Copenhagen to Gothenburg

† Explanation of BAC Ride Fee – This fee is not included in the Estimated Cost and is non-refundable once submitted. The Ride Fee for US and Canada is $85 and $100 for all other countries, both are per participant.

Ride Description

OVERVIEW: This tour consists of two parts.  The first is a fixed-based tour of Copenhagen and surroundings, and the second part is a ride along the “Kattegattleden,” Sweden’s 390-kilometer (242 miles) route along the west coast.

The first part of this tour begins with a bike tour of Copenhagen, known as the “bike capital of the world” with its more than 250 miles of bike paths.  In Copenhagen, on our second day, we cross the bridge over to Amager Island, circumventing the island with stops in Freetown Christiania  and if you desire, tour the National Aquarium. On Day 3, we cycle the 25-mile ride to Roskilde, home of the 12th Century Roskilde Cathedral, a World Heritage UNESCO Site, and Denmark’s most important church, and the Viking Ship Museum. which are one kilometer apart. On the return to Copenhagen, you have the option of taking the train or cycling. On our fifth day, we leave Copenhagen, and head north towards Helsinger with options to stop at the Louisiana Art Museum, Denmark’s first modern art museum, and Kronborg Castle, another UNESCO World Heritage Site and the setting for Shakespeare’s Hamlet.  We then take a short ferry ride to Helsingborg, Sweden.  You may choose to take the train along certain parts of the route to visit more of these sights.

The second part of the tour—for eight days, we cycle the Kattegattleden, which starts in Helsingborg, the city after crossing the bridge from Denmark and ends in Gothenburg.  It is known for its world class cycling, fantastic dining experiences, beautiful views and scent of the sea and beach. The Kattegattleden was named the “Cycle Route of the Year in Europe” in 2018.  We spend two nights in Halmstad, known as the “Summer City “and an opportunity to spend time in Tylosand, known for Sweden’s best beach.  We finish the tour with two nights in Goteborg or Gothenburg, the second largest city in Sweden, and founded by King Tustavious Adolphus in 1621. On one of our days in Gothenburg, we cycle to the car-free islands of Stylorso and Donso.

This colorful 44-page brochure details the Kattegattleden route and the highlights of each segment such as the beaches, museums, historical sites, restaurants, and ice cream.  Read the brochure before you register. The 32-page Route Map shows the whole route telling us whether the cycle path is asphalt or a short gravel segment, places of interest, food and drinks, and bike repair shops. 

If you would like to arrive earlier than before the start of the tour, consult with the Rick Steve’s Guidebook on Scandinavia which gives walking tours of Copenhagen, and all the sights we will not see on our tour such as Tivoli Gardens, National Museum, and Rosenborg Castle and Treasury. The guidebook also gives you a good itinerary for touring Copenhagen. 

RIDE RATING: We decided to rate the Climbing Level as a "2"  due to a small portion of unpaved roads although the average elevation gain is about 790 feet, well below the 1500 feet for a Level 2.  We also gave the distance level a "B" although its 32 miles per day average is below the 35 miles per day average needed for a Level B.  There is a short day of 15 miles, which would skew the average distance per day. Day 4, 52 miles which is a ride from Copenhagen to Roskilde would be the only day exceeding the 50 miles per day to stay a Level B. (You and your bike may take the train either to or from Roskilde.)

Most of the routes are along paved roads. According  to RWGPS, significant portions of the routes (20%) on Days 6-8 along the Kattegattleden are unpaved.  For a detailed description and pictures of the routes which are not paved, see Unpaved Portions.

 At the start of the day, you have the freedom to leave at any time, since we do not ride as a “stay together group.”  You can view the distances, elevations gains and losses, and percentage of unpaved roads by clicking on Routes.

The route has not been scouted but we may scout the route by car prior to the tour.  We also will be in Copenhagen in June 2022 and have a chance to scout the city and Roskilde. The Kattegattleden Cycle Route is one of the most popular in Europe used by many families with their children. 

While a van will transfer luggage and be available for emergency support due to injury, illness, or major mechanical problems, it is expected that riders will cycle the entire ride. BAC tours are designed for serious cyclists who are able to ride independently.

Denmark and Sweden have a regional train system called the "Oresundstag" which services all our stops in both countries and takes both bikes and passengers.  You should first review the schedules and stops if you plan to take the train by clicking on the blue link above. 

You will be given the GPX files to load on your bike computer and/or smartphone.  You will also be given a printed brochure and map of the Kattegattleden which will form the basis of our route discussion. You will need to bring both to the tour.

WEATHER: In August, the average high temperature is in the low 70’s and the average low temperature is in the high 50’s. The average number of days of rain is nine days.  So be prepared for these type of weather conditions. 

LODGING AND MEALS:   Hotels are 3- and 4-star level. There will be daily breakfasts and four group dinners. Vegetarian options are available at most dinners

LOGISTICS:  We will meet for our first social hour on Friday, August 11, 2023, at 5:00 PM at our first hotel. Ride participants can fly into Copenhagen Airport and then take a shuttle to the hotel.  At the end of the tour on Saturday, August 26, 2023, after breakfast, those who are leaving could depart from Gothenburg International Airport. 

BIKES: If you are bringing your own bike, you should use at a minimum 32 mm gravel tires as the routes as noted have significant stretches of unpaved roads. If you are renting a bike, one possibility is One-Way Bike Tours, where you can pick up the bike in Copenhagen and drop it off in Gothenburg.  (One Way Bike Tours) We are also evaluating the numerous other  bike rental shops.  We intend to arrange a group discount if sufficient ride participants rent bikes. E-bikes and tandem will be allowed on the tour. By assisting in the finding of rental bikes, the Ride Leader and the Bicycle Adventure Club are not warranting the condition of the bikes.

We will transport bike boxes if sufficient space is found in the van. Otherwise, they will be sent to Gothenburg for storage at the ride participant’s costs. 

COST AND ADMINISTRATION: The estimated cost of this bike tour is $4,500 per person double occupancy for 15 nights, daily happy hours, all breakfasts and four group dinners. It also includes the transport of luggage, gpx files and brochures and maps. The ride fee was determined based on an exchange rate of 1 Danish krone = $0.1633 USD, and 1 Swedish krona = $0.1169 USD. Dependent on currency exchange fluctuations before the start of the tour, there may be an adjustment in the amount of the final payment.

Both Denmark and Sweden have a high cost of living, and this is reflected in the estimated cost of $4,500.  Of the total costs of $4,500, $2394.00 is for lodging, $957 is for leadership costs, $392 is for contingency, and $160 for credit card processing fees.  The estimated cost was calculated based on 15 minimum riders and will be reduced if the maximum number of 21 paying riders is reached.

The first deposit of $2100 is due upon acceptance to the ride. The second deposit of $2,400 is due on November 1, 2022. 

SINGLES and SOLOS: We recommend that singles who would like a roommate to try to find their own. However, after receipt of the initial deposit, a single without a roommate will be placed on the ride and given until November 1, 2022, to find a roommate. If he or she is unable to find a roommate, they will have the option to receive a full refund (minus the BAC fee and payment processing fee) or pay the $2,050 solo supplement and stay on the ride.  If a single pays the supplement, they may continue to seek a roommate, but must plan to participate without a roommate if necessary. The Ride Leader will assist by attempting to match singles who apply for the tour.   Solo supplement payment of $2,050 needs to be sent to the BAC office by November 1, 2022. Checks should be made out to “BAC” with a notation of the tour name included on the check.  They should be mailed to:  Bicycle Adventure Club, PO Box 23998, San Diego, CA 92193.

CANCELLATION POLICY: The BAC ride registration fee and payment processing fees are not refundable unless the entire tour is cancelled due to participation below stated minimum requirements. Refunds of tour payments will depend upon whether a replacement rider signs up, and on costs that can be recouped. The amount refunded will be based on the principle that the tour’s remaining participants will not incur any additional cost as a result of cancellations. If the canceling participant is replaced, a refund will be made at that time.  If the canceling participant can't be replaced, any refund will be determined after the ride and final expense report are completed. If a single participant cancels and another roommate cannot be found, in addition to other costs that cannot be recouped the canceling roommate may also be liable for the single supplement fee of the roommate remaining on the tour. BAC encourages members to purchase trip cancellation insurance.

MEDICAL COVERAGE: Before participating in any BAC tour, members should review their medical coverage and assess whether what you have is sufficient. If it is not, you should purchase additional travel medical coverage. The 2020 version of the BAC insurance policy provided coverage for expenses related to medical emergencies and returning home when members are on tours outside the US and their home country. The policy ceases to be applicable if a member makes a personal deviation (e.g., makes a side trip not related to the planned BAC tour).  It also has limits on expenses covered for family members and only applies for 45 days following their initial departure from home. That policy maintained by BAC did not cover costs associated with self-quarantines that may be government mandated. If there any changes to an updated policy, you will be informed.  Members should also ensure that vaccinations are up to date (e.g., COVID, annual influenza, tetanus, etc.). If travelling outside their home country members may wish to consult with a travel physician or nurse to ensure that the appropriate vaccinations are up to date.

COVID: All participants must be fully vaccinated including booster shots if applicable and be prepared to present vaccination documentation for viewing by Ride Director if requested. If we still have a Covid 19 risk, we will follow all the necessary rules, and change activities as needed to remain Covid compliant, and keep the tour as safe as possible. We will invite participants to a Zoom meeting approximately 45 days prior to the tour start date to finalize our COVID protocols. You may be asked to wear PPE in public, maintain social distance in public and limit social gathering in public according to the country’s mandate.  

RIDE PARTICIPANT RESPONSIBILITY: Please remember that BAC Ride Directors are volunteers, and that successful tours depend on participants providing much of their own support. Participants are expected to come to the ride well trained, in good health and ready to accomplish the required daily riding using well-maintained bicycles. All participants should accept responsibility for a safe and enjoyable tour. We encourage you to read the ride description carefully and respond to requests from the Ride Director. While on the ride, support your Ride Director with offers to help with various tasks such as happy hour preparation and clean-up. Please do not interfere with the ride by inviting non-participants onto any portion of the ride or tour. Please keep the Ride Director informed of any special request you may have and respect the Ride Director’s decisions.

Please be sure to read the ride description carefully, respond promptly to calls for payments and emails from the Ride Director.  While on the ride, offer to help with various tasks such as happy hour preparation.  All our Ride Directors are volunteers, and we ask that participants respect their decisions.

SIGN-UP: To submit a request to join this ride use the "links" displayed above this Ride Description. When you are accepted, the Ride Leader will move you from the Waitlist to the Pending List. At this time, you will receive an email notification to login to the BAC website to sign the release of liability form and pay the non-refundable BAC ride registration fee and the initial tour deposit (insert dollar amount) by credit card. As soon as your deposit has been processed, your name(s) will be added to the Participant List. To contact the Ride Director, "click" the name at the top of this Ride Description. Waitlisting is encouraged.