Outdoor Activities, Stockholm

So... me and P ... as usual... decide to hire bikes on a ....umm Sunday I think and take off round the park for an hour. It was quiet and peaceful - we careered into families and puffed and panted up hills - fun? I could've died, (P almost did!!)
Me - "Oh look at the scenery P isn't it just luvvvverly here?" P - "**** the scenerey, I need CAKE!!!!" ME - "No need to be like that P, it was YOUR idea!"

Bikes come with or without baskets on the front - which, if you are a bloke would be a bit naff, but hey... each to their own... live n let live..etc... when on holiday do like the Swedes... no, actually I didn't see any blokes with baskets on their bikes. I'm sorry this tip isn't really very "Sporting" is it? Note to self - "must take this more seriously" :))
Sorry but I have forgotten how much it cost. There's a nice little tea room place for a drink afterwards - Oh!!! And don't try using dodgy credit cards there either - it may look like a little hut in the woods but they have all the latest technology for detecting "maxed out" credit cards" :)) But of course this DIDNT happen to us or anyone we know!!

Equipment: Oxygen Tank. Kendal mint cake. Crampons. Thermal blanket. "Ralgex" - (numb-bum syndrome). Cash.

This is a race for runners around Södermalm in Stockholm. The length is 10 000 meters and in the night and this is a party during the night. it is not allowed to use wheel chairs, inlines or similiar things. After the race you get a free tshirt which says that you have run this race.

Equipment: Shoes of good quality.

3 more images

At the Djurgårdsbron bridge cafës on both sides you can rent a dinghy, canoe or pedalo (see pics) and discover Djurgårdsbrunns Bay (fourth pic) below Skansen for yourself. They also have a bike rental service.

2 more images

Stockholm has an enormous amount of public beaches - that is, some are beaches and others are cliffs where you can lie and soak up the sun before you dive in (making sure you know how deep it is before of course!). There are numerous places all shown on Stockholm sports maps but I have listed two of my favourites below. The official tourist site below also often list popular places on its summer version.

Equipment: Swim gear is enough

Yes, it's a bit obscure, but just in case someone wants to see some tier two Swedish soccer, there are three Stockholm teams which play in the Superettan as of 2006 (Swedish Second Tier).

IF Brommapojkarna --

Bromma play the closest to downtown Stockholm at Grimsta IP, which holds about 4500 spectators.

An interesting fact is that Bromma are the largest sportsclub in Europe, with over 4500 members (or something close to that) yet draw less than 500 per match.

Assyriska FF --

Assyriska are based in the suburb of Sodertalje, which is about 45 minutes south of Stockholm. Assyriska play in the new Sodertalje Fotbollscenter right beside Scaniarinken. The stadium holds 6500. The stadium is new, has turf and the team attracts around 2000 per spectators per match.

From what I can tell, Assyriska used to be something of an ethnic club for the Assyrian community, but today the team seem to represent Sodertalje. They played one season in the Allsvenskan (top flight.)

To get to the stadium, take the Pendeltag tram line south to Sodertalje centrum station. There, take the bus labeled 'Scaniarinken'. The stadium is the final stop. Entrance was 120 SEK, with a match program 20 SEK. Be warned, most of the program sellers are little kids and they don't speak English.

Vasby United --

Vasby play in a small stadium called Vilundavallen (capacity 3000) in the northern suburb of Upplands Vasby. They are a product of a merger, although attendance is defintiely under 1000. Stockholm's Pendeltag north tram line stops in Upplands Vasby, though I can't tell you how to get fromt he station to the stadium.

Hope this helps anyone who was as desperate for soccer as I was.

Since I was in Sweden during the World Cup, the top flight was on break. Being Canadian, not only was this a chance to see some live European soccer, but it was also a chance to see something comparable to what is played at home.

(Thanks to VT member Tejanasueca for the directions to Sodertalje Fotbollscenter.)

Hot air ballooning is big in Stockholm and as you can see in this picture, it is not unusual to see ten balloons at the same time above the city on a good summer's day or evening. There are several sightseeing companies - check the tourist board for current ones.

3 more images

I don't know what the proper name for this is, but it is a trampoline-like device that kids can jump WAY up into the air on. The operator puts a harness on the kid which attaches them to two bungee cords. The kid then jumps harder and harder until they achieve their desired height. Miss M loved it! Though I think it would have made me sick! These are located throughout parks in Stockholm and are free to everyone.

At Danvikstull, the Baltic cliffs drop down to the Hammarby canal and therefore, a climbing area has been created with various climbs of which number 13 is said to give the best climb and good views. If you are a climbing coward like myself, you can just watch the climbers from the opposite quay or from a boat.