Close to nature by bike
Next to Vilsta Sporthotell There is a Sporthyra Eskilstuna retail location in Eskilstuna. Manager Jussi Ekola has clearly noticed that demand for rental bikes is on the rise. People use them for everything from cycling the Vätternrundan to enjoying the tranquility of a local nature reserve.
Cycling is gaining popularity throughout the country, and this is also evident at Sporthyra Eskilstuna at Vilsta Sporthotell.
- It is definitely increasing and during the year electric bicycles have come up as an alternative for the bicycle tourist. We had no such 2017, but probably think about it. Otherwise, it is mainly racing bikes for the Vätternrundan and other smaller races nearby that are rented out, both for training and execution, says Jussi Ekola.
Mountain bikes are also rented out, and those who ride MTB often rent in groups.
– Many people rent a bike to give it a try, and then they usually go out and buy a mountain bike pretty quickly after trying it out. The standard bikes we rent out are mostly used by campers and residents at Vilsta Sporthotell and hostels.
There is a wide variety of physical activities at Vilsta Sporthotell. One way to encourage people to ride bikes is to provide good maps.
- For several years we have had bicycle orientation maps that tourists and local residents use to find the smaller excursion destinations. For 2018, we have planned to change the maps and extend the routes to the excursion destinations, as the cycling flier can easily travel longer distances than before, depending on the development of the bicycles in the form of comfort, gear system and so on, says Jussi Ekola.
He says that the most popular excursion destinations are Sundbyholm and various nature reserves nearby.
- For example, Skiren-Kvicken, the area around Bälgviken and various wetlands. Many people like the fantastic forest roads that Sörmland offers with alternating forests of pine, spruce and birch. There are open, flat landscapes and sometimes really demanding hilly terrain. We find ourselves in one of Eskilstuna's finest areas; Vilsta Sport and Leisure Center is widely known among nature and the outdoors.