Routes

One starting point, four leaves around it — the cloverleaf. The service car stands on the route at the point where everyone passes, and again at the finish by the lake at Spilhammars.

Honest about the level

These are not easy routes. Come with a solid base fitness.

Småland is not flat. Our routes go up and down all day, with short, punchy climbs of 6 to 16 percent. No long cols, but hill after hill — four days in a row. Make sure you arrive well trained: then you'll enjoy every kilometre instead of counting them.

Constantly up and down

Short, steep stretches of 6 to 16 percent follow one another, on gravel too. You don't need to be a climber, but your legs need to be used to kicking again and again.

Four days in a row

Almost anyone can do one long ride. Four days back to back takes a solid base. If you ride regularly — several days in a row — in the weeks before, you'll get the most out of the weekend.

There's always a way out

At every stop at the service car you choose again: the full loop, a shorter route back to Spilhammars, or a ride back in the service car. Out on the road, Bart shows you where you can cut it short. Nobody gets left behind and nobody has to prove anything.

Not sure your level fits? Send us a message about what you ride now. We'll tell you honestly whether this weekend suits you.

Start and finish: Spilhammars Camping

All routes start and finish in the car park at Spilhammars Camping in Mariannelund. This is our fixed meeting, start and finish point. We brief the group here before departure and arrange the agreed support after the ride.

The four leaves

Katthult

North, along the Rumskullavägen. Runkesten, Trollegata, Rumskulla, Katthult, Kvilleken — Sweden's oldest oak — and Norra Kvill national park.

Bullerbyn

East. Sevedstorp, the real Bullerbyn, Pelarne church, Vimmerby and Storebro.

Lönneberga

South, down the Lönnebergavägen. Lönneberga church, Silverdalen, Hultsfred and lake Hulingen.

Skurugata

West. Ingatorp, Bruzaholm, the old town of Eksjö and the Skurugata gorge — where you dismount, cycling is forbidden there.

Routes that suit the group and the conditions

Routes of approximately 50 to 110 km. We adapt the daily distance, pace and stops to the group, weather and road conditions. This is a route range, not a fixed distance to complete every day.

The terrain

Hilly — and what your fitness needs to handle

Småland is rolling terrain. On gravel, with repeated climbs and changing surfaces, distance alone says little about how demanding a ride feels. We consider the group, weather, terrain and enough stops.

To be honest: if you ride once a week, this is not for you. It is not a holiday with a bike attached — it is four days you have to be able to carry. Come with a winter in your legs: several rides a week, including a three- to four-hour one on a regular basis. Then you will enjoy it. Ride less than that and you will be empty on day three, which serves neither you nor us. Unsure about your level? Email us before you book. We will tell you honestly whether it fits, including when the answer is no.

After day 1 we see where you stand

Four days of gravel riding together, with Bart as your guide and mechanic and Els at the service vehicle. We discuss your riding experience, fitness and expectations beforehand to see whether the camp suits you.

How we build a route

1
At least 75 % unpaved, in practice above 80 % — read from the planner, never estimated.
2
Public gravel roads with yellow signposts and wide forestry roads. No hiking trails, no singletrack, not even a hundred metres.
3
Every climb and every descent steeper than −12 % gets a name and a kilometre mark in the route book.
4
You get the routes via one link: sync them to your own Garmin, Wahoo or Komoot, with turn-by-turn.

Measured, not estimated

Final route information is shared once routes have been checked. The daily plan may change with weather, road conditions or the needs of the group.

Strava

Two segments per route, uphill only, under one name: BVR Gravel · Leaf X · Climb n. Not mandatory — but on the closing night of every week a winner comes out. Over a season this builds a leaderboard that exists nowhere else. Plus a private Strava club for participants.