In 1966 it was the premiere of the first Ringsjön round. The race’s heyday was in the 80s when roughly 8,000 cyclists took part, but over the years fewer and fewer cyclists have registered their interest. Attendance in August 2022 landed at around 900, once again resulting in negative financial results.
– It is a disaster. It has been a great asset for Skåne cycling, but we have lost a lot during the pandemic, says Alf Frithiof, who has been involved in organizing the race for 35 years.
He feels that a subculture has arisen within cycling during the pandemic where people gather and cycle in groups on their own initiative.
– It’s free and thus cheaper than participating in a race. On Strandvägen in Helsingborg alone, there can be around a hundred riding exercise bikes on a Thursday, he says.
Few sponsors, fewer non-profits
Skåne’s cycling association has also tried to collect sponsors to finance the Ringsjön around, but due to prevailing electricity prices and inflation, the number of interested parties has decreased. The association also feels that there is a lack of interest in non-profit work.
– I have worked voluntarily in cycling for almost 50 years. Idiots like me don’t exist anymore, says Alf Frithiof.