Through Finland to the Arctic on a bicycle

On June 30, 2007, I plan to leave my Seattle home, fly to Helsinki, Finland, and begin a 2,300 mile self-supported bicycle journey. My path will initially head west to Turku, then south to the Aland Islands, the southernmost point in my trip. From the Aland, the expedition turns north to Tampere, then northeast to the university town of Jyvaskyla, then east to the lake country. At this point the route is somewhat uncertain, though I'm sure it will be clearer at the moment of decision. The current plan is to continue east to Savonlinna, then head directly north to Kuopio (site of the world's largest fire-heated sauna). After my sauna I turn directly north into Finnish Keralia, skirting the Russian border. At Kuusamo, I again head west to Rovaniemi, capital of Lapland. I must reach this point by mid-August to have a chance at riding to the Arctic Ocean. If the weather and my legs hold, I'll pedal through the land of the reindeer to Ivalo, and into Norway to Kirkenes, a fishing port on the Barents Sea. I must return to Helsinki by September 3 to catch my flight home.

After publication of my first book, The Gentleman From Finland - Adventures on the Trans-Siberian Express (available through Amazon, Barnes and Noble and independent bookstores, http://www.rivendellpublishingnw.com/), I developed a strong interest in Finland. This journey is the result of that interest. The bike gives me the opportunity to feel and experience the country on "ground level." I plan to visit areas of political and historical significance, including the haunts of Jean Sibelius, the composer; Carl Gustav Mannerheim, who led out-numbered Finnish forces against the Russian onslaught in the winter of 1939, and Alvar Aalto, the architect. The last part of the trip will be in Lapland, homeland of the Sami, the original inhabitants of the north. Here, I will encounter Sami reindeer herds and hopefully not herds of mosquitos.

I will ride a Bike Friday New World Tourist, a specialized 27-speed folding bike designed for expeditions such as this. When folded, it fits snugly into a suitcase that can be checked in as regular baggage on any airline. During my 4-day stay in Helsinki, I will gather the last of my supplies, build the bike and the axle and wheel assembly that converts the suitcase into a gear-carrying wagon. The wagon will hold a small tent, sleeping bag, stove, a few days supply of food, spare parts, shortwave radio and other essentials.

I have learned that southern and central Finland are great places to bike tour. They are relatively flat with many dedicated bike routes. The north and Karelia are somewhat unknown. I guess I'll find out. I fear the wind.

So come along for the journey. I cannot guarantee entries every day. My writing schedule will depend on finding internet cafes every few days or a reindeer with a laptop and a broadband connection.

And if anyone has ever biked north Rovaniemi, please post a condition report!