2015: Exploring the Nordic and Baltic States: BP (Before Putin): 28 June: Fleninge, Sweden, to Hassleholm, Sweden (53 miles; 217)

It rained overnight, the best time for rain when cycle touring, and then remained overcast all day with no rain. While threatening, the sun broke through just as we arrived in Hassleholm about 3 p.m. Perfect cycling conditions along with a slight tail wind most of the day. The road surface stays wet unless exposed to a breeze, so a lot of sand and grit flick up and stick to the bike.

Ready to Depart. The Fleninge Classic Motel, built in 1957, is truly a classic built, around a classic car theme. Note the classic-car photo outside our room. For those unfamiliar with the Bike Friday, my bike travels in the case, seen here converted to trailer mode.

With no direct roads but an extensive road network to choose from, we chose the road that went over the highest point in Skane, 188 meters above sea level or about 600 feet. We gained it all in one steep, undulating climb into Soderasens National Park. Soddenness was a beautiful park with few cars and people. While we passed many churches on Sunday morning, none were in use. All churches were locked.

First Swedish Windmill, near our hotel in Fleninge.

Opposing wooden sculptures outside a rural school.

Stenestad Church at the highest point in Skane.

While the Swedish bike lanes are not up to Denmark standards, they are excellent, something cyclists in the USA can only dream about. The greatest menaces were the black slugs crawling on the bike path. Run over one and you have been slimed. Tossed about like mud, slug sticks to anything—bike frame, water bottle, trailer, etc. I suspect the others have slug-lined fenders.