Congratulations to Kenneth Lamont for setting the Unsupported Sweden N-S record in the following categories: Solo, Male 18-49, Upright bike, non-fixed gear.

This is also Guinness World Record.


Rider’s Narrative Summary

Record Attempt: Unsupported Sweden North–South (Male)
Rider: Kenneth Lamont
Start: July 10, 2025, at 13:38 (CEST)
Start Location: Karesuando (signpost/bridge on the northern border with Sweden)
End: July 17, 2025, at 13:13
End Location: Ystad Lighthouse

Motivation

This ride was the final of four WUCA world record attempts I planned for 2025, all part of my preparation for the Transcontinental Race. I also used the challenge to raise funds for a Down Syndrome charity — a cause very close to my heart, as my brother has Down Syndrome. To date, I have raised over £4,000.

Preparation

I flew into Kiruna, unpacked my bike (Ribble Allroad Ti Pro) at the airport, where I was joined by other riders doing the gravel Unmapping race (north to south Sweden).

I then caught a bus to Vittangi, and then cycled 100 km to the start point in Karesuando. My plan had been to begin early in the morning, but I opted for extra rest and started instead in the early afternoon — which didn’t matter much, given that the sun never sets that far north in July.

On the way to the start, I had a magical experience: for ten minutes, a reindeer ran just ahead of me, pacing me as I cycled. It was easily one of the highlights of the whole journey, even though it happened before the official ride began.

The Ride

Overall, the ride was a dream, and I’d love to return one day at a more leisurely pace. The roads were long, quiet, and well-maintained — ideal for covering big distances. Even on busier stretches, most drivers were considerate. The only moments I felt unsafe were when logging trucks thundered past on narrow roads without shoulders.

In the far north, flies were a major challenge. After a tough first day, I twice tried to sleep outdoors, but both attempts failed as I was relentlessly bitten and harassed by swarms.

Fueling was a concern before the ride, but Sweden’s unmanned convenience stores (operated via QR code) were a godsend, allowing me to keep moving around the clock. Most of my meals came from supermarkets: pre-made pasta dishes and Magnum ice creams became staples, and protein bars were widely available.

For sleep, I used hotels whenever possible, but often had to make do with bus shelters or the woods. Along the way, I enjoyed discovering Sweden’s Raggare subculture — enthusiasts who restore and cruise old American cars — which I encountered in towns across the country.

Midway through the ride, I noticed my rear tire starting to wear down, despite being in good condition at the start. By the finish it was nearly bald, but I was lucky: not a single puncture over the entire attempt.

One unusual night was spent as the only guest in a family-run hotel mid-renovation. Though the place was chaotic, I only needed a clean room, bed, and charging point. I fell asleep quickly, only to be woken by a family member inexplicably standing in my room. Too exhausted to make a fuss, I simply shouted at him to leave and went straight back to sleep. (Snatching a few minutes sleep in a bus shelter.)

End

On the final rolling approach into Ystad, disaster nearly struck when I tried to put my phone into my jersey pocket and dropped it, shattering the screen. Thankfully, it stayed powered on and continued recording on Komoot, preserving my GPS record.

At Ystad Lighthouse, a French couple on bikes kindly offered to take my finish photo and later emailed it to me. I then headed into the nearest restaurant to collect a final signature on my log sheet — the last official step of the journey.