This morning, we hit the road again at around 8 a.m.. With temperatures starting at a pleasant 16°C, it almost felt cool, and even during the afternoon the thermometer barely climbed above 20°C. In other words: perfect weather for riding.
On our way towards Stockholm, several ferry crossings were part of today’s route. One thing that stands out in Sweden is that ferries are often free when there is no road connection available. You simply ride on, cross the water, and continue your journey.
Even though we gave Stockholm a wide berth, traffic became noticeably heavier around the area. After spending the last few days on almost empty roads, it felt surprisingly busy. Progress was occasionally slow before we finally reached the quieter roads of the Swedish countryside again.
And that is exactly where the fun started once more: endless forests, countless lakes, and beautiful roads. Sometimes fast and flowing, sometimes twisting through the landscape, constantly climbing and descending. Many of these roads look as if they were simply laid through nature without anyone worrying too much about straight lines.
By the end of the day, we had covered 365 kilometers and spent nearly eight hours in the saddle.
Of course, there were also a few technical topics to discuss along the way. Matthias’ Moto Guzzi continues to show a slight wobble at the front wheel at certain speeds. We have already experimented with tire pressures and suspension settings, but without any noticeable improvement. Fortunately, an experienced motocross specialist reassured us that such behavior can occur with certain combinations of tires, suspension setup, load, and chassis geometry, as long as everything is mechanically sound.
My own Moto Guzzi also demanded a little attention today. While parked, it suddenly decided to spill a decent amount of fuel onto the ground. The culprit turned out to be a sticking float in the right carburetor. A gentle tap later, the problem had disappeared as quickly as it had appeared.
Tonight, we are staying in a small cabin on a campsite in Norrtälje, north of Stockholm. Now it’s time to relax, enjoy some food, and plan the next stage of the journey.
Tomorrow we continue along the coast, heading further north.
