Sign up to the second edition of Midnight Sun Randonnnée! An epic round trip across the Scandinavian peninsula. Follow river valleys, lake shores and fjords. Cross vast coniferous forests, snow-capped mountains and the Arctic Circle. Experience 24-hour daylight conditions during the summer solstice. Register now! Held in mid June, this event is a good build up towards PBP in mid August, giving the experienced randonneur plenty of recovery time to do both events. See reports from the first edition of MSR: Reports MSR 2022.
Course data and map
Registration and payment
Pre-Event Buffet Dinner
MSR jersey
Course description
Checkpoints and accommodation
Status of the roads
FAQ
Name: Midnight Sun Randonnnée 1200
Entry limit: 150
Start address: Brännland Inn, Brännland 35 Umeå
Finish address: Scandic Plaza Umeå, Storgatan 40 Umeå
Start time: 23:07 – 00:07 CEST (Mass start/no start groups)
Start date: Monday 19 June 2023
Min.- /Maximum time: 40:47 – 90:00 hours
Number of checkpoints: 11 (+1 secret checkpoint + start/finish)
Checkpoints: Granö, Lycksele, Storuman, Kittelfjäll, Hattfjelldal, Yttervik, Arctic Circle, Vuoggatjålme, Arjeplog, Sorsele, Åmsele
Length of course: 1 209 km (as calculated by Strava)
Elevation gain: 11 104 m (highest point 740 m a s l)
Course on Komoot: MSR 2023
Download turn-by-turn guide in PDF format for print.
Web address: www.midnightsunrandonnee.se
Email address: info@midnightsunrandonnee.se
Facebook group: Västerbotten Brevet, Event on Facebook
Instagram: #MSR1200
| CHECKPOINT | KM | (KM) | OPENS | CLOSES | ROUTE | GPX | ELEV. (M) | SERVICE |
| Umeå – Brännlands Wärdshus | 0 | (0) | June 19 23:07 | June 20 00:07 | – | – | – | Food |
| Granö – Granö Beckasin | 69 | (69,0) | June 20 01:09 | 03:43 | MSR-01 | MSR-01 | 513 | Food |
| Lycksele – Hotell Lappland | 122 | (53,4) | 02:42 | 07:15 | MSR-02 | MSR-02 | 415 | Food |
| Storuman – Storuman Camping | 231 | (108,6) | 05:58 | 14:31 | MSR-03 | MSR-03 | 983 | Food/Sleep |
| Kittelfjäll – Fjälltorget | 352 | (120,8) | 09:45 | 22:35 | MSR-04 | MSR-04 | 1174 | Food/Sleep |
| Hattfjelldal – Hattfjelldal Hotell | 451 | (98,9) | 12:57 | June 21 05:11 | MSR-05 | MSR-05 | 1211 | Food/Sleep |
| Mo i Rana – Yttervik Camping | 546 | (95,3) | 16:07 | 11:31 | MSR-06 | MSR-06 | 1371 | Food/Sleep |
| Arctic Circle – Arctic Circle Centre | 643 | (97,5) | 19:27 | 18:53 | MSR-07 | MSR-07 | 1375 | Food |
| Vuoggatjålme – Camp Vuoggatjålme | 736 | (92,9) | 22:46 | June 22 03:01 | MSR-08 | MSR-08 | 1038 | Food/Sleep |
| Arjeplog – Hornavan Hotell | 841 | (104,6) | June 21 02:31 | 12:12 | MSR-09 | MSR-09 | 862 | Food/Sleep |
| Sorsele – Sorsele River Hotel | 932 | (90,8) | 05:46 | 20:10 | MSR-10 | MSR-10 | 504 | Food/Sleep |
| Åmsele – Åmsele Camping | 1089 | (157,2) | 11:37 | June 23 08:48 | MSR-11 | MSR-11 | 1192 | Food/Sleep |
| Umeå – Scandic Plaza Umeå | 1209 | (119,9) | 15:54 | 17:07 | MSR-12 | MSR-12 | 573 | Food |
The event starts an hour before midnight on Monday evening the 19th of June. Cyclists who maintain an average speed of 18-20 km/h (including stops) will finish between midday and afternoon on Thursday the 22nd. Riders maintaining an average speed of 14-16 km/h (including stops) will finish during the night until midday on Friday the 23rd.
Qualifying
MSR has a demanding course profile and the region’s subarctic climate can produce testing weather conditions. If you are not an experienced randonneur it is important that you make a realistic assessment of your chances of finishing the course before you register. That said, if you have completed a brevet series or a corresponding ultra-distance race during the past two years then chances are high you will also finish this brevet. If you don’t have the above qualifications, it’s advisable to do a 400 km brevet during the spring leading up the event. This will be a good indicator of your chances.
Time cut-offs
Cut-off times at checkpoints are calculated according to ACP90 on averages speeds between 15 km/h and 13 km/h including stops. If you arrive at a checkpoint over the time limit you will still be allowed to continue the brevet but will, with exception for special circumstances (see ACP rules), not receive an official finishing time.
Abandoning
As in all randonnées, if you abandon the event, you are responsible for your own transportation back to the starting point. This being said, due to the lack of public transportation between Norway and Sweden, the organisers will assist with the connection between Mo i Rana and Tärnaby in Sweden. From Tärnaby there is a bus service back to Umeå.
Registration and payment
Please fill in the registration form with your name and date of birth, the address to which your medal from Randonneurs Mondiaux will be sent upon completing the randonnée, the mobile number that you’ll be using throughout the event and also any special dietary requirements you may have (gluten free, lactose free, vegan etc).
After submitting your entry please check that you have received a confirmation by email. If not check your spam folder, then change spam filter settings so that you will not miss emails from ”info@midnightsunrandonnee.se” in the future.
The entry fee is 3000 SEK (≈276 EUR, ≈237 GBP) until the 11st of June. Registered starting places are non-refundable but can be transferred until the 18th of June. See start list.
MSR is a non-commercial event. The overwhelming percentage of entry fees will go towards food and sleeping arrangements for participants during the event. Included in the entry fee: warm and cold meals, snacks and beverages both at all checkpoints on route, and also before and after the event. Also included are basic sleeping arrangements at seven checkpoints (which also include showers, drying facilities etc). Some checkpoints also offer mechanical services. The entry fee also includes the Randonneurs Mondiaux medal which is awarded to riders who finish a grande randonnée.
This ultra-distance event is an exploration into the arctic wilderness and aims to capture this experience, and the solitude with nature. In the spirit of expeditions, riders are expected to carry all requisite equipment on their bikes from start to finish.
Please note, the organiser Cykelintresset is under no obligation to refund a participant who for any reason is unable to in the event. Starting tickets may however be resold. Emergency roadworks, extreme weather and other unforeseen circumstances may force the organiser to make last minute changes and adjustments to the event, including the course, the checkpoints and services at the checkpoints. The organiser reserves the right to make these changes without compensation to participants. If for some unforseen reason the event cannot take place in June 2023 the event will not be cancelled but instead be postponed until 2024. By registering, you accept the above-mentioned terms and conditions.
Travelling to Umeå
Umeå is situated 630 km north of Stockholm. It is roughly halfway between Stockholm and Kiruna, the furthermost town in Sweden.
By car from Stockholm, it’s an eight hour drive to Umeå on the E4. There are car rental services both at Stockholm Central Station and Stockholm’s Arlanda airport.
By plane from Stockholm’s Arlanda Airport the flight time is around fifty minutes. Transfer time from Stockholm City to Arlanda Airport with Arlanda Express is roughly twenty minutes.
By train from Stockholm City to Umeå it will take between six and half and ten hours depending on when you travel. From Stockholm Central Station and Arlanda airport there are express or night trains to Umeå. Not all trains have spaces for assembled bikes but most if not all trains and buses will allow disassembled bikes in bike bags. On SJ trains the size limit for bike bags size is 140 x 85 x 30 cm, weight 25 kg. In the summer trains in Sweden are often fully booked so book your tickets early!
At Stockholm Central Station there is a daily bus service to Umeå. Buses from Stockholm City to Umeå take around nine hours.
Staying in Umeå
The event finishes at Scandic Plaza in the center of Umeå. For participants who have booked a room here, the logistics after the finish will be easy. Cyclists staying at the hotel will have a separate locked luggage room for bike boxes during the event. Transfer time by bus from Umeå Airport to the town center (bus stop Vasaplan) is ten minutes. It is then a eight minute walk from Vasaplan to the hotel with a bike bag (600 m). Walking from the railway or bus station to the hotel with a bike bag will take around ten minutes (850 m). Book hotel here.
Participants, travelling with family and friends, who are arriving to Umeå before the weekend or perhaps staying a few days after the event, may find options for sightseeing and excursions around Umeå on these sites: VisitUmeå and Lycksele Wildlife Park.
Pre-Event Buffet Dinner
Buffet Dinner: 350 SEK (≈32 EUR, ≈27 GBP). On Sunday 18 June, the day before the event, the organisers will hold a buffet dinner at Brännlands Inn for participants together with families and friends! Time: 17:00 – 20:00. Casual attire. Tickets can be booked until the 11th of June. Dinner tickets can be transferred but are non-refundable.
Address: Brännlands Inn, Brännland 35 Umeå. How to get there:
Bike: Umeå to Brännland (10 km)
Bus: Nr 15, Umeå Vasaplan to Brännland Ö E12. (14 min.)
Taxi: +46 90-911 91, +46 90-77 00 00, +46 90-100 100
Car: Free parking.
| BUFFET DINNER MENU |
| Roast beef BBQ-grilled carré Sausage with Västerbotten cheese Västerbotten pie Pasta salad with sun-dried tomato and olives Creamy potato salad Mixed green salad Coleslaw Tomato salad Marinated vegetables Bearnaise sauce and BBQ sauce Bread and butter Water carafes on the table Coffee/Tea |
MSR jersey
The event jersey is offered in two different models: Tor and Core Fitted. The Tor jersey is an aero model built from a four way stretch fabric with a tight fit. The Core Fitted jersey is made from a slightly thicker and more robust material and has a loser fit (Jersey in 3D).
In order to obtain a minimum price, orders will be collected during the winter and a group order will be placed in mid-April. If you wish to wear the jersey during the event, you must place your order at latest by the 9th of April. The jerseys will then be shipped either to the your chosen delivery address at the end of April or to the start location in Umeå for pick-up the day before the event.
Jerseys can be ordered after the event until the 3rd of July.
Please note, these jerseys are made to order and cannot be returned. It is therefore important that you consult the webshop’s size guide before ordering. Concerning Tor which is a racing jersey, if you are in between sizes it is recommended to size up. Subject to availability, size exchanges can be made on location in Umeå. The organiser Cykelintresset will offer a limited number of jerseys for sale the day before the event and so also size exchanges can be made then.
Import tax and custom fees may be added to orders outside the EU. To avoid extra costs please select ”Pick Up” when checking out from the webshop. Your order can then be picked up on location in Umeå at the buffet dinner before the event (see above). Concerning the webshop, the pick up address will be Brännlands Inn in Umeå, not the default pick-up address stated in the webshop which is to the to the jersey manufacturer in Stockholm. If you want to pick up your jersey in Stockholm please contact the jersey manufacturer La Chemise.
Hight-Visibility Vest
Bad weather may create low light conditions and on roads with tunnels and/or traffic a high visibility vest is alwasy useful. The international cycling clothing brand SIGR (based in Umeå) is therefore offering their light weight high visibility reflective vest SILJAN to MSR participants at a pre-event discount rate of 60%.
Please visit the SIGR MSR-webshop and use the discount code included in the email from the event organiser (2023-05-10) at check out.
Shipping within Sweden takes about 2-3 working days and standard shipping takes up to 7-8 days in the rest of Europe. Express shipping takes between 1 and 4 working days worldwide.
Rules and regulations
A brevet that is longer than 1000 km is not sanctioned by Audax Club Parisien (ACP) but instead by the world organisation Randonneurs Mondiaux (RM) which promotes randonnée cycling globally. These ultra-distance brevets over 1000 km therefore have the designation LRM (Les Randonneurs Mondiaux). They are organised in the same way as ACP-sanctioned brevets, so-called Brevets des Randonneurs Mondiaux (BRM), but these ultra-distance brevets may have higher registration fees which include food and sleeping accommodation. Medals are also issued for brevets sanctioned by Randonneurs Mondiaux.
Audax Club Parisien’s standard rules and regulations, with additional requirements local to Sweden, apply to MSR 2023. The most important rules are the following:
- Wear a helmet.
- Use bike lights in dark conditions. A lit taillight is recommended on roads with high speed limits, also during daytime.
- During the event, each rider is considered to be on a personal ride. Follow the traffic codes. You are responsible for your own safety in traffic.
- Follow the course. A brevet is a challenge of endurance. Therefore, do not take shortcuts/detours. Exceptions can be made if the official route is closed due to unplanned road work, a traffic accident etc. If for any reason you leave the course, reconnect to it at the place where you left.
- The checkpoints must be passed within the prescribed opening and closing hours. Wait if you arrive early. You will be disqualified if you pass a checkpoint before it has opened! There may be acceptable reasons for arriving at a checkpoint late, for example helping a rider who has had an accident, unannounced road closures or other unforeseeable factors. However, faulty personal equipment, general fatigue, hunger, lack of fitness, headwinds, rain, etc., do not constitute acceptable exceptions to this rule.
- Organised personal assistance between the checkpoints is not permitted, for exempel follow cars or food depots next to the road.
- To participate, you must be able to present a group or personal liability insurance.
- By registering to the event, you accept that your name, finishing time and photographs from the event in which you appear can be published by the organiser.
Complete rules and regulations [English]
Course description
Checkpoints 1-3: The starting point, Brännland Inn, is located on the outskirts of Umeå about 10 km from the centre. Start takes place at sunset, 23:07. The initial part of the course follows the Ume River and the European route E12 (also known as Blå vägen, The Blue Highway) to a village called Granö. Crossing a wooden bridge over the river the course arrives at the first checkpoint. The route then continues along the river to Hotell Lappland in Lycksele which is the brevet’s second checkpoint. The sun will already have risen (sunrise, 02:00) when the first cyclists arrive in Lycksele shortly after 03:00. From here, the journey continues along Ume River to Storuman Camping & Cabins in Storuman which is the brevet’s third checkpoint. Having completed the first 231 km, the cyclists arrive here around breakfast time. Storuman camping is the first checkpoint with organised sleeping arrangements.
Checkpoints 4-5: After Storuman (375 m a s l) the journey enters the Scandinavian mountain range, the Scandes. At the village Forsnacken the course leaves The Blue Highway and follows road 1105, then road 1100 and later road 1093, a gravel section of 20 km (the Skansnäs road), down to the village Dikanäs. From there the course continues on road 1088, to the forth checkpoint, Fjälltorget, located in the centre of the village and ski resort Kittelfjäll (535 m a s l). From Kittelfjäll, participants follow road 296, crossing the Norwegian border after 61 km. The first cyclists arrive in Hattfjelldal (215 m a s l) and the checkpoint Hattfjelldal Hotel around dinner time.
Checkpoints 6-7: After Hattfjelldal, the participants are led onto a winding and hilly road (road 291/331) which follows the shores of Lake Røssvatnet, Norway’s second largest lake (383 m a s l). The road ends with a long but shallow descent of almost 25 km down to the village of Korgen where it connects to the European route E6. Watch out for sheep on the road! About 7 km after Korgen, the course is at sea level again. With a view of the sea and the Ranfjord, cyclists are led on the E6 to the sixth checkpoint, Yttervik camping, about 15 km south of the port city of Mo i Rana (Mo). South of Mo, the speed limit on the E6 is mostly 70 km/h and the traffic pace is modest. Between Korgen and Mo there are two short tunnels that cyclists are allowed to cycle through, and also a stretch of road with tunnels after the village Bjerka that cyclists are redirected around (well signposted).
After Mo, participants leave the sea and the journey continues into the mountains again on the E6. Just before the village of Røssvoll about 8 km north of Mo, cyclists are redirected around another tunnel (well signposted). About 3 km after Røssvoll there is yet another tunnel that cyclists, on the other hand, can cycle through. It measures 1,3 km and is dimly lit. Bike lights are recommended! The course then leads the riders through the Dunderland valley, making a short detour down to Rana River and the village of Nevernes, and then up above the tree line on Saltfjellet to the seventh checkpoint which is the Arctic Circle Centre, located at the Arctic Circle. A majority of participants will have passed this checkpoint early in the afternoon on June the 21st which is the day of the summer solstice (16:57 CEST).
Large parts of the highway from Mo to the Arctic Circle Centre has been rebuilt and resurfaced in recent years so the road surface is mostly excellent. The climb from sea level up to the Saltfjell highway’s highest point (692 m a s l) is very easy with slope gradients generally between 2-4 percent however a northerly wind, which is not uncommon, may add to the difficulty. Dunderland is sparsely populated with few villages so the speed limit north of Mo is mostly 90 km/h. Cyclists who want to avoid traffic should take a sleeping break either in Mo or at one of the previous checkpoints and cycle this stage at night (remember, still daylight conditions).
Checkpoints 8-9: After the Arctic Circle Centre riders have a long downhill run to Junkerdal where cyclists leave the E6 and begin a 15 km long climb of 600 m on the national road 77/national road 95 up to the Swedish border. The first 2,7 km of the climb have an average gradient of 5,8 percent. Cyclists use the old national road which is closed for motorised traffic for the first section of the climb.
Highway 95 is the only national highway (A-road) that crosses the Scandes above the tree line and about 8 km after the border the course reaches its highest point at 740 m above sea level. From here, the journey continues down to SMHI’s (Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute) weather station in Mierkenis and then further on to Lake Vuoggatjålmjaure (481 m a s l) and Camp Vuoggatjålme, which is the brevet’s eighth checkpoint. Here, we are still north of the Arctic Circle so the sun will stay above the horizon all night. After Ust’-Shchuger in Russia, the second coldest temperature in Europe has been registered in Vuoggatjålme: – 52,6°C.
From Camp Vuoggatjålme the course continues down to Arjeplog and the ninth checkpoint Hornavan Hotel located on the Lake Hornavan (426 m a s l), Swedens deepest lake with a depth of 221 m. Participants aiming for a finishing time around 75 hours will arrive here well after midnight on wednesday while the fastest cyclists, aiming for a finishing time around 60 hours, will have arrived here around dinner time on tuesday. In Arjeplog you will find the famous Silver Museum which is well worth a visit.
Checkpoints 10-11: After Arjeplog, the journey heads south on road 609 to Slagnäs where the course connects to European route 45 (the Inland Road). From Slagnäs, the participants then follow the Inland Road to Sorsele and the tenth checkpoint Sorsele River Hotel, the last checkpoint with organised sleeping arrangements.
From Sorsele, the journey continues 28 km on the Inland Road to road 363 which follows the Vindel River, an unregulated tributary to Ume River which has it source in Vindelfjällen. Vindelfjällen Nature Reserve is one of the largest protected areas in Europe.
Road 363 leads down to the brevet’s eleventh and final checkpoint which is Åmsele Camping in Åmsele. Here private sleeping arrangements are possible. From Åmsele, the journey continues past Hällnäs and Vindeln on road 363, Sweden’s longest county road, to the village Rödånäs where the course turns off onto road 628 and then continues to follow the Vindel River down to the village Spöland where it flows into Ume River.
From Spöland, cyclists are led back onto The Blue Highway where it crosses the Vindel River. After 600 m, the course turns off to the now familiar village Vännäsby and road 554. The cyclists once again cross the Ume River and the fields and meadows south of Vännäsby. Just before Sörfors, participants are led past Stornorrfors Power Station, Sweden’s second largest hydropower plant, after which they follow the southern banks of the Ume River the remaining 15 km down to Umeå where they cross the Ume River one final time on The Old Bridge before crossing the finishing line at Scandic Plaza Umeå.
Checkpoints and accommodation
Subject to availability, the event provides a limited number of sleeping places for short naps at most checkpoints. Hotel rooms and lodges can be booked privately in advance if you want to take longer sleeping breaks during the brevet. Check the links provided below to hotels, B&Bs and campsites with cabins that offer discounts to participants.
The first checkpoint is Granö Beckasin on Ume River. Here cyclists make a short stop for refreshments. The second checkpoint is Hotell Lappland in Lycksele where cyclists will arrive a few hours after sunrise. Here participants will make a longer stop to eat a proper meal. The brevets’s third checkpoint, Storuman Camping & Cabins on Lake Storuman, is the first checkpoint that also offers sleeping accommodation. Kittelfjäll is the forth checkpoint. Here, the event has several 4-bed rooms at Kittelfjäll Youth Hostel, which include showers and a kitchen.
Hattfjelldal Hotel is the first check in Norway. Here also the event has organised accommodation for participants. Many cyclists booked private accommodation here in 2022 so be sure to make arrangements well in advance if you are planning to stay here. The next checkpoint is Yttervik Camping & Cabins situated on the Ranfjord and here also the event has organised accommodation. Situated on the E6 Yttervik Camping is a popular stop also for regular tourists. If you plan to sleep in a private cabin here book early! Not far from Yttervik camping is the port city of Mo i Rana. Following the European route E6 the course makes a detour around the town centre but if you want to sleep in Mo then a stay at Scandic Meyergården Hotel is recommended. Mo has a selection of restaurants and shops. If you visit Mo, you will need to connect to the course again where you left it.
From Mo the course leads up onto Saltfjellet to the Arctic Circle and the Arctic Circle Centre where riders make a food stop. The last place to sleep between checkpoints before the Arctic Circle is the guesthouse Krokstrand Café & Rooms in Krokstranda (private accommodation). Coming down from Saltfjell, the course leaves the E6 at Junkerdal where it and turns east and heads back to Sweden. The last overnight alternative before leaving Norway is Saltdal tourist centre situated on a detour of 1 km from the route. In addition to motel rooms and cabins the facility also has a grocery store and restaurant.
After Junkerdal and the Swedish border comes the brevet’s eighth checkpoint Camp Vuoggatjålme on Lake Vuoggatjålmjaure. Here, too, the event has accommmodation at its disposal and there are cabins to rent privately. If weather has been bad in the mountains this will be a checkpoint riders will be happy to reach. The ninth checkpoint is Hornavan Hotel in Arjeplog. In addition to sleeping accommodations for the participants the hotel also has a restaurant. The last checkpoint that offers organised sleeping arrangements is Sorsele River Hotel in Sorsele.
The brevet’s eleventh and last checkpoint before the finishing line is Åmsele Camping in Åmsele which is a food stop where the Swedish dish Palt with Lingonberries is served. Also at the finishing line there is food for participants. Depending on when riders arrive a meal box can be picked up either directly after finish at Scandic Plaza or next door at restaurant Tapas Bara Deli. For participants who have booked a room at Scandic Plaza, the logistics after the finish will be easy. Also, for cyclists with sore muscles, the hotel’s sauna with a panoramic view from the 14th floor will be well worth a visit.
Umeå – Scandic Plaza Umeå
Book a room on website www.scandichotels.com or call +46 8 517 517 00, #1.
Use booking code BMID160623 (valid for stays between 16th and 25th of June).
Last day for booking with code: 2th of June.
To guarantee a room bookings are made to a credit card.
Payments are made later in conjunction to stay.
Reservations can be changed or cancelled until 16th of June, 18:00.
For amendments/cancellations made after 18:00 a full charge of the night may apply.
Cyclists staying at the hotel have a separate luggage room for bike boxes during the event.
Contact hotel: mice.plazaumea@scandichotels.com, +46 90 205 63 00, #2.
Kittelfjäll – Hotel Kittelfjäll
Checkpoint Kittelfjäll, 349 km from start, is open between 09:39 and 22:23 on the 20th of June.
Book a room on website www.kittelfjall.com or call +46 940 810 20.
Hattfjelldal – Hattfjelldal Hotel
Checkpoint Hattfjelldal, 448 km from start, is open between 12:51 20th of June and 04:59 21th of June.
To book room on website Hattfjelldal Hotel/GoExtreme or send email to: even@goextreme.no or call +47 916 84 340.
Mo i Rana – Yttervik Camping or Scandic Meyergården
Checkpoint Mo i Rana, 543 km from start, is located at Yttervik Camping (Mo i Rana town center, 563 km). The checkpoint is open between 16:01 20th of June and 11:19 21th of June.
Book a cabin on the Yttervik Camping website. For a discount on booking, use discount code YTTERVIKSOMMER. Send an e-mail to Yttervik Camping yttervik@es-ranheim.no or call +47 75 16 45 65.
The hotel Scandic Meyergården is situated in the center of Mo i Rana. For discount booking, send email to sylvi.solli@meyergarden.no or call +47 75 13 40 82.
Vuoggatjålme – Camp Vuoggatjålme
Checkpoint Vuoggatjålme, 734 km from start, is open between 22:42 20th of June and 02:51 22th of June.
Book a cabin online at Camp Vuoggatjålme, send an email to info@vuoggatjalme.se or call +46 961-107 15.
Arjeplog – Hornavan Hotel
Checkpoint Arjeplog, 838 km from start, is open between 02:25 21th of June and 11:57 22th of June.
Book a room at Hornavan Hotel by email info@hornavanhotell.se or call +46 961 777 100. For 10% discount on booking, use discount code MIDNIGHTSUN.
Sorsele – Sorsele River Hotel or Holmen B&B
Checkpoint Sorsele, 929 km from start, is open between 05:40 21th of June and 19:54 22th of June.
Book a room at Sorsele River Hotel by email info@sorseleriverhotel.se or call +46 952-121 50. For 10% discount on booking, use discount code MIDNIGHTSUN.
Book a room at Holmen B&B: book room on website www.pensionatholmen.se, send email to info@pensionatholmen.se or call +46 952 536 40.
Åmsele – Åmsele Camping
Checkpoint Åmsele, 1086 km from the starting point, is open between 11:31 on 21 June and 08:34 on 23 June.
Book a cabin at Åmsele Camping by sending an e-mail to amselecamping@gmail.com or calling +46 72 274 04 64.
Food during the event
The menu for 2023 has not been decided but it will be similar to 2022. The menus at most checkpoints are local, have local or national influences and are made from local ingredients. In 2022, during the day before start, the event participants were served the Austrian dish Kaiserschmarrn (scrambled pancakes) with a Swedish touch: blueberry jam. In the evening, four hours before start, riders were served a light buffet dinner at the start location Brännland Inn: baked chicken fillet, sausage from the Inn’s own charcuterie, bulgur salad, two varieties of pasta salad, a potato salad and also a mixed green salad bean salad. At the secret checkpoint in Granö, 69 km from start, riders made a quick stop for coffee and an energy ball made from dates, blueberries, oatmeal and chocolate from Ben & Jerry. At the first official checkpoint in Lycksele, rainbow trout with glass noodle salad and red lentils was served, followed by coffee and cookies. In Storuman the menu was marinated moose steak with a potato salad together with herbs, Västerbotten cheese and roasted sunflower seeds and served with gahkku (Sami hot cake). For dessert coffee and rhubarb cake. In Kittelfjäll riders ate a pasta bean salad with arctic char and after that a cinnamon bun with coffee. In Hattfjelldal a Norwegian speciality was served: arctic char soup served with a focaccia bread, followed by coffee and cookies. At Yttervik camping, next to Ranfjorden, riders ate a wrap with salmon and at the Arctic Circle centre there was also a wrap but this time with reindeer meat, and to this lingonberry drink and coffee. At Sandvikens fjällgård (a checkpoint in 2022) riders ate smoked moose meat and venison in a pasta salad. In Arjeplog participants could eat a wrap with meatballs of moose meat together with a potato salad. In Sorsele they were served a vegetable pasta salad followed by rye cake and coffee. And finally in Åmsele participants were treated to the now famous dish Palt, fried over an open fire and served with lingonberries and butter, and later coffee.
At all checkpoints, there are options for vegetarians. During the final registration to the event, riders can submit special food requirements, for example vegan, lactose free, etc.
Grocery stores and restaurants
This event takes place in a sparsely populated region of Scandinavia so towns and villages are few and far between. The opportunities to refill supplies between checkpoints will therefore be very limited, so don’t count on being able to make spontaneous food stops along the way. Apart from the checkpoints themselves, Lycksele, Mo i Rana and Arjeplog all have petrol stations with 24 hour service where food can be purchased. The towns and villages that have checkpoints, Lycksele, Storuman, Kittelfjäll, Hattfjelldal, Mo i Rana and Sorsele also have restaurants and grocery stores that are open until at least 20:00. In addition to this there are there are grocery stores, restaurants and petrol stations that serve food in villages that aren’t checkpoints, for example Korgen (until 22:00), Jäkkvik, Rusksele, Åmsele and Vindeln (until 21:00). Debit cards such as Mastercard and VISA are generally accepted in both Sweden and Norway.
Status of the roads
This event is held on paved roads that are in excellent to acceptable conditions. The course also contains a gravel section which is in good condition. The road surface is usually compacted and smooth with loose gravel along the edges. Concerning the paved roads, some sections of the mountain roads may be frost-damaged with raveled asphalt and transverse cracking of the road surface. Look out for potholes and ruts on these roads. Larger tire dimensions and lower tire pressures will reduce road vibrations but for the course as a whole, tires with the dimensions 25-28 mm are recommended.
According to latest information from the Swedish traffic authority (6th of June), scheduled road maintenance on the E12 and the 363 may not be completed by the 19th of June as planned. This road maintenance is not on the same scale as the roadworks of 2022 where the asfalt on sections of the E12 had been completely removed, exposing the underlying sub base of crushed-stone aggregate. This time the road maintenance involves the partial overlaying of asfalt surfaces with a thin layer of chip seal (liquid asphalt material covered by crushed stone).
Areas affected on the E12 are between checkpoint Granö and Lycksele (35 km) and on road 363 along the Vindel River between Åmsele and Umeå (16 km).
On the E12 there will not be any active construction vehicles as cyclists will be travelling on that road during the night and early morning. Cyclists travelling on the 363 by day may come into contact with operating construction vehicles. Traffic is otherwise very sparse in general on the affected section of the 363, also by day.
How will these roadworks affect you? Newly laid chip seal will leave excess gravel on the road. In order to avoid riding on loose gravel surfaces we recommend you cycle in single file on these sections of the route so as to keep to the smoother path on the road surface compacted by traffic.
Depending on the weather, there may also be road maintenance on the gravel section of MSR between Storuman and Kittelfjäll. Sections of the road will in that case be overlaid with new gravel. If this work has not been completed before the 20th of June, the entrepreneur will stop work to let cyclists in MSR use the road free of heavy trucks and road graders.
There will also be ongoing road work a few kilometers in and around Umeå. On the initial stage, due to major road works, the first bridge over Ume River will close for traffic on the 19th of June. The Swedish traffic authority has however granted the event permission to use the bridge despite it being officially closed. This means cyclists will have passed the main obstacle on this year’s course within three kilometers from the start. For the final stage, temporary road closures in the centre of Umeå may create unexpected diversions from the course.
If there are last minute changes to the course due to unscheduled roadworks following the spring thaw, participants will receive information by email. Last minute information may also given at the start location, Brännland Inn during sign-in. Please check this section of the website during the spring as the event date approaches.
Climate and weather
The meteorological definition of spring is rising daily average temperatures between 0°C and 10°C for at least seven consecutive days. At the latitudes of the event, meteorological spring normally occurs in late April and early May. Meteorological summer occurs when the daily average temperature has been at least 10°C during five consecutive days. In the mountains, meteorological spring turns into meteorological summer during the event in mid-June.
The daytime temperatures on lowland terrain will be around 15 – 20°C which will drop to 10°C – 5°C at altitudes above the tree line. Night temperatures on low-lying terrain: 10°C – 5°C. Above the tree line, night temperatures stay around 5°C – 0°C.
Average temperatures and wind speeds in June:
| CHECKPOINT | DAY-NORMAL | DAY-MAX | NIGHT-NORMAL | NIGHT-MIN. | VIND-AVG | VIND-MAX |
| Umeå | 20°C | 24°C | 8°C | 4°C | ||
| Lycksele | 20°C | 26°C | 7°C | 2°C | ||
| Storuman | 19°C | 25°C | 7°C | 2°C | ||
| Kittelfjäll | 14°C | 22°C | 4°C | -1°C | 7-14 km/h | 32 km/h |
| Hattfjelldal | 12°C | 23°C | 6°C | 2°C | 7-14 km/h | 32 km/h |
| Mo i Rana | 17°C | 26°C | 10°C | 4°C | 7-14 km/h | 32 km/h |
| Arctic Circle | 9°C | 23°C | 6°C | 2°C | 11-18 km/h | 32 km/h |
| Mierkenis | 14°C | 22°C | 4°C | -1°C | 7-21 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Arjeplog | 17°C | 25°C | 7°C | 2°C | ||
| Sorsele | 18°C | 25°C | 8°C | 3°C | ||
| Åmsele | 19°C | 25°C | 8°C | 4°C |
The topography of a landscape has a determining influence on winds, temperatures and precipitation. In the mountains the weather therefore remains changeable and unpredictable even in summer. Chance of rain in the mountains during the event? About 50 percent. In June this will usually be light to moderate rain, however, occasional heavy rainfall can occur. There may also be light snowfall although this will not stay on the roads.
The route passes Mierkenis which is a weather station for the Swedish meteorological and hydrological institute.
As has been mentioned, personal assistance such as follow cars or food depots between checkpoints are not permitted in brevets. Because the course crosses mainly sparsely populated areas, the opportunities to refill supplies can quickly become very uncertain, especially in the mountains. For this reason, it is very important that you carry enough food and drink with you on the bike to get you between checkpoints. In brevets, saddle or frame bags are usually used to carry food, tools, rainwear etc., see examples: Apidura, Ortlieb, Arkel, Roswheel, Pro Discover. On busy roads and roads with speed limits between 90-100 km/h, a reflective vest can be a good complement to a lit taillight, especially in rain and fog.
Clothes and equipment
As you see above, daily temperatures will fluctuate during the event. Temperatures may reach 25°C during daytime and drop to 0°C during the night. Add to this the wind chill factor when choosing clothes for the event. An air temperature of 2°C combined with wind speeds of 15 km/h will give a wind cooling temperature of -1,8°C. Therefore, choose high-quality wind/rainwear and long-finger gloves that keep you warm and dry, even in the very worst of weather conditions. The event will not provide a bagdrop service so the clothes you wear during the brevet must be carried on the bike from start to finish. For this reason, choose clothes that will give you as many combinations as possible instead of items that you may only use once or not at all. A system with layers of thinner garments that have different properties is recommended. They give you the possiblity to regulate your temperature during the day by making short stops to remove or put on a layer that are then stored in your back pocket for later use. Lined shoe covers, windproof vests, and leg and arm warmers are practical in conditions with varying temperatures.
Electronic equipment
The event MSR uses a simple and easy-to-use website during the race for tracking purposes and for personal safety in the mountains. By checking in at checkpoints via the website both the organiser and friends and families will be able to follow your progress along the course. For this reason, perhaps even if you want to take photos, it is important that your mobile phone is switched on during the race. For international participants outside the EU/EES a prepaid solution will be practical, Telia Prepaid. Coverage maps: Telia Sweden. Telia Norway.
In Sweden and Norway, the standard voltage is 230V. Sockets: type F Schuko (EE 7/4) and type C Europlug.
Fauna and nature
You will have a good chance of seeing moose, reindeer and foxes close to the road, especially in the evening and night. You may also see red deer and roe deer, and in rare cases wolverene, lynx or pine marten; perhaps even grey wolf or brown bear. On the mountain lakes you will find birds such as whooper swan, mute swan, and arctic loon. In farm meadows you may see common crane, canada geese and greylag geese. In the forests you may see black woodpecker, great spotted woodpecker, common cuckoo, capercaillie and black grouse, but also birds of prey such as boreal owl. You also have a chance of seeing larger birds of prey such as golden eagle and rough-legged hawk. Above the tree line you may see rock ptarmigan. In Norway around Lake Rössvattnet, domestic sheep roam loose on the roads. Down by the sea you will perhaps see a white-tailed eagle soaring above the Ranfjord among arctic tern and several species of gulls.
The right of public access to the wilderness prevails in both Sweden and Norway, which means that it is permitted to both camp and swim in privately owned forests and lakes as long as you do not litter or destroy; or are in close vicinity to private homes (if so, ask permission first). In the mountains, the water in streams is drinkable. However, do not drink from stagnant water. The water should be running and clear.
FAQ
- What kind of food, especially concerning protein sources?
The food will be varied but will include food typical of the region such as fish, moose and reindeer. - Will I need insect repellant during the event? When do they strike?
June is early summer in the mountains so gnats and mosquitoes may not have arrived in full force by then. If there’s no wind and you stop next to a marsh you’ll soon hear them, if they’re there. - How do you get to and from Umea?
There are regular domestic flights to Umeå via Stockholm. Both from Stockholm Central Station and Arlanda airport it is also possible to take express or night trains to Umeå. Not all trains have spaces for assembled bikes but most if not all trains and buses will allow disassembled bikes in bike bags. At Stockholm Central Station there is a daily bus service to Umeå. There are car rental services both at Stockholm Central Station and Arlanda airport. - Can we rough sleep at controls if no free bed is available?
If the weather is fine you can sleep outdoors nearly anywhere you choose. Otherwise cabins at the checkpoints are fairly cheap and can be worth it if you want a good nights sleep (60-80 EUR for a cabin). Subject to availability you can book on arrival and pay with a debet card. - Which controls will definitely have showers? Free or paid?
All checkpoints that have sleeping facilities have free showers and all checkpoints have a WC. - What about UV? Should we use sunscreen?
You should definitely use sunscreen! - Is bottled water necessary?
No need for bottled water. - Can you recommend a good website to check on weather on the Scandinavian peninsula?
The route passes one of the weather stations for the Swedish meteorological and hydrological institute. For mountain weather reports: https://www.smhi.se/q/Mierkenis/Arjeplog/2692001. - At each control, will there be food provided by the organizers or do we need to find food on our own?
There will be a fixed portion of food at all checkpoints included in the entry fee. At some checkpoints extra food and energy bars for the ride can be purchased. Some checkpoints are hotels that have restaurants. You will find a list of suggested places here where you can buy food on route. Check google maps for exact locations. - During the randonnée, do we need to write anything on the brevet cards or will they be stamped when we arrive at controls?
No, you don’t need to write anything on the brevet cards during the ride (only before you start and after you finish). - Does the App use the phone’s GPS for tracking?
No, the app doesn’t use GPS. Its main function is to give information to the volunteers, not to track your ride. It will not drain the batteries on your phone - Payments on the road. Do I need cash?
You will have limited use for cash. All shops, restaurants and hotels use EMV terminals so payment with Mastercard and Visa is possible. Apple Pay will work fine. - How strongly do you recommend bringing a sleeping mat?
Don’t bring a sleeping mat. Better to focus on extra clothes if it gets cold, wet or both. Remember, the mountains are very exposed with no shelter. - Finishing MSR at Umea past 23:00, what to expect? Hotel 24h desk? Proper food?
Food is provided for at the Umeå Plaza that will get you through the night if you want to go to sleep directly after you finish. Otherwise there is a MAX Burgers (with vegan alternatives) a few hundred meters from the hotel that is open until 02:00. There is also a service station Circle K nearby that serves food which is open 24/7. - Reflective gilet (like the PBP19): is it mandatory? It’s not mentioned in the website rules.
You’ll be cycling in constant daylight conditions, day and night. Reflective gilets aren’t mandatory but it is recommended that you have a rear light lit also during the daytime which makes you easier to spot on the roads. You’ll also need a front light if visibility is poor due to rain, snow or fog but also in the tunnels in Norway. - Where do I pick up my jersey the day before the event?
Jerseys can be picked up at Brännland Wärdshus during the dinner on Saturday. We have a couple of spare jerseys (Strike) to switch between if your ordered size doesn’t fit. - The website references a need to show proof of a liability insurance policy. We’re not sure what that is. Is that referencing a health insurance policy?
If you have a serious collision and injure someone else, a third-party insurance (public liability, personal liability) will cover you for damage to others and their property (if you are responsible for an accident or damage a parked car), and also cover you for legal costs. A liability insurance may already be included in your travel insurance. If you are a member of a cycling club a liability insurance may already be included in your membership (check if valid abroad). - Are aerobars allowed? If so are there any restrictions on them, e.g. their length cannot exceed the brakes, or some other restrictions?
We don’t have any restrictions concerning aerobars.
Tips for the road
- Before the event, study the course in Google Street View, in particular critical road junctions and the location of the brevet’s checkpoints.
- When cycling conserve energy as much as possible. Try to keep a steady heart rate throughout the brevet. Imagine that you will cycle the second half of the brevet faster than the first.
- Don’t stress, which is also a waste of energy. A brevet is largely a mental test. Don’t count kilometers. Relax and let the brevet take the time it takes. Subdivide the distance into shorter stage goals and focus on them.
- Try to be organised at checkpoints as time spent here is included in your overall ride time. Plan your stops in advance and be efficient. Over time you’ll pay for the effort of riding faster in order to make up time spent at checkpoints.
- Plan your food and fluid intake long-term. Do not leave a checkpoint without refilling supplies and water bottles. Always carry reserve supplies in case of something unforeseen happens between checkpoints. That said, help from residents along the course is allowed, such as refilling water bottles or repairing a bike, even between checkpoints.
- Don’t forget to register at the checkpoints! Check in at the checkpoints and make sure that your brevet card is signed and/or stamped BEFORE you do anything else, for instance eat, sleep or visit the toilet etc.
The organiser Cykelintresset wishes you a safe journey and good luck!
