{"id":238,"date":"2025-06-15T13:06:00","date_gmt":"2025-06-15T13:06:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/?p=238"},"modified":"2025-06-17T20:23:52","modified_gmt":"2025-06-17T20:23:52","slug":"dzien-10-vatternrundan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/2025\/06\/15\/dzien-10-vatternrundan\/","title":{"rendered":"Dzie\u0144 10: V\u00e4tternrundan"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"p1 wp-block-paragraph\">Rok temu moja wyprawa zako\u0144czy\u0142a si\u0119 nieoczekiwanie w miejscowo\u015bci Stenbjerg w Danii. Zdecydowa\u0142em si\u0119 wr\u00f3ci\u0107 do Polski, kiedy dowiedzia\u0142em si\u0119 o z\u0142ym stanie mojego taty. Wydostanie si\u0119 wtedy z Danii i szybka podr\u00f3\u017c do Polski nie by\u0142aby mo\u017cliwa, gdyby nie pomoc Kasi, kt\u00f3ra przechowa\u0142a w G\u00f6teborgu m\u00f3j rower i sakwy przez kilka miesi\u0119cy. Kasiu, jeszcze raz serdecznie dzi\u0119kuj\u0119 za pomoc!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">En: A year ago, my cycling trip came to an unexpected end in the town of Stenbjerg, Denmark. I decided to return to Poland after receiving news about my dad\u2019s poor health. Getting out of Denmark quickly and making it back to Poland wouldn\u2019t have been possible without the help of Kasia, who kindly stored my bike and panniers in Gothenburg for several months. Kasia, once again &#8211; thank you so much for your help!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p1 wp-block-paragraph\">Dzi\u015b ju\u017c go nie ma, zmar\u0142 w styczniu. Ale wiem, \u017ce chcia\u0142 \u017cebym j\u0105 sko\u0144czy\u0142. Mia\u0142 poczucie winy, \u017ce przerwa\u0142em ze wzgl\u0119du na niego. Nie mog\u0142em tego tak zostawi\u0107. Wyprawa w mojej g\u0142owie domaga\u0142a si\u0119 domkni\u0119cia.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">En: He\u2019s no longer with us he passed away in January. But I know he wanted me to finish the journey. He felt guilty that I cut it short because of him. I couldn\u2019t leave it like that. The trip kept lingering in my mind, demanding closure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_6371-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-239\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_6371-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_6371-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_6371-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_6371-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_6371-850x638.jpg 850w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_6371.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Jezioro V\u00e4ttern<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p1 wp-block-paragraph\">Kiedy rok temu jecha\u0142em przez malownicze \u00d6sterg\u00f6tland i wzd\u0142u\u017c jeziora V\u00e4ttern, dowiedzia\u0142em si\u0119 o V\u00e4tternrundan &#8211; rajdzie rowerowym odbywaj\u0105cym si\u0119 wok\u00f3\u0142 tego jeziora od 60 lat. Zamarzy\u0142em, \u017ceby kiedy\u015b wzi\u0105\u0107 w nim udzia\u0142, cho\u0107 d\u0142ugo\u015b\u0107 przejazdu wydawa\u0142a si\u0119 zab\u00f3jcza &#8211; 315 kilometr\u00f3w. Potem w Polsce rozmawiali\u015bmy z tat\u0105 o tym rajdzie. \u0141apa\u0142 si\u0119 za g\u0142ow\u0119, \u017ce mo\u017cna na raz tyle przejecha\u0107 rowerem. Zawsze mi kibicowa\u0142 w moich wyprawach, nie tylko rowerowych, a potem z dum\u0105 opowiada\u0142 znajomym i rodzinie o kolejnym osi\u0105gni\u0119ciu swojego syna. Sam nie wiem czy niekt\u00f3rych z nich nie planowa\u0142em w\u0142a\u015bnie z my\u015bl\u0105 o nim. Wi\u0119c kiedy powiedzia\u0142em mu, \u017ce si\u0119 zarejestrowa\u0142em &#8211; z u\u015bmiechem na twarzy powiedzia\u0142, \u017ce na pewno mi si\u0119 uda.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">En: When I was cycling through the picturesque region of \u00d6sterg\u00f6tland and along Lake V\u00e4ttern last year, I learned about V\u00e4tternrundan &#8211; a cycling event that has taken place around the lake for the past 60 years. I dreamed of taking part in it one day, even though the distance seemed brutal &#8211; 315 kilometers. Later, back in Poland, my dad and I talked about the ride. He shook his head in disbelief that anyone could ride that far in one go. He always cheered me on in my adventures, not just the cycling ones, and would proudly tell friends and family about his son\u2019s latest achievement. Honestly, I\u2019m not sure if I didn\u2019t plan some of those adventures partly with him in mind. So when I told him I had registered for the ride, he smiled and said he was sure I\u2019d make it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1402-1-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-256\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1402-1-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1402-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1402-1-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1402-1-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1402-1-850x638.jpg 850w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1402-1.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Motala<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p1 wp-block-paragraph\">Rajd zaczyna si\u0119 w Motali i biegnie drogami asfaltowymi (i czasem brukowanymi) wok\u00f3\u0142 jeziora V\u00e4ttern, przechodz\u0105c przez sporo ma\u0142ych miejscowo\u015bci i kilka miast. Nie s\u0105 to warunki, w kt\u00f3rych Kolubryna by\u0142aby najlepszym wyborem je\u015bli chce si\u0119 go przejecha\u0107 w ci\u0105gu doby. Pomy\u015bla\u0142em, \u017ce tu potrzeba raczej czego\u015b l\u017cejszego z jak najmniejszymi oporami toczenia. Rower szosowy! Problem polega na tym, \u017ce nic o nich nie wiem. Na moje szcz\u0119cie istniej\u0105 firmy, kt\u00f3re specjalizuj\u0105 si\u0119 w wypo\u017cyczaniu rower\u00f3w specjalnie na V\u00e4tternrundan. Zdecydowa\u0142em si\u0119 na wypo\u017cyczenie szos\u00f3wki w ten spos\u00f3b. Niespecjalnie przywi\u0105zuje wag\u0119 do marek i modeli, zaznaczy\u0142em po prostu \u017ce ma by\u0107 du\u017cy, \u017cebym nie szorowa\u0142 kolanami o asfalt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p1 wp-block-paragraph\">En: The ride starts in Motala and follows paved roads (and occasionally cobblestone ones) around Lake V\u00e4ttern, passing through many small towns and a few cities. These aren\u2019t exactly the conditions where Kolubryna would be the ideal choice &#8211; at least not if I wanted to complete the route within a single day. I figured I needed something lighter, with minimal rolling resistance. A road bike! The problem was &#8211; I knew nothing about them. Luckily, there are companies that specialize in renting bikes specifically for V\u00e4tternrundan. So I decided to go that route and rent a road bike. I\u2019m not particularly picky about brands or models; I just made sure to check the box for \u201clarge\u201d so I wouldn\u2019t end up scraping my knees on the asphalt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1403-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-257\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1403-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1403-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1403-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1403-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1403-850x638.jpg 850w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1403.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Motala<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p1 wp-block-paragraph\">Z noclegiem te\u017c nie by\u0142o problemu. Organizator imprezy pomaga znale\u017a\u0107 miejsca do spania w Motali. Jak si\u0119 dowiedzia\u0142em, niekt\u00f3rzy mieszka\u0144cy \u017ceby uciec przed zgie\u0142kiem, wyje\u017cd\u017caj\u0105 z miasta na czas wy\u015bcigu i zostawiaj\u0105 swoje domy na wynajem dla rowerzyst\u00f3w. Dosta\u0142em miejsce w\u0142a\u015bnie w takim domu z innymi rowerzystami.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">En: Accommodation wasn\u2019t a problem either. The event organizers help participants find places to stay in Motala. As I found out, some of the locals actually leave town during the race to escape the hustle and bustle, and rent out their homes to cyclists. I ended up staying in one of those houses, sharing it with a few fellow riders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1271-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-272\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1271-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1271-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1271-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1271-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1271-850x638.jpg 850w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1271.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Motala<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p1 wp-block-paragraph\">Nigdy wcze\u015bniej nie je\u017adzi\u0142em na szos\u00f3wce, ani nie bra\u0142em udzia\u0142u w wy\u015bcigu rowerowym, wi\u0119c bylem pe\u0142en obaw. Najd\u0142u\u017csza trasa rowerowa, 240 km z Warszawy do Torunia, zaj\u0119\u0142a mi oko\u0142o 20 godzin. Tyle \u017ce by\u0142a to trasa krajoznawcza, z postojami na zdj\u0119cia. By\u0142 nawet jeden post\u00f3j na drzemk\u0119 \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">En: I had never ridden a road bike before, nor had I ever taken part in a cycling race, so I was full of doubts. My longest ride up to that point &#8211; 240 kilometers from Warsaw to Toru\u0144 &#8211; had taken me about 20 hours. But that was more of a scenic route, with plenty of stops for photos. There was even one stop for a nap \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"769\" src=\"https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1315-1024x769.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-241\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1315-1024x769.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1315-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1315-768x577.jpg 768w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1315-1536x1154.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1315-850x638.jpg 850w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1315.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">M\u00f3j rower \/ my bike<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p1 wp-block-paragraph\">W dniu wy\u015bcigu podszed\u0142em do bike expo, gdzie sw\u00f3j punkt mia\u0142 Fredrik, z kt\u00f3rym by\u0142em um\u00f3wiony na wypo\u017cyczenie roweru. Rower ju\u017c czeka\u0142, a z Fredrikiem tak dobrze nam si\u0119 rozmawia\u0142o, \u017ce a\u017c szkoda mi by\u0142o odchodzi\u0107. Pom\u00f3g\u0142 mi z konfiguracj\u0105 osprz\u0119tu na rowerze, torebki, zapi\u0119cie, o\u015bwietlenie. Zaopatrzy\u0142 w zapasow\u0105 d\u0119tk\u0119 i klucze, pokaza\u0142 co i jak w rowerze (pierwszy raz mia\u0142em do czynienia z elektrycznymi przerzutkami).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">En: On the day of the race, I headed over to the bike expo, where Fredrik &#8211; the guy I had arranged the bike rental with &#8211; had his stand. The bike was already waiting for me, and we ended up having such a good conversation that I almost didn\u2019t want to leave. He helped me set everything up: the gear, saddle bag, lock, and lights. He provided a spare tube and tools, and walked me through how everything worked (it was my first time using electronic shifters!).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1302-1-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-242\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1302-1-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1302-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1302-1-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1302-1-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1302-1-850x638.jpg 850w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1302-1.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Bramki startowe \/ starting gates<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p1 wp-block-paragraph\">Wy\u015bcig zaczyna si\u0119 o 19:30, kolarzy jest du\u017co (Fredrik m\u00f3wi\u0142, \u017ce w tym roku oko\u0142o 20 tysi\u0119cy), wi\u0119c s\u0105 podzieleni na grupy. Grupy startuj\u0105 w dwuminutowych odst\u0119pach, moja grupa startowa\u0142a o 20:28. Tak \u017ce czeka\u0142a mnie jazda nocna. Wyposa\u017cy\u0142em rower w dodatkowy reflektor, kt\u00f3rego u\u017cywam jak je\u017cd\u017c\u0119 noc\u0105 Kolubryn\u0105 po lasach. Prognoza pogody m\u00f3wi\u0142a, \u017ce temperatura w nocy nie spadnie poni\u017cej 11 stopni, wi\u0119c ograniczy\u0142em dodatkowe ubrania wy\u0142\u0105cznie do bluzy rowerowej (tzw. middle layer). Zabra\u0142em te\u017c kilka baton\u00f3w z orzechami i czekolad\u0105 i par\u0119 izotonicznych napoj\u00f3w energetycznych. Z tymi ostatnimi nie mia\u0142em \u017cadnego do\u015bwiadczenia, ale naczyta\u0142em si\u0119 \u017ce to podstawa w takich wy\u015bcigach, a w bike expo sprzedawali je na ka\u017cdym kroku. By\u0142y wr\u0119cz stacje uzupe\u0142niania tych specyfik\u00f3w. Tak \u017ce na pr\u00f3b\u0119 kupi\u0142em kilka saszetek.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p1 wp-block-paragraph\">En: The race starts at 7:30 PM, and with so many cyclists taking part &#8211; Fredrik mentioned around 20,000 this year &#8211; they\u2019re divided into groups. Each group sets off at two-minute intervals, and mine was scheduled to start at 8:28 PM. That meant a night ride was ahead of me. I equipped the bike with an extra headlamp &#8211; the same one I use when riding Kolubryna through the woods at night. The weather forecast predicted the temperature wouldn\u2019t drop below 11\u00b0C during the night, so I limited my extra clothing to just a cycling mid-layer. I also packed a few nut-and-chocolate bars and some isotonic energy drinks. I had no prior experience with the latter, but I\u2019d read that they\u2019re essential in races like this, and they were being sold everywhere at the bike expo. There were even refill stations dedicated to them. So, I bought a few sachets to try.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1285-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-258\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1285-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1285-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1285-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1285-300x400.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1285-850x1133.jpg 850w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1285.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Motala<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p1 wp-block-paragraph\">Motala \u017cy\u0142a wy\u015bcigiem. Na rynku i przylegaj\u0105cych ulicach pe\u0142no by\u0142o rowerzyst\u00f3w. Wi\u0119kszo\u015b\u0107 z nich m\u0142oda, wysportowana w pi\u0119knych, dopasowanych strojach i z imponuj\u0105cymi rowerami. M\u00f3j impostor syndrom zacz\u0105\u0142 o sobie przypomina\u0107. Wtedy Ida podes\u0142a\u0142a mi artyku\u0142 o Stigu Johanssonie, kt\u00f3ry ma 79 lat i w tym roku jedzie sw\u00f3j 60. V\u00e4tternrundan. To znaczy \u017ce bra\u0142 udzia\u0142 we wszystkich zorganizowanych do tej pory! Je\u017adzi w wytartych jeansach, \u017c\u00f3\u0142tej kurtce, magnetofonem w koszyku, na rowerze marki Husqvarna z 1937 roku. Uprawia te\u017c inne sporty, trenuje dru\u017cyn\u0119 siatk\u00f3wki i w og\u00f3le jest cz\u0142owiekiem orkiestr\u0105, a na rowerze je\u017adzi bo lubi. Bardzo zaimponowa\u0142o mi jego podej\u015bcie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">En: Motala was alive with the spirit of the race. The town square and surrounding streets were filled with cyclists. Most of them were young, athletic, dressed in sleek, form-fitting gear, and riding top-of-the-line bikes. That\u2019s when my impostor syndrome started creeping in. But then Ida sent me an article about Stig Johansson, a 79-year-old who was riding his 60th V\u00e4tternrundan this year. That means he\u2019s taken part in every single edition of the race since it began! He rides in worn-out jeans, a yellow jacket, with a tape player in his basket, on a 1937 Husqvarna bike. He\u2019s also active in other sports, coaches a volleyball team, and is basically a one-man band. And he rides simply because he loves it. His attitude really made a strong impression on me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"682\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1423-2-1-682x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-276\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1423-2-1-682x1024.jpg 682w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1423-2-1-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1423-2-1-768x1153.jpg 768w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1423-2-1-300x451.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1423-2-1.jpg 799w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 682px) 100vw, 682px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Start<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p1 wp-block-paragraph\">Start odby\u0142 si\u0119 planowo o 20:28. Wyjazd z miasta za prowadz\u0105cym motocyklem trwa\u0142 par\u0119 minut, po czym grupa zosta\u0142a sama na drodze. Tzn. sama to niezbyt precyzyjne okre\u015blenie, bo pobocza wype\u0142nione by\u0142y kibicami jeszcze bardzo d\u0142ugo. Ludzie wiwatowali, dopingowali, \u015bpiewali, chcieli zbija\u0107 pi\u0105tki z jad\u0105cymi kolarzami. By\u0142o to uskrzydlaj\u0105ce i wywo\u0142ywa\u0142o u\u015bmiech na mojej twarzy.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">En: The race started right on schedule at 8:28 PM. We rolled out of town behind a lead motorcycle for the first few minutes, and then the group was left on its own on the open road. Well &#8211; \u201con its own\u201d isn\u2019t quite accurate, because the roadside was lined with cheering spectators for a long stretch. People were clapping, shouting encouragement, singing, and reaching out to high-five passing cyclists. It was incredibly uplifting and brought a huge smile to my face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1421-1-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-261\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1421-1-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1421-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1421-1-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1421-1-850x566.jpg 850w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1421-1.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Na trasie \/ On the route <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p1 wp-block-paragraph\">Jazda w grupie bardzo r\u00f3\u017cni si\u0119 od samotnych wypraw. Praktycznie ca\u0142y czas jedzie si\u0119 bardzo blisko z innymi rowerzystami. Bardzo blisko czasem oznacza p\u00f3\u0142 metra, ale czasem jak jest g\u0119sto (np. dwie grupy si\u0119 wyprzedzaj\u0105) ta odleg\u0142o\u015b\u0107 spada do kilkunastu centymetr\u00f3w. Grupa nadaje tempo, co w niekt\u00f3rych sytuacjach mo\u017ce wydawa\u0107 si\u0119 uci\u0105\u017cliwe (np. jedzie wolniej ni\u017c by mo\u017cna, albo za szybko) ale z drugiej strony bycie jej cz\u0119\u015bci\u0105 motywuje, zwi\u0119ksza poczucie bezpiecze\u0144stwa, uskrzydla. Grupa jedzie w milczeniu, ale porozumiewa si\u0119 za pomoc\u0105 gest\u00f3w. Machni\u0119cie praw\u0105 r\u0119k\u0105 za plecami oznacza \u201cprzeszkoda z prawej do omini\u0119cia\u201d. Wskazanie w d\u00f3\u0142 palcem oznacza \u201cuwa\u017caj na co\u015b na drodze (np. dziura, czy le\u017c\u0105cy obiekt)\u201d, wskazanie r\u0119k\u0105 z obrotem g\u0142owy w t\u0119 stron\u0119 zwykle znaczy \u201cb\u0119d\u0119 tu wje\u017cd\u017ca\u0107, wi\u0119c trzymaj odst\u0119p\u201d. B\u0119d\u0105c cz\u0119\u015bci\u0105 grupy nie widzisz drogi przed sob\u0105, ale dzi\u0119ki tym komunikatom korzystasz z oczu ca\u0142ej grupy. Jeste\u015b cz\u0119\u015bci\u0105 wi\u0119kszego organizmu, kt\u00f3ry wsp\u00f3lnie pod\u0105\u017ca wyznaczon\u0105 tras\u0105. Wjechanie szos\u00f3wk\u0105 dziur\u0119 w asfalcie przy pr\u0119dko\u015bci 30 km\/h ko\u0144czy si\u0119 zwykle kraks\u0105 nie tylko twoj\u0105, ale te\u017c tych, kt\u00f3rzy jad\u0105 bezpo\u015brednio za tob\u0105. Dlatego grupie zale\u017cy na sprawnej komunikacji.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">En: Riding in a group is very different from solo touring. You\u2019re almost always riding very close to other cyclists. Sometimes \u201cvery close\u201d means half a meter, but when it gets crowded\u2014like when two groups are overtaking each other\u2014that distance can shrink to just a few centimeters. The group sets the pace, which can sometimes feel limiting\u2014either too slow or too fast\u2014but being part of it is also incredibly motivating. It boosts your sense of safety and gives you wings. The group rides in silence, but communicates through gestures. A wave of the right hand behind the back means \u201cobstacle on the right, pass on the left.\u201d Pointing down with a finger signals \u201cwatch out for something on the road\u201d (like a pothole or an object). A hand motion combined with a head turn usually means \u201cI\u2019m about to move in this direction, give me space.\u201d When you\u2019re in the group, you often can\u2019t see the road ahead\u2014but thanks to these signals, you\u2019re using the eyes of everyone around you. You become part of a larger organism moving together along the designated route. Hitting a pothole with a road bike at 30 km\/h doesn\u2019t just end badly for you\u2014it can cause a crash for those riding directly behind you. That\u2019s why clear, quick communication within the group is crucial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"682\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1415-1-682x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-277\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1415-1-682x1024.jpg 682w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1415-1-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1415-1-768x1153.jpg 768w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1415-1-300x451.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1415-1.jpg 799w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 682px) 100vw, 682px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Na trasie \/ On the route <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p1 wp-block-paragraph\">Na trasie wy\u015bcigu nie ma ustalonych grup (poza klubami sportowymi). Rowerzy\u015bci z czasem si\u0119 m\u0119cz\u0105, inni uznaj\u0105, \u017ce grupa ich spowalnia i decyduj\u0105 si\u0119 oderwa\u0107, niekt\u00f3rzy zje\u017cd\u017caj\u0105 z trasy na post\u00f3j. Dlatego grupy ewoluuj\u0105, powi\u0119kszaj\u0105 si\u0119 i zmniejszaj\u0105, rozpadaj\u0105 si\u0119 i tworz\u0105 nowe, rozci\u0105gaj\u0105 si\u0119 do kilkudziesi\u0119ciu metr\u00f3w i zn\u00f3w zwijaj\u0105 do zwartych form, sk\u0142ad grup regularnie si\u0119 wymienia. Je\u017adzi\u0142em w grupach kilkuosobowych i kilkunastoosobowych. Wi\u0119ksze ni\u017c kilkana\u015bcie os\u00f3b mia\u0142y dla mnie zbyt du\u017cy bezw\u0142ad. Je\u017adzi\u0142em te\u017c za pojedynczymi rowerzystami, kt\u00f3rych tempo jazdy mi odpowiada\u0142o. Zalet jechania za kim\u015b nie da si\u0119 przeceni\u0107, zw\u0142aszcza kiedy ma si\u0119 do przejechania ponad 300 kilometr\u00f3w.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">En: There are no fixed groups along the race route (aside from organized cycling clubs). Riders get tired over time, some feel that the group is slowing them down and choose to break away, others pull over for a rest. Because of this, groups are constantly evolving &#8211; growing and shrinking, breaking apart and reforming, stretching out over dozens of meters and then compressing back into tighter formations. The composition of each group shifts regularly. I rode in small groups of just a few people, and in larger ones with over a dozen. Anything bigger than that felt too sluggish and unwieldy for me. I also rode behind solo cyclists whose pace matched mine. The benefits of riding behind someone can\u2019t be overstated &#8211; especially when you\u2019ve got over 300 kilometers ahead of you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"682\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1420-1-682x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-262\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1420-1-682x1024.jpg 682w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1420-1-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1420-1-768x1153.jpg 768w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1420-1-300x451.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1420-1.jpg 799w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 682px) 100vw, 682px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Na trasie \/ On the route<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p1 wp-block-paragraph\">Nie by\u0142o ani jednej godziny podczas wy\u015bcigu, w kt\u00f3rej nie mija\u0142bym fan\u00f3w wy\u015bcigu. Po ich liczbie mo\u017cna by\u0142o wnioskowa\u0107 czy jest si\u0119 daleko od miasta. Wiwatowali, dopingowali, machali szwedzkimi flagami. Sporo os\u00f3b zorganizowa\u0142o imprezy w swoich ogrodach, po\u0142o\u017conych na trasie przejazdu. By\u0142a muzyka, ogniska (nie bez znaczenia w nocy przy do\u015b\u0107 niskich temperaturach). \u201cDawaj dawaj\u201d, \u201cale ci\u015bniesz!\u201d, \u201cnie przestawaj!\u201d, \u201ctak dalej!\u201d, \u201cco za walka!\u201d. Nie zapami\u0119ta\u0142em wszystkich, a cz\u0119\u015bci nie rozumia\u0142em po szwedzku. Byli tacy, kt\u00f3rzy ustawiali si\u0119 do zbijania pi\u0105tek z kolarzami. Sam zbi\u0142em kilka pi\u0105tek, cho\u0107 pi\u0105tka przy 30 km\/h mo\u017ce by\u0107 bolesna, ale adrenalina dzia\u0142a jak \u015brodek przeciwb\u00f3lowy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">En: There wasn\u2019t a single hour during the race when I wasn\u2019t passing by fans. You could tell how far you were from a town just by the number of people cheering along the road. They waved Swedish flags, clapped, shouted encouragement. Many had set up garden parties right along the route &#8211; there was music, bonfires (very welcome at night, given the chilly temperatures). \u201cCome on!\u201d, \u201cYou\u2019re crushing it!\u201d, \u201cDon\u2019t stop!\u201d, \u201cKeep going!\u201d, \u201cWhat a fight!\u201d\u2014these are just some of the things I remember. I didn\u2019t catch everything, and I couldn\u2019t understand some of the Swedish. There were even people lining up to high-five the riders. I gave out a few myself, though a high five at 30 km\/h can sting a bit &#8211; thankfully, adrenaline is a great painkiller.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"798\" src=\"https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1308-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-243\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1308-1.png 750w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1308-1-282x300.png 282w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1308-1-300x319.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Mapa depot\u00f3w \/ depots map (source: Dagens Nyheter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p1 wp-block-paragraph\">Wzd\u0142u\u017c trasy organizatorzy ustawili 10 depot\u00f3w (punkt\u00f3w z jedzeniem, wod\u0105, lekarzem, serwisem rowerowym). Pierwszy depot na 47 kilometrze omin\u0105\u0142em, bo nie by\u0142em jeszcze zm\u0119czony i dobrze mi si\u0119 jecha\u0142o z grup\u0105. My\u015bla\u0142em \u017ce omin\u0119 te\u017c nast\u0119pny, ale zaczyna\u0142em czu\u0107 zm\u0119czenie, a moja grupa praktycznie si\u0119 rozpad\u0142a, wi\u0119c zjecha\u0142em na 83 kilometrze w miejscowo\u015bci \u00d6lmstad. Uzna\u0142em \u017ce pora wypr\u00f3bowa\u0107 \u017cel energetyczny, kt\u00f3rych zapas wioz\u0142em ze sob\u0105. Na szcz\u0119\u015bcie saszetka by\u0142a ma\u0142a, bo \u017cel w smaku by\u0142 okropny i przyprawi\u0142 mnie o md\u0142o\u015bci. Postanowi\u0142em, \u017ce s\u0142odkie bu\u0142eczki i kawa, kt\u00f3re serwowano na postoju b\u0119d\u0105 lepszym wyborem. Od tamtej pory \u0142adowa\u0142em nimi akumulatory na ka\u017cdym postoju.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">En: Along the route, the organizers had set up 10 depots &#8211; stations with food, water, medical staff, and bike repair services. I skipped the first one at the 47-kilometer mark because I wasn\u2019t tired yet and was riding comfortably with my group. I thought I\u2019d skip the next one too, but fatigue was starting to creep in, and my group had pretty much fallen apart. So I pulled into the depot at the 83-kilometer mark in the town of \u00d6lmstad. I figured it was time to try one of the energy gels I had brought with me. Fortunately, the sachet was small, because the gel tasted awful and made me feel nauseous. I quickly decided that the sweet buns and coffee being served at the stop were a much better option. From that point on, they became my go-to fuel at every depot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1329-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-244\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1329-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1329-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1329-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1329-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1329-850x638.jpg 850w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1329.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Depot w \u00d6lmstad<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p1 wp-block-paragraph\">Trzy z dziesi\u0119ciu depot\u00f3w serwowa\u0142y ciep\u0142e posi\u0142ki. Planowa\u0142em przerwy w taki spos\u00f3b, \u017ceby si\u0119 w nich zatrzyma\u0107. W J\u00f6nk\u00f6ping (post\u00f3j na 104 kilometrze) by\u0142y to k\u00f6tbullar (po polsku klopsiki z Ikei) z musem ziemniaczanym i \u017curawin\u0105. W miejscowo\u015bci Hjo (post\u00f3j na 171 kilometrze) &#8211; lazania. Po dojechaniu na met\u0119 w Motali serwowano te\u017c burgery. W ka\u017cdym przypadku przygotowano wersje dla wegetarian, wegan, jaki i kolarzy posiadaj\u0105cych r\u00f3\u017cne alergie.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">En: Three of the ten depots offered hot meals, and I planned my breaks to make sure I stopped at those. In J\u00f6nk\u00f6ping (the stop at the 104-kilometer mark), they served k\u00f6ttbullar\u2014Swedish meatballs (or as we call them in Poland, \u201cIKEA meatballs\u201d)\u2014with mashed potatoes and lingonberry jam. In the town of Hjo (171 kilometers in), it was lasagna. And at the finish line in Motala, they were serving burgers. In every case, they had options for vegetarians, vegans, and cyclists with various food allergies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1419-1-1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-279\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1419-1-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1419-1-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1419-1-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1419-1-1-850x567.jpg 850w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1419-1-1.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Na trasie \/ On the route<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p1 wp-block-paragraph\">S\u0142o\u0144ce zasz\u0142o oko\u0142o 22, ale jeszcze jaki\u015b czas by\u0142o jasno. Temperatura te\u017c nie wymaga\u0142a za\u0142o\u017cenia bluzy, w J\u00f6nk\u00f6ping, kt\u00f3re jest do\u015b\u0107 sporym miastem, by\u0142o wr\u0119cz kilka stopni cieplej. Tu\u017c za J\u00f6nk\u00f6ping na profilu wysoko\u015bciowym wy\u015bcigu zaznaczono pierwszy powa\u017cny podjazd. Troch\u0119 si\u0119 go ba\u0142em, ale z drugiej strony pami\u0119ta\u0142em to miejsce. Przecie\u017c ja ju\u017c tu by\u0142em rok temu i wyje\u017cd\u017ca\u0142em z tego miasta, a jedyne co pami\u0119tam z tego podjazdu to to, \u017ce m\u00f3j Garmin mnie przed nim ostrzeg\u0142 \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">En: The sun set around 10 PM, but it stayed light for a while after that. The temperature didn\u2019t drop enough to warrant putting on my mid-layer\u2014in fact, in J\u00f6nk\u00f6ping, which is a fairly large city, it was actually a few degrees warmer. Just past J\u00f6nk\u00f6ping, the race\u2019s elevation profile marked the first serious climb. I was a bit nervous about it, but on the other hand\u2014I remembered that place. I had been there the year before, after all, riding out of the city. And the only thing I truly remembered about that climb was my Garmin warning me it was coming \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1330-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-245\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1330-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1330-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1330-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1330-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1330-850x638.jpg 850w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1330.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Depot z ciep\u0142ym posi\u0142kiem w J\u00f6nk\u00f6ping \/ Warm meal depot in J\u00f6nk\u00f6ping<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p1 wp-block-paragraph\">Nie myli\u0142em si\u0119, podjazd (a raczej seria podjazd\u00f3w) nie by\u0142y tak straszne jak malowa\u0142 to profil wysoko\u015bciowy. Po wspi\u0119ciu si\u0119 na g\u00f3r\u0119 by\u0142a ju\u017c noc. Nie by\u0142y to kompletne ciemno\u015bci, takie rzeczy nie wyst\u0119puj\u0105 w Szwecji o tej porze roku, ale jednak by\u0142o ciemniej. S\u0142o\u0144ce lekko schowa\u0142o si\u0119 pod horyzontem, czemu towarzyszy\u0142y spektakularne efekty wizualne. Nad jeziorem V\u00e4ttern chmury by\u0142y pomalowane na pomara\u0144czowo i r\u00f3\u017cowo. Trzeba by\u0142o si\u0119 pilnowa\u0107, \u017ceby si\u0119 koncentrowa\u0107 na drodze, bo widoki by\u0142y nieziemskie.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">En: I wasn\u2019t wrong &#8211; the climb (or rather, the series of climbs) wasn\u2019t nearly as intimidating as the elevation profile had made it look. By the time I reached the top, night had fully set in. It wasn\u2019t total darkness though &#8211; such a thing doesn\u2019t really happen in Sweden this time of year &#8211; but it was noticeably dimmer. The sun had dipped just below the horizon, creating a spectacular visual show. Over Lake V\u00e4ttern, the clouds were painted in shades of orange and pink. It was hard to keep my focus on the road &#8211; the views were absolutely breathtaking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"681\" src=\"https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1417-1-1024x681.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-270\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1417-1-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1417-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1417-1-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1417-1-850x565.jpg 850w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1417-1.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Na trasie \/ On the route<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p1 wp-block-paragraph\">Wraz z nadej\u015bciem nocy, temperatura zacz\u0119\u0142a spada\u0107. Nie od razu, ale powoli z czasem. Dobrze mi si\u0119 jecha\u0142o w grupie, wi\u0119c omin\u0105\u0142em post\u00f3j na 133 kilometrze. Moja grupa jednak rozpad\u0142a si\u0119, a po tej&nbsp; stronie jeziora, rowerzyst\u00f3w by\u0142o wyra\u017anie mniej. Rzadziej te\u017c spotyka\u0142o si\u0119 grupy, by\u0142o sporo samotnik\u00f3w. Bywa\u0142o tak, \u017ce z ut\u0119sknieniem wypatrywa\u0142o si\u0119 czerwonych lampek rowerowych, \u017ceby m\u00f3c si\u0119 do kogo\u015b pod\u0142\u0105czy\u0107 i nie jecha\u0107 samemu. W takich chwilach dzi\u0119kowa\u0142em sobie za wzi\u0119cie reflektora, kt\u00f3ry dzielnie roz\u015bwietla\u0142 drog\u0119 przede mn\u0105. Niby w tej szar\u00f3wce wida\u0107 by\u0142o drog\u0119, ale \u015bwiat\u0142o i pe\u0142na widoczno\u015b\u0107 drogi przed sob\u0105 ma kolosalne znaczenie dla poczucia bezpiecze\u0144stwa. Par\u0119 razy zreszt\u0105 reflektor uchroni\u0142 mnie przed wjechaniem w dziur\u0119 w drodze, kt\u00f3rej nie zobaczy\u0142bym bez niego.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">En: As night settled in, the temperature began to drop &#8211; not suddenly, but gradually over time. I was riding comfortably with a group, so I skipped the 133-kilometer stop. However, that group eventually broke apart, and on this side of the lake, there were noticeably fewer cyclists. Groups were rarer, and I saw a lot of solo riders. There were moments when I found myself eagerly scanning the darkness for the red tail lights of other bikes, just to have someone to ride with and avoid being completely alone. In those moments, I was especially grateful for bringing my headlamp, which faithfully lit up the road ahead. Sure, you could make out the road in the twilight, but having a clear, illuminated path in front of you makes a huge difference in how safe you feel. A few times, that headlamp even saved me from riding straight into potholes I would have never spotted without it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1333-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-246\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1333-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1333-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1333-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1333-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1333-850x638.jpg 850w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1333.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Serwowanie lazanii w Hjo \/ Serving lasagne at Hjo depot<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p1 wp-block-paragraph\">Na 171 kilometrze zjecha\u0142em do depotu w miejscowo\u015bci Hjo. Nie zdawa\u0142em sobie sprawy jaka jest temperatura, a by\u0142o (jak potem sprawdzi\u0142em) 8 stopni, jak i z tego \u017ce depot znajduje si\u0119 nad samym jeziorem i o 3 nad ranem wilgotno\u015b\u0107 tam jest bardzo wysoka, co sprawia \u017ce niskie temperatury s\u0105 bardziej dotkliwe. Koniec ruchu oznacza\u0142 brak wewn\u0119trznego grzania, wi\u0119c m\u00f3j organizm w bluzie zacz\u0105\u0142 szybko si\u0119 wych\u0142adza\u0107. Lazania z kaw\u0105 nie pomog\u0142y. Moje cia\u0142o zacz\u0119\u0142o dr\u017ce\u0107 z zimna. Nie mog\u0142em t\u0119go opanowa\u0107, a po chwili nie by\u0142em w stanie utrzyma\u0107 kubka w r\u0119ce. W takim stanie nie nadawa\u0142em si\u0119 do dalszej jazdy. Poszed\u0142em do namiotu medycznego. Telepa\u0142o mn\u0105 ju\u017c wtedy tak, \u017ce pan od razu owin\u0105\u0142 mnie dwoma kocami i poszed\u0142 po co\u015b ciep\u0142ego do picia. Dosta\u0142em gor\u0105c\u0105 herbat\u0119 z cukrem i siedzia\u0142em zawini\u0119ty kocami. Powoli drgawki ust\u0119powa\u0142y. Medycy wchodzili i wychodzili, troch\u0119 rozmawiali\u015bmy. Kiedy dowiedzieli si\u0119 sk\u0105d jestem, kto\u015b zacz\u0105\u0142 rozmow\u0119 o polskich w\u00f3dkach i o tym czy lepsza jest \u017bubr\u00f3wka czy Wyborowa. Jako kto\u015b, kto nigdy nie lubi\u0142 mocnych alkoholi jestem jak wiadomo idealnym partnerem do takich rozm\u00f3w \ud83d\ude42 Nie zmienia to faktu, \u017ce otrzyma\u0142em dok\u0142adnie tak\u0105 pomoc, jakiej oczekiwa\u0142em. Rozgrzany na tyle ile to by\u0142o mo\u017cliwe (by\u0142em \u017ale ubrany do panuj\u0105cych warunk\u00f3w), wsiad\u0142em na rower licz\u0105c ze ruch mnie rozgrzeje do stopnia, kt\u00f3ry umo\u017cliwi dalsz\u0105 jazd\u0119. Tak te\u017c si\u0119 sta\u0142o.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1429-1-1024x682.jpg\" class=\"wp-image-281\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1429-1-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1429-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1429-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1429-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1429-1-850x567.jpg 850w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1429-1.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Na trasie \/ On the route<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">En: At the 171-kilometer mark, I pulled into the depot in the town of Hjo. I hadn\u2019t realized how cold it had gotten it was 8\u00b0C at that point, as I later checked and I also didn\u2019t know that the depot was located right by the lake. At 3 a.m., the humidity there was extremely high, which made the low temperatures feel even more punishing. Stopping meant my body lost its internal heat source, and in just a cycling mid-layer, I began to cool down rapidly. Lasagna and coffee didn\u2019t help. My body started shivering uncontrollably. I couldn\u2019t stop it, and soon I couldn\u2019t even hold the cup in my hands. In that state, I was in no condition to continue riding. I walked over to the medical tent. By then, I was shaking so hard that the staff immediately wrapped me in two blankets and went to get me something hot to drink. I was handed a cup of warm tea with sugar and sat wrapped in blankets. Slowly, the shivering began to subside. The medics came and went, and we chatted a bit. When they found out I was from Poland, someone started a conversation about Polish vodka asking whether \u017bubr\u00f3wka or Wyborowa was better. As someone who\u2019s never been fond of strong liquor, I was, of course, the perfect person to weigh in on that debate \ud83d\ude42 Regardless, I got exactly the kind of help I needed. Once I was warmed up as much as possible (considering how poorly dressed I was for the conditions), I got back on the bike, hoping that movement would warm me up enough to continue. And thankfully it did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"682\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1416-1-1-682x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-269\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1416-1-1-682x1024.jpg 682w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1416-1-1-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1416-1-1-768x1153.jpg 768w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1416-1-1-300x451.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1416-1-1.jpg 799w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 682px) 100vw, 682px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Na trasie \/ On the route<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p1 wp-block-paragraph\">Postanowi\u0142em sobie, \u017ce nie zatrzymam si\u0119 a\u017c si\u0119 troch\u0119 nie ociepli. Bo tak d\u0142ugo jak peda\u0142uj\u0119, b\u0119d\u0119 si\u0119 rozgrzewa\u0142. Rowerzyst\u00f3w wci\u0105\u017c by\u0142o jak na lekarstwo, ale znalaz\u0142em jednego, kt\u00f3rego tempo by\u0142o w sam raz, zar\u00f3wno po p\u0142askim, pod g\u00f3r\u0119 jak i na zjazdach. Przejechali\u015bmy razem dobre 40 km. Nie zjecha\u0142 na 204 kilometrze, a ja nie chc\u0105c go straci\u0107 i w obawie o to, \u017ce zn\u00f3w zmarzn\u0119 &#8211; jecha\u0142em dalej za nim.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">En: I made a decision: I wouldn\u2019t stop again until it got a bit warmer. As long as I was pedaling, I could keep my body warm. There were still very few cyclists around, but I found one whose pace matched mine perfectly &#8211; on the flats, uphill, and even on the descents. We ended up riding together for a solid 40 kilometers. He didn\u2019t stop at the 204-kilometer depot, and not wanting to lose him &#8211; or risk getting cold again &#8211; I chose to keep going and stay on his wheel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1337-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-247\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1337-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1337-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1337-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1337-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1337-850x638.jpg 850w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1337.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Wsch\u00f3d s\u0142o\u0144ca nad V\u00e4ttern i m\u00f3j towarzysz w wy\u015bcigu \/ Sunrise at V\u00e4ttern and my fellow cyclist<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p1 wp-block-paragraph\">Na 170 kilometrze mia\u0142em kryzys zm\u0119czeniowy. To taki objaw, kt\u00f3ry wyst\u0119puje u mnie na d\u0142u\u017cszych wyprawach. Sygna\u0142y b\u00f3lu i zm\u0119czenia z cia\u0142a zaczynaj\u0105 by\u0107 na tyle silne, \u017ce m\u00f3zg zaczyna odmawia\u0107 wsp\u00f3\u0142pracy. To troch\u0119 jak rozmowa ze sob\u0105 samym, gdzie jednocze\u015bnie m\u00f3wisz \u201enie dam rady, musz\u0119 si\u0119 zatrzyma\u0107, przespa\u0107, zako\u0144czy\u0107, wr\u00f3ci\u0107 do domu, wzi\u0105\u0107 prysznic i zje\u015b\u0107 co\u015b dobrego\u201d, a z drugiej \u201enie mo\u017cesz teraz przesta\u0107, przejecha\u0142e\u015b ju\u017c tak du\u017co, zosta\u0142o jeszcze tylko\u2026\u201d. No w\u0142a\u015bnie, w moich poprzednich wyprawach to ostatnie mo\u017ce by i dzia\u0142a\u0142o, kiedy do celu zosta\u0142o 30, 40, 50 kilometr\u00f3w. Ale tutaj do celu by\u0142o 150 kilometr\u00f3w. Na szcz\u0119\u015bcie mia\u0142em mojego nie\u015bwiadomego sytuacji towarzysza, na kt\u00f3rym mog\u0142em skupi\u0107 swoj\u0105 uwag\u0119 i zignorowa\u0107 protesty. Wiedzia\u0142em, \u017ce taki kryzys przechodzi. Trzeba tylko wytrwa\u0107 i nie podda\u0107 si\u0119.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">En:  At the 170-kilometer mark, I hit a wall -a wave of exhaustion I\u2019ve come to recognize from longer rides. It\u2019s that moment when the signals of pain and fatigue from your body become so overwhelming that your brain starts to shut down cooperation. It\u2019s like having a conversation with yourself where one part is saying, \u201cI can\u2019t do this anymore, I need to stop, take a nap, end this, go home, shower, and eat something good,\u201d while the other insists, \u201cYou can\u2019t quit now, you\u2019ve come so far &#8211; there\u2019s just a bit more to go\u2026\u201d In past trips, that last argument might have worked when the finish line was 30, 40, maybe 50 kilometers away. But here, I still had 150 kilometers to go. Luckily, I had my unaware companion up ahead, someone I could focus on instead of the internal struggle. I knew from experience that this kind of mental crisis passes. You just have to hang in there and not give in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1339-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-248\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1339-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1339-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1339-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1339-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1339-850x638.jpg 850w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1339.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Boviken<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p1 wp-block-paragraph\">Zjechali\u015bmy obaj na 225 kilometrze w miejscowo\u015bci Boviken. M\u00f3j towarzysz by\u0142 du\u017co szybszy w konsumpcji s\u0142odkich bu\u0142eczek i wystartowa\u0142 przede mn\u0105. Zorientowa\u0142em si\u0119 kiedy ju\u017c go nie by\u0142o. Pogna\u0142em do roweru i zacz\u0105\u0142em po\u015bcig, co by\u0142o sporym b\u0142\u0119dem. Przy takim poziomie zm\u0119czenia to nie mog\u0142o si\u0119 sko\u0144czy\u0107 niczym dobrym. Samotne tempo mam znacznie wy\u017csze i mniej r\u00f3wne ni\u017c kiedy jad\u0119 w grupie, co mo\u017ce wydawa\u0107 si\u0119 dobre na kr\u00f3tk\u0105 met\u0119, ale nie na tak d\u0142ugiej trasie i przy takim poziomie zm\u0119czenia. Postanowi\u0142em sobie za cel, \u017ce go dogoni\u0119. Co w ko\u0144cu si\u0119 uda\u0142o po jakich\u015b 10 kilometrach, ale zaraz jak to si\u0119 sta\u0142o mia\u0142em kolejny kryzys. Tym razem poczu\u0142em te\u017c brak energii w mi\u0119\u015bniach. Potrzebowa\u0142em zastrzyku energii. Si\u0119gn\u0105\u0142em po s\u0142odki baton proteinowy. Pomog\u0142o na chwil\u0119, ale przed kolejnym depotem zn\u00f3w mnie dopad\u0142o. Zm\u0119czenie, brak energii. M\u00f3j towarzysz nie zjecha\u0142, ale ja musia\u0142em si\u0119 zatrzyma\u0107. Wi\u0119cej nie by\u0142o nam dane jecha\u0107 razem.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">En: We both stopped at the 225-kilometer mark in the town of Boviken. My companion was much quicker when it came to devouring sweet buns and got back on the road before me. I only realized he was gone when it was already too late. I rushed to my bike and gave chase &#8211; a big mistake. At that level of exhaustion, that kind of move was bound to backfire. When I\u2019m riding solo, my pace tends to be higher but also much more uneven, which might seem effective over short distances &#8211; but on a route this long, and in that state of fatigue, it\u2019s not sustainable. I set myself the goal of catching up to him, and after about 10 kilometers, I actually did. But as soon as I did, I hit another wall. This time, it wasn\u2019t just mental &#8211; I could feel the energy draining from my muscles. I needed a boost. I reached for a sweet protein bar. It helped briefly, but before I could get to the next depot, the fatigue hit me again. My companion didn\u2019t stop &#8211; but I had to. That was the last stretch we\u2019d ride together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1344-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-249\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1344-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1344-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1344-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1344-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1344-850x638.jpg 850w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1344.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Askersund<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p1 wp-block-paragraph\">Depot w Askersund by\u0142 na 256 kilometrze. Uzupe\u0142ni\u0142em zapas cukru i da\u0142em nogom chwil\u0119 odpocz\u0105\u0107. Zacz\u0105\u0142em te\u017c odczuwa\u0107 b\u00f3l w d\u0142oni, sk\u00f3ra sta\u0142a si\u0119 tkliwa do tego stopnia, \u017ce niemo\u017cliwe by\u0142o trzymanie jej na kierownicy. Nauczony do\u015bwiadczeniem poszed\u0142em do punktu medycznego. Pan nie m\u00f3wi\u0142 po angielsku, ale popatrzy\u0142, pokiwa\u0142 g\u0142ow\u0105 daj\u0105c do zrozumienia \u201eaha, tak, to do\u015b\u0107 powszechne, zaraz co\u015b zaradzimy\u201d. Po czym zmiesza\u0142 ze sob\u0105 jakie\u015b ma\u015bci, a gotow\u0105 mikstur\u0119 wtar\u0142 w sk\u00f3r\u0119 bol\u0105cej d\u0142oni. Ja nie wiem sk\u0105d oni bior\u0105 tych cudotw\u00f3rc\u00f3w, ale zn\u00f3w mog\u0142em trzyma\u0107 obie d\u0142onie na kierownicy.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">En: The depot in Askersund was at the 256-kilometer mark. I replenished my sugar levels and gave my legs a moment to rest. That\u2019s when I started feeling pain in one of my hands &#8211; the skin had become so sensitive that holding it on the handlebars was nearly impossible. Drawing from earlier experience, I went straight to the medical station. The man there didn\u2019t speak English, but he looked at my hand, nodded knowingly, as if to say, \u201cAh, yes, this is common &#8211; we\u2019ll sort it out.\u201d Then he mixed together some ointments and rubbed the resulting concoction into the sore skin on my hand. I honestly don\u2019t know where they find these miracle workers, but once again &#8211; I was able to grip the handlebars with both hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1414-1-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-265\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1414-1-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1414-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1414-1-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1414-1-850x566.jpg 850w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1414-1.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Na trasie \/ On the route<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p1 wp-block-paragraph\">Ruszy\u0142em z do\u015b\u0107 woln\u0105 grup\u0105, kt\u00f3ra przy ka\u017cdym podje\u017adzie zmniejsza\u0142a pr\u0119dko\u015b\u0107 do kilkunastu kilometr\u00f3w na godzin\u0119. Doceni\u0142em elektryczne przerzutki w moim rowerze. Przy takim poziomie zm\u0119czenia i odr\u0119twienia d\u0142oni si\u0142owanie si\u0119 z manetkami zmiany biegu by\u0142oby uci\u0105\u017cliwe. Tu wystarczy\u0142o lekkie wci\u015bni\u0119cie przycisku i od razu odzywa\u0142 si\u0119 mi\u0142y dla ucha d\u017awi\u0119k zmiany po\u0142o\u017cenia z\u0119batki prowadz\u0105cej. Po jakim\u015b czasie mia\u0142em do\u015b\u0107 wolniejszej jazdy, wi\u0119c przyspieszy\u0142em \u017ceby wej\u015b\u0107 na nieco wy\u017csze tempo. Po 20 kilometrach zn\u00f3w mnie dopad\u0142o, wi\u0119c zjecha\u0142em na kolejny depot w Godeg\u00e5rd.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">En: I set off again with a rather slow group that dropped its pace to just over a dozen kilometers per hour on every uphill stretch. That\u2019s when I truly appreciated the electronic shifters on my bike. At this level of exhaustion and with numb hands, wrestling with traditional gear levers would\u2019ve been a real struggle. Here, all it took was a gentle press of a button, followed by the pleasant, reassuring sound of the derailleur shifting gears. After a while, I grew impatient with the slower pace and decided to speed up, aiming for a slightly higher tempo. But after 20 kilometers, the fatigue caught up with me again. I pulled into the next depot in Godeg\u00e5rd.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1349-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-250\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1349-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1349-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1349-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1349-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1349-850x638.jpg 850w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1349.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Godeg\u00e5rd<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p1 wp-block-paragraph\">Niespecjalnie mia\u0142em pomys\u0142 co dalej. Nie mog\u0142em si\u0119 przecie\u017c podda\u0107 w takim momencie. Za\u017cy\u0142em swoj\u0105 porcj\u0119 s\u0142odkich bu\u0142ek i herbaty z cukrem, ale depot serwowa\u0142 te\u017c inne rzeczy, kt\u00f3rych dot\u0105d nie pr\u00f3bowa\u0142em. Zerkn\u0105\u0142em co jedz\u0105 inni rowerzy\u015bci. Zauwa\u017cy\u0142em, \u017ce spor\u0105 popularno\u015bci\u0105 ciesz\u0105 si\u0119 papierowe kubeczki z porcj\u0105 czips\u00f3w ziemniaczanych i kiszonych og\u00f3rk\u00f3w. Jest to ostatnia rzecz, o kt\u00f3rej bym wtedy pomy\u015bla\u0142, ale ton\u0105cy brzytwy si\u0119 chwyta. Zgarn\u0105\u0142em dwa kubki, popi\u0142em kubkiem herbaty z cukrem i ruszy\u0142em. I to by\u0142o niesamowite.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">En:  I didn\u2019t really know what to do next. I couldn\u2019t let myself give up &#8211; not at this point. I had my usual fix of sweet buns and tea with sugar, but the depot was also offering other things I hadn\u2019t tried yet. I looked around to see what the other cyclists were eating. To my surprise, there was a lot of interest in paper cups filled with potato chips and pickles. That would\u2019ve been the last thing on my mind in that moment &#8211; but hey, desperate times call for desperate measures. I grabbed two cups, washed them down with some sugary tea, and got back on the bike. And it was amazing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1373-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-251\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1373-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1373-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1373-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1373-300x400.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1373-850x1133.jpg 850w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1373.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Na mecie \/ At finish line<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p1 wp-block-paragraph\">Pierwsze kilometry by\u0142y normalne, taki rozruch po postoju. Ale potem dosta\u0142em takiego kopa \u017ce niezale\u017cnie od stopnia nachylenia nogi par\u0142y do przodu jak przecinaki. I teraz nie wiem czy to by\u0142y te czipsy z og\u00f3rkami, to \u017ce to by\u0142 ostatni odcinek, czy to \u017ce w ko\u0144cu mog\u0142em zdj\u0105\u0107 bluz\u0119 i zn\u00f3w poczu\u0107 ciep\u0142o s\u0142o\u0144ca na zmarzni\u0119tej sk\u00f3rze. Faktem jest, \u017ce jecha\u0142o mi si\u0119 znakomicie, bez \u017cadnych kryzys\u00f3w. Wyprzedzi\u0142em kilkudziesi\u0119ciu rowerzyst\u00f3w po drodze, dojecha\u0142em do Motali gdzie powitali mnie wiwatuj\u0105cy fani, a za lini\u0105 mety wr\u0119czono mi medal uko\u0144czenia wy\u015bcigu, wega\u0144ski burger i puszk\u0119 bezalkoholowego Carlsberga. Lepszego zwie\u0144czenia wyprawy nie mog\u0142em sobie wymy\u015bli\u0107.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">En: The first few kilometers felt pretty normal &#8211; just the usual warm-up after a stop. But then, suddenly, I got a surge of energy. No matter the incline, my legs were charging forward like pistons. And now I honestly don\u2019t know if it was the chips and pickles, the fact that it was the final stretch, or simply that I was finally able to take off my cycling layer and feel the warmth of the sun on my frozen skin again. Whatever it was, I felt amazing. No more energy crashes, no more crises. I passed dozens of cyclists along the way, rolled into Motala to the cheers of fans, and just past the finish line, I was handed a finisher\u2019s medal, a vegan burger, and a can of non-alcoholic Carlsberg. I couldn\u2019t have imagined a better way to end this journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"769\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1374-769x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-252\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1374-769x1024.jpg 769w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1374-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1374-768x1023.jpg 768w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1374-1154x1536.jpg 1154w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1374-300x399.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1374-850x1132.jpg 850w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1374.jpg 1502w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 769px) 100vw, 769px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Szcz\u0119\u015bcie \/ Happiness<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p1 wp-block-paragraph\">Szkoda \u017ce nie mog\u0142em ci tego opowiedzie\u0107 osobi\u015bcie. Wiem, \u017ce przeczyta\u0142by\u015b t\u0105 relacj\u0119 i potem rozmawialiby\u015bmy o niej wiele razy.&nbsp;Wiem te\u017c, \u017ce by\u0142by\u015b ze mnie dumny. Tak jak zawsze by\u0142e\u015b. Brakuje mi ciebie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">En: I wish I could have told you this in person. I know you would have read this story, and we would\u2019ve talked about it again and again. And I know you would have been proud of me &#8211; just like you always were. I miss you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"480\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/zdjecie0467_original-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-253\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/zdjecie0467_original-1.jpg 480w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/zdjecie0467_original-1-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/zdjecie0467_original-1-300x400.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Z Tat\u0105 na Kozim Wiechu \/ With my Dad on the peak of Kozi Wierch<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Rok temu moja wyprawa zako\u0144czy\u0142a si\u0119 nieoczekiwanie w miejscowo\u015bci Stenbjerg w Danii. Zdecydowa\u0142em si\u0119 wr\u00f3ci\u0107 do Polski, kiedy dowiedzia\u0142em si\u0119 o z\u0142ym stanie mojego taty. Wydostanie si\u0119 wtedy z Danii i szybka podr\u00f3\u017c do Polski nie by\u0142aby mo\u017cliwa, gdyby nie pomoc Kasi, kt\u00f3ra przechowa\u0142a w G\u00f6teborgu m\u00f3j rower i sakwy przez kilka miesi\u0119cy. Kasiu, jeszcze&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":267,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-238","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_1425-1.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/238","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=238"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/238\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":282,"href":"https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/238\/revisions\/282"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/267"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=238"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=238"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mczerwonka.pl\/maciek-jedzie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=238"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}