15 hours 23 minutes. (Start 20:14, finish 11:37) and NO PUNCTURES!

The rain and wind was very similar on my very first Vätternrunda in 2004.

On the way to Jönköping we pass through Gränna. This is Sweden's home of the equivalent of Brighton Rock. It is the only part of the whole 300km route which goes over cobbles! For me this is usually a nice massage, but for those that go really quickly all the fixtures on a bike that aren't properly fixed end up scattered over the road! When I passed it was early enough that the pubs hadn't closed, but I have been through later when added to the cobbles one has to be careful to avoid running over the drunks.

It went quite quick down to Jönköping despite the rain. This was in part due to the strong following wind, and of course my improved condition and 1000+km training. After the porridge in the Jönköping depot it was very cold to get started again. As usual Vätternrundan coincides with school graduation. This means that while we extremely sober cyclists are pouring through the town, we have to keep an eye out for drunken youngsters with their fine caps and suits.

After Jönköping it all gets a bit harder. The road isn't very interesting, more hilly and it was very dark, cold, wet and windy. We do this why exactly?

Some hours later I got to Hjo, which is where they serve the main meal of the ride. This is a very welcome pasta dish. I sat next to two men of about my age, and when they started to speak I realised I was sitting next to two English men. It turns out they had come over specially for this event, and were beginning to wonder why they had! I hope that they enjoyed it despite the weather. They come from Surrey and were very impressed with how positive the local people view this event, supporters cheer the cyclists, thousands of people assist in running the whole thing. They told me about an incident in Scotland (I think) where the locals were so upset about the closing of some roads because of a cycle event that one person spread tacks over the road causing a number of injuries!

After Hjo (where I stayed for about an hour, my longest stay anywhere on the ride) the wind reduced in strength, a bit like me. Since the wind was coming from the north, and I'd been fighting it, it was a bit of a disappointment when it didn't help for the last 40km from the beautiful bridge at the extreme northern point of the route. However it always feels good to start on the last part, at last heading towards Motala instead of away from it.

Sadly Margaret had to work this weekend, so wasn't able to be in Motala, but it still felt very good to arrive at the finishing line, eat some more pasta, and drink a wonderful beer! I should point out that they serve lättöl, low alcohol beer, but after over 300km on a bike saddle it tastes wonderful!

After a few hours sleep, the others in our group arrived, (they also did a very good time, which I could only dream about!). We had what has become something of a tradition, pizza, champagne and an early night! Before travelling home in the morning we also visited another of Motala's attractions, this also being something of a tradition, 'Två Små hus' (Two small houses) where they sell some of the most wonderful ice creams.

My companions started much later than me, since they are in a completely different class as far as cycling is concerned. (the underlined start numbers should take you to their respective statistical pages at the VR site, where you'll be able to see previous years results)

• PATRIK HORSELL, VÄSTERÅS Vätternrundan 2009 17435 05:04 - 13:34
• JOHAN DAHLBERG, UPPSALAVätternrundan 2009 17432 05:04- 13:35
• MARKUS DAHLBERG, UPPSALA Vätternrundan 2009 17434 05:04 - 14:15
• ERIK DAHLBERG, UPPSALAVätternrundan 2009 17431 05:04 - 17:14
• FRANK MCNAMARA, VÄSTERÅSVätternrundan 2009 469 20:14 - 11:37

As you can see I came in first! Patrik & Johan actually went all the way round together, the arrival time difference was due to the fact that they had to queue up to pass the timing mat that read the chip we all wore. It was Erik's first time round. Johan, Markus and Erik are brothers, which explains the common surname.

I should also congratulate my friend in England, Sean Overend, for completing the 1030 miles from Lands End to John O Groats. 1600+km puts some perspective on it all. Press the tab marked LEJOG Ditty on http://www.monticello.org.uk/ to read all about that adventure.