Snow-shoing, Jämtland, Sweden

A short visit in Northern Jämtland, the morning after a night with some snaps and long discussions, we headed out into the forrest and out on the bogs.. My friend was hunting for birds, I was walking along with my snowshoes, taking some photos and enjoying the serenity.. In the afternoon we came past a dead fox hanging in a tree.. We wondered if it was a natural death due to a hunting for bird accident and being trapped in the tree and strangeled (!), or if it had been run over by a snow mobile and hung there afterwards.. A quick lunch in a cabin next to the Gåxsjö lake, and then we were done, it was dark before 3 pm..

Ice skating on Storsjön, Jämtland

Headed to the island Andersön in the lake Storsjön in Jämtland with brother Trond and friend Markus for a few hours of ice skating.. We parked the cars at around 09.30, about half an hour before the sun raises above the horizon.. (Days are only 4-5 hours in mid-winter this far north.) The ice was really smooth and nice with a few inches of snow that fell the night before.. A few cracks was pretty easy to navigate past, and we had a rest break with soup and chorizo on the island Norderön.. Back at the cars at around noon..

Mountainbiking, Sörmlandsleden 1-2, Sweden

An afternoon ride on Sörmlandsleden 1-2.. A few degrees above 0 and the trail was wet and muddy after a couple of days of rain and snow.. With a few bruises and a slight cold, I took it slow and easy.. Stopped on the way back and cooked a late lunch and coffee.. On the last way back it was pretty dark so I tried the new set of lights, that worked ok-ish.. Pretty fun to be out in these conditions, but cold feet in the end and the bike looking like a gritty mess afterwards is the downside..

Hunting Elk, Gåxsjö, Sweden

Went to northern Jämtland for a weekend of socializing, food, beverages and hunting for Elk.. I don't have a licence myself, so I settled with being a bystander and hammering a few cans on sticks with the small-caliber rifle.. First day I sat on post with Martin, second day I walked with Daniel while his dog Freja was working the area.. A likely quick encounter for the dog with an Elk that got away (+ a reindeer that passed by us a few times) was the closest we got to any luck.. But still a nice "redneck-style" weekend.. :-)

Mountainbiking, Bogesund, Sweden

Sunday ride with 4 others from the Happymtb forum.. Start at Bogesund Castle, for a varied and very entertaining mix of different trails with some transport sections on gravel roads which was a nice opportunity to re-charge a bit.. We left the parking lot at 10.45 and was back again at 15.15, and by then I felt pretty much spent so it was a good work-out..

Kayaking, Garnsviken-Husaån, 20th October

Went to Garnsviken north-east of Stockholm for an afternoon paddle.. I followed the west side of the bay heading north and entered Helgeån which is a very calm stream about 5-10 meters wide and farily deep.. At the third bridge I turned back the same way.. Pretty autumn colors and sunny for at least the first half of the afternoon.. Started at 13.00 and was back at the car around 16.30.. Possibly the last kayaking session this year, the days are rather short and the water so cold that a unplanned swim when out solo like this could be a problem..

Mountainbiking, Northern Öland, Sunday 14th

Another half-day ride, this time we headed east on dual-tracks in the forrests out to the sea where we rode on the beach for a couple of kilometres southbound.. A lap on the running trail close to Böda Sand and then we followed the "White Prick's Trail" up on a sandy ridge north again, a really nice section with a great flow broken up by challenging sand-pits..

Mountainbiking, Northern Öland, Saturday 13th

Half-day bike ride with GF from Byxelkrok on Öland, up north to the light-house "Tall Eric", round Grankullaviken and then a lap in Trollskogen. After that, we headed south along path next to old rail tracks and then west back to the cabin. Pretty chilly and windy, but with the blue skies still great weather for mid-October!

Mountainbiking, Fornstigen, Lovön, Sweden

Another ride on Fornstigen at Lovön, starting at the parking lot in Drottningholm.. This time with the company of 4 guys from the Happymtb online forum.. Decent pace with a couple of short stops along the way.. Back at the car about 2 hours after we took off.. Great fun and a really nice late autumn day..

Mountainbiking, Fornstigen, Lovön, Sweden

Drove to Drottningholm where I parked the car to try out Fornstigen on Lovön for the first time, a 18 kilometres long trail that passes cultural and historical sites along the way.. Turned out to be one of the best I've ridden on mountainbike.. Most of the way you get a really nice flow in the riding that suits well for a singlespeed.. Some sections are on gravel roads which is nice to catch your breath.. A great Sunday morning that was finished off with coffee and hotdog..