GTC (Gothenburg Training Camp) 2018

Having participated in the TTC for the past two years, Johan and our running friends from Sweden are very keen to host a number of us (say 5 to 10) for a running/socialising weekend in the vicinity of Gothenburg next Summer.

The suggested venue is the island of Vrångö, just outside Gothenburg (Swedish lesson #1, the word for island is in fact the letter "ö") which can be accessed via the commuter ferry service (we can get a 3 day public transport pass for about £17 each which covers the ferry, buses and trams in and around Gothenburg). At least one of the runs would be on the island (Johan reckons an 8km run can be squeezed in on the island without running laps, so good for a Friday night), the rest of the runs would be on the mainland, most likely in the Skatås country park which has miles and miles of trails; I have been lost there many times).

The difficult thing as always is finding a date. Due to Johan's holidays (along with most of the rest of Sweden), we have to be early July or mid-August (by which time Scottish schools are back so likely not to be suitable). Therefore, the initial proposal is Friday 6th to Monday 9th July 2018. Why those days? The only direct flights from Scotland to Gothenburg are with Ryanair from Edinburgh Airport and they fly only on Fridays and Mondays, a route I am all too familiar with through work. The current cost of the flights on these days is a very reasonable £59.99 each way (plus luggage cost each way). On top of that there would be the accommodation costs on the island, local transport and some meals which is very roughly in the £150 to £200 range depending on what we manage to arrange for accommodation.

Here are Johan's initial thoughts:

1. Accommodations and base camp. Stuga (Swedish for cabin) would be best for sure. My preference would be hosting you on Vrångö http://www.styrso.info/vrango/ (in Swedish but you will understand). There are some options like http://kajkantenvrango.se/en/ which is quite new and fresh. If we have base on Vrångö I could go with my saling boat (some extra beds) and Mats could do as well. Selfhousing with breakfast and us arranging dinner (barbeque etc) will be convenient. The costs looks like 1 000 SEK/person/3 nights. Maybee we can do it cheaper, Philip (Tupp) owns at least 3 houses on the island. I will check with him.
2. Liseberg Camping next to Skatås is also an option http://liseberg.com/en/home/Accommodation/ What I could see the cost level looks at same level as Vrango.
3. Logistics. If you don’t come all harriers (which would be great) we will solve the transportation up to Skatås (from Saltholmen where the ferry from Vrångö comes in) using private cars or fix a couple of vans (Volvo…). You will need a ticket for the ferry which is approx. 170 SEK for a 3-day full Gothenburg travel.
4. Food. Breakfast we buy and arrange ourselves if you stay in Stuga. Same as TTC. Lunch we could also prepare and bring to keep costs down. Three dinners could very well be arrange at selfcartering if we stay at Vrångö. Ulf promise to be barbeque chef one evening, myself I can arrange a seafood evening and together we surely fix the third dinner. Refreshments we buy (systembolaget) ourselves.
5. Costs all in all. A wild guess would be something in range of 150-200 GBP for accommodation, transport and food. Then comes “out of pocket” expenses but it’s personal anyhow.

Could those who are interested and think they have a realistic chance of attending (i.e. don't put your name down if you think it is a great idea but know you can't participate) please put your name down and leave any comments on this form. This is not committing you to anything but will help to gauge numbers and hence refine the accommodation options and costs a little bit. Those thinking about it are listed here. Lets leave this open for a few weeks for you to think about it.
Alan