Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Days 7-19 or Where Did All the Net Cafes Go?
I really did want to do a day-by-day, blow-by-blow account of this ride.
Sadly, due to extreme difficulty finding computers with internet access (and the inability of my phone, for all it's 3G prowess to handle Blogger) I won't be able to see that grand plan make it into reality.
What can I say about the last 12 days?
1. Finland is not flat. Don't believe the hype. When discussing the ride with people who seemed to know what they were talking about, I was reassured that it would be a pretty flat ride.
Clearly, they took a different route to me.
Whilst the ride from Sodankylä to Savukoski was probably the hilliest, there were a few more days of consistent ups and downs. My hill-climbing ability on the bike has greatly improved as a result, and there were only a couple of hills that forced me off the bike and saw me trudging dejectedly upwards.
2. The scenery is STILL gorgeous.
Granted, pretty as they are, the lakes and forests can get a little monotonous after a while. The last few days however, we came through some really nice countryside. The stereotypical red barns, swaying fields of grain and cow-filled pastures... there is just something so darn nice about the whole place!
3. The weather was reasonable.
We had a few really beautiful sunny days, a couple of cloudy ones and one storm. With lightning and pelting rain.
To be really honest, I didn't mind it. It probably has something to do with my overly-developed sense of competition and general stubborness, but when I have 80 or so km to ride in a day, I tend not to let the weather faze me. Despite the fact that my shoes were totally waterlogged and visibility was complete rubbish, I still managed to keep up a reasonable speed and press on.'
The worst day we had as far as the weather was concerned was Friday before last. The sun was shining, it wasn't a terribly cold day - in fact, if you saw a still picture you would think that it was just another nice summer's day. And it was. Except for the fantastically strong headwind that made forward progress especially challenging, and every now and again would turn into a crosswind determined on blowing me either off the road, or in front of a passing truck.
Not pleasant, but (as my old swimming coach would say) 'character building'.
4. My bike held up very well.
I am very happy with the bike that I ended up with (a Crescent Hamra, about 3 years old, I think). No punctures, in fact no real grief at all. My brakes are now a little bit worn (OK, very worn) and I did manage to knock the chain off once, but otherwise it did the job brilliantly.
Sadly, due to extreme difficulty finding computers with internet access (and the inability of my phone, for all it's 3G prowess to handle Blogger) I won't be able to see that grand plan make it into reality.
What can I say about the last 12 days?
1. Finland is not flat. Don't believe the hype. When discussing the ride with people who seemed to know what they were talking about, I was reassured that it would be a pretty flat ride.
Clearly, they took a different route to me.
Whilst the ride from Sodankylä to Savukoski was probably the hilliest, there were a few more days of consistent ups and downs. My hill-climbing ability on the bike has greatly improved as a result, and there were only a couple of hills that forced me off the bike and saw me trudging dejectedly upwards.
2. The scenery is STILL gorgeous.
Granted, pretty as they are, the lakes and forests can get a little monotonous after a while. The last few days however, we came through some really nice countryside. The stereotypical red barns, swaying fields of grain and cow-filled pastures... there is just something so darn nice about the whole place!
3. The weather was reasonable.
We had a few really beautiful sunny days, a couple of cloudy ones and one storm. With lightning and pelting rain.
To be really honest, I didn't mind it. It probably has something to do with my overly-developed sense of competition and general stubborness, but when I have 80 or so km to ride in a day, I tend not to let the weather faze me. Despite the fact that my shoes were totally waterlogged and visibility was complete rubbish, I still managed to keep up a reasonable speed and press on.'
The worst day we had as far as the weather was concerned was Friday before last. The sun was shining, it wasn't a terribly cold day - in fact, if you saw a still picture you would think that it was just another nice summer's day. And it was. Except for the fantastically strong headwind that made forward progress especially challenging, and every now and again would turn into a crosswind determined on blowing me either off the road, or in front of a passing truck.
Not pleasant, but (as my old swimming coach would say) 'character building'.
4. My bike held up very well.
I am very happy with the bike that I ended up with (a Crescent Hamra, about 3 years old, I think). No punctures, in fact no real grief at all. My brakes are now a little bit worn (OK, very worn) and I did manage to knock the chain off once, but otherwise it did the job brilliantly.
# posted by Nils @ 6:35 PM 
