Of course I couldn’t resist taken a picture of it. I just love that I never know what to find to take pictures of when out traveling. Always something new, unexpected and exciting!

©Lifecruiser Love Rally Cars

Other car related posts by Lifecruiser:

When hubby was rally Harry
Driving in the mountains – scary experiences
Swedish Classic Volvo Car Trip
High Life Cruiser – Champagne of Beers Classic
Travel Dreams: Cruising US Coast in a Corvette Stingray
VW Camper Van Blue Retro Twins
 

The idea of a Viking Ice Race popped up when visitors from the skating organisation from Holland visited Sweden after their Eleven Cities Tour (Elfstedentocht) of 1997 together with the winner of that years competition. An investigation started which later did show that the only route possible of a Swedish skate competition is just the route Uppsala-Stockholm, because it’s there the safest ices are with not so much open water.

To skate between Uppsala and Stockholm had been a classic route for all kinds of ice skaters for many years already before the Viking Run started for the first time in 1999, organized by the Friluftsfrämjandet organization and the Swedish skate association including other sponsors.

In 2013 it’s scheduled to go off at the 10th of February around 8am at Skarholmen, Uppsala and finish in Hässelby, a suburban of Stockholm. The Viking Run race is probably the worlds longest recurring ice skate race that take place on only natural ice and not on a special built up or artificial ice track.

There are actually several different races:

• The Vikingarännet 80 km start in Uppsala
• Tjejrännet (Women Race) 35 km start in Sigtuna
• A short race of 15 km start in Kungsängen

The race got it’s name from following the ancient Viking transport routes on lake Mälaren, but you don’t have to be a Viking to participate. All types of skates are allowed and I actually hope for some participants to choose similar skates as the Vikings!

Yes, even the Vikings did skate, but their skates were made of animal thigh/shin bones, had no shoe and were attached by leather strings only. At just one spot on the Swedish island Björkö, in the Viking town Birka, they found 70 skates together.

In this year’s vikingarännet there are more participants from other countries in Europe, like Great Britain, Belgium and Holland (last years winner) of course – so obviously this Swedish competition starts to be more known around Europe’s ice skaters.

If you have the opportunity to get there, there are plenty of places where you can see the ice skaters swooshing by. Or why not sign up for the race? Go to vikingarannet.com to signup or get more information.

Sign up for a distance that suits you, read the rules properly (ex. Ice prods are compulsory), prepare yourself to skate strong as a Viking, hope for great weather reports and have fun racing!

Lets hope the cold weather will continue, so there will be great ice’s for skating, you never know with the Swedish weather…

To get there:

From Europe there are low budget airlines like Norwegian.com or Ryanair.com to fly you to Stockholm, but I would try to get a Norwegian flight in the first hand, because you will arrive at Arlanda airport, which is much closer to the event than Skavsta airport where Ryanair arrives.

I also recommend that you take the arlandaexpress.com into Stockholm City Center or if you are going to Uppsala, take the special flightbus 801 between Arlanda airport and Uppsala. Also have a look at the arrivalguides.com and look up either Stockholm or Uppsala to get more start info about the two cities.

Special thanks to:

Anders Tysk, secretary-general and one of the originators of Vikingarännet for replying to my request, providing me with more information and pictures from the competition to use when writing this blog post.

©Lifecruiser Love Viking Ice Run

The Viking Run (Vikingarännet) 2013 Map, (click to see details)

Tailgate parties allow fans to bond and have a good time before a game. Football players spend time in a locker room getting excited for the game, and tailgate parties are a similar activity for football fanatics. Although you may come as strangers, you can leave with new friends and stories to last a lifetime.

Preparing

The preparation for a tailgate is very important. Showing up to this pre-game event without anything prepared can put a downer on the party. To make your tailgate party a big hit it is important to have enough food, drinks and games. A great tailgate party also includes a tent. It can be a great resource if it is hot outside and you need a place to cool down. These tents can also be every helpful on colder days. Many individuals use these shelters as a center for the games or to keep the food out of the elements. If you are a supportive and consistent fan of your team and go to these types of parties frequently, a good tent can be a great investment.

Showing Support

Showing support before the game is important. It is just as important as showing it during the game. Places like Team Tailgate Shop offer many products, but not just any kind of product. Most of them are custom-made specifically for your college team. They offer all of the essentials such as tents, coolers and games. The tents can be made with the symbol of your favorite team. There will be no question of what team you support. With these products you will be able to canvas your area with your teams colors and logo.

Before a game fans come together to have a good time. The excitement of attending a game does not have to start when the first whistle is blown. Showing up before the game can allow you to share your excitement with other fans. As you wait for the game to start, you can share laughs and food. You can make the entire game day fun and exciting. From the beginning of the tailgate party until the end of the game you will be able to show support for your team.

Lifecruiser Love Tailgate Parties
 

Tailgating

Tailgating is one of the most exciting parts of the gameday experience at Ohio State. Parking lots all over the Ohio State campus begin to fill up at least 5 hours before the game, even earlier in the case of a primetime night football game. There is lots of great tailgating food, lots of imbibing and lots of friendly people enjoying one of the best tailgate atmospheres on the planet.

OH – IO

This is one of the best traditions at Ohio State. An individual or group will yell out the letters, "O! H!" and those around them yell back the letters, "I! O!"

This happens repeatedly over the course of gameday, starting at the tailgates and progressing to the huge chants of it between tens of thousands of fans at the stadium.

Skull Session

One of the best traditions in college football is the Skull Session held at St. John’s Arena two hours before kickoff in Columbus. The Ohio State Marching band, colorfully nicknamed The Best Damn Band in the Land, provides music at a giant pep rally in the arena. This is extremely popular and some fans start showing up for the Skull Session two hours before it begins.

The Hive

This tradition is only a few years old, but it has already become one of the best parts of Ohio State Football. The team comes out on the field a half hour before kickoff, gathers in an end zone, locks arms together and starts to sway to the sounds of AC/DC’s hit song, "Hell’s Bells." After moving around in the end zone pressed tightly together in the hive, they burst out of the hive and run down the field.

A Game in Front of 105,000 Rabid Fans

One of the best parts of getting Ohio State Buckeyes Football Tickets is the opportunity of watching a game with 105,000 other screaming fans. The amount of noise that fans make in "The Horseshoe" is incredible. Its real name is Ohio University, but The Horseshoe is what it is called for its unique shape. Fans will get to see lots of great football action in one of the most historic and beautiful stadiums in the country.

An Amazing Experience

Going to a game at Ohio State University is something that everyone that has a chance to should definitely do. When you go, be sure to dress warmly. The late fall football games in Columbus get a little nippy. Bundle up in a red and grey hoodie or coat, preferably with the Buckeye logo on it.

Lifecruiser Love Sport Event Trip’s
 

Image produced by: Javier

The first part of the trip started from La Coruña, a busy harbor city occupying a small peninsula that protrudes out into the Atlantic. La Coruña was established thousands of years ago and is very famous for the ‘Tower of Hercules’, a Roman lighthouse from the 2nd century which has been operating for over 2000 years. To avoid the unpleasant walk along the main city roads they took a bus to the Alcampo hypermarket, from here on out the initial leg of their journey would bring them to Hospital de Bruma. Into their first hour of the trek the team of three began to recognize the unreasonably hot heat therefore slowed down the pace, and hydrated often while winding along the ancient path. The slower speed gave them the opportunity to appreciate their surroundings and to take in the never-ending country side with its spiritually unique history.

Image produced by: Christine

After a restful night’s sleep in rustic little hotel in Meson do Vento (a neighboring village to Bruma) they refueled their bodies, laced their shoes and headed back out to the pilgrimage trail. For thirty kilometers they cantered on along a trail that passed by various small farms, basic villages and wooded areas until they reached the small Spanish town of Sigüeiro. This night they stayed in a basic cottage rental were they cooked some warm food, shared a few laughs and had a long nights rest. The following morning, they persevered on to their final destination Santiago de Compostela. During this last 16 km of this journey they were engulfed by a remarkably noticeable spiritual feeling as they took in the beautiful surroundings. This was their concluding destination, so they had booked a local apartment rental through wimdu.com and spent the following days exploring the cathedral and well-preserved historic city center. The remains of Apostle James are what make this city so famous within religious circles and attract spiritual seekers from all corners of the world take part in such a pilgrimage that finalizes in this remarkable destination.

Image produced by: year of the dragon

For many this expedition is done as an opportunity to seek religious connections, however for this group it was only curiosity and adventure that drove them here, enabling them to partake in an unforgettable experience!

Lifecruiser Love Spain
 

The Fringe takes place from 3 to 27 August when comedians, sketches and plays will fill the streets, halls, theatres and public places within the capital of Scotland.

The Ginge, The Geordie and The Geek

The Ginge, the Geordie and the Geek are back with a brand new show for 2012. The Fringe favourites return to perform their hilarious sketch twice daily at 1645 and 1945 hours.

The show is classed as family friendly, with the occasional use of bad language. Watch them with the teens at Just the Tonic at The Caves.

Susan Calman: This Lady’s Not For Turning Either

The Comedy Queen of ‘saying it like it is’ returns for another year at the Fringe. One of the most original female comics of today performs her brand new show, more shocking and political than ever.

See her at 1800 hours between 1 and 27 August at Underbelly Bristo Square. Be prepared to leave your inhibitions surrounding female comics at the door.

Alan Davies – Life Is Pain

A famous face from the world of television, you may recognise this comedy genius from his starring role in Jonathan Creek and his long standing stint on quiz show, QI.

Life Is Pain marks Davies’ return to stand up after a ten year breather from the scene. See him daily from 1940 hours from 9 to 14 August at the Venue 150 @ EICC.

Book Edinburgh hotels online to get the best deals for stays in the city during the Fringe Festival. Programmes for the 2012 season can now be ordered.

Lifecruiser Love Edinburgh
 

Yes, you read right: the midnight sun. The sun don’t really set at this time of the year in Sweden. It never get really dark. That is: if it’s not raining, which it use to do. The weather almost always is very shifting at Midsummer, making the outdoors activities more exciting – you never know if you’re going to be soaking wet or not!

It’s also a very romantic evening, when you’re supposed to find your love, so if you want to catch a Swedish girl: come to Sweden at Midsummer…

You can read more about the Swedish Midsummer celebrations in old posts listed below. Happy Midsummer holidays everyone!

©Lifecruiser Love Swedish Midsummer

Earlier posts about Swedish Midsummer:

Typical Swedish: Midsummer Strawberries
Swedish Midsummer 2011
Midsummer night light sight
Swedish Midsummer festivities Bromma Church Stockholm
Happy Midsummer Stockholm
Our Midsummer celebration trip 13 facts list
Thursday Thirteen Midsummer
Midsummer flower power love
 

Cheers for old Sweden and everything it stands for!

Let the Champagne be flooding…

©Lifecruiser Love Sweden

The Japanese Cherry tree’s even have a special day called The Cherry Blossoms Day, which use to be in the end of April when the tree’s are supposed to be in full bloom. So even this year, even though my photos are from another year actually.

©Lifecruiser Love Cherry Blossoms

Earlier post with Cherry Blossom Photo by Lifecruiser:

Cherry Blossom Spring Love
 

Despite that it was 100 years ago, they will stay race at the same classic Olympic route, outside Nynäshamn at the Gårdsfjärden, with both old ancient boat models and very modern up to date boat models.

There are a classic boat meet the 20-24 of July, an Open European Championship 2012 20-27 July as an example, see the others at Nynäshamns Sailing Society, nhss.se.

Nynäshamn is only about 50 kilometers from Stockholm City and can be reached by the local trains, pendeltåg from Stockholm Central Station.

If you’re arriving by own or rented boat, they do have a guest harbor, but my guess is that it will be pretty overcrowded by then.

©Lifecruiser Love Seaside Destinations

Other sailing related posts by Lifecruiser:

Travel Tips: Stena Match Cup Sweden Sailing
Volvo Ocean Races Faces The King in Stockholm
ARC 2010: Atlantic Rally Cruise Gran Canaria – Saint Lucia