Vätternrundan

Vätternrundan is the world’s largest recreational cycling event—a 315 km cyclosportive ride around Sweden’s Lake Vättern, held annually in June. Starting and finishing in Motala, the event draws over 20,000 cyclists from more than 30 countries. Though non-competitive, the ride is a serious endurance challenge that requires preparation and strategy. Cyclists start in small waves over a 10-hour window from Friday evening through Saturday morning and must complete the loop by midnight. Along the way, nine official aid stations offer food, drinks, and medical support. Introduced in 1966 with just 334 riders, Vätternrundan has since become a cornerstone of En Svensk Klassiker—Sweden’s classic endurance circuit—and a deeply ingrained tradition in the country's sporting culture. After finishing, riders must wait six hours before driving—a safety measure to prevent fatigue-related accidents that reflects the event’s strong culture of responsibility and care.