tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37884861776970801032024-03-19T05:47:06.418+02:00Toni Lund - Adventure CyclistToni Lundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05842467508604261945noreply@blogger.comBlogger120125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3788486177697080103.post-72975637457363809872021-07-10T17:45:00.002+03:002021-07-10T18:07:56.819+03:0024 tuntia maantiellä<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Koronavuoden 2020 kesä oli itselleni enemmänkin "kesä ilman kesää", kun lomani oli vasta syyskuussa. Talven aikana päätinkin että seuraavana kesänä loma saisi olla oikeasti kesällä ja ajatuksissa oli valmiina käydä ajamassa jotain pidempää. Tarjolla olisi ollut Yötön 3000 bikepacking ajo/kisa joka olisi ollut hyvinkin kiinnostava ja seikkailupitoisempi kokemus mutta se olisi valmistautumisen ja palauttelun kanssa ollut kahden viikon projekti. Loman aikana pitäisi ehtiä tekemään vähän muutakin kuin ajamaan pyörää joten olinkin päättänyt käydä testaamassa itseäni reilun 24 tunnin verran maantiellä ja tavoitteena ajaa mahdollisimman pitkä matka, mielellään 600 km, ja tietysti unsupported -formaatilla. Lisäksi halusin ajaa etelästä pohjoiseen ja sopivana lisähaasteena halusin kunnioittaa isovanhempieni muistoa joiden haudat ovat Haukiputaan hautausmaalla. Se olisi ajon maaliviiva. Maantieteellisesti on myös jotenkin hienoa vetää lähemmäs puolikas Suomea yhtä soittoa.</span></div><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Tarkoitus oli suorittaa ajo heti loman alussa mutta vallitseva tuulen suunta oli pohjoisen puolelta. Mietinkin jo ajamista toiseen suuntaan ja lähtöä Haukiputaalta mutta junissa ei löytynyt vapaita pyöräpaikkoja(!). Sääennusteet näyttivät tuulen muuttuvan eteläiseksi seuraavalla viikolla ja junamatkalle löytyi myös pyöräpaikkoja. Lämmintä, tai jopa kuumaakin, tulisi olemaan kun päivälämpötiloiksi ennustettiin lähemmäs 30°C.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Kun lomalla oli tarkoitus tehdä muutakin niin tein kotona saunan ja kylpyhuoneen kattoremontin (yksin tietysti) joka oli luonnollisesti pakko saada siihen malliin että pellit ovat paikalla. Se olikin sitten kunnon hikoilua näillä helteillä ja päivän enemmän mitä olin suunnitellut. Pellit olivat katolla puolen yön aikoihin. Viimeistelin reitin gps:ään ja nukkumaan menin noin klo 01.30. Aamulla heräilin klo 8.30 maissa. Piti vielä viimeistellä pyörä valmiiksi. Olo ei tietenkään ollut hirmuisen energinen ja tiesin että tästä ei välttämättä tule pelkästään ihanaa pyöräilyn iloa. Mutta sääennuste näytti loppuviikolle jo jotain sateitakin ja junalippu oli ostettu. Näillä mentäisiin, tuli sitten mitä tulisi.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKCyfc-N5Wqc8RJdQjBaOY5RKNTnp7eCOH0KX5ccbVNsDtPT75-QVe1L1D50XAPfkU1wHuDZb9aSQ3cYJmk17SrZ18IrQORTz7oAVqMMOYYQ7_BL5Na8pFSzNz9_rD589Le5mocOv5qpt2/s698/24h_route.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="557" data-original-width="698" height="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKCyfc-N5Wqc8RJdQjBaOY5RKNTnp7eCOH0KX5ccbVNsDtPT75-QVe1L1D50XAPfkU1wHuDZb9aSQ3cYJmk17SrZ18IrQORTz7oAVqMMOYYQ7_BL5Na8pFSzNz9_rD589Le5mocOv5qpt2/w640-h510/24h_route.png" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Reittikartta.</i></div></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Lähtökin venyi hiukan koska pyörän valmistelu vei oman aikansa. Pääsin kuitenkin liikkeelle klo 11.29. Jos alku menisi ilman mitään ongelmia niin saattaisin ehtiä Seinäjoen Prisman Heselle ennen sulkemisaikaa eli klo 22. Pääosin ajaisin geeleillä ja muulla energialla jotka oli laukuissa.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Ensimmäinen 100 km menikin varsin mallikkaasti aikaan 3h16min 31.3 km/h ajonaikaisella keskinopeudella. Tuuli oli kuitenkin ajoittain sivulta ja en pystynyt ajamaan koko aikaa tempotikuilta. Auran ja Huittisten välillä tiellä 41 oli myös sen verran liikennettä että piti olla jatkuvasti tarkkana. Sivutuulipuuskat ovat huono yhdistelmä "lepoasennossa".</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Kilpijoen kohdalta reitti kääntyi pienemmälle tielle ja kohti Kankaanpäätä. Liikenne väheni todella paljon ja fiilis oli nyt katossa ja meno maittoi. Lämpötila huiteli 30°C tuntumassa mutta ei tuntunut ollenkaan pahalta. Lavialla täytin juomapullot ja söin jäätelön ja join cokiksen. Kankaanpäätä lähestyessä taivas meni pikku hiljaa uhkaavan pilviseksi ja pienenä yllätyksenä tulikin sadekuuro. Pidin lyhyen tauon Kankanpäässä ja sade menikin nopeasti ohi. Tiet olivat kuitenkin märkinä. Tähän kohtaan tuli harmillisesti vähän hitaampi osuus ja en vaan tykännyt tilanteesta vaikka lämpötila laski selvästi. 200 km kohdalla aikaa oli mennyt 7h35min / kello oli 19.04. Tiesin myös että Seinäjoelle en ehtisi ennen klo 22. Pysähdyinkin Karvialla syömään nopeasti hampurilaisen. Matka oli silti sujunut varsin hyvin ja reitti oli paljon parempi kuin Trans Finlandiassa 2017 joka kulki Tampereen kautta tielle 66 ja Alavudelle. Se oli liikenteen puolesta yhtä teurastusta. Nyt oli todella rauhallista. 300 km oli täynnä 12h3 min kohdalla ja Seinäjoella Kivistön S-marketissa 305 km. Pieni huoltotauko, lisää evästä mukaan ja Red Bullit ajopaidan taskuihin, kello oli 00.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Heti Seinäjoen jälkeen tuli reissun ainoa asiaton autoilija. Ohittaessa joku matkustajista huusi ikkunasta jotain mutta en saanut siitä mitään selvää. Vaikka oli jo yö niin tiellä 19 oli vielä hiukan liikennettä, enimmäkseen rekkoja. Mitään ongelmia ei kuitenkaan tullut, takavalo päällä ja kesäyö näytti parhaita puoliaan.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVsN-uFixdB5xMaI1eEmUN58e-m4qS9bLZCEkrT9E6G2ECCqU6cSTdgtwvfDtlawYr2B5gs8P0-Bqkmd1by-rV2jNDCQSAWL4rNbPmyJBIEJzNIzHpHHyx5Bgy37Tj5AuZ2ffPmA635ala/s4608/20210706_225118%257E2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="4608" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVsN-uFixdB5xMaI1eEmUN58e-m4qS9bLZCEkrT9E6G2ECCqU6cSTdgtwvfDtlawYr2B5gs8P0-Bqkmd1by-rV2jNDCQSAWL4rNbPmyJBIEJzNIzHpHHyx5Bgy37Tj5AuZ2ffPmA635ala/w640-h360/20210706_225118%257E2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibNg551GBYjsr5QGDIAAht2wDZzljRrqg2mgHDW1EN3tWnG_x20Y68YjXur9tHaBIxyRP-vL5j0AP_L5I-2QIYL2mLqZj3C8vRc6f6EnJRYgLLfDN7ii_Fr2ACi3Aqi7U1hJjP8CzcdFso/s4608/20210707_015853%257E2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="4608" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibNg551GBYjsr5QGDIAAht2wDZzljRrqg2mgHDW1EN3tWnG_x20Y68YjXur9tHaBIxyRP-vL5j0AP_L5I-2QIYL2mLqZj3C8vRc6f6EnJRYgLLfDN7ii_Fr2ACi3Aqi7U1hJjP8CzcdFso/w640-h360/20210707_015853%257E2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Kauhavan ja Kaustisten välillä alkoi väsymys ja univaje jo painamaan. Red Bullit auttoi hetken. 400 km kohdalla aikaa oli kulunut karvan alle 17h. Alkoi olla selvää että 600 km 24 tuntiin ei tule onnistumaan. Yleensä aamuaurinko piristää mutta aika pian Kaustisten jälkeen oli vaikeuksia pysyä hereillä. Tiellä 63 löytyi muutama huipputason bussipysäkki. Otin yhdellä niistä 13 minuutin pikaunet.</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeLgXABDqrHPlE8BcChUFeY3YqPUxcn77KNQZdp9i2OpPkkR_r-MRaXsoZcmmcp9ZOv4i7nTTfKRFCcV8WZsqoYY7hPDj97I8qM51A_AkpD8aSUD9RGOtxqcM1JMcG4OFov5Gek-Lbeiu1/s4608/20210707_064137%257E2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeLgXABDqrHPlE8BcChUFeY3YqPUxcn77KNQZdp9i2OpPkkR_r-MRaXsoZcmmcp9ZOv4i7nTTfKRFCcV8WZsqoYY7hPDj97I8qM51A_AkpD8aSUD9RGOtxqcM1JMcG4OFov5Gek-Lbeiu1/w640-h480/20210707_064137%257E2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Ajo jatkui ja tuntuikin hetken aikaa siltä että sain tilanteen nopeasti korjattua. Univaje alkoi kuitenkin hiipiä takaisin mutta onnistuin silti sinnittelemään aika hyvin Sieviin jossa kävin aamukahvilla, söin yhden paninin ja lisäksi tietysti täytin juomapullot. 500 km kohdalla aikaa oli mennyt jo 22h15min ja 24 tunnin kohdalla tuli 531 km täyteen. 600 km tavoite jäi kauas. Ajo oli sinnittelyä ja sitkuttamista ja kuumuuskin alkoi painamaan oikeasti päälle. Tässä vaiheessa oli jo täysin merkityksetöntä kuinka nopeasti pääsisin perille Haukiputaalle. Ajatus oli vain siinä että ylipäätään pystyn ajamaan perille asti. Pidin pienen elpymistauon Oulaisissa, söin jäätelön ja join vaihtelun vuoksi tölkin Dr. Pepperiä. Tästä alkoi ajon heikoin vaihe. Ajamisesta ei oikein halunnut tulla mitään, väsymys painoi joka tasolla ja pysähdyin pari kolme kertaa elpymään varjoisiin paikkoihin tien reunoilla ja sain jonkun minuutin nukuttua. Muutamaan otteeseen olo oli jopa aavistuksen pahoinvoiva. Aurinko porotti lähes koko ajan armottomasti takaa ja lämpötila oli jatkuvasti 30°C tai ylikin. Tie 86 Liminkaan on äärimmäisen suora ja tylsä ja tuntui väsyneenä erittäin pitkältä. No, onhan siinä matkaakin 75 km. Ajatus oli kuitenkin siinä mielessä kirkas että sinnittelen Liminkaan ja siellä Heseen syömään jotta saisi energiatasot ylös. Ja Limingasta olisi enää noin 50 km Haukiputaalle. Selvä homma.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Limingan ruokatauon (megahampurilainen ja cokis) jälkeen pyörä alkoikin taas liikkumaan melkein normaalisti ja väsymyksestä ei ollut enää tietoakaan. Hiukan jopa yllätyin kun Oulainen-Liminka oli enemmänkin kuin "hidas kuolema". Mutta sinänsä ei ole mitään uutta että pitkissä ajoissa huonot vaiheet ovat monesti ohimeneviä, joskus ne vaan vievät hieman enemmän aikaa.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Haukiputaan hautausmaalle saavuin noin klo 18.20 varsin hyvävoimaisena:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMPyca2L1IPYts-IRWG7tTfXsHjs790UY0h-2j5yboxZ2SlVxN8hXpzAEdOpfp-3BKqcT36JjP1FSJ-HHPmEMEH9LBJENwydA1ZBTnbKA-zAZejWBg4r2KmNdY2tXoSV8GaA9MYobbBPp0/s4608/20210707_182243%257E2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMPyca2L1IPYts-IRWG7tTfXsHjs790UY0h-2j5yboxZ2SlVxN8hXpzAEdOpfp-3BKqcT36JjP1FSJ-HHPmEMEH9LBJENwydA1ZBTnbKA-zAZejWBg4r2KmNdY2tXoSV8GaA9MYobbBPp0/w640-h480/20210707_182243%257E2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;">Ajo </span>löytyy myös Stravasta: <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/5593630189">https://www.strava.com/activities/5593630189</a></span></span></p><p></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #050505; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kokonaismatka: 655.66 km<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Ajonaikainen keskinopeus: 26.1 km/h<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Ajoaika: 25h 5min 14sek<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kokonaisaika: 30h 56min 20sek<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Lämpötila: 24°C avg. / 16.1°C min. / 32.4°C max.</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; white-space: normal;">Vaikka ajo ei onnistunutkaan suunnitelman mukaisesti niin se oli silti hyvä testi ja on aina hienoa päästä noiden kurjien hetkien yli. Vapaa-ajan vähyyden takia näitä pitkiä ajoja arvostaa suuresti, oli ne sitten millaisia tahansa. Hiukan nihkeän kevään jälkeen ehdin ajamaan ja treenaamaan alkukesästä kohtuullisen hyvin vaikka päähuomio oli toki NGS Kimito Island pyöräilytapahtuman järjestelyissä. Paremmalla treenillä ja valmistautumisella 600 km / 24h on täysin tehtävissä.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; white-space: normal;">Ajoin vielä takaisin Ouluun viettämään hienoa kesäiltaa ennen junan lähtöä:</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXgtvOfBgOpcNEPGGLIo1UUTq0ZrD1af8TArEbj2gy8PYjm3xD_rM7Oq0MZa_HyDOpeDeQ3MAYygQJKKzTV1ZmNHVNRktmxIlfr8sVfWcxovJARQAmax-65dZMYk5kjcjiCBJYyIU4APdG/s4608/20210707_230027%257E2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="4608" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXgtvOfBgOpcNEPGGLIo1UUTq0ZrD1af8TArEbj2gy8PYjm3xD_rM7Oq0MZa_HyDOpeDeQ3MAYygQJKKzTV1ZmNHVNRktmxIlfr8sVfWcxovJARQAmax-65dZMYk5kjcjiCBJYyIU4APdG/w640-h360/20210707_230027%257E2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; white-space: normal;">Pyöränä oli Ridley Excalibur maantiepyörä jonka päivitin keväällä Shimanon Ultegra ja 105 osilla ja se toimi täydellisesti. Reissuun ehti mukaan vielä uusi Restrapin laukku vaakaputken päälle. Kirjoittelen pyörästä ja varustuksesta myöhemmin lisää somen puolelle.</span><p></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirLYnzLCff5Qz7_yuBr9D9abqnrWgjLps3zUrJXBQOfO1_rfwEMjnM5UZbg6CCcbKozHYItb6-Ta4fJ31IqB3NGKp1LlqxNl-7LTTU3gRONZ1oKywiF7cgPo1N-N1XhQNAPxQRLzu7EETS/s4096/20210709_180134%257E2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4096" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirLYnzLCff5Qz7_yuBr9D9abqnrWgjLps3zUrJXBQOfO1_rfwEMjnM5UZbg6CCcbKozHYItb6-Ta4fJ31IqB3NGKp1LlqxNl-7LTTU3gRONZ1oKywiF7cgPo1N-N1XhQNAPxQRLzu7EETS/w640-h480/20210709_180134%257E2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; white-space: normal;"><br /></span><p></p>Toni Lundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05842467508604261945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3788486177697080103.post-21411510360753849622020-04-13T10:51:00.000+03:002020-04-19T22:29:32.436+03:00Iditarod Trail Invitational 2020 - osa 1<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Vuonna 2018 saavutin unelman jota en uskonut ollenkaan mahdolliseksi. Suoritin ITIn 1000 mailin matkan Nomeen eteläisellä reitillä ja vielä ensimmäisenä suomalaisena. Kisan olosuhteet olivat äärimmäisen raskaat ja hitaat ja kaikin puolin valtava selviytymiskamppailu. Siitä huolimatta hyvinkin nopeasti ajattelin että opin matkan aikana valtavasti pitkän matkan taivaltamisesta Alaskan äärimmäisissä olosuhteissa ja uusia ulottuvuuksia itsestäni. Murskasin omat rajani totaalisesti. Haluaisin vielä nähdä ja kokea miten hyvin oppi oli mennyt perille.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Tein jo keväällä 2019 päätöksen osallistua ITIiin seuraavana vuonna kun vuorossa olisi pohjoinen reitti. Vaikka kisan startti oli vielä tuossa vaiheessa vajaan vuoden päässä (1.3.2020), monella tapaa kisa alkaa jo siinä vaiheessa kun siihen päättää osallistua ja ilmoittautuminen laitetaan sisään. Vuosi 2019 oli pyörällä ajamisen puolesta todella hyvä. Ajoa tuli 16460 kilometriä joka oli samalla oma ennätys. Mutta marras- ja joulukuussa talviolosuhteista ei ollut Varsinais-Suomessa tietoakaan. Ajatus lumisista tunkkausharjoituksista huuhtoutui jatkuviin vesisateisiin.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">2020 alkoi äärimmäisen dramaattisesti kun jouduin 7.1 onnettomuuteen ajaessani pyörällä töihin. Puolessa välissä matkaa törmäsin huonoissa olosuhteissa koululaiseen. Koululainen ei onneksi loukkaantunut rytäkässä mutta itse lensin kovassa vauhdissa asfalttiin ja vasen kyynärpää sai kovimman iskun. Kipu oli kova ja bussipysäkillä taksia odottaessa olin jo melko varma että tällä kertaa kävi huonosti. Tuntui siltä että ITI jää haaveeksi ja kaikki kova työ oli valunut hukkaan. Terveystalossa otettiin heti röntgenkuva jossa näkyi selvästi että kyynärpää on poikki. Lääkärin arvio parantumisajasta oli kaksi kuukautta.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>8.1.2020. TYKS, T-sairaala.</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Myös TYKSin lääkärit olivat sitä mieltä että ITI tulee liian nopeasti vastaan eikä olisi mahdollinen. En kuitenkaan antanut periksi ja väittelin vastaan. <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Murtuma ei onnekseni ollut pahasti sirpaloitunut ja leikkaus onnistui hyvin. TYKSistä pois päästyäni leikkauksen tehnyt lääkäri sanoikin että kisani voisi olla vielä mahdollinen.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Käsi oli kipsissä kolme viikkoa ja oli kuitenkin selvää että harjoittelu ja valmistautuminen kärsisivät. Vahingon minimoimiseksi tein kävelylenkkejä lähes päivittäin ja ajoin jonkin verran treinerillä. Kipsistä eroon päästyäni alkoi käden kuntoutus ja vakuutuksen turvin pääsin Mehiläiseen ja fysioterapiaan joka osoittautui erinomaiseksi. Reilu kaksi viikkoa ennen kisaa kävin röntgenissä ja ortopedi totesi että luutuminen on lähtenyt hyvin käyntiin, tarkoittaen vihreää valoa kisan suhteen. Olin jo ennen viimeistä röntgeniä melko varma että pääsen sittenkin kisaan mukaan sillä käsi tuntui yllättävänkin hyvältä kun olin käynyt ajamassa useamman lenkin. Talvikelejä ei tammi- ja helmikuussa vieläkään tullut Varsinais-Suomeen kun sää jatkui jopa hämmästyttävän leutona. Vaikka tilanne oli siis kaikin puolin aika huono, en antanut sen häiritä mieltäni.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Viimeisten valmistelujen kanssa oli melkoinen kiire ennen matkaan lähtöä. Postitin Finger Laken, Rohnin ja Cripplen drop bagit viime tingassa Anchorageen ITIn järjestäjille. Seurannan mukaan näytti siltä ne eivät olleet saapuneet sinne määräaikaan mennessä. Ystäväni Anchoragessa auttoi uusien drop bagien kanssa. Myöhemmin selvisi että alkuperäisetkin olivat mukana mutta niiden vastaanottoa ei vaan näkynyt seurannassa.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Matkalle lähtiessäni sain vielä pienen flunssan joka onneksi pysyi pienenä ja meni viikossa ohi juuri ennen kisan starttia.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Alaskassa talvi oli ollut sen sijaan kylmä ja luminen. Kaikesta huolimatta olin asettanut tavoitteeksi parantaa suoritustani vuoden 2018 kokemukseen verrattuna. Oli selvää että erityisesti ensimmäinen viikko pitäisi mennä maltilla ja tunnustellen. Yhtenä tavoitteena oli myös kulkea mahdollisimman paljon yksin, mahdollisuuksien mukaan.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>1.3.2020. Knik Lake.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Kisa lähti liikkeelle perinteisesti sunnuntaina klo 14. Keli oli melko leppoisa ja pakkasta oli viitisen astetta. Sääennuste ei kuitenkaan ollut kovin lupaava. Tiedossa olisi myöhemmin iltapäivästä runsasta lumisadetta.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwBIAJQSmCaf5pNc242q05nLyTSQ2pHUT1kz8eSAD35eiy7redE0iMHHSj001BsJdeGrhjWt9ROZOCCA6zmC4sXl9aZYe3iuqZ_D2-D_reILpy-ZEcpf20iwqg2800riIr91JLWgrX54VX/s1600/ITI2020_Gas_line.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="711" data-original-width="960" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwBIAJQSmCaf5pNc242q05nLyTSQ2pHUT1kz8eSAD35eiy7redE0iMHHSj001BsJdeGrhjWt9ROZOCCA6zmC4sXl9aZYe3iuqZ_D2-D_reILpy-ZEcpf20iwqg2800riIr91JLWgrX54VX/s1024/ITI2020_Gas_line.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Kuva: Sean Grady.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Alkumatkan vauhdikkaan tieosuuden (n. 10 km) jälkeen reitti siirtyy takaisin poluille, niin kutsutulle gas line osuudelle. Lunta oli reilusti joten ajaminen oli melko hidasta. Aika pian myös ennustettu lumisade alkoi.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Flathorn Lake järvelle päästyäni hidas ajaminen loppui ja alkoi taluttaminen ja työntäminen. Flathornin osuus on jo kohtuullisen pitkä jonka jälkeenkään ajaminen ei enää onnistunut ja aika pian sen jälkee alkoi pitkä suo-osuus, Dismal Swamp. Kisa alkoi ja jatkui siis tavallaan siitä mihin vuoden 2018 kisa päättyi. Näin hitaat ja raskaat olosuhteet heti alkuvaiheessa ovat olleet ITIssä aika harvinaisia.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Dismal Swampin jälkeen metsän suojassa oli hyvin lyhyitä osuuksia joita pystyi ajamaan mutta pääasiassa eteneminen tapahtui taluttaen. Kello oli jo puolen yön ja lumisade jatkui. En nähnyt syytä jatkaa kulkemista heti ensimmäisen yön yli, varsinkin kun kulkeminen oli raskasta, joten päädyin bivittämään lumihangessa monen muun kanssa Yentna-joen reunalla. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Vajaan kuuden tunnin nukkumisen jälkeen lumisade ja taluttaminen jatkuivat Yentna-joella. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Aika paljon kelin hitaudesta ja Alaskan äärimmäisyydestä kertoo se että tässä vaiheessa olin 37 mailin (~60 km) kohdalla kun vuoden 2015 huippunopeassa kelissä olin jo Finger Lakessa, 122 mailia (~196 km)!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Yön yli nukkuminen teki hyvää ja raskaasta kelistä huolimatta taluttaminen sujui hyvin. Kävelylenkeistä tuntui olevan selvästi hyötyä. Aamupäivän jälkeen lumisade viimein loppui ja vähitellen joella pystyi myös ajamaan. Vuosina 2015 ja 2018 Yentna-joki meni yöaikaan joten tällä kertaa oli maisemien puolesta uutta nähtävää.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Yentna Stationin checkpointille saavuin päivällä. Söin ja pidin taukoa noin tunnin ja jatkoin matkaa kohti Skwentnaa. Matkan teko keskeytyi heti alkuunsa kun joen reunassa oli hirvi. Hirvistä kisaajia oli varoitettu sillä runsaslumisen talven johdosta ne liikkuivat paljon reitillä.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; text-align: left;">Jalkamiehet Beat Jegerlehner ja Chris Moroch odottivat jos hirvi siirtyisi muualle. Sillä ei ollut kuitenkaan aikomustakaan lähteä mihinkään joten yritimme kiertää sen hiukan kauempaa, seuraten moottorikelkkauraa joka oli hyvin pehmeä. Lähestyessämme hirvi lähtikin juoksemaan keskelle jokea ja pääsimme takaisin kantavalle uralle ja hirven ohi.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; text-align: left;">Taivas oli lähes pilvetön, aurinko paistoi ja matkan teko taittui hyvin ajamalla. Alkuillasta tuuli kuitenkin yltyi ja lämpötila laski selvästi. Loppuillasta tuuli oli jo varsin kova ja Skwentna Roadhouseen asti (86 mailia / 138 km) sai tehdä tosissaan töitä. Päivä oli kokonaisuudessaan melko rankka. Söin ja nukuin Skwentnassa jossa oli kourallinen muitakin kisaajia, myös Jussi Karjalainen jonka näin aamulla.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Skwentnassa yö ja aamu olivat kylmiä, pakkasta reilut -20. Jatkaessani matkaa heti ensimmäisellä pitkällä aukealla lämpötila tippui lähelle -30 astetta ja renkaisiin sai lisätä ilmaa.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Alun muutamia tunkkauspätkiä lukuunottamatta kulkeminen sujui ajaen ja reitti oli yllättävänkin hyvä Shell Lakelle asti.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Aikaisempina vuosina en ollut pysähtynyt pitämään taukoa Shell Lake Lodgessa joten tällä kertaa oli sen vuoro. Söin erinomaisen hampurilaisaterian ja jatkoin kohti Finger Lakea. Tässä vaiheessa reitti muuttui selvästi huonommaksi ja vähitellen ajaminen muuttui pelkäksi taluttamiseksi ja työntämiseksi.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Samalla tuuli yltyi jatkuvasti ja iltapäivästä eteenpäin oli täysi myrsky päällä. Myrskyn voimakkuus oli hirvittävä. Loppumatkasta puuskat olivat niin kovia että ne halusivat viedä pyörän mukanaan. Virheisiin ei ollut varaa. Tunkkasin määrätietoisesti ja päättäväisesti Finger Lakeen asti (122 mailia) jonne saavuin myöhään illalla pimeän jo tultua.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Finger Laken checkpointissa pääsi ruokailemaan ja lämmittelemään pieneen mökkiin. Isompi mökki ei ole enää pariin vuoteen ollut ITIn käytettävissä. Järven reunassa on lämmitettävä teltta jossa nukuin yön yli. Myrsky ei laantunut ja repi telttaa raivolla koko yön.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Seuraava päivä jatkui myös erittäin tuulisena ja reitti oli kaikkea muuta kuin hyvässä kunnossa. Tuuli oli kinostanut paljon lunta ja ajaminen oli mahdotonta. Tiedossa oli jälleen hidas ja kova päivä kun työntämistä oli muutenkin tulossa Happy River Stepseissä.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Raskaan alkupäivän jälkeen pääsin ajamaan leveää väylää joka oli ajettu jollakin isolla koneella. Kyseessä on reitti kaivosalueelle joka poikkeaa vasemmalle varsinaiselta Iditarod-reitiltä. Renkaiden jäljistä päätellen moni muukin oli ajanut sitä joten ajattelin että ilmeisesti sitäkin kautta pääsisi ja nopeammin. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Reitti laskeutui Skwentna-joelle johon nopea osuus päättyi. Joella tuuli kävi päälle täydellä voimalla ja reitti oli täysin kinostunut. Näin gps:ltä että joelta oli noustava takaisin varsinaiselle reitille.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Vaikka Happy River Stepsin mäet ovat jyrkkiä niin siellä pääsi vihdoin hiukan tuulelta suojaan.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Vielä alkuillastakin tuuli kävi kovana aukeilla alueilla. Jussi ja Petr Ineman olivat lähietäisyydellä.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Loppuillasta tuuli vihdoin tyyntyi ja Puntilla Lakeen saavuin pimeyden juuri laskeuduttua.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Takana oli jälleen hidas ja raskas päivä. Päätin nukkua koko yön Puntillassa sillä olin varsin uupunut ja seuraavana päivänä vuorossa olisi Alaska Range vuoriston ylitys Rainy Passin kautta ja tiedossa saattaisi jälleen olla raskasta ja myrskyistä keliä. Ajoitus Puntillaan oli täydellinen koska tiesin että pääsen seuraavana päivänä näkemään mahtipontisen Rainy Passin vihdoinkin valoisaan aikaan!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Puntillaan on rakennettu uusi mökki jossa söin tuttuun tapaan pari säilykepurkillista chili con carnea ja lisäksi nuudeleita ennen nukkumaan menoa. Aamulla sää oli edelleen poutainen ja tyyni, pakkasta vähän päälle -20. Reitti nousee loivasti pitkän matkaa kohti Ptarmigan Valley laaksoa. Alkumatkasta näin yksinäisen ketun. Sen jälkeen tuuli yltyi ja oli pian taas myrskylukemissa mutta pitkän nousun jälkeen myrsky hellitti.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Laakson jälkeen tuuli tyyntyi lähes täysin ja sää oli loistelias Rainy Passin huipulle. Pakkasta oli edelleen noin -20. Maisemat olivat huikeat!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Laskeutuminen Rainy Passista oli vähintäänkin yhtä huikea kokemus kuin sinne nouseminen.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Laskun jälkeen oli edessä vielä Dalzell Gorge joka on myös upea ja jylhä paikka.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Näin myös suden jälkiä jotka olivat valtavan kokoisia!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Saavuin Rohnin checkpointtiin alkuillasta. Viimeiset mailit tuntuivat ennen Rohnia, kuten muitakin checkpointteja lähestyessä, pitkiltä ja uuvuttavilta. Rohnissa oli kylmä, -25, mutta pääsin lämpimään telttaan syömään bratwurst-hotdogeja.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Nukuin ensimmäistä kertaa teltassa kun aikaisempina vuosina oli bivittänyt ulkona, mutta vain muutaman tunnin koska olin päättänyt lähteä jo yöllä sillä Nikolaihin on pitkä matka, 72 mailia (~116 km). Heräsin jo puolilta öin kun Rohniin tuli lisää muita kisaajia.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Edessä oli siis pitkä Farewell Burnin erämaa. Jotain uutta tuli sielläkin kun alkuosuus oli ajettava pimeässä. Yö oli kylmä, pakkasta oli reilut -30 astetta mutta reitti oli nopeassa kunnossa. Noin kylmässä on kuitenkin vaikeaa ajaa kovin nopeasti ja hengittäminen alkoi tuntumaan raskaammalta kuin aikaisemmin. Tiesin että joudun todennäköisesti bivittämään jossain vaiheessa aamulla. Aamulla pakkasta oli -33. Nukuin tarkoituksellisesti vain tunnin verran.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Söin ja jatkoin matkaa mutta bivittämisen jälkeen hengittäminen tuntui vieläkin raskaammalta ja ihmettelin missä oli vika. Henki ei kulkenut kunnolla ja jouduin ajamaan hitaammin.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Lähellä Sullivan Creekiä Jim McDonough (350 mailin kisaaja) otti minut kiinni ja ajelimme yhtä matkaa. Täytin termospulloni joesta mutta myöhemmin pullon korkki jäätyi pulloon kiinni.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Aika pian meidät ohitti kolme moottorikelkkailijaa. Reitti oli Sullivan Creekistä eteenpäin muutenkin selvästi lumisempi ja pehmeämpi ja kelkat tuhosivat sen vähäisenkin kantavuuden. Paikoitellen pystyi ajamaan matalalla paineella mutta paljon oli talutetteva. Matkaa Nikolaihin oli vielä reilut 20 mailia.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Jossain vaiheessa jäin Jimin kyydistä kun jäin lisäämään renkaisiin ilmaa. Näytti siltä että reitti kantaisi aavistuksen paremmin vaikka lumen koostumus oli jotenkin kummallinen ja ajaminen oli hyin tahmeaa. Tässä vaiheessa myös minipumppuni muovinen suutin hajosi. Pystyin vielä käyttämään pumppua mutta se oli hankalampaa ja hitaampaa.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Yritin pimeyden laskeuduttua ajaa kovempaa mutta hengästyin ja väsyin niin kovin että jouduin välillä taluttamaan ja myös pitämään lyhyitä hengähdystaukoja. Univaje alkoi myös käymään päälle mikä ei sinänsä ollut ihme.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Viimeiset 10 mailia Nikolaihin tuntuvat ikuisuudelta ja yhtenä syynä on se että sekä 10 että 5 mailin merkkitaulut eivät pidä paikkaansa. 5 mailia on todellisuudessa 7 mailia. Olin tässä vaiheessa jo niin väsynyt että yritin pysyä hereillä taluttamalla mutta silti minun piti pysähdellä välillä ja laskin pääni ohjaustankoa vasten. Olin kuitenkin päättänyt vetää Nikolaihin asti ilman bivittäistä koska matkaa ei kuitenkaan ollut enää niin paljoa. Väsyneenä nuo mailit Nikolaihin ovat käsittämättömän uuvuttavat ja pitkät kun siellä vuorottelee monta pitkää aukeaa lyhyillä metsäosuuksilla. Viimeisellä kahdella maililla olin jo niin poikki että hallusinoin. Viimeisellä metsäosuudella luulin näkeväni polun reunassa pienen mökin jonka seinällä oli pinottu polttopuuta.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Pääsin vihdoin Nikolaihin keskiyöllä ja checkpointin vapaaehtoistyöntekijä David Frearson otti minut lämpimästi vastaan. Gps-palleron seuraaminen oli selvästi ollut hiukan huolestuttavaa.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Nikolain checkpoint on kunnantalossa ja siellä on tarjolla hyvin ruokaa, itse tehtyjä hampurilaisia ja jopa salaattia. Söin ennen nukkumaan menoa kaksi hampurilaista ja aamulla lisää.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Pidin Nikolaissa pidemmän tauon (n. 17 tuntia) koska yskiminen tuntui sen verran pahalta ja keuhkot selvästi tarvitsivat nyt enemmän elpymisaikaa. Tilanne ulkona ei tässä tilanteessa tuntunut myöskään kovin houkuttelevalta.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Nikolaissa oli läppäri josta näki Trackleadersin seurannan ja pystyi näkemään muiden vauhdin, tai hitauden, kohti McGrathia. Näytti siltä että alkumatka oli monella ollut taluttamista mutta sen jälkeen pystyi pääsääntöisesti ajamaan. Lähdin kohti McGrathia iltapäivällä.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Lumisade jatkui myöhään iltaan asti eikä loppunut täysin edes yölläkään. Ajaminen sujui kuitenkin paremmin kuin odotin. Edelleen hitaasti mutta hengittäminen tuntui toimivan sentään hiukan paremmin.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Pysähdyin bivittämään yöllä reitin reunaan. Makuupussiin päästyäni hengittäminen tuntui erittäin raskaalta ja jokainen hengenveto vinkui kuin viimeistä päivää. Ihmettelin tilannetta suuresti. Olin makuulla ja levossa! Yritin silti hengittää mahdollisimman rauhallisesti ja olla panikoimatta. Yskin välillä lähes kontrolloimattomasti. Vähitellen sain hengityksen rauhoittumaan mutta olin tilanteesta hiukan peloissani.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Samoihin aikoihin Nikolain suunnasta paikalle tuli moottorikelkkailija kovalla vauhdilla. Hän jäi jumiin lumihankeen mutta kertoi säikähtäneensä kun näki minut. Sanoin että voisin muuten tulla auttamaan mutta hengittämisen kanssa on sen verran vaikeuksia että on parempi vielä pitää taukoa. Vähän myöhemmin kelkkailijan kaverit tulivat perästä ja vetivät hänet irti hangesta.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Ajatus oli bivittää vain joitakin tunteja mutta keuhkojen tilanne tuntui siltä että parempi yrittää nukkua aamuun asti.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Aamulla Rebecca Rusch saapui paikalle miehensä kanssa. Kerroin tilanteestani ja Rebecca kertoi että minulla olisi selvästi hengitystieinfektio ja makuuasennossa nesteet valuvat keuhkoihin ja pahentavat tilannetta.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Päivän aikana sää kirkastui mutta reitti oli lumisateen jäljiltä erittäin hidas ja raskas. Ajamaankin pystyi mutta vauhti oli luokkaa 5-6 km/h.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"Normaalisti", mikä sitten täällä onkaan normaalia, McGrathiin ajaminen vie 10-12 tuntia (48 mailia / ~80 km). Nyt siihen meni vajaat kaksi päivää! Mielessäni pyöri että miksi tulla tänne, selvästi maailman kovimpaan talvikisaan jossa jo toistamiseen tulin sairaaksi?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Viimeiset 10 mailia McGrathiin olivat jälleen äärimmäisen hitaat mutta selvisin perille myöhään illalla.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">McGrathiin pääsy (aikaa meni peräti 7 päivää ja 8 tuntia) tuntui toki helpottavalta mutta olin turhautunut ja pettynyt. Oli selvää että joudun pitämään pidemmän tauon koska ei ollut mitään järkeä jatkaa siinä kunnossa missä olin.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>...to be continued...</i></span></div>
Toni Lundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05842467508604261945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3788486177697080103.post-59438223385275407842018-07-22T19:39:00.000+03:002018-07-22T19:39:25.055+03:00New bike: custom Kona Dew FS allroad / adventure rig<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bikes are my passion. They have always been. I pretty much live in the 'n+1' concept. The bike industry brings something new every year and lately there has been certainly something I have wanted, a more capable gravel / allroad bike. I like to explore small, rugged gravel and forest roads and for my liking, 700X40C tires are just not enough every time. Sure, I could pick up 29+ bike or even fatbike, but sometimes there are some longer, paved transitional sections to those gravel and forest roads so a well rolling and faster bike makes a lot of sense. I have built several new roadplus bikes at work, like <a href="http://konaworld.com/platform_rove.cfm" target="_blank">Kona NRB bikes</a>. 650BX47 roadplus tires or even slightly wider tires have looked like the right size for my needs. However, I can't afford a complete new bike at the moment. But living the 'n+1' syndrome often means that there are some old parts in the garage. So, I found a brand new <a href="http://2011.konaworld.com/bike.cfm?content=dew_fs" target="_blank">2011 Kona Dew FS frame</a> from Kona's warehouse and the plan was ready: build a completely custom allroad bike. A bit of inspiration came from my co-worker who had built a Dew Drop as a roadplus bike.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There were several things I wanted to achieve with this bike project:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- build a very unique bike</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- re-use the old parts and save money</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- build the wheelset myself</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- ability to run largest possible tires that the frame accepts</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- front dynamo hub for USB charging</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- white/blue Suomi-Finland color theme</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After several late evenings building the bike after work, and building the wheels during the midsummer, the mission was accomplished. Here is the summary of the process. All the photos where shot at Hanko coast, the southernmost point of Finland:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRwt_FcylPbWWDMdbi4UICskdfMJZJMhHQs2yN65lVk4NVDs947WyYpSVV6T6UYdMoV33ooY014vbJah8Wpt871Lq6g2jtlvEX49dTrg_jJro4dC23GmYNaIQ-ceoXOOB3EiS2nQzo2yKH/s1600/01-DSC_6966.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="678" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRwt_FcylPbWWDMdbi4UICskdfMJZJMhHQs2yN65lVk4NVDs947WyYpSVV6T6UYdMoV33ooY014vbJah8Wpt871Lq6g2jtlvEX49dTrg_jJro4dC23GmYNaIQ-ceoXOOB3EiS2nQzo2yKH/s1024/01-DSC_6966.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Something new and something old. New: Ritchey Comp VentureMax 42cm handlebar, very comfortable and spot-on tuck and top positions. Old: Shimano 105 STI 8-speed gear/brake levers:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3BSmKd7Gwnie6RpcQsdyFnNwLdzTvD9eLQnn2KPZak8PaDaZzFD9Sk5Xx9lORJ5hMc5ayBcmGEJDlCorQmCu-zlnjNKEDLLZgfUuOYBS_eMcQpT4SoH8mKbKWJbZGXhnSYQ5iBaxnwJpW/s1600/03-DSC_6972.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="678" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3BSmKd7Gwnie6RpcQsdyFnNwLdzTvD9eLQnn2KPZak8PaDaZzFD9Sk5Xx9lORJ5hMc5ayBcmGEJDlCorQmCu-zlnjNKEDLLZgfUuOYBS_eMcQpT4SoH8mKbKWJbZGXhnSYQ5iBaxnwJpW/s1024/03-DSC_6972.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkDqLn-HMaE10KDBGgYOQYOpnXkZddDuyj_xyEH8PM7MuCIPaxfqnw0WLucVLzjA9lRTU3bjkiU185UD3TvmRxKVGcFqRZU2_Ee1PQQF53r_PtVAX3oHiJPgeRDcGUek_nudJQoKGa2wvi/s1600/02-DSC_6996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="678" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkDqLn-HMaE10KDBGgYOQYOpnXkZddDuyj_xyEH8PM7MuCIPaxfqnw0WLucVLzjA9lRTU3bjkiU185UD3TvmRxKVGcFqRZU2_Ee1PQQF53r_PtVAX3oHiJPgeRDcGUek_nudJQoKGa2wvi/s1024/02-DSC_6996.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Handlebar tape is Lizard Skins DSP 3.2mm, definitely best looking and most comfortable tape out there:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwqYG29REtQkwYj_d50DwQsAfiJATOF6Nw4BoANR56CrcFkXboyYwt0Jou8cfctcYtqTUQwn5Otvj3mojicfwyihagcgBFDhM9nYqp3gMY9sLaCzNhRBBUtrl38FMaTblfzkwad66m_hZ5/s1600/15-DSC_7021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="678" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwqYG29REtQkwYj_d50DwQsAfiJATOF6Nw4BoANR56CrcFkXboyYwt0Jou8cfctcYtqTUQwn5Otvj3mojicfwyihagcgBFDhM9nYqp3gMY9sLaCzNhRBBUtrl38FMaTblfzkwad66m_hZ5/s1024/15-DSC_7021.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx7i3hJBYLOYZfTCNcvugc5KaQ3lj73-1Oh3iR08irgmreZiD3zxAT6Ci1hBd20KrDZj75RQgJ08ovoj9vj9nuTbfYQSCy7jXJzLlabSvFoPeTVQj5byb6EVU4SSG08JDYk5QePSl98F86/s1600/14-DSC_6997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="678" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx7i3hJBYLOYZfTCNcvugc5KaQ3lj73-1Oh3iR08irgmreZiD3zxAT6Ci1hBd20KrDZj75RQgJ08ovoj9vj9nuTbfYQSCy7jXJzLlabSvFoPeTVQj5byb6EVU4SSG08JDYk5QePSl98F86/s1024/14-DSC_6997.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thomson Elite Setback seatpost has been my favourite on my fatbikes over the years so it was a natural choice. Kona saddle from the original Wo build:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFNSKbtXvHXMDmGDhE4YVszH2y2vC27Z0GXj5lc3gAn12Rmy3UE-f-E69WUQlPkjHLkHIUUZ4XNQWjW4ifZmwncBXa4mmYUOZnUUOwO-aL4xagGPsmVUq308qstl2SfKLlrpzy2s20i5Iu/s1600/04-DSC_6975.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFNSKbtXvHXMDmGDhE4YVszH2y2vC27Z0GXj5lc3gAn12Rmy3UE-f-E69WUQlPkjHLkHIUUZ4XNQWjW4ifZmwncBXa4mmYUOZnUUOwO-aL4xagGPsmVUq308qstl2SfKLlrpzy2s20i5Iu/s1024/04-DSC_6975.JPG" width="678" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO-bou7IZciRS6JMwjUkPA0i7IoJiVUPIzupV6VQgy_Vb8MXLmxZxcWgwuoqQnj71xxNrdlEYCQYzXPO2zJW-M57WSKVi7Vg_UuBeqeEzMashSm8u7B5f2p9xn3lC5U4LB3TaoE0Evt7xw/s1600/05-DSC_6985.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO-bou7IZciRS6JMwjUkPA0i7IoJiVUPIzupV6VQgy_Vb8MXLmxZxcWgwuoqQnj71xxNrdlEYCQYzXPO2zJW-M57WSKVi7Vg_UuBeqeEzMashSm8u7B5f2p9xn3lC5U4LB3TaoE0Evt7xw/s1024/05-DSC_6985.JPG" width="678" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Seatpost clamp is by Kona and came with the frame:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNCS9J2mI0Ymc6oLz7zVsTw5II9Qc3FpmHxgx1dczwKUFDAVVihrFg5L3BnVBia5Du6u0VMmGJWpYat7GTpd5zrkGC8r-8kIwx-3mLlVP-Yi24DVAqfenaoCW6dDMepLYMJdvSygeSZywj/s1600/17-DSC_7000.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="678" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNCS9J2mI0Ymc6oLz7zVsTw5II9Qc3FpmHxgx1dczwKUFDAVVihrFg5L3BnVBia5Du6u0VMmGJWpYat7GTpd5zrkGC8r-8kIwx-3mLlVP-Yi24DVAqfenaoCW6dDMepLYMJdvSygeSZywj/s1024/17-DSC_7000.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Same goes with the stem which is Thomson Elite X4, 90mm +/-10°, slammed as -10° as as low as possible to get better top position:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmuemhUyqMqOKYRsQjCMyjCe-TO3cfwceVKYjoxkol5Jpbd1GhEyurLoHTD1vA6s8QBXS8H0LsjmtB8BFiVw5ucOY0awRAimEPOq-KXYUoC7K1AEX291U5oGuHCfYMXxfTPQs0ggBZZvdW/s1600/07-DSC_6978.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="678" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmuemhUyqMqOKYRsQjCMyjCe-TO3cfwceVKYjoxkol5Jpbd1GhEyurLoHTD1vA6s8QBXS8H0LsjmtB8BFiVw5ucOY0awRAimEPOq-KXYUoC7K1AEX291U5oGuHCfYMXxfTPQs0ggBZZvdW/s1024/07-DSC_6978.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrlJq2WRpUgt7b8ypVuBrLZWLFZvMgHMPapS6TRxarOj90aRdEw-5jGa4LISdiol7ZAmQY-rJWU-q-yqwRFMss44o_9NwVUr0EqkerShyphenhyphenI5wkHDDh1gthilZIv2ejG059TKT794jJyU78L/s1600/08-DSC_7020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="678" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrlJq2WRpUgt7b8ypVuBrLZWLFZvMgHMPapS6TRxarOj90aRdEw-5jGa4LISdiol7ZAmQY-rJWU-q-yqwRFMss44o_9NwVUr0EqkerShyphenhyphenI5wkHDDh1gthilZIv2ejG059TKT794jJyU78L/s1024/08-DSC_7020.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The headtop is pretty massive at 18cm, Kona's metallic head badge is very nice:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWtHjHKDF_uaHl7LtANQWoT31wqBPABdHJxtUa_aijok7UTeovDe07l1gJV0wQzdqxUNukLao-2o1S3EoCHrerw2Qb1zdM96-VP-CyMKMtNaJ1aFPY-9cTTXtZdUMnVla5QjfKjUu8C7sy/s1600/09-DSC_6979.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWtHjHKDF_uaHl7LtANQWoT31wqBPABdHJxtUa_aijok7UTeovDe07l1gJV0wQzdqxUNukLao-2o1S3EoCHrerw2Qb1zdM96-VP-CyMKMtNaJ1aFPY-9cTTXtZdUMnVla5QjfKjUu8C7sy/s1024/09-DSC_6979.JPG" width="678" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Power transmission: Shimano Deore 175mm triple crankset (smallest chainring removed) with Hollowtech bottom bracket, Shimano Tiagra rear derailleur from the old parts, Shimano HG-93 XT 9-speed chain (8-speed in the picture, 9-speed is MUCH smoother!), Shimano Ultegra 6703 triple front derailleur with Problem Solvers adapter:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxelFLAtUoNUIWsr61KmnifcebAXD86Rwq52uOmDGTsM4Cn_-ZSH7uUED6H3YCMzIQtunQnyyY4ImJ_6KAy3VUfEKclR3t0R7PkLgsakZoX2BDQP47ROTTM2aEK_6Igq5mUucpwEsTW9rR/s1600/19-DSC_7007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="678" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxelFLAtUoNUIWsr61KmnifcebAXD86Rwq52uOmDGTsM4Cn_-ZSH7uUED6H3YCMzIQtunQnyyY4ImJ_6KAy3VUfEKclR3t0R7PkLgsakZoX2BDQP47ROTTM2aEK_6Igq5mUucpwEsTW9rR/s1024/19-DSC_7007.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOZ7dtCPg8JYLLeXHBXZyOjM6B_ZVA3bK73q3mOXo-LYiJvtfhIxf_hRLkE6k7ETlhxrJyuzt3yXXZMLBz9_pFrL7KlCYnKRbJe_erVLO-WipX_Fi1d_qNjLX7zuKgAmMxHb58IYPRkXiY/s1600/20-DSC_6982.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="678" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOZ7dtCPg8JYLLeXHBXZyOjM6B_ZVA3bK73q3mOXo-LYiJvtfhIxf_hRLkE6k7ETlhxrJyuzt3yXXZMLBz9_pFrL7KlCYnKRbJe_erVLO-WipX_Fi1d_qNjLX7zuKgAmMxHb58IYPRkXiY/s1024/20-DSC_6982.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM65kcEHdjHqnOOKmz6EyFF2npmntv_QSzB5XQZKlNeu__pfKsUOKjRPD8o-0T1RMV4TnOuYIdaDxpC_XAYG2PZnq3nhawRciLLIH6SjHa-Rpy04JHKX5rjyAc2N-GT_EqtkymnabtXPWG/s1600/21-DSC_7009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="678" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM65kcEHdjHqnOOKmz6EyFF2npmntv_QSzB5XQZKlNeu__pfKsUOKjRPD8o-0T1RMV4TnOuYIdaDxpC_XAYG2PZnq3nhawRciLLIH6SjHa-Rpy04JHKX5rjyAc2N-GT_EqtkymnabtXPWG/s1024/21-DSC_7009.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then to the wheels, starting with the hubs. For the first time for me, I'm using a dynamo hub. It's Shimano DH-3D32-QR:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii5otSBTeWnPblBtA2aIanvBKOLoIBOuGfUMohjVctHWX0VJ_QGOu8vZwfAuvWo1Vv3AfDrLkQofP7xx1_O_bjkKG7SkrTvDZj1v1QtI1-WhoYPkCSaLsN6wWMYF8aCh98LViq3ZhHSjvF/s1600/12-DSC_6990.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="678" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii5otSBTeWnPblBtA2aIanvBKOLoIBOuGfUMohjVctHWX0VJ_QGOu8vZwfAuvWo1Vv3AfDrLkQofP7xx1_O_bjkKG7SkrTvDZj1v1QtI1-WhoYPkCSaLsN6wWMYF8aCh98LViq3ZhHSjvF/s1024/12-DSC_6990.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The rear hubs is reliable Shimano XT 756A:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTs3guOzs_xnQFqD7bLeokz88NOwTjuYzmC2wfuRkGL3p-qV3iJNTf3mixOeXZDFbgKfNsa0Lfam1IiYA5jw7qDbwkrvwaH33JB2k9Gkg3CYOZEXAVhll327oKziObq0IRxOS_rExUHgSF/s1600/11-DSC_6988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="678" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTs3guOzs_xnQFqD7bLeokz88NOwTjuYzmC2wfuRkGL3p-qV3iJNTf3mixOeXZDFbgKfNsa0Lfam1IiYA5jw7qDbwkrvwaH33JB2k9Gkg3CYOZEXAVhll327oKziObq0IRxOS_rExUHgSF/s1024/11-DSC_6988.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The front dynamo hub required 36-hole rim. Not many rim choices for 27.5 so I ended up with NoTubes Arch MK3, 36 spokes front, 32 spokes rear. Spokes are DT Champion and DT brass nipples:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhicR39-dXgSjWGJKk3PAcBJ8eXcBlzQmng00L_KgXvCiEmq9W4Y7KXZ0NSGQIVMjbhjwFthTCIG0iY2RXGKabnhSF3s4YQ3F4nw6jO4XnH3S_h4P-xgWrVqt_5f26LAH12KbI6mNd1qF8i/s1600/24-DSC_7029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="678" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhicR39-dXgSjWGJKk3PAcBJ8eXcBlzQmng00L_KgXvCiEmq9W4Y7KXZ0NSGQIVMjbhjwFthTCIG0iY2RXGKabnhSF3s4YQ3F4nw6jO4XnH3S_h4P-xgWrVqt_5f26LAH12KbI6mNd1qF8i/s1024/24-DSC_7029.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tires are Schwalbe Thunder Burt Evolution SnakeSkin TL-Easy 2017 27.5 x 2.10 / 584-54, set up as tubeless with Muc-Off NoPuncture sealent. These tires are fast as I have averaged 30-31 km/h on my 40 km commuting route!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFKgmMhWJk-yjmhLOcAlC_7U8agdYoBi6s2FdRorwBhh9DFU7QlpMv5MoW5wJDczghhGR5hlG3vpUwwlQfcERGensM295yK50BpYVKDAYYsV8TbpuJ_xVL3N_odQNBJsfghg3SIcn6CeZB/s1600/18-DSC_7004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="678" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFKgmMhWJk-yjmhLOcAlC_7U8agdYoBi6s2FdRorwBhh9DFU7QlpMv5MoW5wJDczghhGR5hlG3vpUwwlQfcERGensM295yK50BpYVKDAYYsV8TbpuJ_xVL3N_odQNBJsfghg3SIcn6CeZB/s1024/18-DSC_7004.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">WTB TCS tubeless valves, in blue color of course:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP7OXMtgTBkJWMYsXLf_ULuLq4bEW8M9-F3_BActZAAF1IWvL888DqmGAPDR99Hn_VQPERNovMO7bUukDAqroUzBfZdkNboI6z5woz_uqbghsr-k75g_1tpGg8sRhdz2WNyB0ah3LbX7PP/s1600/23-DSC_6984.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="678" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP7OXMtgTBkJWMYsXLf_ULuLq4bEW8M9-F3_BActZAAF1IWvL888DqmGAPDR99Hn_VQPERNovMO7bUukDAqroUzBfZdkNboI6z5woz_uqbghsr-k75g_1tpGg8sRhdz2WNyB0ah3LbX7PP/s1024/23-DSC_6984.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Brakes are Hayes CX Expert (originally on my Kona Rove ST 2015) with Hayes rotors:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj8F68COPgGG2o_MioFjAi3aZtrootDqqfLtrE5sq2jx_AOhxllGJrk3NLUwlJLYZJDmgdNJye4xRjZpWZid4x6s8AO5GFEKJtTCwEFIoMLcLAnTv0KgHO1WqMJggrKVuP5sC14yK4RLVp/s1600/13-DSC_6993.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="678" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj8F68COPgGG2o_MioFjAi3aZtrootDqqfLtrE5sq2jx_AOhxllGJrk3NLUwlJLYZJDmgdNJye4xRjZpWZid4x6s8AO5GFEKJtTCwEFIoMLcLAnTv0KgHO1WqMJggrKVuP5sC14yK4RLVp/s1024/13-DSC_6993.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All cables and housing are from Jagwire:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXCMJ9O-PyukvELmGD5FmfAKnW4KItRkYXllNP3C3vEaycYDcSLDph_Ea10a7t-2YqOjToQIB2DFJoT00UZxEEx_ZPMUDzj8NX0zfdJDc7iWB0Em-3IjLm_FAAV-ioCp_iZzngyExDR4TF/s1600/22-DSC_7011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="678" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXCMJ9O-PyukvELmGD5FmfAKnW4KItRkYXllNP3C3vEaycYDcSLDph_Ea10a7t-2YqOjToQIB2DFJoT00UZxEEx_ZPMUDzj8NX0zfdJDc7iWB0Em-3IjLm_FAAV-ioCp_iZzngyExDR4TF/s1024/22-DSC_7011.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Top tube is protect-taped from frame bags:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTN2hY9uBMzxEJzZnQ1dcFL7Edak7RiVFzOiaXs7MhP0WNZcDzecrifkPt8VIVFNDp3uCWjlOp37260Abbg2NZ6fYgUKLvhaxIacW-zra-GCZD-_UaCDoRdSWrAGFlWxijbzEmfM-ZHQJd/s1600/16-DSC_6999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="678" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTN2hY9uBMzxEJzZnQ1dcFL7Edak7RiVFzOiaXs7MhP0WNZcDzecrifkPt8VIVFNDp3uCWjlOp37260Abbg2NZ6fYgUKLvhaxIacW-zra-GCZD-_UaCDoRdSWrAGFlWxijbzEmfM-ZHQJd/s1024/16-DSC_6999.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The front fork is one of the many Kona P2 forks and I painted it myself. The complete build looks very good indeed:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNaWOZv-KkYRpNnJu_MdVRk_EdMHZr4jtJYXKH8PQn5tmjLx_NZHSFmNyf1Ls2naIFOE9cHzeRQfltVYMeDjq8klI6mFl1d3tvSwjdx3ax_EC-6onJxCW69iXLslbUSQ2L7B47ErWgRJeV/s1600/25-DSC_7012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="678" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNaWOZv-KkYRpNnJu_MdVRk_EdMHZr4jtJYXKH8PQn5tmjLx_NZHSFmNyf1Ls2naIFOE9cHzeRQfltVYMeDjq8klI6mFl1d3tvSwjdx3ax_EC-6onJxCW69iXLslbUSQ2L7B47ErWgRJeV/s1024/25-DSC_7012.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-xH5hg5i1Z3FhTuj9O8IO0Uxo2GZhWTlWHt_WrGvb8Vda1ef1TKf_At5cUy2kN9sQJNb0vLjsvpGL0YSRdFGTMaC-aou3VVq35iQhZQVQX1ny2xmmpaFsyNDDrUMvI1Dh4mtX9grVCeWq/s1600/26-DSC_7014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="678" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-xH5hg5i1Z3FhTuj9O8IO0Uxo2GZhWTlWHt_WrGvb8Vda1ef1TKf_At5cUy2kN9sQJNb0vLjsvpGL0YSRdFGTMaC-aou3VVq35iQhZQVQX1ny2xmmpaFsyNDDrUMvI1Dh4mtX9grVCeWq/s1024/26-DSC_7014.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The bottom bracket sits pretty low at 26cm. It's too low for trail riding but this bike is surprisingly fast on all roads, and that is really the main purpose. This bike will see different setups with bikepacking bags and other adventure equipment. I'm pretty excited for future allroad adventures with this bike!</span></div>Toni Lundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05842467508604261945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3788486177697080103.post-46370623497062371092018-01-29T15:17:00.000+02:002018-01-29T15:17:05.382+02:00Scandinavian Outdoor<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Vuonna 2015 osallistuin ensimmäisenä suomalaisena Iditarod Trail Invitational 350 mailin kisaan Alaskassa. Silloin yhteistyökumppanit olivat kaikki ulkomailta. 1000 mailin kisaan olen myös lähdössä ensimmäisenä suomalaisena. Tällä kertaa kisa tulee olemaan huomattavasti vaativampi. On todella hienoa että olen saanut mukaan myös suomalaisia yhteistyökumppaneita ja niistä uusin on <a href="https://scandinavianoutdoor.fi/asiakaspalvelu/#yritysinfo" target="_blank">Scandinavian Outdoor.</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiroeq7OL7MNMj6dSJhWfz32I2YX5jawQspY-6rllbyzpXKiszypPWm5Kql9QqExr8bNs-a8BVYC8qMnN2yzhDnb64lQHC0XoUyMyKGselwaSMPF36ezb9p-PledKKLvdD8ukjZwlsffty6/s1600/scandinavian-outdoor-leather-logo-fi-1000px.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="702" data-original-width="1000" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiroeq7OL7MNMj6dSJhWfz32I2YX5jawQspY-6rllbyzpXKiszypPWm5Kql9QqExr8bNs-a8BVYC8qMnN2yzhDnb64lQHC0XoUyMyKGselwaSMPF36ezb9p-PledKKLvdD8ukjZwlsffty6/s640/scandinavian-outdoor-leather-logo-fi-1000px.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<linkki yritysesittelyyn=""><t -logo="" h="" n="" outdoor="" scandinavian=""></t></linkki><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Scandinavian Outdoor on täysin suomalainen ulkoilualan huippuosaaja joka merkittävällä tavalla auttaa minua tavoitteessani päästä 1000 mailin kisan kuuluisaan maaliin, Nomeen, 'Burled Arch'in alle, joka on sama kuin Iditarod Sled Dog Race -koiravaljakkokisassa. Tulen kirjoittamaan Scandinavian Outdoorin #elämääulkona blogiin valmistautumisestani ja kisasta reissun jälkeen.</span></div>
Toni Lundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05842467508604261945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3788486177697080103.post-49581467796012537002017-12-08T01:38:00.000+02:002017-12-08T01:38:02.823+02:00Winter training in Pyhä-Luosto<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here are some photos from February 2017 when I was training in Kemijärvi and Pyhä-Luosto. As you can see, it's truly a paradise for winter fatbiking!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB7aCJpZPHg4tIDCZ8kjuGCfcv7-jGgQrBFG4oTLXYYwLg179RcopLtlVJGTUEk-iUDo-BbeBGuyosb92rFw2P2LrDduZKD-0G4FMSZEXqex0byLfQI30w771iC-1w-9xt7NgS7GlWRZ5x/s1600/IMG_7418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="768" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB7aCJpZPHg4tIDCZ8kjuGCfcv7-jGgQrBFG4oTLXYYwLg179RcopLtlVJGTUEk-iUDo-BbeBGuyosb92rFw2P2LrDduZKD-0G4FMSZEXqex0byLfQI30w771iC-1w-9xt7NgS7GlWRZ5x/s1024/IMG_7418.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
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</div>Toni Lundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05842467508604261945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3788486177697080103.post-18412407604129104342017-11-11T20:33:00.001+02:002017-11-11T21:29:16.608+02:00Trans Finlandia - English version<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Translation by Lasse Räsänen.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">My
cycling career started in a more serious fashion in 1997 as I joined
a local cycling club called Pyörä-68. I had been primarily inspired
by watching pro cycling on Eurosport since 1993, when the Tour de
France was dominated by the legendary Miguel Indurain. In addition to
him, Tony Rominger impressed me thoroughly. True gentlemen, the both
of them. After a couple of years of systematic training I was far
from happy about my results, and realized I just simply did not have
enough strength and speed. My life started to change in the 2000's
but I didn't stop cycling. Instead I started to go for longer
distances and mountain biking, where I got into 24h solo racing.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fast
forward to the 2010's, I got interested by bikepacking and winter
cycling as fatbikes became available. Winter races seemed to suit me
quite well, as I came close to winning the Rovaniemi 150 in 2014. The
next year I became the first Finn to take part in the Iditarod Trail
Invitational in Alaska on the 350 mile course. The ITI has remained
the peak of my career so far.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">On
that same year, 2015, I also took part in the Levi24 race, where I
fought my way through to finish second, despite having a slight flue.
However my mind was searching for a new challenge for the following
summer. At the same time the idea of returning to road cycling
emerged. The 24 hour race concept is great, but after experiencing it
on several occasions I saw no reason to do the same on a road bike,
which ruled out, for instance, a race called Ratareisi. 24 hours on a
road bike would be so easy it couldn't really surprise or move me
that much. In general, after the ITI all Finnish races seemed a tad
too easy, apart from the Mammuttimarssi (Mammoth march) which is
nowadays called Synkkä syysunelma (a grim autumn dream).</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">My
initial plan for summer 2016 was a 1000 km ride from Turku to Levi,
with a support car. Figuring out the logistics and resources turned
out to be too laboursome, and the ride would have been too much about
just getting it done. During the 2010's my riding has been much more
about adventure. And so I gravitated towards a plan of a bikepacking
ride through the entire country of Finland, completely unsupported.
The self-evident starting point would be the Statue of freedom at the
southernmost point of Hanko, and my finish line would be the
Finnish-Norwegian border at Nuorgam. Depeding on the roads chosen I
would ride between 1440 and 1500 km. I got my inspiration for this
trip by the numerous brevets, randonneur and audax events and the
ultra distance road races that have been born out of these shorter
races, such as the Transcontinental Race in Europe and the Trans Am
Bike Race in the United states. Trans Finlandia had been in my mind,
in one form or another, for quite long.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I
set myself a somewhat ambitious goal: I wanted to ride Trans
Finlandia in 4 – 5 days and nights. As months passed by, this
started to look like a tough task, as I had only gathered 3200
kilometers before setting off. In addition the past year had been
grim: Mike Hall, a true legend of this genre of cycling, had been
killed in March while riding the Indian Pacific Wheel Race, struck by
a car. Bad news piled up as Eric Fishbein was also killed by a
motorist in the Trans Am Bike Race. News about what was going on in
Finnish traffic was not inspiring, either. It was clear this would be
the most dangerous ride thus far.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">One
problem with a long ride is that a couple of Euros won't take you all
the way. I, however, wanted to keep costs down as next winter's ITI
is my main goal. I wouldn't have to pay for accommodation, as I would
quite naturally sleep out every night with a bug net, sleeping pad,
sleeping bag and pillow. If it rained during the night, I would try
to find a basic form of shelter such as a barn, bus stop or
something. But traveling back home would inevitably cost something. A
bus ticket from Nuorgam to Rovaniemi alone would cost 95.50€. I got
lucky by finding a cost-saving night train ticket for the rest of the
way as it cost just 43,10€. I would be able to get affordable
nutrition and hydration from local shops, ABC fuel stations etc.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Towards
the end of my summer vacation I rode a couple of longer rides. I was
starting to feel hesitant about the project as these rides were not
entirely confidence-inspiring and the weather forecasts didn't look
too great, either. But dreams don't come true by surfing the web.
Trans Finlandia would make for great training and test my metal in
terms of the ITI challenge ahead. About half of the way through the
ride I would also be able to visit a place where I spent some time in
my childhood, during both summer and winter time. Martinniemi in
Haukiputaa was where my grandparents used to live and I wanted to
visit their old place for the first time in years. The opportunity to
do something like this are really rare. I would be riding in memoriam
of Mike, and in addition Finland is celebrating 100 years of
indepenence. With this background I thought ”now or never”, ”come
hell or high water”. My physical performance was not on the level I
wanted but I would be riding with the theme ”weak body, strong
mind”. I knew my head would not fail me, but could my body take it?</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I
chose to ride on my old road bike, a Ridley Excalibur from 2006, with
a 1998 Campagnolo Record group apart from the cranks, Capagnolo's
Khamsin wheels from 2006 and a <a href="https://www.bikeshop.fi/Profile-Design-T2-Aluminium-l/ekauppa/pPROFI00000380020/" target="_blank">Profile Design T2+ Aluminium</a> extra handle bar. I swapped the original 53 tooth chainring to a 50 tooth
Stronglight. As I was planning on making some sort of a ”record”
on this trip, I chose lightweight, minimalistic gear. A Porcelain
Rocket seat bag and Revelate Designs Gas Tank as well as a Jerrycan
and one Mountain Feedbag would be strapped to the bike. A small <a href="https://www.bikeshop.fi/Deuter-runkolaukku/ekauppa/pBG5682/" target="_blank">framebag made by Deuter</a> and 0.7 and 0.95 liter (<a href="https://www.bikeshop.fi/Elite-Juomapullo-Maxicorsa-950/ekauppa/pEL0102204/" target="_blank">Elite Maxicorsa</a>) bottles and
a pump would fill the frame triangle. I would be using a Lumicycle
Explorer light with the smaller battery, and a Planet Bike Superflash
at the rear. I chose to ride with <a href="https://www.bikeshop.fi/Continental-GP4000S-II-25-622/ekauppa/p0100945/" target="_blank">25 mm Continental GP4000S II</a> tires.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I
used a Garmin eTrex 30x for navigation and recording the route.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsSsy52TmC3VZx6sQYtxVoEI7PwmGIxB10lU1L7sDlxXrvDBj4XMHiUwQMt2zMHhr3jXK8Q7MQVWIdBwXf2oYlAvSh5FdubF0ZOzBM5I596VmcCznohgewGpZimZDvcswqLDjjKCJ8rQM-/s1600/20170623_155606.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsSsy52TmC3VZx6sQYtxVoEI7PwmGIxB10lU1L7sDlxXrvDBj4XMHiUwQMt2zMHhr3jXK8Q7MQVWIdBwXf2oYlAvSh5FdubF0ZOzBM5I596VmcCznohgewGpZimZDvcswqLDjjKCJ8rQM-/s1024/20170623_155606.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnPWBtZVXpb4rn_g3-K7MHvcfBN_J8_RAPSuOavqJkBHuubjbvqEubu0UKG_vQR4dKJPDxCY6FsG91jbYpvf8lMiIPt6-C0yAPokVB2FQTSeoLgpnTI5BSCsLaZe4quZrkHHRR_Z33hLqt/s1600/20170623_155617.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnPWBtZVXpb4rn_g3-K7MHvcfBN_J8_RAPSuOavqJkBHuubjbvqEubu0UKG_vQR4dKJPDxCY6FsG91jbYpvf8lMiIPt6-C0yAPokVB2FQTSeoLgpnTI5BSCsLaZe4quZrkHHRR_Z33hLqt/s1024/20170623_155617.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQK_YGiDrxbd0wQSvvq-eE23GEIjfzzvUFhosTonF-3HuSEdTiyu1e-bkCTAbOOeCF7YYC8mmkoRA4iRzEd7cvWCoecFSy7P2OHUi95S4BMhPNBOkeyNBgVGSAFi3HYyrSlpganuNFL3uY/s1600/20170623_155718.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQK_YGiDrxbd0wQSvvq-eE23GEIjfzzvUFhosTonF-3HuSEdTiyu1e-bkCTAbOOeCF7YYC8mmkoRA4iRzEd7cvWCoecFSy7P2OHUi95S4BMhPNBOkeyNBgVGSAFi3HYyrSlpganuNFL3uY/s1024/20170623_155718.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The
bags were just big enough to house all the gear:</span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiyFhrz9X6psC0kVb7FI2tIVE2T51qcadxIHDc11naEZn-a0Rq4MLsU1S0Fq_GOLdTQwvEcJuvmZiywJgDVTDq5ncdovnGqIPdtPOuFLhNBDjzBDZEzS0K0Q-OtIu_uTxhb4ZcEJkLHFKU/s1600/DSC_6237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="675" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiyFhrz9X6psC0kVb7FI2tIVE2T51qcadxIHDc11naEZn-a0Rq4MLsU1S0Fq_GOLdTQwvEcJuvmZiywJgDVTDq5ncdovnGqIPdtPOuFLhNBDjzBDZEzS0K0Q-OtIu_uTxhb4ZcEJkLHFKU/s1024/DSC_6237.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Gear list:</span><br />
<br />
- <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Marmot
Wave 0 50F/0C sleeping bag</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">-
Thermarest NeoAir XTherm sleeping pad</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">- Exped Air Pillow (large)</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">-
Sea To Summit Mosquito Net, single treaded 1 person</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">-
<a href="https://www.bikeshop.fi/Endura-MTR-Shell-Jacket/ekauppa/pENEM0053/" target="_blank">Endura
MTR s</a>hell jacket</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">-
Long sleeve jersey</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">-
2 kpl Rex Buffs</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">-
45NRTH Swiftwick Merino socks</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">-
Riding gloves</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">-
Spare tube</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">-
<a href="https://www.bikeshop.fi/Park-GP-2-pikapaikkarasia/ekauppa/pPT100523/" target="_blank">Park
Tool GP-2 Super Patch patch kit</a></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">-
<a href="https://www.bikeshop.fi/Park-AWS-10C-6-sarja/ekauppa/pPT100053/" target="_blank">Park
Tool AWS-10 hex key set</a></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">-
<a href="https://www.bikeshop.fi/Park-SW-0C-Puolausavain-musta/ekauppa/pPT101001/" target="_blank">Park
Tool SW-0C spoke tool</a></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">-
Leatherman Blast multitool</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">-
4 AA batteries</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">-
Small toothbrush and toothpaste</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">-
Samsung Galaxy S4 phone</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">-
GP PowerBank 10400mAh power bank</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">-
Charger and cable</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">-
Sport bars, gels and sport drink powder</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">-
Candy in the Mountain Feedbag</span></span></div>
-<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Revelate
Designs mini wallet for a credit card (carried in my jersey pocket)</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I
would be riding with a Merino wool <a href="https://www.bikeshop.fi/Kona-Base-Layer-Shirt/ekauppa/pKOBASESHIRT/" target="_blank">Kona Base Layer</a> shirt with a
windproof long sleeve Assos jersey, Assos bibs, Nalini knee warmers,
Woolsense socks and <a href="https://www.bikeshop.fi/Endura-MTR-Glove-II/ekauppa/pENEM0055/" target="_blank">Endura MTR Glove II</a> cycling gloves. My shoe of
choice is the fi'zi:k R5.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I
used <a href="http://www.ridewithgps.com/">www.ridewithgps.com</a>
and <a href="http://www.kurakartta.net/">www.kurakartta.net</a> for
routing. The latter enabled me to avoid gravel and mud roads.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I
had originally planned on leaving Hanko on Monday June 26<sup>th</sup>,
at about noon, but ended up starting Sunday June 25<sup>th</sup> in
the afternoon, to get a safety margin to the bus ride from Nuorgam as
long rides always give you some surprises that tend to slow you down.
Leaving on Sunday would give me a bit of wiggle room for the bus
leaving at 4:40 AM on Saturday July 1<sup>st</sup>. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I
was expecting to meet some Mid-summer day traffic but thought it
would probably get a bit easier towards the evening.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The
sun was shining in Hanko:</span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNTKx_CrWFn4_dzQqWUZ9mDedi7vkj_zeUCa5oLvLi9E-Bvk9LHY1PcuqRZ9NPhL2qwlZvXd40VdQgH_XIM_6AnwD5m_O1sEQHWmZa3iXQjodciwpqCw_x8yXqvWUWTiqAP_gh2aNYUpNL/s1600/20170625_135931.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNTKx_CrWFn4_dzQqWUZ9mDedi7vkj_zeUCa5oLvLi9E-Bvk9LHY1PcuqRZ9NPhL2qwlZvXd40VdQgH_XIM_6AnwD5m_O1sEQHWmZa3iXQjodciwpqCw_x8yXqvWUWTiqAP_gh2aNYUpNL/s1024/20170625_135931.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I
got a dream start from Hanko, as I had a great tail wind all the way
to Tammisaari. I was averaging around 35 km/h. The road was nice, as
the road shoulder was wide and there wasn't that much traffic. From
Tammisaari to Salo the wind was blowing quite hard from the side with
plenty of gusts. On this road the road shoulder was much narrower and
there was plenty of traffic. Riding here was a bit challenging at
times. In addition the road has some considerable hills.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I
had my first short snack break in Salo, and paid a visit to the local
shop. I carried on towards Somero, with the wind once again behind me
and the riding was great. I felt better and better, especially as I
would be passing the Torronsuo nature reserve where I had raced the
2015 Mammuttimarssi:</span></span></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrc2kSDnxPLAmWBJACtFOp0UoZfY2_p35yNvun1aUJtRLJ4uJnXM5TAZwBG6Vmyioc0nXb2KS8fmn7IucJTnYkb5Xe99ptrHRQcTESCIVnvwbNbi6FbFz5_oKRKO7fmbeHGyIxkMSipb_w/s1600/20170625_193052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrc2kSDnxPLAmWBJACtFOp0UoZfY2_p35yNvun1aUJtRLJ4uJnXM5TAZwBG6Vmyioc0nXb2KS8fmn7IucJTnYkb5Xe99ptrHRQcTESCIVnvwbNbi6FbFz5_oKRKO7fmbeHGyIxkMSipb_w/s1024/20170625_193052.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">My
next break took place in Forssa and I replenished my snacks from the
local ABC station.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNZFWtk8Zb8YRgDs0abqb_Kxk6eGaAbXl2lyT5PGVttToko0CmbwyehCvxOInp8Clcv52tcTNiP08B4_xs5RwpwikCyhYvNFM4Lds_MJYXiS4zQ7xY1vr_WbjxQ44HwhKaCX7yxNa7ZaVV/s1600/20170625_201429.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNZFWtk8Zb8YRgDs0abqb_Kxk6eGaAbXl2lyT5PGVttToko0CmbwyehCvxOInp8Clcv52tcTNiP08B4_xs5RwpwikCyhYvNFM4Lds_MJYXiS4zQ7xY1vr_WbjxQ44HwhKaCX7yxNa7ZaVV/s1024/20170625_201429.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">There
was surprisingly much traffic between Forssa and Humppila but I
didn't really have trouble riding.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP9hbVcTQDeCfk43q5tf2P7lvzVBb41syQaMD50nYAf223d0nwK6FnMP7Qcys8yQ8qQHbNhuhcXdi1wqtBrmDMAPpkath43XU7rG4uXNsxsYEkwTxraRZa_brgLy6peCRDDdd3wI11nEov/s1600/20170625_205704.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP9hbVcTQDeCfk43q5tf2P7lvzVBb41syQaMD50nYAf223d0nwK6FnMP7Qcys8yQ8qQHbNhuhcXdi1wqtBrmDMAPpkath43XU7rG4uXNsxsYEkwTxraRZa_brgLy6peCRDDdd3wI11nEov/s1024/20170625_205704.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Closing
in on Tampere the road surface was very wet. Evidently there had been
some heavy rain here but luckily it had already passed. The evening
was beautiful.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGD6lZuqsTwVgUHhbaVELv3sVbLv3VDYjngqXZblToPnS31KOcu_-rzZVWjjLT3ZyMF_yhy0hUuXAnGIM_hZCPg3S2X0p1QgFlwqRwC1mG3Dc1JH_lfYTOkJYwCBc7MI1Yvfo1m-E6-HDq/s1600/20170625_224914.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGD6lZuqsTwVgUHhbaVELv3sVbLv3VDYjngqXZblToPnS31KOcu_-rzZVWjjLT3ZyMF_yhy0hUuXAnGIM_hZCPg3S2X0p1QgFlwqRwC1mG3Dc1JH_lfYTOkJYwCBc7MI1Yvfo1m-E6-HDq/s1024/20170625_224914.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaGqt5fC0UxNIRhwHwvKMk4HC3Qbg3DsiI2DBI9jUntVQOvALjIldY_ZO9Ea82JFuVGPc1LTiRShNLy3L6hGDLv2pi6VkO-rQd8KYlKTs6v4ZQhlYQQnKqdJJXligjP3T_SmWyiqnReC5-/s1600/20170625_230134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaGqt5fC0UxNIRhwHwvKMk4HC3Qbg3DsiI2DBI9jUntVQOvALjIldY_ZO9Ea82JFuVGPc1LTiRShNLy3L6hGDLv2pi6VkO-rQd8KYlKTs6v4ZQhlYQQnKqdJJXligjP3T_SmWyiqnReC5-/s1024/20170625_230134.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA_4Ssi7dAZNiz5oOEWEzbNeFMX6KFzNjOylMWeQRsdnZ4SejRRjm-wUPedGsLomtxuPWdrEHI7ptTwQMrJrHgH2MVRZcyOj0nawZJXQGrESkFtZY5WYJHfNlE10oQUsQoX4b4mjEycOsC/s1600/20170625_230143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA_4Ssi7dAZNiz5oOEWEzbNeFMX6KFzNjOylMWeQRsdnZ4SejRRjm-wUPedGsLomtxuPWdrEHI7ptTwQMrJrHgH2MVRZcyOj0nawZJXQGrESkFtZY5WYJHfNlE10oQUsQoX4b4mjEycOsC/s1024/20170625_230143.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Reaching
Tampere I started to feel hungry and I though about getting something
to eat at a 24h ABC. Tampere is a pretty curly place to navigate
through, but with the help of Google Maps and a bit of effort I found
the Lahdesjärvi ABC which was closest to my route. I had been making
great progress, as the average speed upon reaching Tampere was close
to 30 km/h.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUzN2JKY6lqd_M2lxq-f90UY7ZYPjCav_NSIjXJptawKiR1MwgEWQRxFtSvJukGjU3XLUO5ZTlxuP_hm1Lquj9Nq_z6DXWnQ6cHAYF8SOS3ytE4b1oLjSschNWbEDn_LmQl3XlisTf03K3/s1600/20170626_005938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUzN2JKY6lqd_M2lxq-f90UY7ZYPjCav_NSIjXJptawKiR1MwgEWQRxFtSvJukGjU3XLUO5ZTlxuP_hm1Lquj9Nq_z6DXWnQ6cHAYF8SOS3ytE4b1oLjSschNWbEDn_LmQl3XlisTf03K3/s1024/20170626_005938.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">After
a pizza I carried on through down town Tampere at 2 AM.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ7-4QCHI3WkmZv9lyhfgglKGxPa_Mgm2ZkuWFQ3Zuqnfz0RIj0-DWoSfwjCB5-HtYSNDIkeLb6GgcbWBrG1dBUAhk8UXd7FjNoisu09qKQppupp0vLsmo-TtYkPaVhTizVfpcnpLSUKJr/s1600/20170626_020254.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ7-4QCHI3WkmZv9lyhfgglKGxPa_Mgm2ZkuWFQ3Zuqnfz0RIj0-DWoSfwjCB5-HtYSNDIkeLb6GgcbWBrG1dBUAhk8UXd7FjNoisu09qKQppupp0vLsmo-TtYkPaVhTizVfpcnpLSUKJr/s1024/20170626_020254.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgYDGYWyXuESaU3RSzeXixjAGtJhYWUv4jXO7VZv7B-2PBahFdy3WJUjDex0aZ0j8Bq9d6Hx1eSBfCrLU0Iv5mYIXkkvsvgAOtIq1XI_JxBFKnkqQmr3HhtMesax6ocIhh2BVSVUDVuMNq/s1600/20170626_021145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgYDGYWyXuESaU3RSzeXixjAGtJhYWUv4jXO7VZv7B-2PBahFdy3WJUjDex0aZ0j8Bq9d6Hx1eSBfCrLU0Iv5mYIXkkvsvgAOtIq1XI_JxBFKnkqQmr3HhtMesax6ocIhh2BVSVUDVuMNq/s1024/20170626_021145.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Having
passed the center of the city I headed towards Ylojärvi and road 65
with the intent of finding somewhere to sleep. This is where I met
the first little surprise, as the road had long stretches of moose
fence making it impossible to deviate from the road. I was getting a
bit tired, but finally I reached the crossroads of the Sorvajärventie
road. I had ridden 282 kilometers so far. The terrain was wet as the
rain front had relieved its load with fury. I found a nice spot in
the forest to sleep in.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6l9rmW_KDTU-8067M3XZB3gpAqGhwm-G-aavSvJzmmOkOFoLK7HDXAljAS-8p3t4QLkUFDpjL6MnCrB9tb3-JMbBv0Umgfs-EdnqYqS-oVNwXa-LF4UdKs6Vh_PJh0fQ13YCmxFKkNLTB/s1600/20170626_073245.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6l9rmW_KDTU-8067M3XZB3gpAqGhwm-G-aavSvJzmmOkOFoLK7HDXAljAS-8p3t4QLkUFDpjL6MnCrB9tb3-JMbBv0Umgfs-EdnqYqS-oVNwXa-LF4UdKs6Vh_PJh0fQ13YCmxFKkNLTB/s1024/20170626_073245.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">By
this time it was a bit past 3 AM. I slept intermittently and it
didn't take long for the morning traffic on road 65 to start. At one
point during the night there was a slight bit of rain.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">After
a bad ”night” I got up and packed my bike at around 7.30 AM.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVOYKxY-998N2BvQ8ZIGfGZmaTrLP8Er8C1-8DEmT8uZRVPnI1BvEaleBWhdB421Dmqh5z-U-xhkaK-2UC1d7kvx3sRfq66SmxuajSrGikr1voSAmDHQMvg357ec2OsYR156Shi-B46YNO/s1600/20170626_073312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVOYKxY-998N2BvQ8ZIGfGZmaTrLP8Er8C1-8DEmT8uZRVPnI1BvEaleBWhdB421Dmqh5z-U-xhkaK-2UC1d7kvx3sRfq66SmxuajSrGikr1voSAmDHQMvg357ec2OsYR156Shi-B46YNO/s1024/20170626_073312.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">My
next task was to find coffee, as my machine just won't start properly
before a proper cup of coffee. Just 10 kilometers in the day I found
Keidas 65 (Oasis 65) that had luckily opened its doors just a bit
before the official time of 9 AM.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">After
a cup of coffee and something to eat I kept riding on, but the going
was somewhat painful. A big day followed by bad sleeping was easy
enough to feel in my legs and I wasn't that alert either. While I was
going through a bit of a struggle, motorists were starting to show
signs of aggression in their driving style. Cars kept passing me very
close, and aggressive passing was commonplace even among the cars
coming my way. I had to stay as sharp as I could, as the road
shoulder was minimalistic. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Weather
forecasts had showed some heavy rain in Pohjanmaa for monday. As the
day went on, these forecasts were beginning to show true.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjzfKXNWiDdNFfJ4QmyAqCs7tSrhfPMC7WRh5EUtTZPetzWtGLgf-miDc1xga9Kek1yyOyOCNHn10CXG7_i2e3_ghXqYz5KsY5Zw3K7YwP6lHs4wejrhNBpz4WIH5jI3GcZyFyyEi20IDX/s1600/20170626_141544.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjzfKXNWiDdNFfJ4QmyAqCs7tSrhfPMC7WRh5EUtTZPetzWtGLgf-miDc1xga9Kek1yyOyOCNHn10CXG7_i2e3_ghXqYz5KsY5Zw3K7YwP6lHs4wejrhNBpz4WIH5jI3GcZyFyyEi20IDX/s1024/20170626_141544.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The
heaviest rain hit me near Virrat, and by the time I had passed
Herraskylä on road 66, it was just pouring down. Motorists were
acting like they had no brains. Speeding and crazy passing manouvres
were common and ample truck traffic added its own risks. With such
intense rain visibility was poor and I took shelter by the side of a
barn next to the road. As the rain passed, I kept riding on, still
paying close attention to driving very cleanly on the virtually
non-existent road shoulder. The white lines at the road's edge were
serrated so I wasn't able to ride on them. Despite my careful riding
most motorists didn't seem to care about my safety. Other than the
traffic, this was a nice route with undulating hills and nice
scenery.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Finally
I arrived at Alavus:</span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghIG2Js9UHp3-7mwNZ6pw-gVIttOkoP2CzJdTJEGqKeOJrZjTY3kcKM1OkoeFi19UwBFLQOj6jLh5AGGJ4u4XyLPQT-Dx5IOzIJhzV_v1M9k7zioD-YVxcDG9PQuqYjB-SixK1wUlB8uao/s1600/20170626_143333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghIG2Js9UHp3-7mwNZ6pw-gVIttOkoP2CzJdTJEGqKeOJrZjTY3kcKM1OkoeFi19UwBFLQOj6jLh5AGGJ4u4XyLPQT-Dx5IOzIJhzV_v1M9k7zioD-YVxcDG9PQuqYjB-SixK1wUlB8uao/s1024/20170626_143333.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The
local ABC station had a Hesburger restaurant so I had a burger, a
doughnut and some coffee. The rain started again, this time with
thunder and lightning, so this break couldn't have been timed more
perfectly.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2lxT297adFwhjOd2pR1uLzFjE7F2gjkla1KXmiS4ATK-RsUhC-yzxd-KGpveQnjDhcEvDPfmNtRXdJX3VmxaMdlaDVIRlsZ-39lOv2NaFSeGx-JPj8QyOjeIFFCdhgxXhJLMxCH8eQ_Q5/s1600/20170626_150033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2lxT297adFwhjOd2pR1uLzFjE7F2gjkla1KXmiS4ATK-RsUhC-yzxd-KGpveQnjDhcEvDPfmNtRXdJX3VmxaMdlaDVIRlsZ-39lOv2NaFSeGx-JPj8QyOjeIFFCdhgxXhJLMxCH8eQ_Q5/s1024/20170626_150033.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">After
Alavus I had to stay on road 66 for a short stretch more, but things
changed for the better as I was able to turn to road 711, heading
towards Vimpeli. The road was smaller with much lighter traffic. The
road went through impressive forest and marsh areas.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3RsydqHJEO0vw4_l6YTeZyAa3tQbupfzwxpsDWDNxb7KtGuErR-EVJaIEXbZiddCYCFl_WiqakMcTwone0HOdkH2s1cxymSGkq3EXcJ5wqMbvFlr-TmVm5iIoRT5G2uBs62iG6sGbB7bV/s1600/20170626_183612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3RsydqHJEO0vw4_l6YTeZyAa3tQbupfzwxpsDWDNxb7KtGuErR-EVJaIEXbZiddCYCFl_WiqakMcTwone0HOdkH2s1cxymSGkq3EXcJ5wqMbvFlr-TmVm5iIoRT5G2uBs62iG6sGbB7bV/s1024/20170626_183612.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Riding
was now quite a lot more enjoyable than during the agony of the
morning, noon and afternoon. Vimpeli:</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgymS5WHKhw69K2c79Li2Saoq5TxI06bmfd6BgWaYin8gAs5MUUZOGctiOxvnbzm4iCaLkNhFhaBIf5rco9h0aTh8kJWBuUrxT5RDn80SZpi_0KTqz6NZ8-y7jUjZkS0g6LRH8kodvJyXjm/s1600/20170626_201004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgymS5WHKhw69K2c79Li2Saoq5TxI06bmfd6BgWaYin8gAs5MUUZOGctiOxvnbzm4iCaLkNhFhaBIf5rco9h0aTh8kJWBuUrxT5RDn80SZpi_0KTqz6NZ8-y7jUjZkS0g6LRH8kodvJyXjm/s1024/20170626_201004.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">A
small snack break in Vimpeli was followed by a visit to the local
grocery store. I spent a bit of time on my phone, figuring out
potential places to spend the night. I was planning on riding until
midnight.</span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I
carried on towards Kaustinen. A beautiful sunset was followed by more
rain. Thankfully this was just a short shower but it was still enough
to get my clothes somewhat wet. As the rain gathered momentum, I
donned my Endura MTR jacket which was proving to be a fantastic piece
of gear. My legs and feet were, however, sprayed with water.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhySB58118_xqCr-bZzwF7N8DBTRlukcFSNSGdhlRk2444FnNauRA3f1aNqBVE1GM-6f8hpAj1A2OlKdvKoXBvhOrhqXnWk9AcWpZatVkLY0CQo-d7i3iHanZqEbo1pMBSpZzMQuDmMu9JH/s1600/20170626_223520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhySB58118_xqCr-bZzwF7N8DBTRlukcFSNSGdhlRk2444FnNauRA3f1aNqBVE1GM-6f8hpAj1A2OlKdvKoXBvhOrhqXnWk9AcWpZatVkLY0CQo-d7i3iHanZqEbo1pMBSpZzMQuDmMu9JH/s1024/20170626_223520.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The
sunset and rain made a magnificent rainbow!</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1tAdP16MwUrI_cpYzcD9nedXqRuWgzGaOWrmFn-J5T-J6fkY_3_l8AC8RbU2sRp71KEwwrOXgD-2H6UEHTsyhzGlpMXxLnaWoIXInI2ZSOjDfqZr_bSn8lNNdCBcMVYYr67l9hEEhyIwO/s1600/20170626_225710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="866" data-original-width="1600" height="554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1tAdP16MwUrI_cpYzcD9nedXqRuWgzGaOWrmFn-J5T-J6fkY_3_l8AC8RbU2sRp71KEwwrOXgD-2H6UEHTsyhzGlpMXxLnaWoIXInI2ZSOjDfqZr_bSn8lNNdCBcMVYYr67l9hEEhyIwO/s1024/20170626_225710.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I
was feeling really good and felt like I could have kept on riding far
into the night. There was a great feeling of peace in Kaustinen and I
found a very nice place to stay the night in Mosala Caravan by the
Perhojoki river:</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVSwGiiXKeQLjU0SbdYbKmKfIOFCnCYNai0WmghuIdKgOymRQw8Xw-nUdfLyRlR0a51Skt7F-CBgDzGyKB80DzhqYgIF0PuSr_MS-QItfuYKSLiuFR1Cg39DpNK8j1puKdlbjUSHS6LrYa/s1600/20170626_233930.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVSwGiiXKeQLjU0SbdYbKmKfIOFCnCYNai0WmghuIdKgOymRQw8Xw-nUdfLyRlR0a51Skt7F-CBgDzGyKB80DzhqYgIF0PuSr_MS-QItfuYKSLiuFR1Cg39DpNK8j1puKdlbjUSHS6LrYa/s1024/20170626_233930.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
<br />
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</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_I8dfet8T7WJJ7pKnJqI8K0i6vxjoSBC25cUBgbobqhttT-3CLD2_990vXr4-NtWFthj5vOrus4KMIvMFpFvHokT_NK-RQPyedoY349rJY8FbDNFY4_TNJh6Oena8dcTRxJRyZXnpEylP/s1600/20170626_235634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_I8dfet8T7WJJ7pKnJqI8K0i6vxjoSBC25cUBgbobqhttT-3CLD2_990vXr4-NtWFthj5vOrus4KMIvMFpFvHokT_NK-RQPyedoY349rJY8FbDNFY4_TNJh6Oena8dcTRxJRyZXnpEylP/s1024/20170626_235634.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Today's
ride: 241 km. Total distance from Hanko: 523 km.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It
was about 40 minutes past midnight as I updated the situation on
social media and went to bed.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I
slept well and didn't get up until just before 8 AM. I was happy,
after such a difficult start. I enjoyed my morning coffee at an
R-kioski. But soon I felt a bit of regret for the late start as it
started to rain again. Weather radar images were not promising,
meaning I would spend some time riding through the rain. I didn't
really have time for taking rain breaks.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The
rain seen on weather radar reached me. I rode the first 40 km of the
day in rain, but I was feeling quite fine. The roads were wet for
much longer, but by the time I was getting close to Ylivieska they
dried up. A touch of luck: just as I got in the Ylivieska ABC
station, the skies opened again. A bit of snacks and a bit of
shopping. During these short snack breaks I usually bought a banana,
sport bars, a Coke (that I drank right away) and a Gatorade bottle
that I placed in my jersey's rear pocket. From this on, I started to
drink blueberry and rosehip soup from the bottle on the bike.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The
rain stopped and at some point the roads dried up again. I faced the
next surprise. From Kaustinen onwards, my left Achilles tendon had
become sore and it had kept on getting worse. After Oulainen the pain
was so serious that mental tricks were not enough to ignore it. Since
I was not even half way through the trip, I decided that on the next
break in Vihanti I would pay a visit to a pharmacy in addition to
getting my routine snacks.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Vihanti's
pharmacy proved to be a good one. I told the staff what I was doing
and that I doubted that the tendon might be getting inflamed. The
pharmacist naturally suggested rest but that was equally naturally
out of the question. We decided to try if Voltaren Forte pain gel
would help.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Riding
became grinding as the wind had turned and was now hitting me from
the side and a bit from the front. My motivation levels were,
however, extremely high and I was feeling determined as I wanted to
reach the magical village of Martinniemi before nightfall. I had a
pizza in Liminka and to my pleasant surprise it was of a generous
size in the local ABC:</span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjagTAU0JsKY5ONRgn6k5lA0uefKr6oluR9t0Pu8oxnUivW_ldbFbXbO13iCoLdY9NWlPTNrCqsjRBBEVpQbwY_Afszao4toFzMcXhxUpPB0bzCVi0iPOGBQgGP3YMNSNpwcJuIb1xcmrz0/s1600/20170627_190028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjagTAU0JsKY5ONRgn6k5lA0uefKr6oluR9t0Pu8oxnUivW_ldbFbXbO13iCoLdY9NWlPTNrCqsjRBBEVpQbwY_Afszao4toFzMcXhxUpPB0bzCVi0iPOGBQgGP3YMNSNpwcJuIb1xcmrz0/s1024/20170627_190028.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">After
eating I paid a visit to the larger ABC in Liminka, thereafter
heading towards Oulu.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">A
bit before Oulu the GPS route came to an abrupt end in my Garmin. It
should have taken me all the way to Haukipudas but it didn't. I
started to look at the route on my cell phone and wasn't really
worried as I remembered some of the terrain from childhood. The town
of Kempele showed some great cycling infrastructure:</span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOS8rqATN6-ff_NitegSAfbRTRG_DLwcVy5YR96BiL7zUABRfAHIvTVX1TbX4azsp0EEirkZg5F58oyjijCRxJyluXgUqFYfwpK3VrrJ2HFSyVm7_NnzDw8ZXEOcm9ZBuARo6Dnp6x_5st/s1600/20170627_204122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOS8rqATN6-ff_NitegSAfbRTRG_DLwcVy5YR96BiL7zUABRfAHIvTVX1TbX4azsp0EEirkZg5F58oyjijCRxJyluXgUqFYfwpK3VrrJ2HFSyVm7_NnzDw8ZXEOcm9ZBuARo6Dnp6x_5st/s1024/20170627_204122.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Riding
through Oulu was enjoyable, as the route went along the river,
passing town hall and the library.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9OVSrTIRmLaGzECOAciGe0lyT19rHQ4a5H-uJ5gcmuPYcPwC5wnRNtyK6mUSTcssOmPiujH4NPuFj7VSXtU3rD8XHqmPEyDdoXZZ1Gmh95HAJFiYK5wWhbd2ZSetitQV1YpC4074lC8_r/s1600/20170627_213313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9OVSrTIRmLaGzECOAciGe0lyT19rHQ4a5H-uJ5gcmuPYcPwC5wnRNtyK6mUSTcssOmPiujH4NPuFj7VSXtU3rD8XHqmPEyDdoXZZ1Gmh95HAJFiYK5wWhbd2ZSetitQV1YpC4074lC8_r/s1024/20170627_213313.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO6trXZ0x7BI84VfM0m4lcZvLovX3SdHDi4xqAt1CjGAuIp8WLk0R58TaKrLk1aLIELN6EWfmDIV4IX3tNgzIY0ESYlBcCScN3Ze35GMs3mN62Ixw_F5u8msSnmeLmepi0msZv1CJJ4oFG/s1600/20170627_213514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO6trXZ0x7BI84VfM0m4lcZvLovX3SdHDi4xqAt1CjGAuIp8WLk0R58TaKrLk1aLIELN6EWfmDIV4IX3tNgzIY0ESYlBcCScN3Ze35GMs3mN62Ixw_F5u8msSnmeLmepi0msZv1CJJ4oFG/s1024/20170627_213514.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkZVSB2smTWbt6uF3hma-gT1_jcayXTnG5icBNaDE48AmES9yrVWXWVXJ1rdtYBOQ8xUw1cFv4vxXpqiuuE4W_5TgpXQNrzW0NBE1AW1EyQSUEzP02w95RFX0joMIWApBGu_PSRorAkW93/s1600/20170627_213528.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkZVSB2smTWbt6uF3hma-gT1_jcayXTnG5icBNaDE48AmES9yrVWXWVXJ1rdtYBOQ8xUw1cFv4vxXpqiuuE4W_5TgpXQNrzW0NBE1AW1EyQSUEzP02w95RFX0joMIWApBGu_PSRorAkW93/s1024/20170627_213528.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">My
Achilles tendon was not feeling much better but I only had 25 km left
to Martinniemi.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I
purposefully took the same road to Martinniemi my parents had always
taken when we came here all those years ago. During the last 30 or 35
years, however, the scenery had changed quite a bit.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJbdNu-0QHzlabQ9DKO40irCKkij0yxx0JiQyOzE0gYLk04v3FDXiEJMNn3hv-bgio0ySoPezqBlQhRknqkdOjnEMgI05ktaFn7I9fbb8iqXfoke_Kad0EUALluYFPxv0STu9A93Wcs3ZE/s1600/20170627_225926.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJbdNu-0QHzlabQ9DKO40irCKkij0yxx0JiQyOzE0gYLk04v3FDXiEJMNn3hv-bgio0ySoPezqBlQhRknqkdOjnEMgI05ktaFn7I9fbb8iqXfoke_Kad0EUALluYFPxv0STu9A93Wcs3ZE/s1024/20170627_225926.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">But
finally I was on that old familiar yard!</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVY0bq_xPCawfjI-C7AQEwh-xbNC-fnr9yX0mf_9DdBcP4Q5isI6ouUXLhNA035fdjlZEYlOsw32G6V-yk8r9ytl8Kg9Ymc3niFNNQc804ZlAdfhMRuFiqfNoMW7DmNfdj3_QyKeK3PTL1/s1600/20170627_230307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVY0bq_xPCawfjI-C7AQEwh-xbNC-fnr9yX0mf_9DdBcP4Q5isI6ouUXLhNA035fdjlZEYlOsw32G6V-yk8r9ytl8Kg9Ymc3niFNNQc804ZlAdfhMRuFiqfNoMW7DmNfdj3_QyKeK3PTL1/s1024/20170627_230307.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">My
grandfather was a carpenter and he taught carpentry at school. Here
he built this functional style house largely by himself. This was the
place where my first big adventures had started from. As a child this
place felt like another world:</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBsJzEXhF7lvY00WRCIhygt1ZJ14mS-NXwLPamA9xgnvhiVuyiGfutiyvAuDRyZk_PMus8mZZbAHmkpRx9LUj2zrj_SbTwGtydfmlqOwUfyxh8TYiavxDx4kH6CCgLKuJdfoatuwqZTaKP/s1600/20170627_230422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBsJzEXhF7lvY00WRCIhygt1ZJ14mS-NXwLPamA9xgnvhiVuyiGfutiyvAuDRyZk_PMus8mZZbAHmkpRx9LUj2zrj_SbTwGtydfmlqOwUfyxh8TYiavxDx4kH6CCgLKuJdfoatuwqZTaKP/s1024/20170627_230422.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">It
was 11 PM. It was clear I would sleep on the yard, as no-one lives in
the house anymore. Before setting up my overnight gear I rode a small
tour through Martinniemi to Villenniemi.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYv3anMO9WFTXpud-Y0JhjGaa3CMb0MrNg9sXXfNvc2zNtMYS2nZiSicdTnbwWIxzPJcsVxf-mOb5KqtM3D-Qb9k-di2zP3eOavR2RvpW2qsZd-P42UWbPsIP_3O_JXgMGUYszO6hOPnBU/s1600/20170627_231216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYv3anMO9WFTXpud-Y0JhjGaa3CMb0MrNg9sXXfNvc2zNtMYS2nZiSicdTnbwWIxzPJcsVxf-mOb5KqtM3D-Qb9k-di2zP3eOavR2RvpW2qsZd-P42UWbPsIP_3O_JXgMGUYszO6hOPnBU/s1024/20170627_231216.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMWjkFE0LUAr8mhc87VYoOduzhXu4hx2tmQUUNNvHD1g51g5wHD-Zx3lcV_QmESVp34uUb-89O7GQ0jpwUpkpqfXbmKnDbEfBzsdFFIkZOkKbFaq6tl9Ku6t0t2VA2JwbjKuNz9oa7cmTT/s1600/20170627_232016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMWjkFE0LUAr8mhc87VYoOduzhXu4hx2tmQUUNNvHD1g51g5wHD-Zx3lcV_QmESVp34uUb-89O7GQ0jpwUpkpqfXbmKnDbEfBzsdFFIkZOkKbFaq6tl9Ku6t0t2VA2JwbjKuNz9oa7cmTT/s1024/20170627_232016.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Villenniemi
was about 3 kilometers away. There the scenery had, quite naturally,
changed dramatically as well. Martinniemi has an interesting history
as a sawmill operated by Rauma-Repola was active to the end of the
1980's and the sawmill had a long history of its own. The mill even
had its own railroad track leading to it, but now parts of this track
have been taken away to make room for housing.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The
Villenniemi harbour has been completely transformed from the 1980's.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4UMCFz1Ps3ilnY7idm41oz3T4UPwp1rEm0s-Bd3QYySigDnXzts25vju3E441rut4XKvT-OIZ4L65MvQNPzu3RX1Peihvo9EmuhJMd3Ajp6gW2EsBdlG63Gd7D96f4jRWwHH6XZi0a3ZE/s1600/20170627_232310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4UMCFz1Ps3ilnY7idm41oz3T4UPwp1rEm0s-Bd3QYySigDnXzts25vju3E441rut4XKvT-OIZ4L65MvQNPzu3RX1Peihvo9EmuhJMd3Ajp6gW2EsBdlG63Gd7D96f4jRWwHH6XZi0a3ZE/s1024/20170627_232310.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The
sea views and islands, however, were naturally just like they had
been. NOSTALGY! I had come here often with my grandfather to go
fishing.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFhr8WN0PwXDQsxLSDalElGe3rsGxwDwr8yTvk7MqVTxgwCC5gbmx3cBX97UiQHWDHCVdzcXCFFot3atplu-oo_NPCgbkEmsb8fh89AhRUlwzBfkTczXTJkS4a9Pk_pGx8kd5ze5hBZ-od/s1600/20170627_232319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFhr8WN0PwXDQsxLSDalElGe3rsGxwDwr8yTvk7MqVTxgwCC5gbmx3cBX97UiQHWDHCVdzcXCFFot3atplu-oo_NPCgbkEmsb8fh89AhRUlwzBfkTczXTJkS4a9Pk_pGx8kd5ze5hBZ-od/s1024/20170627_232319.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFQ2A4ifCvY42J2VSPcxsofKF6ZqCZNmsKdDbQQsp0VqwZW9dx7gOhrLZxrkFCfikkKWLB0O90D3hx1Voce4Tu2_9JjY93MoJrLJTZCmAjWF9l_IV_cP_sSTWCzKDG-LT7hgLwxZkRHE7F/s1600/20170627_232541.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFQ2A4ifCvY42J2VSPcxsofKF6ZqCZNmsKdDbQQsp0VqwZW9dx7gOhrLZxrkFCfikkKWLB0O90D3hx1Voce4Tu2_9JjY93MoJrLJTZCmAjWF9l_IV_cP_sSTWCzKDG-LT7hgLwxZkRHE7F/s1024/20170627_232541.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I
was feeling emotional. The sawmills powerplant chimney is still
there.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTiI6yyfxgbjYAynp4xcypsFmNNiNl7yViQKb23XGkUWQr-TtVLMEyk74WCc4aCXx2YIc8aSjvekJULQHiMG2YW5sa-Coj2XdJZIPSUCLKnAgd_htBa0OXoZ9_xxV3KFgjZboynhcaH3s9/s1600/20170627_232510.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTiI6yyfxgbjYAynp4xcypsFmNNiNl7yViQKb23XGkUWQr-TtVLMEyk74WCc4aCXx2YIc8aSjvekJULQHiMG2YW5sa-Coj2XdJZIPSUCLKnAgd_htBa0OXoZ9_xxV3KFgjZboynhcaH3s9/s1024/20170627_232510.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDsttfa9frSrfcfyvD2IV7G8zXQeNnxTHvi7U88aD6Qnw5LnNlzTuXNxcCG6OH4xqO5K4Bfsj9FzeyW9VE4a0Jd2bx1owKqLtReqVJ5fHUHIf8CCCRIGDo_d4R35YD3GnYTL04R7mYCQsj/s1600/20170627_232552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDsttfa9frSrfcfyvD2IV7G8zXQeNnxTHvi7U88aD6Qnw5LnNlzTuXNxcCG6OH4xqO5K4Bfsj9FzeyW9VE4a0Jd2bx1owKqLtReqVJ5fHUHIf8CCCRIGDo_d4R35YD3GnYTL04R7mYCQsj/s1024/20170627_232552.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I
rode back to ”the magic garden” and stayed for the night. Todays
distance: 251 km. Total distance from Hanko: 774 km, meaning I was a
bit more than half way through. One thing had not changed over the
decades: mosquitos were abundant, although the cool and windy weather
made it a bit easier. I went to sleep a bit after midnight.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2z1_WNhmpeSdzspYXSFXqfT3u_X2FNmjZu7Ic4gwRUdn37AJ6jw7nD9Bbs8b_2e0pC8XifRG4evnvvazzRgNMatDHo_AJCnF-fiM6ZOft0V6XlbD4FUCH9061_k7falWABvEblN2kuASH/s1600/20170627_235735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2z1_WNhmpeSdzspYXSFXqfT3u_X2FNmjZu7Ic4gwRUdn37AJ6jw7nD9Bbs8b_2e0pC8XifRG4evnvvazzRgNMatDHo_AJCnF-fiM6ZOft0V6XlbD4FUCH9061_k7falWABvEblN2kuASH/s1024/20170627_235735.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDlaEg4kT1ZHpdKDqaYHtvbNw4ZFboEM5qPHS2AHPP22aYpbRMVoiOUIXIsRM4Xju-mTSJZdA7D3bNDJXku_9d1cx5IYgdrV-RMrbuinn-1n9Td5PUgUXEoi5A1GEwPe1Pi_GneSr67CyI/s1600/20170628_062205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDlaEg4kT1ZHpdKDqaYHtvbNw4ZFboEM5qPHS2AHPP22aYpbRMVoiOUIXIsRM4Xju-mTSJZdA7D3bNDJXku_9d1cx5IYgdrV-RMrbuinn-1n9Td5PUgUXEoi5A1GEwPe1Pi_GneSr67CyI/s1024/20170628_062205.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvs5D13xg7tRBHgtgsgpEhIQhAgqwle2ZcAtrni4D23G-7EtJjfrR3uibvCRoNApkNphmZ88necoSqxTyFzSeX0QMlLiswyi4nvm3lui5o5QkbO5Vle5SF3vqj9YlE_OEWg-ap6vRx9WqS/s1600/20170628_062811.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvs5D13xg7tRBHgtgsgpEhIQhAgqwle2ZcAtrni4D23G-7EtJjfrR3uibvCRoNApkNphmZ88necoSqxTyFzSeX0QMlLiswyi4nvm3lui5o5QkbO5Vle5SF3vqj9YlE_OEWg-ap6vRx9WqS/s1024/20170628_062811.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-OufizTw72qaENZErwn9ehivso4InfeWyfmM_32YY4wNmrL2gc8T74EEesISaEWwKLpqM0VpByFCfwv__ihAMHOIjqALrCd2HGRaL-GtziWp4zT7Bs1fF_nByGTTFmgQiAfpAobBXq7QL/s1600/20170628_062213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-OufizTw72qaENZErwn9ehivso4InfeWyfmM_32YY4wNmrL2gc8T74EEesISaEWwKLpqM0VpByFCfwv__ihAMHOIjqALrCd2HGRaL-GtziWp4zT7Bs1fF_nByGTTFmgQiAfpAobBXq7QL/s1024/20170628_062213.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I
slept reasonably well. I got up at around six. As I was packing up,
the neighbour, easily recognizable but 30 years older, came to check
what's going on. It didn't take long for him to remember me. We
chatted about the past for a while.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I
rode back to the Haukiputaa road number 847 which luckily had an ABC
station that opens its doors at 6 AM. Coffee? Check. Energy? Check. I
wasn't able to find by phone charger and the one at the station
didn't work either. Luckily I had a bit of juice left both in the
phone and in the power bank. I checked the weather forecast. The wind
would be straight in my face and... yup, more rain on the way. The
rain area reached from the South-East all the way to the town of Ii
and it looked like I might have to ride in rain all the way to Kemi.
I stretched my breakfast a little longer in the hopes the rain would
move further during that time. At the petrol station the weather was
dry so </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">before
long, a bit after 9 AM, I carried on my journey.</span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Riding
was laborous, pushing against the head wind and my Achilles tendon
was pretty sore again. The pain gel hadn't done the trick. Reaching
Ii, it started to rain. I paid a visit to a massive general store
called Kärkkäinen to buy a phone charger only to find later on that
I had placed my original charger in my jersey's pocket by mistake.
After Ii the rain got heavier and temperatures dropped. Riding
started to feel like a battle for survival. The situation didn't look
good at all. As I reached Merihelmi I decided to have a break, eating
sandwiches and drinking hot chocolate in the warmth of the
restaurant. Once more, I checked the eather data and ate a grilled
sausage as the staff started barbequing. The cafeteria had a great
view out to the sea.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm_I68ylL8YQRU7ffB_tY2_ffH8CNxaW9-B4c3OaetdqFeiR_AWQyOROYlt6mGKm84A8iTc78noIyyph4edwmS8dV6V3hY19efA7jyY3os5Y3sDYQmp8xsOafTdhyNk1A9oeJGBUHaBzXn/s1600/20170628_125825.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm_I68ylL8YQRU7ffB_tY2_ffH8CNxaW9-B4c3OaetdqFeiR_AWQyOROYlt6mGKm84A8iTc78noIyyph4edwmS8dV6V3hY19efA7jyY3os5Y3sDYQmp8xsOafTdhyNk1A9oeJGBUHaBzXn/s1024/20170628_125825.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">At
some point the rain started to ease off and I got back on the bike. I
was feeling somewhat better than before the break, but my Achilles
tendon was more sore than ever. Kuivaniemi (or Dry Cape, which it
really wasn't) was near by so I paid another visit to a pharmacy. I
bought a small pack of Ibuprofen and took a double dose right off
the bat. I also reapplied a generous amount of pain gel, as the rain
might have reduced its potential.</span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The ibuprofen started to have a bit of an effect, cutting the worst
edge off the pain but riding was not efficient and I wasn't able to
ride off the seat properly. My next break took place in Kemi where I
went to the local supermarket. I ate, drank and refilled my snacks.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The
weather became much better and I aimed my bike towards Rovaniemi, a
city that's familiar for me from the past, with lots of nice
memories. The road from Kemi to Rovaniemi was also familiar as I had
driven through here in a car two years earlier.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwwtu_9KAK80Ht1ClSyUl4cXPA2YDaO0qaYmJwWvg2dScthiPBlaNDCC6LzMTcnXwvntXIjwxg-TvJ2H7NmfIIrlpk-i0rbCwFD9zfL0qYeTkn2vT6gIV_YFYZXzhpZOM3n-t6ieIJmLLl/s1600/20170628_181011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwwtu_9KAK80Ht1ClSyUl4cXPA2YDaO0qaYmJwWvg2dScthiPBlaNDCC6LzMTcnXwvntXIjwxg-TvJ2H7NmfIIrlpk-i0rbCwFD9zfL0qYeTkn2vT6gIV_YFYZXzhpZOM3n-t6ieIJmLLl/s1024/20170628_181011.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The
E75 is a wide road in good condition, complete with a wide shoulder,
and the motorists were acting much better than the ones on road 66.
About 40 km before Roveniemi a truck driver impressed me for the
first time on this trip: I heard it coming but it was clearly slowing
down. A couple of cars were coming the other way, and the trucker
slowed down even more. After the coast was clear, the trucker passed
me in a very smooth fashion, with plenty of safety distance. I, of
course, waved a thank you to the driver for such great action.</span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">With
paracetamol and pain gel my Achilles tendon had been relieved of some
of the pain, but this stretch of riding was brutal and raw. It was
clear that I would ride to Rovaniemi and then make an assesment of
the situation. The mental tricks I was using worked quite well: if I
was 40 km from Rovaniemi, that would mean I'm really close, as 40 km
is the distance of my daily bike commutes. I concentrated on the
things that were ok, on the lighter side of things, despite the
riding being so brutal. The bike was working great, the weather was
nice... I also reminded myself that I've been in much tighter
situations. I thought that having a tough time on a bike is just
light cruising, when compared to the things people go through in
ultra-distance running races. I was on my summer vacation, living my
dream, far away from everyday routine. I wanted to be in this very
moment, perhaps suffering a bit, but it was all rewarding and the
greatest prize would await in Nuorgam.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Upon
reaching Rovaniemi I was physically a bit shattered, but the rest of
the way would be easy cruising.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiouEi6GoeHex1G3_QzsiRrbluhgINnsiU63IN7PA-MMS2s82KUOl2oN4IlBPdJrsw9dOOSlm8cmKyDKOU424-xO3DXUcaWFmvNpfkisXjRRpDK_nRdD9wpNg8DZs9FgWq-0KlrubDLTI5/s1600/20170628_223552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiouEi6GoeHex1G3_QzsiRrbluhgINnsiU63IN7PA-MMS2s82KUOl2oN4IlBPdJrsw9dOOSlm8cmKyDKOU424-xO3DXUcaWFmvNpfkisXjRRpDK_nRdD9wpNg8DZs9FgWq-0KlrubDLTI5/s1024/20170628_223552.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I
intended to find another ABC station, but the one at Rovaniemi was
just a cold petrol station so I headed down town.</span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">First
I had to, of course, pay a visit to the Kemijoki river:</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWx_bFmwhtYej7Lhd4_Puuhd-mEvH1pjRIvX47muXUddlL16EMhUgffRi7kbeJD-jcnT-hLfOomZ2aYjQ0yZqsTgdcdwSLK2Mk-8Ko22vwaZ2buhOiL0UCe67nhlJXhLiMYzcCegoVGtrB/s1600/20170628_231044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWx_bFmwhtYej7Lhd4_Puuhd-mEvH1pjRIvX47muXUddlL16EMhUgffRi7kbeJD-jcnT-hLfOomZ2aYjQ0yZqsTgdcdwSLK2Mk-8Ko22vwaZ2buhOiL0UCe67nhlJXhLiMYzcCegoVGtrB/s1024/20170628_231044.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">It
was nearly 11:30 PM. I was hungry in a big way so I ate the largest
burger meal Scan Burger had to offer. After this there would have
been no sense in finding a suitable spot for wild camping, so I rode
directly to Ounaskoski Cmaping. The evening was gorgeous!</span></div>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhshBQYlFQysVxjn5xJSK0XE1YRhjvaXZ0i0nCB-dPO-gtPbprz4g9N01w5YGBG1XUmIAmKNnPmdvMCUdPqwkKpYmqMPzGDZZ65hbzY8LZu-UQzROIZbamJlN8Oluuczf2o7ZnIFIzxMq25/s1600/20170629_011348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhshBQYlFQysVxjn5xJSK0XE1YRhjvaXZ0i0nCB-dPO-gtPbprz4g9N01w5YGBG1XUmIAmKNnPmdvMCUdPqwkKpYmqMPzGDZZ65hbzY8LZu-UQzROIZbamJlN8Oluuczf2o7ZnIFIzxMq25/s1024/20170629_011348.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjBLB5ZG3K58eTRMGmdw8p-wI0YlHw5qXxOHbrt2QcPlpfkuv11-Xf3VhjsTkUwD8XkgQVRQs-35FSbrpQURD2bdPNvinXgvEjHFakZWMuBvWTY2DCwWYu5JcxirR2fXyJHusTbe9W8lYP/s1600/20170629_012250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjBLB5ZG3K58eTRMGmdw8p-wI0YlHw5qXxOHbrt2QcPlpfkuv11-Xf3VhjsTkUwD8XkgQVRQs-35FSbrpQURD2bdPNvinXgvEjHFakZWMuBvWTY2DCwWYu5JcxirR2fXyJHusTbe9W8lYP/s1024/20170629_012250.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">At
Ounaskoski Camping I had to pay for a tent spot, although I didn't
really have a tent. A member of staff helped me find a place for my
bug net but all of the trees were tall pines, making it difficult to
hang the net. Looking around I spotted a children's playground and it
looked like the slide there would form a fantastic shelter. The staff
member told me it was fine by him. Perfect!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicZCKe4Bt_OYM8U1vF5yQNZMsAdc0DGbudWim7-k03dh76eIRmNMO3pJrvtb2envWbCtUQm-Wg2PHRCIw5QOD-hAtJ1jyg2f1MUxlUXWpJSXn5SxtTlNxdzKfacePVQzZpXA2B_TrQvOo6/s1600/20170629_012235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicZCKe4Bt_OYM8U1vF5yQNZMsAdc0DGbudWim7-k03dh76eIRmNMO3pJrvtb2envWbCtUQm-Wg2PHRCIw5QOD-hAtJ1jyg2f1MUxlUXWpJSXn5SxtTlNxdzKfacePVQzZpXA2B_TrQvOo6/s1024/20170629_012235.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">That
day's distance was just 218 km. The day had been a tough one, but my
total distance was 990 km and unless something disastrous happened, I
would be able to reach Nuorgam within my schedule.</span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I
had a pretty good night of sleep, and started my morning routine
early enough. It was only a matter of finding my morning coffee
again. A bit of riding on the E75 and I bumped into a Citymarket and
an R-kioski with fresh coffee but nothing proper to eat. The staff
told me the days deliveries were not in yet. So my timing was a bit
bad, and I still felt somewhat shattered. My other Achilles tendon
had started to show signs of pain as well. I loaded both sides with
an ample coating of pain gel and took another double dose of pain
killers, and left the shoe straps quite loose.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Starting
the day was all about slowish grinding but as the hours passed things
got better. It was still really raw going, but my next longer pause
would be at Sodankylä. Once again I made my mind work with its full
force, focusing on the lighter side of things. The weather was good,
the bike was ticking like a clock etc. Between Rovaniemi and
Sonankylä I had a couple of short breaks, first at a small shop for
some better breakfast and later on a cafe. It was on this stage that
I came across the first bike tourist on the entire trip.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiawzkyeZ6-Lsop3alWdfeLxdj0Sdh7MF-A07QfFZsvbWaenKkpdENMWn_KIEY2z01EmPGTeesSo7lNdvs2prWo03G96t7eSx8eNkQ7YNlX9YkJVxMsJRUk-StFo2gXnulLwEyYP5eqFg6T/s1600/20170629_135753.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiawzkyeZ6-Lsop3alWdfeLxdj0Sdh7MF-A07QfFZsvbWaenKkpdENMWn_KIEY2z01EmPGTeesSo7lNdvs2prWo03G96t7eSx8eNkQ7YNlX9YkJVxMsJRUk-StFo2gXnulLwEyYP5eqFg6T/s1024/20170629_135753.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The
crossroads to Pyhä-Luosto. A familiar, great place from last winter!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnPhLRnxd89Z4XFvez93hA6VPsXBP6jWgKJQfyxEZYaii0rID_SYqA5HFxRhfaQUrYc_jqy1Eerxd0NHYUrLdP7jqyBd4yZkKinECxWAlp5NXKMpzX4H-HK2T5H7r1jx2zuk6TFM39qpAV/s1600/20170629_145752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnPhLRnxd89Z4XFvez93hA6VPsXBP6jWgKJQfyxEZYaii0rID_SYqA5HFxRhfaQUrYc_jqy1Eerxd0NHYUrLdP7jqyBd4yZkKinECxWAlp5NXKMpzX4H-HK2T5H7r1jx2zuk6TFM39qpAV/s1024/20170629_145752.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">As
I reached Sodankylä I immediately headed for the pharmacy as I was
running low on pain killers. I had enough pain gel left. I wanted to
eat something other than pizza or hamburgers so I went to a small
restaurant called Päivin Kammari. I ordered salmon soup and hooked
up my phone charger and power bank for charging.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">As
I was eating, a rain front rolled in. It wasn't massive but at times
the rain was quite intense and it kept raining for at least an hour.
I stretched my stay as I didn't see sense in going for another bath
on my bike now that my clothes were dry. The clock was ticking
mercilessy, however, and my thoughts revolved around the following
night. When the rain would stop, I would ride at least to Saariselkä
and find a spot to sleep in. On this break i was feeling great, and I
knew that the best part of the ride was ahead of me, Northern
Lappland at its best. The final night spent on the road was waiting,
and I didn't have to hold back at all any more. I applied more pain
gel and took pain killers. Before leaving I hooked up with my friend
Matti on Messenger and he listed the services that I would be able to
use on the remaining route, complete with opening hours.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Finally
the rain stopped and I got back on the bike. And I really enjoyed
riding. Finally things started to roll properly! And at the same time
the scenery turned into wilderness!</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBGU7eQzrfBuWwhrFceXqZ3f3ANZRT-CYINuPXOZP6jkcKH3iS4e2UShmJligDiGqVDTc8O6zhgL3A-GGryo2yK7M2Gw4gVOqfqFuSrI1JrxgjjOin8RhlXK9qUavNq4rUZ2VRRBkEz_6q/s1600/20170629_203620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBGU7eQzrfBuWwhrFceXqZ3f3ANZRT-CYINuPXOZP6jkcKH3iS4e2UShmJligDiGqVDTc8O6zhgL3A-GGryo2yK7M2Gw4gVOqfqFuSrI1JrxgjjOin8RhlXK9qUavNq4rUZ2VRRBkEz_6q/s1024/20170629_203620.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">At
Peurasuvanto I met with another slow moving rain area. I stopped at a
camping ground for a while to wait the rain off. A woman was leaving
the area and asked if I needed help. I told her I'm just waiting for
the rain to pass and told what sort of a ride I was on.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The
rain area was massive enough to keep the roads wet for 30 – 40 km
of riding, making my legs and feet wet again. But I didn't let that
bother me, as the evening was beautiful and I felt great on the bike.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I
started playing music in my head, as I naturally didn't have an MP3
player with me, and I don't think you ever should. Using one would
have been extremely dangerous with the traffic I'd faced. During the
night I kept going through the ear worm By Anna Puu called ”I just
need one more night”. A catchy melody, definitely, but the lyrics
matched my situation: I just needed one more night as well.</span></div>
<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I
arrived to Saariselkä feeling quite strong, at about 1 or 2 AM. I
headed for Hotel Riekkolinna which has 24h reception. The guy working
there was very kind and allowed me to do some basic maintenance under
their roof. I naturally bought snacks and drinks, as they had potato
chips, chocolate and Coke to offer. The man told me to take my shoes
and socks to the drying booth, which was luxury as my wet feet were
actually getting a bit cold. It was nice talking to this guy on night
duty.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I
wasn't in a hurry at Saariselkä as Ivalo and Inari weren't far away
any more and I preferred to arrive at Inari at a time when the local
gas station was open, to get breakfast and coffee. At this point I
wasn't even tired. The plan was clear for the rest of the trip: I
would ride all the way to Nuorgam without sleeping in between! As I
left Saariselkä, the weather was beautiful but a bit chilly.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
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</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Closing
in on Inari the lake views were extremely beautiful and wild. The
nature in this part of Lappland is not just pretty. It's really,
really beautiful and magnificent.</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I
arrived in Inari just as the local little store opened its doors. I
got a set of the old familiar snacks and topped it off with some
jerky and beer bangers. Next I enjoyed a morning coffee and breakfast
at a Neste gas station. This was the first time sleep deprivation
started to have an effect and I dozed off sitting at the table. Back
to the bike. It was easy enough to start off again, as I just
couldn't wait to ride through the Kaldoaivi wilderness!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnjcPnKe0wxd3xg2FUic7sQzayQP9VZIIilTCZkB4r5DQ744R9YhoIgoDaE7aI0kiHiLtuxiFs9r-zKfyRlEySrXaDvJP0CAF7gHsq3DqfDqRVmh7AwtvtlR0OnQqYcVMAFC63OMkKPWEM/s1600/20170630_091352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnjcPnKe0wxd3xg2FUic7sQzayQP9VZIIilTCZkB4r5DQ744R9YhoIgoDaE7aI0kiHiLtuxiFs9r-zKfyRlEySrXaDvJP0CAF7gHsq3DqfDqRVmh7AwtvtlR0OnQqYcVMAFC63OMkKPWEM/s1024/20170630_091352.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">As
expected, I spotted some reindeer on a couple of occasions:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">And
finally I was close to Kaldoaivi! At this point my internal jukebox
was playing for instance the Shamen and Move Any Mountain.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">In
Kaldoaivi (and on the left side the Kevo nature reserve, with the
Paistunturi wilderness further in the scene) I cought up with a
German woman on a bike tour. She seemed a bit surprised to hear I had
started from Hanko the passed Sunday and had been going non-stop from
Rovaniemi and would not stop until Nuorgam. Her next stop was
Utsjoki. I told her I would have a break there so perhaps we would
meet again.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">By
the time I reached Kaldoaivi I was feeling simply euphoric and my
smile was too big for my face to handle!</span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">As
I continued towards Utsjoki the road offered me more downhills and
riding was easy. Too easy, in fact, a sign of sleep deprivation
getting down to its old tricks. During one descent I felt so tired
that I stopped at a bush next to the stream and dozed off with the
calming sounds of the stream ringing in my ears. This was, however,
not the time to switch off so I got up again. Of the ultra distance
races I've read about and seen documentaries of, the Barkley
Marathons has of course made a huge impression. In the short
documentary film Barkley 100 Jared Campbell, to be three-time winner
of the race, is seen tying the laces of his shoes with his body
language full of determination. As I was riding, I kept repeating his
words ”Just a bit more, and then it's done”.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Arriving
in Utsjoki I stopped at Annukka's Grill and ate a hamburger and drank
a Coke. I was just about 45 km away from the Nuorgam border. Just a
touch beyond my bike commute distance, so it shouldn't be bad, right?
Matti sent me a message saying: ”enjoy it, the route follows the
river Teno”.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfS00VdYHw0atriCkFf4VWIpcXokqfvBdFO7yuY3ozaxlZsSE95XKsezHAM4Nc8i0cFQarpOMFuc6bhjxUQU1ds-LrX5BefPW4pfG8P7VhaSkqKKGl54U7CaJN72UjcGsIfdsfD8NYR440/s1600/20170630_141547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfS00VdYHw0atriCkFf4VWIpcXokqfvBdFO7yuY3ozaxlZsSE95XKsezHAM4Nc8i0cFQarpOMFuc6bhjxUQU1ds-LrX5BefPW4pfG8P7VhaSkqKKGl54U7CaJN72UjcGsIfdsfD8NYR440/s1024/20170630_141547.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I
bought the last snacks of the trip from Uulan Säästö:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnxOmFRbJpiqh5XmBVFkmWYIYPOkjH5yVaG2-L67494BCRCFWxmtPOBStovLOEO2pg7EmJkNYVsvYDZ-X3e2FOILfQvHce8tJp0m4xjrK0hYKM9G0ZfpgPOEv_tSIyt-bbUOHLttrKWtq6/s1600/20170630_150817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnxOmFRbJpiqh5XmBVFkmWYIYPOkjH5yVaG2-L67494BCRCFWxmtPOBStovLOEO2pg7EmJkNYVsvYDZ-X3e2FOILfQvHce8tJp0m4xjrK0hYKM9G0ZfpgPOEv_tSIyt-bbUOHLttrKWtq6/s1024/20170630_150817.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The
weather seemed quite nice as well...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqHlWk7iMIujxdXgnnggQ8G11A-TVzvVWetzC-z9BeC0y7wiQvYvygjlBV_6UXU5e3MdsCAQs90U_BEf3fkcD0pqZNkGVY0_rsAGIIODnfxAU2Y0D-L6hXPWt8hqnwYIwEPJbH63oDe6A6/s1600/20170630_150940.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqHlWk7iMIujxdXgnnggQ8G11A-TVzvVWetzC-z9BeC0y7wiQvYvygjlBV_6UXU5e3MdsCAQs90U_BEf3fkcD0pqZNkGVY0_rsAGIIODnfxAU2Y0D-L6hXPWt8hqnwYIwEPJbH63oDe6A6/s1024/20170630_150940.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">until
the road changed direction, and so did the wind.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGmeeYR7B6iG1vsimEmGmFibBWMtsAVzu4ZnMSZH_hXltyYA24lTX8l8vXbg8wG5xVg6ymOdSLemf2VA0bOdqfkKEwUODo_O9aLng4RqtDG1RRgrGx-bBATtcX-FARYSxxINDpVSyoQnL/s1600/20170630_152049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGmeeYR7B6iG1vsimEmGmFibBWMtsAVzu4ZnMSZH_hXltyYA24lTX8l8vXbg8wG5xVg6ymOdSLemf2VA0bOdqfkKEwUODo_O9aLng4RqtDG1RRgrGx-bBATtcX-FARYSxxINDpVSyoQnL/s1024/20170630_152049.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Riding
along the Tenojoki and in the mountain passes the wind was hard and
completely against me. For 10 km I rode at an easier pace, with the
result I started to drift off, big time.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYM5kW09LvReG5tgPJFjrpP5CP_kwXwKziWubb-TXTmGbNbyVpBtp3p3yH6W1A8VUeZrcI9NfLH120ycoxj3PvZ1mB88UjEPR0XbHiYVWH5F0lZZzH8do3Lbk1uPbE0WVChErm3RLuzHyV/s1600/20170630_154945.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYM5kW09LvReG5tgPJFjrpP5CP_kwXwKziWubb-TXTmGbNbyVpBtp3p3yH6W1A8VUeZrcI9NfLH120ycoxj3PvZ1mB88UjEPR0XbHiYVWH5F0lZZzH8do3Lbk1uPbE0WVChErm3RLuzHyV/s1024/20170630_154945.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">In
addition to the strong headwind it of course started to rain as well.
On the left side of the road was a small hut where someone was
selling fishing licenses. I rode to the hut, took shelter from the
wind by its wall and closed my eyes. I didn't really fall asleep but
had a small rest. But I still had 35 km left! I couldn't allow myself
to switch off here! A dramatic finale was needed, once again. It felt
like the wind and rain were gathering momentum. I got up. Now it was
all about trying to ride towards the finish line, to the end. My only
option was to ride as fast as I could, otherwise I would fall asleep
and wake up at the bottom of a ditch. I managed to get my adrenaline
levels up and rode most of the way off the saddle, blasting away. The
route was a series of up and down hills. On occasions I reminesced
over the final scene in the movie about the bridge over the river
Kwai, where William Holden fights to his last breath, even though he
has been shot. ”Fight! Till the end!” I kept telling myself. The
last kilometers really started to feel like torture, as I never
seemed to reach the border post. But of course I would, just a couple
of more kilometers. The final stretch was all uphill, in a head wind
that by now was feeling quite infernal. Then I saw the border and the
famous rock with a plate ”The most Northern point of Finland” and
”The most Northern Point of the European Union”. It was hard to
believe! Is this really it?! Yes it is!! I was taken over by
emotions and tears were running down my eyes as I rode the last 10 –
20 meters. I slammed by bike seat with my fist and lifted my hand up.
There was no-one around.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">A
bit later a couple of families arrived in two cars and they took
photos of each other at the post. The father of the last of these
families took this photo.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX0i-aNdJaZNmInXbgRxuH2Yyx29pauEO3jVPkwwUyJv8mSSp2uy5RJvzcMpBdUoiSXUn1mbaD4hcuxwLO84t7P-UlqAgPO2g1Z_b3cBUFdEMIqIpcIZ3LFqm8JBWsA9RcAFL5cufEkmj-/s1600/20170630_175332.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX0i-aNdJaZNmInXbgRxuH2Yyx29pauEO3jVPkwwUyJv8mSSp2uy5RJvzcMpBdUoiSXUn1mbaD4hcuxwLO84t7P-UlqAgPO2g1Z_b3cBUFdEMIqIpcIZ3LFqm8JBWsA9RcAFL5cufEkmj-/s1024/20170630_175332.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I
felt a bit dizzy and very fuzzy, and unreal, to be honest.</span></div>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9fKzE4Y9beQBOohdcqC2QomR1yQ-HO20Zj8KTA27L6lEcesKIjiI45dHgaYsTKjzWZYpZGHgaEC7KZHRL5YGEt9a0JVBZXRWDX1rv4m31EVauicHmZdYOeKC7znuEpYfHeR_GXVcpM3ic/s1600/20170630_175431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9fKzE4Y9beQBOohdcqC2QomR1yQ-HO20Zj8KTA27L6lEcesKIjiI45dHgaYsTKjzWZYpZGHgaEC7KZHRL5YGEt9a0JVBZXRWDX1rv4m31EVauicHmZdYOeKC7znuEpYfHeR_GXVcpM3ic/s1024/20170630_175431.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4mR71vFkRc42WoIyiIIJCz_cyx0Cg-YZ-0WLhE5hDUiV9wLohuo2ZHLUUj4ASWZY8SjYYlxwcabtghaDiSoWryWMgw_71nZ-giB147swQkMrYcRv0DeJvqVhR3SFY6vRICP9XGHWrJ5iX/s1600/20170630_180312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4mR71vFkRc42WoIyiIIJCz_cyx0Cg-YZ-0WLhE5hDUiV9wLohuo2ZHLUUj4ASWZY8SjYYlxwcabtghaDiSoWryWMgw_71nZ-giB147swQkMrYcRv0DeJvqVhR3SFY6vRICP9XGHWrJ5iX/s1024/20170630_180312.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The
rain stopped and I reported in social media: ”Destination reached
and mission accomplished!”.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht0I8h0vFqC1EXnslWPwGJ9dhjaIhrEN9XHyYR9qHIMghcNPiWtvUt2RnTVxBbdAGU8jPxP9ouNnqj9EO69usJK4-2rGMlBK2B5G6ERPDOxPGj5Tg_Ij98SUuZQZVPcI25B1_WckkmBhK-/s1600/20170630_182811.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht0I8h0vFqC1EXnslWPwGJ9dhjaIhrEN9XHyYR9qHIMghcNPiWtvUt2RnTVxBbdAGU8jPxP9ouNnqj9EO69usJK4-2rGMlBK2B5G6ERPDOxPGj5Tg_Ij98SUuZQZVPcI25B1_WckkmBhK-/s1024/20170630_182811.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiQPVI5YaX0MXteWDedjxr4EZRaAnnk5UvQBUbLqq8sq5T_SFAt_-Yf7UnzoO4Ap4lr5uvOMcQAZd6uNJng0FFPvc4vzFLpfAfwwI3vlmuy94BNNi3357xGgPxo6hO3yj8e-ckvKLoFUD-/s1600/20170630_183927.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiQPVI5YaX0MXteWDedjxr4EZRaAnnk5UvQBUbLqq8sq5T_SFAt_-Yf7UnzoO4Ap4lr5uvOMcQAZd6uNJng0FFPvc4vzFLpfAfwwI3vlmuy94BNNi3357xGgPxo6hO3yj8e-ckvKLoFUD-/s1024/20170630_183927.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">My
total distance was a touch under 1500 km and it had taken me 5 days
and about 3.5 hours.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I
wandered around Nuorgam for a while and bought something to eat at
the village store. I set up camp in the brush, but close enough to
the road that I would be near the bus stop. Had this trip taken much
less than 5 days and nights, I could have taken another 30 km ride to
reach the Arctic ocean shore in Norway.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwixzwo2NRCI_-6gecUvctuOPvalx_sIOLBa7NG7WSqOmuIUCsOcGeNVsdcu7cVF5-tv89hJ3YUo85UWRsW3CU9xuFWVx6pS6G0oey5K0BzY23qVqYMShu58sEy9PhwVlvetqiI9UYytvj/s1600/20170630_205723.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwixzwo2NRCI_-6gecUvctuOPvalx_sIOLBa7NG7WSqOmuIUCsOcGeNVsdcu7cVF5-tv89hJ3YUo85UWRsW3CU9xuFWVx6pS6G0oey5K0BzY23qVqYMShu58sEy9PhwVlvetqiI9UYytvj/s1024/20170630_205723.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I
got a couple of hours of sleep, waking up well before the bus
arrived, around 3 AM. A 67-year old female bike tourist was also
waiting for the bus. She had been making day trips in Norway. We
ended up talking about surprisingly deep matters regarding the world
and human nature.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">During
the bus ride I ended up feeling like I did back in 2015 on my way
back to Anchorage from McGrath after the ITI race, with the other ITI
competitors. Instead of jet engines, this time the low and powerful
noise of a bus engine seemed to amplify the glory of heading back
home, as I was seeing the route from the other direction much faster
than I had ridden my bike. That feeling is pretty much impossible to
describe, but I can tell you it is marvellous.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">There
was a third cyclist on the bus trip, a 21 or 22 year old guy called
Riku, who had started from Helsinki and taken the Eastern route for a
total of 1800 km all the way to the Arctic ocean. He had been riding
for a month. His bike and gear was naturally different from mine. Two
different approaches, but a once in a life time experience for the
both of us:</span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">We
had a tasty pasta meal together in Rovaniemi, and it was heavenly
good:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFOgIGlInulmqO-Dldd152K40sFUOovxZkR5mIhfJ1S7HFpg9KUVSrI6LPfocIQqEJyfWLI8fJ3UuX-mNKMabEpc2AYP-DGaROq_vO_SQ3FBU_EQ88Mi6B_bkrrv8VJ0jF91yC3Ur3vp8_/s1600/20170701_131901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFOgIGlInulmqO-Dldd152K40sFUOovxZkR5mIhfJ1S7HFpg9KUVSrI6LPfocIQqEJyfWLI8fJ3UuX-mNKMabEpc2AYP-DGaROq_vO_SQ3FBU_EQ88Mi6B_bkrrv8VJ0jF91yC3Ur3vp8_/s1024/20170701_131901.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Next
we headed to the shore of Ounasjoki. Riku was clearly a fine young
man with highly respectable values. I showed him some pictures of my
Alaskan excursion and I think they impressed him quite a bit. I told
him he'll get there if he feels like it and takes it as a personal
goal.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkhRUh7fQf0su20XecLzc1DiM9-TbRjgei0Oj2NTmKgrtCbMmvpsYHIZKhn_2KvtO9mdFRYLiPIlqQcu6gRQJmzX3u4uxr8DSCjM-5ynvoMPK9y4k5651gTeD5grd-r1h_7E5CZ_BAEHo0/s1600/20170701_145257.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkhRUh7fQf0su20XecLzc1DiM9-TbRjgei0Oj2NTmKgrtCbMmvpsYHIZKhn_2KvtO9mdFRYLiPIlqQcu6gRQJmzX3u4uxr8DSCjM-5ynvoMPK9y4k5651gTeD5grd-r1h_7E5CZ_BAEHo0/s1024/20170701_145257.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">In
the evening I went down town to enjoy the city before the train left,
and bumped into Julian Amorrich, a man I had met in the Rovaniemi 150
races.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Rovaniemi
railway station:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">On
the train I got some more cyclist company, as a very peculiar bike
tourist took the same train to Oulu. An interesting purist, who was
fun to talk with.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It
was close to midnight again, and I thought I might finally fall
asleep. It's quite uncomfortable on a train seat, but I went into a
sort of a fetal position and tried anyway. Some whacky guy sitting
behind me kept playing a pitiful excuse of a song on repeat.
Thankfully he stopped some time into the night.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I
was half-dozing until Seinäjoki and I was woken up by the noise made
by people heading home from the Provinssirock festival. I had
forgotten about the festival, and the fact it had come to an end just
as I was making my way back home. God damnit, I thought, believing
this would be an extreme trip in the true meaning of the word. A
young lady who was actually not intoxicated at all sat beside me. The
rest of the bunch were, and most of them were much older than her.
Well, all I could do was grit my teeth and suffer. Thankfully in less
than an hour the noisy bunch had fallen asleep.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">FINAL
ANALYSIS:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Trans
Finlandia turned out to be a vivid adventure with a bit more
adversity than I had expected. As always, overcoming adversity feels
marvellous. My faith was, however, not really tested at any stage. I
was actually extremely determined, as this ride had been a dream of
mine for a long time. The grand 505 km finale from Rovaniemi to
Nuorgam, once again proved the fact that on a bike, testing my
limits, I am exactly the person I want to be. And although it might
seem a bit crazy, I find it very easy and natural to be in that
situation. During the trip I was naturally helped by my dear wife,
who has inspired me by showing her strength in fighting through her
health problems. I also thank everyone who cheered me on in social
media!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">To
end the story, here's a bit of ”what ifs”. Had I been in better
physical shape, and with nicer weather, I believe I would have been
able to reach the finish line at least 12 to 18 hours earlier. But
this was also an adventure, not just performance. It gave another big
dose of confidence to carry on towards ITI and Nome.</span></span></div>
Toni Lundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05842467508604261945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3788486177697080103.post-67629246284683273572017-07-09T18:59:00.000+03:002017-07-09T18:59:06.955+03:00Trans Finlandia<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pyöräilyurani alkoi 'vakavammin' vuonna 1997 maantiepyöräilystä kun liityin turkulaiseen Pyörä-68 seuraan. Innoittajana vaikutti aika pitkälti ammattilaispyöräilyn seuraaminen Eurosportilta vuodesta 1993 alkaen, jolloin Tour de Francea hallitsi legendaarinen Miguel Indurain. Indurainin lisäksi minuun teki suuren vaikutuksen Tony Rominger. Herrasmiehiä molemmat. Muutaman vuoden systemaattisen harjoittelun jälkeen en ollut kuitenkaan tyytyväinen tulostasooni, ja huomasin että vauhtia ja voimaa minusta ei vaan löytynyt riittävästi. Elämäntilanne alkoi muutenkin muuttua 2000-luvulla. Pyöräily ei suinkaan loppunut, vaan mielenkiinto siirtyi pidemmille matkoille ja enemmän maastopyöräilyyn, jossa innostuin 24-tunnin soolokisoista.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pikavauhtia 2010-luvulle, jolloin minua alkoi kiinnostamaan bikepacking-retket ja talvipyöräily fatbike-pyörien tultua kuvioihin. Talvikisat tuntuivatkin sopivan minulle parhaitan, kun melkein voitin Rovaniemi 150 kisan vuonna 2014. Seuraavana vuonna osallistuin ensimmäisenä suomalaisena Iditarod Trail Invitational -kisaan Alaskassa 350 mailin matkalla. ITI onkin ollut tähän mennessä uran huipentuma.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">ITI-vuonna 2015 kävin vielä ajamassa Levi24 -kisan, jolloin lievästi flunssasta sairaana taistelin kakkossijalle. Kaipasin kuitenkin jotain uutta haastetta seuraavalle kesälle. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Samoihin aikoihin alkoi kuitenkin hiipiä mieleen ajatus paluusta maanteille.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">24-tunnin konsepti on hieno mutta jo moneen kertaan koettu enkä kokenut mitään syytä lähteä ajamaan sitä maantiellä, kuten Ratareisi -tapahtumaan. 24 tuntia maantiellä olisi liian helppo, joka ei tarjoaisi suurempaa yllätystä ja elämystä. Ylipäätään, ITIn jälkeen kaikki kotimaan karkelot tuntuivat liian helpoilta, paitsi Mammuttimarssi / Synkkä Syysunelma.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Aluksi suunnittelin kesälle 2016 1000 kilometrin ajoa Turusta Leville, huoltoauton kanssa. Logistiikka ja muut resurssit osoittautuivat kuitenkin hankaliksi, ja ajo olisi ollut liian suorituskeskeinen. 2010-luvulla omissa jutuissani keskiössä on ollut enemmän seikkailu. Niinpä ajatus siirtyi ajoon Suomen halki bikepacking-konseptilla, täysin unsupported eli ilman ulkopuolista apua. Lähtöpaikkana olisi tietysti Hangon eteläkärjessä oleva Vapaudenpatsas, ja maalina Nuorgam ja siellä Suomen ja Norjan raja. Reitistä riippuen matkaa tulisi noin 1440-1500 km. Inspiraationa Trans Finlandiaan on toiminut m</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">aailmalla ja myös Suomessa ajettavat lukuisat brevet-, randonneur- ja audax -ajot, sekä niiden pohjalta syntyneet uudet ultramatkojen maantiekisat, kuten The Transcontinental Race Euroopassa ja Trans Am Bike Race Yhdysvalloissa. Jonkinlaisena unelmana Trans Finlandia on ollut mielessäni kauan.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Asetin melko kunnianhimoisen tavoitteen ajaa Trans Finlandia 4-5 vuorokaudessa. Kesää lähestyttäessä se ei tuntunut hirvittävän realistiselta, sillä ajokilometrejä oli tätä ennen ehtinyt kertyä vaivaiset 3200. Lisäksi kulunut vuosi on ollut synkkä. Mike Hall, genren legenda, kuoli maaliskuussa ajetussa Indian Pacific Wheel Racessa autoilijan ajettua päälle. Vaikka en koskaan tavannut Mikea, tuo päivä oli musertava. Huonot uutiset jatkuivat kesäkuussa kun Trans Am Bike Racessa Eric Fishbein kuoli niin ikään autoilijan toimesta. Uutiset eivät ole Suomessakaan olleet kovin rohkaisevia. Oli selvää että tämä tulisi olemaan tähän mennessä vaarallisin ajo.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pitkissä ajoissa on myös se ongelma että niitä ei ihan pikkurahalla pysty toteuttamaan. Pienellä budjetilla pitäisi kuitenkin pärjätä, sillä päätavoite on ensi talven ITI:ssä. Yöpyminen ei aiheuttaisi kustannuksia, sillä nukkuisin tietysti joka yö ulkona, varusteina hyttysverkko, makuualusta, makuupussi ja tyyny. Jos yöllä sataisi vettä, etsisin jonkin alkeellisen suojan, kuten ladon, bussipysäkin, tai jotain muuta. Mutta matkustaminen takaisin kotiin maksaisi. Bussilippu Nuorgamista Rovaniemelle maksaisi pyörän kanssa 95,50€. Junalipun kanssa kävi tuuri, kun löytyi säästölippu yöjunaan, 43,10€, tosin istumapaikalle. Ruokaa ja juomaa saisi edullisesti kaupoista, ABC-asemilta jne.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kesäloman alkupuolella kävin ajamassa muutamia vähän pidempiä lenkkejä. Fiilis niissä oli vaihteleva, ja tuleva koitos aiheutti jälleen mielessäni epäröintiä, varsinkin kun sääennusteetkaan eivät kauhean lupaavilta näyttäneet. Mutta unelmat eivät toteudu nettiä surffaamalla. Trans Finlandia olisi hyvää treeniä ja testi ITIä ajatellen. Reitin varrella on noin puolessa välissä myös paikka lapsuuden kesiltä (ja talviltakin), Martinniemen kylä Haukiputaan kunnassa Oulun pohjoispuolella jossa isovanhemmat aikoinaan asuivat. Halusin vihdoin käydä sielläkin. Tilaisuudet että pääsee yrittämään jotain tällaista ovat todella harvassa. Ajaisin Miken muistoksi #bemoremike ja Suomi täyttää 100 vuotta. Ajattelinkin että 'nyt tai ei koskaan', 'syteen tai saveen'. Kunto ei ollut riittävällä tasolla, mutta ajaisin sitten teemalla 'weak body, strong mind'. Tiesin että pääkopasta tämä ei tule olemaan kiinni, mutta kestäisikö kroppa?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pyöräksi valikoitui vanha maantiepyöräni Ridley Excalibur vuodelta 2006, jossa on vuoden 1998 Campagnolo Record osasarja kampia lukuunottamatta, Campan Khamsin kiekot niin ikään vuodelta 2006 ja lisätankona <a href="https://www.bikeshop.fi/Profile-Design-T2-Aluminium-l/ekauppa/pPROFI00000380020/" target="_blank">Profile Design T2+ Aluminium</a>. 53-hampaisen eturattaan tilalle vaihdoin 50-hampaisen Stronglightin. Koska ajatus olisi tehdä jonkinlainen pohja-aika Hangon ja Nuorgamin välille, varustus olisi myös kevyt ja minimalistinen. Pyörässä oli kiinni Porcelain Rocketin satulalaukku, Revelate Designsin Gas Tank, Jerrycan ja yksi Mountain Feedbag. Rungon sisällä lisäksi <a href="https://www.bikeshop.fi/Deuter-runkolaukku/ekauppa/pBG5682/" target="_blank">Deuterin pieni runkolaukku</a>, 0,7 ja 0,95 litran (<a href="https://www.bikeshop.fi/Elite-Juomapullo-Maxicorsa-950/ekauppa/pEL0102204/" target="_blank">Elite Maxicorsa</a>) juomapullot ja pumppu. Etuvalona Lumicycle Explorer pienellä akulla ja takavalona Planet Bike Superflash. Renkaina <a href="https://www.bikeshop.fi/Continental-GP4000S-II-25-622/ekauppa/p0100945/" target="_blank">Continental GP4000S II 25mm</a> levyisenä. Navigointiin ja suorituksen tallentamiseen käytössä oli Garmin eTrex 30x.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsSsy52TmC3VZx6sQYtxVoEI7PwmGIxB10lU1L7sDlxXrvDBj4XMHiUwQMt2zMHhr3jXK8Q7MQVWIdBwXf2oYlAvSh5FdubF0ZOzBM5I596VmcCznohgewGpZimZDvcswqLDjjKCJ8rQM-/s1600/20170623_155606.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" width="768" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsSsy52TmC3VZx6sQYtxVoEI7PwmGIxB10lU1L7sDlxXrvDBj4XMHiUwQMt2zMHhr3jXK8Q7MQVWIdBwXf2oYlAvSh5FdubF0ZOzBM5I596VmcCznohgewGpZimZDvcswqLDjjKCJ8rQM-/s1024/20170623_155606.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQK_YGiDrxbd0wQSvvq-eE23GEIjfzzvUFhosTonF-3HuSEdTiyu1e-bkCTAbOOeCF7YYC8mmkoRA4iRzEd7cvWCoecFSy7P2OHUi95S4BMhPNBOkeyNBgVGSAFi3HYyrSlpganuNFL3uY/s1600/20170623_155718.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" width="768" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQK_YGiDrxbd0wQSvvq-eE23GEIjfzzvUFhosTonF-3HuSEdTiyu1e-bkCTAbOOeCF7YYC8mmkoRA4iRzEd7cvWCoecFSy7P2OHUi95S4BMhPNBOkeyNBgVGSAFi3HYyrSlpganuNFL3uY/s1024/20170623_155718.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Laukkuihin mahtui sopivasti kuvan varusteet:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiyFhrz9X6psC0kVb7FI2tIVE2T51qcadxIHDc11naEZn-a0Rq4MLsU1S0Fq_GOLdTQwvEcJuvmZiywJgDVTDq5ncdovnGqIPdtPOuFLhNBDjzBDZEzS0K0Q-OtIu_uTxhb4ZcEJkLHFKU/s1600/DSC_6237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="675" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiyFhrz9X6psC0kVb7FI2tIVE2T51qcadxIHDc11naEZn-a0Rq4MLsU1S0Fq_GOLdTQwvEcJuvmZiywJgDVTDq5ncdovnGqIPdtPOuFLhNBDjzBDZEzS0K0Q-OtIu_uTxhb4ZcEJkLHFKU/s1024/DSC_6237.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jotka ovat:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Marmot Wave 0 50F/0C makuupussi</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Thermarest NeoAir XTherm makuualusta</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Exped Air Pillow (large)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Sea To Summit Mosquito Net, single treaded 1 hlö</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- <a href="https://www.bikeshop.fi/Endura-MTR-Shell-Jacket/ekauppa/pENEM0053/" target="_blank">Endura MTR kuoritakki</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- pitkähihainen lisäajopaita</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- 2 kpl Rex-buffeja</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- 45NRTH Swiftwick merinovillasukat</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- ajohanskat</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- sisärengas</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- <a href="https://www.bikeshop.fi/Park-GP-2-pikapaikkarasia/ekauppa/pPT100523/" target="_blank">Park Tool GP-2 Super Patch paikkarasia</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- <a href="https://www.bikeshop.fi/Park-AWS-10C-6-sarja/ekauppa/pPT100053/" target="_blank">Park Tool AWS-10 kuusiokoloavainsarja</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- <a href="https://www.bikeshop.fi/Park-SW-0C-Puolausavain-musta/ekauppa/pPT101001/" target="_blank">Park Tool SW-0C puolausavain</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Leatherman Blast monitoimiveitsi</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- 4 kpl AA-paristoja</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- pieni hammasharja ja tahnaa</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Samsung Galaxy S4 älypuhelin</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- GP PowerBank 10400mAh varavirtalähde</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- laturi ja johto</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- patukoita, geelejä ja urheilujuomajauhepusseja</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- irtokarkkeja Mountain Feedbagissä</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Revelate Designs minilompakko pankkikortille (paidan taskussa)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ajovaatteina oli yläosassa <a href="https://www.bikeshop.fi/Kona-Base-Layer-Shirt/ekauppa/pKOBASESHIRT/" target="_blank">Kona Base Layer</a> merinovilla-aluspaita, Assos tuulenpitävä pitkähihainen ajopaita, jaloissa Assos ajohousut, Nalini knee warmers, Woolsense sukat ja käsissä <a href="https://www.bikeshop.fi/Endura-MTR-Glove-II/ekauppa/pENEM0055/" target="_blank">Endura MTR Glove II</a> ajohanskat. Kenkinä fi'zi:k R5.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Käytin reitin suunnitteluun <a href="http://www.ridewithgps.com/">www.ridewithgps.com</a> palvelua ja lisäapuna <a href="http://www.kurakartta.net/">www.kurakartta.net</a> -sivustoa, jolla sain karsittua hiekkatiet pois. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Alun perin suunnittelin lähteväni Hangosta maanantaina 26.6 noin klo 12, mutta aikataulu olisi ollut liian tiukka sillä bussi lähti Nuorgamista lauantaina 1.7 klo 04.40. Pitkissä ajoissa tulee joka tapauksessa yllätyksiä ja aikaa on varattava riittävästi. Niinpä lähtöajaksi tuli sunnuntai 25.6 iltapäivä. Juhannuksen paluuliikennettä olisi varmasti jonkun verran mutta ehkä se rauhoittuisi alkuiltaan mennessä.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hangossa aurinko paistoi:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNTKx_CrWFn4_dzQqWUZ9mDedi7vkj_zeUCa5oLvLi9E-Bvk9LHY1PcuqRZ9NPhL2qwlZvXd40VdQgH_XIM_6AnwD5m_O1sEQHWmZa3iXQjodciwpqCw_x8yXqvWUWTiqAP_gh2aNYUpNL/s1600/20170625_135931.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNTKx_CrWFn4_dzQqWUZ9mDedi7vkj_zeUCa5oLvLi9E-Bvk9LHY1PcuqRZ9NPhL2qwlZvXd40VdQgH_XIM_6AnwD5m_O1sEQHWmZa3iXQjodciwpqCw_x8yXqvWUWTiqAP_gh2aNYUpNL/s1024/20170625_135931.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sain unelmastartin kun Hangosta Tammisaareen oli reipas myötätuuli, keskinopeuden ollessa ~35 km/h. Tieosuus oli hyvä ajaa koska piennar on siellä leveä eikä liikennettä ollut ylettömän paljon. Tammisaaresta Saloon tuuli oli enimmäkseen sivulta ja melko kovaa ja puuskaista. Tällä osuudella piennar on jo melkoisen kapea ja liikennettäkin oli. Ajaminen olikin paikoiteillen aika haasteellista. Lisäksi tuolla osuudella on varsin reippaita mäkiä.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Salossa pidin ensimmäisen lyhyen evästauon ja käväisin K-kaupassa. Sitten matka jatkui kohti Someroa. Myötätuuli oli takana ja ajaminen sujui mallikkaasti. Fiilis parani muutenkin kaiken aikaa koska tulossa oli Torronsuon kansallispuisto, tieosuus joka oli entuudestaan tuttu vuoden 2015 Mammuttimarssista:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrc2kSDnxPLAmWBJACtFOp0UoZfY2_p35yNvun1aUJtRLJ4uJnXM5TAZwBG6Vmyioc0nXb2KS8fmn7IucJTnYkb5Xe99ptrHRQcTESCIVnvwbNbi6FbFz5_oKRKO7fmbeHGyIxkMSipb_w/s1600/20170625_193052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" width="768" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrc2kSDnxPLAmWBJACtFOp0UoZfY2_p35yNvun1aUJtRLJ4uJnXM5TAZwBG6Vmyioc0nXb2KS8fmn7IucJTnYkb5Xe99ptrHRQcTESCIVnvwbNbi6FbFz5_oKRKO7fmbeHGyIxkMSipb_w/s1024/20170625_193052.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Seuraava tauko oli Forssassa ja eväisiin täydennystä ABC:lta.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNZFWtk8Zb8YRgDs0abqb_Kxk6eGaAbXl2lyT5PGVttToko0CmbwyehCvxOInp8Clcv52tcTNiP08B4_xs5RwpwikCyhYvNFM4Lds_MJYXiS4zQ7xY1vr_WbjxQ44HwhKaCX7yxNa7ZaVV/s1600/20170625_201429.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" width="768" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNZFWtk8Zb8YRgDs0abqb_Kxk6eGaAbXl2lyT5PGVttToko0CmbwyehCvxOInp8Clcv52tcTNiP08B4_xs5RwpwikCyhYvNFM4Lds_MJYXiS4zQ7xY1vr_WbjxQ44HwhKaCX7yxNa7ZaVV/s1024/20170625_201429.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Forssa-Humppila osuudella liikennettä oli yllättävän paljon mutta ajo sujui ilman suurempia ongelmia.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP9hbVcTQDeCfk43q5tf2P7lvzVBb41syQaMD50nYAf223d0nwK6FnMP7Qcys8yQ8qQHbNhuhcXdi1wqtBrmDMAPpkath43XU7rG4uXNsxsYEkwTxraRZa_brgLy6peCRDDdd3wI11nEov/s1600/20170625_205704.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP9hbVcTQDeCfk43q5tf2P7lvzVBb41syQaMD50nYAf223d0nwK6FnMP7Qcys8yQ8qQHbNhuhcXdi1wqtBrmDMAPpkath43XU7rG4uXNsxsYEkwTxraRZa_brgLy6peCRDDdd3wI11nEov/s1024/20170625_205704.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tamperetta lähestyessäni tienpinnat olivat todella märkiä. Vettä oli siis satanut reippaasti, mutta hyvää tuuria että sadealue oli mennyt jo ohitse. Ilta oli kaunis.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGD6lZuqsTwVgUHhbaVELv3sVbLv3VDYjngqXZblToPnS31KOcu_-rzZVWjjLT3ZyMF_yhy0hUuXAnGIM_hZCPg3S2X0p1QgFlwqRwC1mG3Dc1JH_lfYTOkJYwCBc7MI1Yvfo1m-E6-HDq/s1600/20170625_224914.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGD6lZuqsTwVgUHhbaVELv3sVbLv3VDYjngqXZblToPnS31KOcu_-rzZVWjjLT3ZyMF_yhy0hUuXAnGIM_hZCPg3S2X0p1QgFlwqRwC1mG3Dc1JH_lfYTOkJYwCBc7MI1Yvfo1m-E6-HDq/s1024/20170625_224914.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaGqt5fC0UxNIRhwHwvKMk4HC3Qbg3DsiI2DBI9jUntVQOvALjIldY_ZO9Ea82JFuVGPc1LTiRShNLy3L6hGDLv2pi6VkO-rQd8KYlKTs6v4ZQhlYQQnKqdJJXligjP3T_SmWyiqnReC5-/s1600/20170625_230134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaGqt5fC0UxNIRhwHwvKMk4HC3Qbg3DsiI2DBI9jUntVQOvALjIldY_ZO9Ea82JFuVGPc1LTiRShNLy3L6hGDLv2pi6VkO-rQd8KYlKTs6v4ZQhlYQQnKqdJJXligjP3T_SmWyiqnReC5-/s1024/20170625_230134.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA_4Ssi7dAZNiz5oOEWEzbNeFMX6KFzNjOylMWeQRsdnZ4SejRRjm-wUPedGsLomtxuPWdrEHI7ptTwQMrJrHgH2MVRZcyOj0nawZJXQGrESkFtZY5WYJHfNlE10oQUsQoX4b4mjEycOsC/s1600/20170625_230143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA_4Ssi7dAZNiz5oOEWEzbNeFMX6KFzNjOylMWeQRsdnZ4SejRRjm-wUPedGsLomtxuPWdrEHI7ptTwQMrJrHgH2MVRZcyOj0nawZJXQGrESkFtZY5WYJHfNlE10oQUsQoX4b4mjEycOsC/s1024/20170625_230143.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tampereella päästyäni alkoi olla nälkä ja olinkin ajatellut mennä syömään jollekin 24h-ABC-asemalle. Tampere on aika syheröinen paikka, mutta aikani harhailtua Google Mapsin kanssa löysin Lahdesjärven ABC:n joka oli lähimpänä reittiäni. Matka oli edennyt loistavasti sillä keskinopeus Tampereelle oli lähemmäs 30 km/h.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUzN2JKY6lqd_M2lxq-f90UY7ZYPjCav_NSIjXJptawKiR1MwgEWQRxFtSvJukGjU3XLUO5ZTlxuP_hm1Lquj9Nq_z6DXWnQ6cHAYF8SOS3ytE4b1oLjSschNWbEDn_LmQl3XlisTf03K3/s1600/20170626_005938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" width="768" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUzN2JKY6lqd_M2lxq-f90UY7ZYPjCav_NSIjXJptawKiR1MwgEWQRxFtSvJukGjU3XLUO5ZTlxuP_hm1Lquj9Nq_z6DXWnQ6cHAYF8SOS3ytE4b1oLjSschNWbEDn_LmQl3XlisTf03K3/s1024/20170626_005938.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pitsan jälkeen matka jatkui Tampereen keskutan läpi kellon ollessa 02 yöllä.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ7-4QCHI3WkmZv9lyhfgglKGxPa_Mgm2ZkuWFQ3Zuqnfz0RIj0-DWoSfwjCB5-HtYSNDIkeLb6GgcbWBrG1dBUAhk8UXd7FjNoisu09qKQppupp0vLsmo-TtYkPaVhTizVfpcnpLSUKJr/s1600/20170626_020254.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" width="768" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ7-4QCHI3WkmZv9lyhfgglKGxPa_Mgm2ZkuWFQ3Zuqnfz0RIj0-DWoSfwjCB5-HtYSNDIkeLb6GgcbWBrG1dBUAhk8UXd7FjNoisu09qKQppupp0vLsmo-TtYkPaVhTizVfpcnpLSUKJr/s1024/20170626_020254.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgYDGYWyXuESaU3RSzeXixjAGtJhYWUv4jXO7VZv7B-2PBahFdy3WJUjDex0aZ0j8Bq9d6Hx1eSBfCrLU0Iv5mYIXkkvsvgAOtIq1XI_JxBFKnkqQmr3HhtMesax6ocIhh2BVSVUDVuMNq/s1600/20170626_021145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgYDGYWyXuESaU3RSzeXixjAGtJhYWUv4jXO7VZv7B-2PBahFdy3WJUjDex0aZ0j8Bq9d6Hx1eSBfCrLU0Iv5mYIXkkvsvgAOtIq1XI_JxBFKnkqQmr3HhtMesax6ocIhh2BVSVUDVuMNq/s1024/20170626_021145.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Keskustan jälkeen suuntasin kohti Ylöjärveä ja sieltä tielle n:o 65 aikeissani löytää yösija. Tässä vaiheessa tuli vastaan ensimmäinen pieni yllätys, sillä tie oli pitkän matkaa hirviaidattu. Väsymys alkoi hiukan jo painamaan, mutta vihdoin vastaan tuli Sorvajärventien risteys. Tässä vaiheessa ajoa oli takana 282 km. Kaikkialla oli märkää, sillä sadealue oli ollut sen verran iso ja sademäärä myös ilmiselvästi suuri. Paikka oli metsäinen ja läheltä löytyi sopivan oloinen yösija.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6l9rmW_KDTU-8067M3XZB3gpAqGhwm-G-aavSvJzmmOkOFoLK7HDXAljAS-8p3t4QLkUFDpjL6MnCrB9tb3-JMbBv0Umgfs-EdnqYqS-oVNwXa-LF4UdKs6Vh_PJh0fQ13YCmxFKkNLTB/s1600/20170626_073245.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" width="768" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6l9rmW_KDTU-8067M3XZB3gpAqGhwm-G-aavSvJzmmOkOFoLK7HDXAljAS-8p3t4QLkUFDpjL6MnCrB9tb3-JMbBv0Umgfs-EdnqYqS-oVNwXa-LF4UdKs6Vh_PJh0fQ13YCmxFKkNLTB/s1024/20170626_073245.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kello oli jo hiukan yli 03. Nukkuminen oli katkonaista eikä mennyt kauaa kun 65:lla alkoi jo aamuliikenne. Lisäksi jossain vaiheessa satoi vettä, onneksi hyvin hennosti.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Huonon 'yön' jälkeen nousin ja pakkasin kamat klo 7.30 aikoihin.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVOYKxY-998N2BvQ8ZIGfGZmaTrLP8Er8C1-8DEmT8uZRVPnI1BvEaleBWhdB421Dmqh5z-U-xhkaK-2UC1d7kvx3sRfq66SmxuajSrGikr1voSAmDHQMvg357ec2OsYR156Shi-B46YNO/s1600/20170626_073312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" width="768" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVOYKxY-998N2BvQ8ZIGfGZmaTrLP8Er8C1-8DEmT8uZRVPnI1BvEaleBWhdB421Dmqh5z-U-xhkaK-2UC1d7kvx3sRfq66SmxuajSrGikr1voSAmDHQMvg357ec2OsYR156Shi-B46YNO/s1024/20170626_073312.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Seuraavaksi piti löytää lähin kahvila, sillä ilman aamukahvia kone ei lähde kunnolla käyntiin. 10 km ajon jälkeen vastaan tulikin Keidas 65 niminen kahvila, joka oli avannut ovensa vielä hiukan ennen klo 9 virallista aikaa.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kahvin ja pienen syömisen jälkeen ajo jatkui mutta aika tuskaisesti. Reipas aloitus ensimmäisenä päivänä ja huono yö tuntui jaloissa ja vireystilassa. Samaan aikaan alkoi pikku hiljaa autoilijoiden ajotyyli muuttua melko aggressiiviseen suuntaan. Ohi tultiin läheltä, ja vastapuoleltakin tehtiin rajuja ohituksia. Piti olla todella tarkkana, sillä tien piennar oli todella kapea.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Maanantaille oli sääennusteissa povattu paikoitellen reippaita sateita Pohjanmaalle. Ennusteet alkoivatkin päivän aikana realisoitua.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjzfKXNWiDdNFfJ4QmyAqCs7tSrhfPMC7WRh5EUtTZPetzWtGLgf-miDc1xga9Kek1yyOyOCNHn10CXG7_i2e3_ghXqYz5KsY5Zw3K7YwP6lHs4wejrhNBpz4WIH5jI3GcZyFyyEi20IDX/s1600/20170626_141544.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjzfKXNWiDdNFfJ4QmyAqCs7tSrhfPMC7WRh5EUtTZPetzWtGLgf-miDc1xga9Kek1yyOyOCNHn10CXG7_i2e3_ghXqYz5KsY5Zw3K7YwP6lHs4wejrhNBpz4WIH5jI3GcZyFyyEi20IDX/s1024/20170626_141544.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pahimmat sateet tulivat lähellä Virtoja, ja Herraskylän jälkeen tiellä n:o 66 vettä tuli kaatamalla. Autoilijoiden käyttäytyminen 66:lla oli järjetöntä, ylinopeutta ja hulluja ohituksia, ja myös raskasta liikennettä (eli rekkoja) oli runsaasti. Kaatosateessa näkyvyys meni todella huonoksi, joten siirryinkin yhden pellon reunassa olevan aitan viereen suojaan. Kaatosateen loputtua jatkoin matkaa. Ajoin jatkuvasti todella nätisti olemattomalla pientareella. Valkoisilla reunaviivoilla ei kannattanut ajaa sillä ne olivat suurimmaksi osaksi 'rypytetty' pinnaltaan. Silti suurin osa autoilijoista ei tuntunut minusta paljoa piittaavaan. Muuten reitti oli mukava, vaihtelevaa mäkistä tietä ja hienoja maisemiakin.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Vihdoin saavuin Alavudelle:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghIG2Js9UHp3-7mwNZ6pw-gVIttOkoP2CzJdTJEGqKeOJrZjTY3kcKM1OkoeFi19UwBFLQOj6jLh5AGGJ4u4XyLPQT-Dx5IOzIJhzV_v1M9k7zioD-YVxcDG9PQuqYjB-SixK1wUlB8uao/s1600/20170626_143333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" width="768" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghIG2Js9UHp3-7mwNZ6pw-gVIttOkoP2CzJdTJEGqKeOJrZjTY3kcKM1OkoeFi19UwBFLQOj6jLh5AGGJ4u4XyLPQT-Dx5IOzIJhzV_v1M9k7zioD-YVxcDG9PQuqYjB-SixK1wUlB8uao/s1024/20170626_143333.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Alavuden ABC:lla oli Hesburger joten söin hampurilaisen, munkin ja kahvia. Vettä satoi taas kaatamalla ja ukkosti joten tauon ajoitus osui nappiin.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2lxT297adFwhjOd2pR1uLzFjE7F2gjkla1KXmiS4ATK-RsUhC-yzxd-KGpveQnjDhcEvDPfmNtRXdJX3VmxaMdlaDVIRlsZ-39lOv2NaFSeGx-JPj8QyOjeIFFCdhgxXhJLMxCH8eQ_Q5/s1600/20170626_150033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" width="768" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2lxT297adFwhjOd2pR1uLzFjE7F2gjkla1KXmiS4ATK-RsUhC-yzxd-KGpveQnjDhcEvDPfmNtRXdJX3VmxaMdlaDVIRlsZ-39lOv2NaFSeGx-JPj8QyOjeIFFCdhgxXhJLMxCH8eQ_Q5/s1024/20170626_150033.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Alavuden jälkeen piti vielä sinnitellä jonkin aikaa tiellä 66 mutta tilanne parani selvästi kun käännyin tielle 711 kohti Vimpeliä. Pienempi tie ja vähemmän liikennettä. Tällä osuudella oli erittäin hienoja metsiä ja myös suoalueita.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3RsydqHJEO0vw4_l6YTeZyAa3tQbupfzwxpsDWDNxb7KtGuErR-EVJaIEXbZiddCYCFl_WiqakMcTwone0HOdkH2s1cxymSGkq3EXcJ5wqMbvFlr-TmVm5iIoRT5G2uBs62iG6sGbB7bV/s1600/20170626_183612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" width="768" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3RsydqHJEO0vw4_l6YTeZyAa3tQbupfzwxpsDWDNxb7KtGuErR-EVJaIEXbZiddCYCFl_WiqakMcTwone0HOdkH2s1cxymSGkq3EXcJ5wqMbvFlr-TmVm5iIoRT5G2uBs62iG6sGbB7bV/s1024/20170626_183612.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ajaminen tuntui huomattavasti paremmalta kuin aamupäivän, päivän ja iltapäivän tuskan jälkeen. Vimpeli:</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgymS5WHKhw69K2c79Li2Saoq5TxI06bmfd6BgWaYin8gAs5MUUZOGctiOxvnbzm4iCaLkNhFhaBIf5rco9h0aTh8kJWBuUrxT5RDn80SZpi_0KTqz6NZ8-y7jUjZkS0g6LRH8kodvJyXjm/s1600/20170626_201004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" width="768" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgymS5WHKhw69K2c79Li2Saoq5TxI06bmfd6BgWaYin8gAs5MUUZOGctiOxvnbzm4iCaLkNhFhaBIf5rco9h0aTh8kJWBuUrxT5RDn80SZpi_0KTqz6NZ8-y7jUjZkS0g6LRH8kodvJyXjm/s1024/20170626_201004.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Vimpelissä pidin pienen evästauon samalla kun kävin paikallisessa kaupassa. Samalla katsoin kännykällä mistä voisi löytyä potentiaalinen yösija. Ajaisin joka tapauksessa lähemmäs keskiyötä, tai keskiyöhön asti.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Matka jatkui kohti Kaustisia. Nätti auringonlasku, mutta taas alkoi satamaan vettä. Ei onneksi kovin, mutta hiukan siinä taas tuli kastuttua. Sateisilla osuuksilla vedin Enduran MTR-takin päälle, ja se osoittautui loistavaksi. Jaloista tuli siis enimmäkseen kastuttua.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhySB58118_xqCr-bZzwF7N8DBTRlukcFSNSGdhlRk2444FnNauRA3f1aNqBVE1GM-6f8hpAj1A2OlKdvKoXBvhOrhqXnWk9AcWpZatVkLY0CQo-d7i3iHanZqEbo1pMBSpZzMQuDmMu9JH/s1600/20170626_223520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhySB58118_xqCr-bZzwF7N8DBTRlukcFSNSGdhlRk2444FnNauRA3f1aNqBVE1GM-6f8hpAj1A2OlKdvKoXBvhOrhqXnWk9AcWpZatVkLY0CQo-d7i3iHanZqEbo1pMBSpZzMQuDmMu9JH/s1024/20170626_223520.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Auringonlasku ja sade piirsivät selkäni taakse upean sateenkaaren!</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1tAdP16MwUrI_cpYzcD9nedXqRuWgzGaOWrmFn-J5T-J6fkY_3_l8AC8RbU2sRp71KEwwrOXgD-2H6UEHTsyhzGlpMXxLnaWoIXInI2ZSOjDfqZr_bSn8lNNdCBcMVYYr67l9hEEhyIwO/s1600/20170626_225710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="866" data-original-width="1600" height="554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1tAdP16MwUrI_cpYzcD9nedXqRuWgzGaOWrmFn-J5T-J6fkY_3_l8AC8RbU2sRp71KEwwrOXgD-2H6UEHTsyhzGlpMXxLnaWoIXInI2ZSOjDfqZr_bSn8lNNdCBcMVYYr67l9hEEhyIwO/s1024/20170626_225710.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fiilis oli todella hyvä ja ajamista olisi voinut jatkaa pitkälle yöhön. Kaustisilla oli ihanan rauhallista ja löysin nopeasti Perhojoen rannalta Mosala Caravanissa loistavan yösijan:</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVSwGiiXKeQLjU0SbdYbKmKfIOFCnCYNai0WmghuIdKgOymRQw8Xw-nUdfLyRlR0a51Skt7F-CBgDzGyKB80DzhqYgIF0PuSr_MS-QItfuYKSLiuFR1Cg39DpNK8j1puKdlbjUSHS6LrYa/s1600/20170626_233930.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVSwGiiXKeQLjU0SbdYbKmKfIOFCnCYNai0WmghuIdKgOymRQw8Xw-nUdfLyRlR0a51Skt7F-CBgDzGyKB80DzhqYgIF0PuSr_MS-QItfuYKSLiuFR1Cg39DpNK8j1puKdlbjUSHS6LrYa/s1024/20170626_233930.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1B_2VWStexk7eWsL-fXDpcy_ha8-zOiKOCH6JnUQyHzi6NQ0FktCoEXuUX54xRili41xnFX0E1EMJJjLi3WdEdzU2JHj_JTaA63bGZrv0dzeGav0gRo9r_Hgf0Rh_lYXwpo_2Rprt-PIF/s1600/20170626_233938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1B_2VWStexk7eWsL-fXDpcy_ha8-zOiKOCH6JnUQyHzi6NQ0FktCoEXuUX54xRili41xnFX0E1EMJJjLi3WdEdzU2JHj_JTaA63bGZrv0dzeGav0gRo9r_Hgf0Rh_lYXwpo_2Rprt-PIF/s1024/20170626_233938.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8gGNDg3BPvlUt3WA_H2NdLIhxg9Dt7-x9CQ-3lWvrnoEzqrtVsSwJLZGFZ8fFsUhyphenhyphenn7ymHLH660-FagX17GnxJmc-GReCuVFmM5yExq3iTIFu8VI4rAPRCKHvDsd26iGWVDfruatTLugk/s1600/20170626_234100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8gGNDg3BPvlUt3WA_H2NdLIhxg9Dt7-x9CQ-3lWvrnoEzqrtVsSwJLZGFZ8fFsUhyphenhyphenn7ymHLH660-FagX17GnxJmc-GReCuVFmM5yExq3iTIFu8VI4rAPRCKHvDsd26iGWVDfruatTLugk/s1024/20170626_234100.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoTJQnZVamX8GmKLgxc9avvreAFHm2gVfGlB3hu1kAmP61T7JnRdwCZT75X4ufQcFn6AlZ1q6VtZ-xL30GdCxWA1PzFFSAIXzo0PBZ49ymMyARN1T2EYOxcmH6kUXdoTe_UagnERw-oSYL/s1600/20170626_235612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" width="768" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoTJQnZVamX8GmKLgxc9avvreAFHm2gVfGlB3hu1kAmP61T7JnRdwCZT75X4ufQcFn6AlZ1q6VtZ-xL30GdCxWA1PzFFSAIXzo0PBZ49ymMyARN1T2EYOxcmH6kUXdoTe_UagnERw-oSYL/s1024/20170626_235612.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_I8dfet8T7WJJ7pKnJqI8K0i6vxjoSBC25cUBgbobqhttT-3CLD2_990vXr4-NtWFthj5vOrus4KMIvMFpFvHokT_NK-RQPyedoY349rJY8FbDNFY4_TNJh6Oena8dcTRxJRyZXnpEylP/s1600/20170626_235634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_I8dfet8T7WJJ7pKnJqI8K0i6vxjoSBC25cUBgbobqhttT-3CLD2_990vXr4-NtWFthj5vOrus4KMIvMFpFvHokT_NK-RQPyedoY349rJY8FbDNFY4_TNJh6Oena8dcTRxJRyZXnpEylP/s1024/20170626_235634.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ajoa kertyi päivälle 241 km, Hangosta 523 km.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kello oli ~00.40 kun laitoin päivitykset someen, ja sitten nukkumaan.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yö tulikin nukuttua hyvin, ja nousin ylös vasta hiukan ennen klo 8. Parempi näin, koska alku oli ollut melko raskas. Kaustisilla palvelutkin olivat auki kun käväisin R-kioskilla juomassa aamukahvit. Mutta, hiukan myöhäisempi aamustartti alkoi hiukan kaduttamaan, sillä jälleen alkoi vesisade. Tutkakuva kännykässä ei myöskään näyttänyt lupaavalta, sateessa olisi jonkin verran ajettava koska aikaa taukoiluun ei oikein ollut.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ja näin kävikin. Kaustisilta ensimmäiset 40 km meni sateessa, mutta ajo sujui silti ihan hyvin. Tiet pysyivät pitkään märkinä mutta Ylivieskaa lähestyessä ne olivat kuivahkot. Ylivieskaan saapuessani kävi hyvä tuuri sillä siellä alkoi samaan aikaan kaatosade. Ehdin sopivasti ABC:lle pitämään evästauon ja tekemään täydennysostokset. Näissä pienemmissä evästauoissa ostin yleensä banaanin, patukoita, cociksen (jonka join pois) ja Gatorade-urheilujuoman paidan takataskuun. Pyörässä olleessa juomapullossa alkoi tästä eteenpäin olla marjakeittoja (mustikka / ruusunmarja).</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ylivieskan kaatosade loppui, ja jossain vaiheessa tietkin alkoivat taas olemaan pääosin kuivia. Tässä vaiheessa käsilläni oli seuraava yllätys. Kaustisilta asti vasemman jalan akillesjänne oli tullut kipeäksi ja kipu oli jatkuvasti yltynyt. Oulaisten jälkeen kipu oli jo sen verran kova että sitä ei voinut enää sivuuttaa 'mentaalisilla tempuilla'. En ollut vielä edes puolessa välissä urakkaa. Päätinkin että Vihannissa olisi vuorossa evästauko ja käynti apteekissa.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Vihannin apteekki osoittautuikin hyväksi. Kerroin mitä olin tekemässä, ja epäilin että akilles olisi tulehtumassa. Farmaseutti ehdotti tietysti lepoa mutta se ei tietenkään tullut kysymykseenkään. Päädyttiin siihen että kokeillaan jos Voltaren Forte geeli auttaisi.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ajaminen alkoi olla melko grindaamista sillä tuulikin alkoi olla enemmän sivu- ja sivuvastaista. Olin kuitenkin erittäin motivoitunut ja päättäväinen, sillä halusin loppuiltaan mennessä päästä maagiseen Martinniemen kylään. Limingassa oli pitsan vuoro, ja yllätykseksi se oli reilun kokoinen LähiABC:ssa:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjagTAU0JsKY5ONRgn6k5lA0uefKr6oluR9t0Pu8oxnUivW_ldbFbXbO13iCoLdY9NWlPTNrCqsjRBBEVpQbwY_Afszao4toFzMcXhxUpPB0bzCVi0iPOGBQgGP3YMNSNpwcJuIb1xcmrz0/s1600/20170627_190028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" width="768" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjagTAU0JsKY5ONRgn6k5lA0uefKr6oluR9t0Pu8oxnUivW_ldbFbXbO13iCoLdY9NWlPTNrCqsjRBBEVpQbwY_Afszao4toFzMcXhxUpPB0bzCVi0iPOGBQgGP3YMNSNpwcJuIb1xcmrz0/s1024/20170627_190028.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Käväisin tämän jälkeen nopeasti vielä Limingan isommalla ABC:lla, jonka jälkeen matka jatkui kohti Oulua. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hiukan ennen Oulua gps-jälki Garminissa loppui ennenaikaisesti, vaikka sen piti jatkua Haukiputaalle asti. Katsoin reittiä kännykästä enkä muutenkaan ollut huolissani, koska seutu oli vanhoilta ajoilta tuttua. Kempeleestä löytyy jopa näin hienoa pyöräinfraa:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOS8rqATN6-ff_NitegSAfbRTRG_DLwcVy5YR96BiL7zUABRfAHIvTVX1TbX4azsp0EEirkZg5F58oyjijCRxJyluXgUqFYfwpK3VrrJ2HFSyVm7_NnzDw8ZXEOcm9ZBuARo6Dnp6x_5st/s1600/20170627_204122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" width="768" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOS8rqATN6-ff_NitegSAfbRTRG_DLwcVy5YR96BiL7zUABRfAHIvTVX1TbX4azsp0EEirkZg5F58oyjijCRxJyluXgUqFYfwpK3VrrJ2HFSyVm7_NnzDw8ZXEOcm9ZBuARo6Dnp6x_5st/s1024/20170627_204122.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oulun läpiajoreitti osoittautui hienoksi sillä se kulki rantaa pitkin ohittaen kaupungintalon ja kirjaston.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9OVSrTIRmLaGzECOAciGe0lyT19rHQ4a5H-uJ5gcmuPYcPwC5wnRNtyK6mUSTcssOmPiujH4NPuFj7VSXtU3rD8XHqmPEyDdoXZZ1Gmh95HAJFiYK5wWhbd2ZSetitQV1YpC4074lC8_r/s1600/20170627_213313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" width="768" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9OVSrTIRmLaGzECOAciGe0lyT19rHQ4a5H-uJ5gcmuPYcPwC5wnRNtyK6mUSTcssOmPiujH4NPuFj7VSXtU3rD8XHqmPEyDdoXZZ1Gmh95HAJFiYK5wWhbd2ZSetitQV1YpC4074lC8_r/s1024/20170627_213313.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO6trXZ0x7BI84VfM0m4lcZvLovX3SdHDi4xqAt1CjGAuIp8WLk0R58TaKrLk1aLIELN6EWfmDIV4IX3tNgzIY0ESYlBcCScN3Ze35GMs3mN62Ixw_F5u8msSnmeLmepi0msZv1CJJ4oFG/s1600/20170627_213514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO6trXZ0x7BI84VfM0m4lcZvLovX3SdHDi4xqAt1CjGAuIp8WLk0R58TaKrLk1aLIELN6EWfmDIV4IX3tNgzIY0ESYlBcCScN3Ze35GMs3mN62Ixw_F5u8msSnmeLmepi0msZv1CJJ4oFG/s1024/20170627_213514.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkZVSB2smTWbt6uF3hma-gT1_jcayXTnG5icBNaDE48AmES9yrVWXWVXJ1rdtYBOQ8xUw1cFv4vxXpqiuuE4W_5TgpXQNrzW0NBE1AW1EyQSUEzP02w95RFX0joMIWApBGu_PSRorAkW93/s1600/20170627_213528.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkZVSB2smTWbt6uF3hma-gT1_jcayXTnG5icBNaDE48AmES9yrVWXWVXJ1rdtYBOQ8xUw1cFv4vxXpqiuuE4W_5TgpXQNrzW0NBE1AW1EyQSUEzP02w95RFX0joMIWApBGu_PSRorAkW93/s1024/20170627_213528.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Akillesjänteen kipu ei ollut paljoakaan helpottanut, mutta matkaa oli Martinniemeen enää 25 km.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ajoin Martinniemeen tarkoituksellisesti samaa reittiä kuin vanhemmat ajoivat autolla (ja bussi Oulusta) lapsena. 30-35 vuoden aikana maisemat ovat kuitenkin muuttuneet melkoisesti.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJbdNu-0QHzlabQ9DKO40irCKkij0yxx0JiQyOzE0gYLk04v3FDXiEJMNn3hv-bgio0ySoPezqBlQhRknqkdOjnEMgI05ktaFn7I9fbb8iqXfoke_Kad0EUALluYFPxv0STu9A93Wcs3ZE/s1600/20170627_225926.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJbdNu-0QHzlabQ9DKO40irCKkij0yxx0JiQyOzE0gYLk04v3FDXiEJMNn3hv-bgio0ySoPezqBlQhRknqkdOjnEMgI05ktaFn7I9fbb8iqXfoke_Kad0EUALluYFPxv0STu9A93Wcs3ZE/s1024/20170627_225926.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mutta vihdoin olin tutulla pihalla!</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVY0bq_xPCawfjI-C7AQEwh-xbNC-fnr9yX0mf_9DdBcP4Q5isI6ouUXLhNA035fdjlZEYlOsw32G6V-yk8r9ytl8Kg9Ymc3niFNNQc804ZlAdfhMRuFiqfNoMW7DmNfdj3_QyKeK3PTL1/s1600/20170627_230307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" width="768" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVY0bq_xPCawfjI-C7AQEwh-xbNC-fnr9yX0mf_9DdBcP4Q5isI6ouUXLhNA035fdjlZEYlOsw32G6V-yk8r9ytl8Kg9Ymc3niFNNQc804ZlAdfhMRuFiqfNoMW7DmNfdj3_QyKeK3PTL1/s1024/20170627_230307.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Isoisäni oli ammatiltaan puuseppä ja puutyötaidon opettaja koulussa. Hän rakensi sodan jälkeen tämän ns. funkkistalon suurimmaksi osaksi yksin. Täältä alkoivat ensimmäiset suuremmat seikkailuni. Lapsena tämä paikka tuntui kuin kokonaan toiselta maailmalta:</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBsJzEXhF7lvY00WRCIhygt1ZJ14mS-NXwLPamA9xgnvhiVuyiGfutiyvAuDRyZk_PMus8mZZbAHmkpRx9LUj2zrj_SbTwGtydfmlqOwUfyxh8TYiavxDx4kH6CCgLKuJdfoatuwqZTaKP/s1600/20170627_230422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" width="768" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBsJzEXhF7lvY00WRCIhygt1ZJ14mS-NXwLPamA9xgnvhiVuyiGfutiyvAuDRyZk_PMus8mZZbAHmkpRx9LUj2zrj_SbTwGtydfmlqOwUfyxh8TYiavxDx4kH6CCgLKuJdfoatuwqZTaKP/s1024/20170627_230422.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kello oli 23. Oli selvää että jäisin yöpymään pihalle, koska kukaan ei tällä hetkellä asu talossa. Sitä ennen lähdin ajamaan vielä pikku lenkin Martinniemen läpi Villenniemeen.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYv3anMO9WFTXpud-Y0JhjGaa3CMb0MrNg9sXXfNvc2zNtMYS2nZiSicdTnbwWIxzPJcsVxf-mOb5KqtM3D-Qb9k-di2zP3eOavR2RvpW2qsZd-P42UWbPsIP_3O_JXgMGUYszO6hOPnBU/s1600/20170627_231216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" width="768" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYv3anMO9WFTXpud-Y0JhjGaa3CMb0MrNg9sXXfNvc2zNtMYS2nZiSicdTnbwWIxzPJcsVxf-mOb5KqtM3D-Qb9k-di2zP3eOavR2RvpW2qsZd-P42UWbPsIP_3O_JXgMGUYszO6hOPnBU/s1024/20170627_231216.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMWjkFE0LUAr8mhc87VYoOduzhXu4hx2tmQUUNNvHD1g51g5wHD-Zx3lcV_QmESVp34uUb-89O7GQ0jpwUpkpqfXbmKnDbEfBzsdFFIkZOkKbFaq6tl9Ku6t0t2VA2JwbjKuNz9oa7cmTT/s1600/20170627_232016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" width="768" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMWjkFE0LUAr8mhc87VYoOduzhXu4hx2tmQUUNNvHD1g51g5wHD-Zx3lcV_QmESVp34uUb-89O7GQ0jpwUpkpqfXbmKnDbEfBzsdFFIkZOkKbFaq6tl9Ku6t0t2VA2JwbjKuNz9oa7cmTT/s1024/20170627_232016.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Villenniemeen oli lyhyt matka, ~3 km. Maisemat olivat tietysti sielläkin muuttuneet rajusti. Martinniemellä on mielenkiintoinen historia, koska siellä toimi vielä 80-luvun lopulle asti Rauma-Repolan saha, jolla oli pitkä oma historiansa. Sahalle meni jopa oma rautatie, mutta ainakin Häyrysentiellä se on purettu pois omakotitalotonttien tieltä.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Villenniemen venesatama on kokenut totaalisen muodonmuutoksen 80-luvulta.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4UMCFz1Ps3ilnY7idm41oz3T4UPwp1rEm0s-Bd3QYySigDnXzts25vju3E441rut4XKvT-OIZ4L65MvQNPzu3RX1Peihvo9EmuhJMd3Ajp6gW2EsBdlG63Gd7D96f4jRWwHH6XZi0a3ZE/s1600/20170627_232310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4UMCFz1Ps3ilnY7idm41oz3T4UPwp1rEm0s-Bd3QYySigDnXzts25vju3E441rut4XKvT-OIZ4L65MvQNPzu3RX1Peihvo9EmuhJMd3Ajp6gW2EsBdlG63Gd7D96f4jRWwHH6XZi0a3ZE/s1024/20170627_232310.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Merimaisemat ja lähisaaret olivat sen sijaan tietysti samanlaiset kuin ennenkin. NOSTALGIAA! Täällä kävin monet kerrat isoisän kanssa kalareissuilla.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFhr8WN0PwXDQsxLSDalElGe3rsGxwDwr8yTvk7MqVTxgwCC5gbmx3cBX97UiQHWDHCVdzcXCFFot3atplu-oo_NPCgbkEmsb8fh89AhRUlwzBfkTczXTJkS4a9Pk_pGx8kd5ze5hBZ-od/s1600/20170627_232319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFhr8WN0PwXDQsxLSDalElGe3rsGxwDwr8yTvk7MqVTxgwCC5gbmx3cBX97UiQHWDHCVdzcXCFFot3atplu-oo_NPCgbkEmsb8fh89AhRUlwzBfkTczXTJkS4a9Pk_pGx8kd5ze5hBZ-od/s1024/20170627_232319.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFQ2A4ifCvY42J2VSPcxsofKF6ZqCZNmsKdDbQQsp0VqwZW9dx7gOhrLZxrkFCfikkKWLB0O90D3hx1Voce4Tu2_9JjY93MoJrLJTZCmAjWF9l_IV_cP_sSTWCzKDG-LT7hgLwxZkRHE7F/s1600/20170627_232541.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFQ2A4ifCvY42J2VSPcxsofKF6ZqCZNmsKdDbQQsp0VqwZW9dx7gOhrLZxrkFCfikkKWLB0O90D3hx1Voce4Tu2_9JjY93MoJrLJTZCmAjWF9l_IV_cP_sSTWCzKDG-LT7hgLwxZkRHE7F/s1024/20170627_232541.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tunteet olivat pinnassa. Sahan voimalaitoksen piippu on vielä jäljellä.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTiI6yyfxgbjYAynp4xcypsFmNNiNl7yViQKb23XGkUWQr-TtVLMEyk74WCc4aCXx2YIc8aSjvekJULQHiMG2YW5sa-Coj2XdJZIPSUCLKnAgd_htBa0OXoZ9_xxV3KFgjZboynhcaH3s9/s1600/20170627_232510.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTiI6yyfxgbjYAynp4xcypsFmNNiNl7yViQKb23XGkUWQr-TtVLMEyk74WCc4aCXx2YIc8aSjvekJULQHiMG2YW5sa-Coj2XdJZIPSUCLKnAgd_htBa0OXoZ9_xxV3KFgjZboynhcaH3s9/s1024/20170627_232510.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDsttfa9frSrfcfyvD2IV7G8zXQeNnxTHvi7U88aD6Qnw5LnNlzTuXNxcCG6OH4xqO5K4Bfsj9FzeyW9VE4a0Jd2bx1owKqLtReqVJ5fHUHIf8CCCRIGDo_d4R35YD3GnYTL04R7mYCQsj/s1600/20170627_232552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDsttfa9frSrfcfyvD2IV7G8zXQeNnxTHvi7U88aD6Qnw5LnNlzTuXNxcCG6OH4xqO5K4Bfsj9FzeyW9VE4a0Jd2bx1owKqLtReqVJ5fHUHIf8CCCRIGDo_d4R35YD3GnYTL04R7mYCQsj/s1024/20170627_232552.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ajelin vielä Häyrysentietä jatkaen takaisin 'taikapihalle', jonne siis jäin yöpymään. Päivän ajokilometrit 251, Hangosta 774 km eli hiukan yli puolen välin. Yksi asia oli kuitenkin ennallaan. Hyttysiä, paikallisella murteella sääskiä, oli melko paljon, tosin viileä ja tuulinen keli helpotti tilannetta. Kello oli hiukan yli puolen yön.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2z1_WNhmpeSdzspYXSFXqfT3u_X2FNmjZu7Ic4gwRUdn37AJ6jw7nD9Bbs8b_2e0pC8XifRG4evnvvazzRgNMatDHo_AJCnF-fiM6ZOft0V6XlbD4FUCH9061_k7falWABvEblN2kuASH/s1600/20170627_235735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" width="768" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2z1_WNhmpeSdzspYXSFXqfT3u_X2FNmjZu7Ic4gwRUdn37AJ6jw7nD9Bbs8b_2e0pC8XifRG4evnvvazzRgNMatDHo_AJCnF-fiM6ZOft0V6XlbD4FUCH9061_k7falWABvEblN2kuASH/s1024/20170627_235735.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-OufizTw72qaENZErwn9ehivso4InfeWyfmM_32YY4wNmrL2gc8T74EEesISaEWwKLpqM0VpByFCfwv__ihAMHOIjqALrCd2HGRaL-GtziWp4zT7Bs1fF_nByGTTFmgQiAfpAobBXq7QL/s1600/20170628_062213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" width="768" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-OufizTw72qaENZErwn9ehivso4InfeWyfmM_32YY4wNmrL2gc8T74EEesISaEWwKLpqM0VpByFCfwv__ihAMHOIjqALrCd2HGRaL-GtziWp4zT7Bs1fF_nByGTTFmgQiAfpAobBXq7QL/s1024/20170628_062213.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yö tuli nukuttua kohtuullisen hyvin. Heräsin ja nousin kuuden maissa. Varusteita pakatessa tuttu mutta tietysti vanhempi naapurin isäntä tuli ihmettelemään että kuka oli pihalla. Aika pian hän muistikin kuka olen. Juttelimme hetken menneitä ja kuulumisia tältä ajalta.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ajoin takaisin Haukiputaantielle n:o 847 josta onnekseni löytyy ABC-asema joka aukeaa jo klo 6. Kahvia ja energiaa sisään. En äkkiseltään löytänyt enää kännykkälaturia, eikä ABC:n laturi myöskään toiminut. Virtaa oli vielä kuitenkin jäljellä jonkun verran sekä käynnykässä että varavirtalähteessä. Katsoin säätilannetta. Tuuli oli nyt täysin vastaista ja... taas sadetta tulossa. Sadealue valui koillisesta aina Iihin asti, ja näytti siltä että pahimmillaan pitäisi ajaa tuossa Kelissä Kemiin asti. Venytin aamupalaa ABC:lla hiukan pidemmäksi, jos sadealue ehtisi sillä välin vähän pidemmälle. ABC:lla vettä ei juurikaan satanut, joten ennen pitkää, joskus hiukan yli klo 9, lähdin jatkamaan matkaa.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ajaminen oli aika sitkuttamista vastatuuleen, ja akillesjänne oli kipeä. Voltaren Forte ei tuntunut yksin riittävän. Iissä alkoi pikku hiljaa sataa vettä. Siellä on myös iso Kärkkäisen tavaratalo ja kävin varmuuden vuoksi ostamassa sieltä laturin (myöhemmin huomasin että kyllähän se laturi oli edelleen mukana, paidan takataskussa). Iin jälkeen sade yltyi ja lämpötila putosi. Ajaminen muuttui enemmän selviytymistaisteluksi. Tilanne ei näyttänyt ollenkaan hyvältä. Päästyäni Merihelmeen päätinkin pitää tauon, ja syödä kahvilan lämmössä leipää ja juoda kuuman kaakaon. Katselin sadealueen tilannetta ja söin vielä grillimakkaran kun kahvilan väki ryhtyi niitä ulkoterrassilla grillaamaan. Kahvilasta aukesi hieno maisema merelle.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm_I68ylL8YQRU7ffB_tY2_ffH8CNxaW9-B4c3OaetdqFeiR_AWQyOROYlt6mGKm84A8iTc78noIyyph4edwmS8dV6V3hY19efA7jyY3os5Y3sDYQmp8xsOafTdhyNk1A9oeJGBUHaBzXn/s1600/20170628_125825.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm_I68ylL8YQRU7ffB_tY2_ffH8CNxaW9-B4c3OaetdqFeiR_AWQyOROYlt6mGKm84A8iTc78noIyyph4edwmS8dV6V3hY19efA7jyY3os5Y3sDYQmp8xsOafTdhyNk1A9oeJGBUHaBzXn/s1024/20170628_125825.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jossain vaiheessa sade alkoi vihdoin laantua ja jatkoin matkaa. Olokin oli hiukan parantunut tauon aikana, mutta akilleskipu ei. Kuivaniemeen (joka ei tällä kertaa nimestään huolimatta todellakaan ollut kuiva) ei ollut pitkä matka, joten päätin käydä siellä apteekissa. Ostin pienen paketin Burana-Capsia ja otin sitä tupla-annoksen. Laitoin myös Voltarenia uudestaan reilusti jalkaan, koska sade ja kastuminen saattoivat heikentää sen vaikutusta.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Burana alkoikin hiukan auttamaan ja vei osittain pahimman kivun, mutta ajaminen oli silti hiukan tehotonta, enkä pystynyt ajamaan kunnolla putkelta. Seuraavana taukopaikkana oli tietysti Kemi, jossa kävin Citymarketissa. Söin ja join, ja täydensin eväät.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Keli parani selvästi, ja nokka kohti Rovaniemeä. Tuttu kaupunki josta on paljon hienoja muistoja. Kemi-Rovaniemi oli myös entuudestaan tuttu sillä olen ajanut sen autolla vuonna 2015.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwwtu_9KAK80Ht1ClSyUl4cXPA2YDaO0qaYmJwWvg2dScthiPBlaNDCC6LzMTcnXwvntXIjwxg-TvJ2H7NmfIIrlpk-i0rbCwFD9zfL0qYeTkn2vT6gIV_YFYZXzhpZOM3n-t6ieIJmLLl/s1600/20170628_181011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwwtu_9KAK80Ht1ClSyUl4cXPA2YDaO0qaYmJwWvg2dScthiPBlaNDCC6LzMTcnXwvntXIjwxg-TvJ2H7NmfIIrlpk-i0rbCwFD9zfL0qYeTkn2vT6gIV_YFYZXzhpZOM3n-t6ieIJmLLl/s1024/20170628_181011.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">E75 tie on leveä ja hyvä, leveämmällä pientareella, ja autoilijoiden käytös oli selvässä noususuunnassa. 40 km ennen Rovaniemeä takaa tuli koko reissun ensimmäinen rekka joka teki todella vaikuttavan eleen. Kuulin kun rekka tuli takaa, mutta selvästi hidasti vauhtia. Vastapuolelta tuli jokunen auto, mutta rekka edelleen hidasti vauhtia, ja odotti että vastaantulijat ajavat ohi. Tämän jälkeen rekka rauhallisesti ja kaukaa ohitti minut. Tietysti tervehdin kiitokseksi esimerkillisestä toiminnasta.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Burana ja Voltaren tuntuivat hiukan auttavan, mutta ajaminen oli tässä vaiheessa armottoman raakaa. Oli selvää että ajan Rovaniemelle asti ja katson siellä mikä on tilanne. Ns. 'mental tricks' toimivat kuitenkin hyvin. Kun Rovaniemelle oli matkaa 40 km, se olisi lyhyt matka koska se on saman verran kuin työmatkani. Keskityin asioihin jotka on hyvin, valoisiin puoliin, vaikka ajaminen oli raakaa. Eli pyörä toimi loistavasti, ja keli oli myös hyvä. Muistutin itseäni että olen ollut pahemmissakin tilanteissa. Käänsin mielessäni että tässä tapauksessa raaka ajo olisi ennemminkin kevyttä kruisailua verrattuna ultrajuoksijoiden menoon. Olin kesälomalla, toteuttamassa unelmaani, enkä arkielämän rutiineissa. Halusin nimenomaan olla tässä hetkessä, vaikka hiukan kärsien, mutta se oli palkitsevaa, ja suurin palkinto odottaisi Nuorgamissa.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Olin fyysisesti aika hajalla saapuessani Rovaniemeen, mutta loppumatka oli kevyttä laskettelua.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiouEi6GoeHex1G3_QzsiRrbluhgINnsiU63IN7PA-MMS2s82KUOl2oN4IlBPdJrsw9dOOSlm8cmKyDKOU424-xO3DXUcaWFmvNpfkisXjRRpDK_nRdD9wpNg8DZs9FgWq-0KlrubDLTI5/s1600/20170628_223552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" width="768" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiouEi6GoeHex1G3_QzsiRrbluhgINnsiU63IN7PA-MMS2s82KUOl2oN4IlBPdJrsw9dOOSlm8cmKyDKOU424-xO3DXUcaWFmvNpfkisXjRRpDK_nRdD9wpNg8DZs9FgWq-0KlrubDLTI5/s1024/20170628_223552.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSWbpTguMVZaaSOwU5pQaJGwJbkvLXkaaZTViKOe94OASbudFw2obXWKu-CaTfI-Dr_T7QlPSjVMKhIm4X5mIykGlFLhVyJ1RIJ-Z4EkSVDE1-D_miFGXq5stMCuqz8SoFGA1rmg4K8Ey1/s1600/20170628_225643.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSWbpTguMVZaaSOwU5pQaJGwJbkvLXkaaZTViKOe94OASbudFw2obXWKu-CaTfI-Dr_T7QlPSjVMKhIm4X5mIykGlFLhVyJ1RIJ-Z4EkSVDE1-D_miFGXq5stMCuqz8SoFGA1rmg4K8Ey1/s1024/20170628_225643.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tarkoitus oli taas löytää ABC-asema, mutta Rovaniemellä se onkin vain Prisman vieressä oleva kylmäasema. Siispä keskustaan.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Käväisin tietysti ensin Kemijoen rannalla:</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWx_bFmwhtYej7Lhd4_Puuhd-mEvH1pjRIvX47muXUddlL16EMhUgffRi7kbeJD-jcnT-hLfOomZ2aYjQ0yZqsTgdcdwSLK2Mk-8Ko22vwaZ2buhOiL0UCe67nhlJXhLiMYzcCegoVGtrB/s1600/20170628_231044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWx_bFmwhtYej7Lhd4_Puuhd-mEvH1pjRIvX47muXUddlL16EMhUgffRi7kbeJD-jcnT-hLfOomZ2aYjQ0yZqsTgdcdwSLK2Mk-8Ko22vwaZ2buhOiL0UCe67nhlJXhLiMYzcCegoVGtrB/s1024/20170628_231044.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kello oli lähemmäs 23.30. Nälkä alkoi olla melkoinen, joten söin isoimman hampurilaisaterian mikä Scan Burgerista löytyi. Tämän jälkeen ei ollut järkevää lähteä etsimään sopivaa pöpelikköä yösijaksi, vaan ajoin suoraan Ounaskoski Campingiin. Ilta oli upea!</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhshBQYlFQysVxjn5xJSK0XE1YRhjvaXZ0i0nCB-dPO-gtPbprz4g9N01w5YGBG1XUmIAmKNnPmdvMCUdPqwkKpYmqMPzGDZZ65hbzY8LZu-UQzROIZbamJlN8Oluuczf2o7ZnIFIzxMq25/s1600/20170629_011348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhshBQYlFQysVxjn5xJSK0XE1YRhjvaXZ0i0nCB-dPO-gtPbprz4g9N01w5YGBG1XUmIAmKNnPmdvMCUdPqwkKpYmqMPzGDZZ65hbzY8LZu-UQzROIZbamJlN8Oluuczf2o7ZnIFIzxMq25/s1024/20170629_011348.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjBLB5ZG3K58eTRMGmdw8p-wI0YlHw5qXxOHbrt2QcPlpfkuv11-Xf3VhjsTkUwD8XkgQVRQs-35FSbrpQURD2bdPNvinXgvEjHFakZWMuBvWTY2DCwWYu5JcxirR2fXyJHusTbe9W8lYP/s1600/20170629_012250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjBLB5ZG3K58eTRMGmdw8p-wI0YlHw5qXxOHbrt2QcPlpfkuv11-Xf3VhjsTkUwD8XkgQVRQs-35FSbrpQURD2bdPNvinXgvEjHFakZWMuBvWTY2DCwWYu5JcxirR2fXyJHusTbe9W8lYP/s1024/20170629_012250.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ounaskoski Campingissä piti maksaa yöpymisestä telttapaikan maksu, vaikka varsinaista telttaahan minulla ei ollut mukana. Katselimme camping-alueen työntekijän kanssa sopivaa paikkaa hyttysverkolle mutta kaikki puut olivat isoja mäntyjä enkä saisi verkkoa ripustettua mihinkään niistä. Katselin ympärille ja huomasin että lasten leikkipaikka näyttäisi hyvältä, ja erityisesti liukumäki, jonka alla olisi suorastaan täydellinen yösija. Työntekijä sanoikin että sinne vaan jos haluan. Loistavaa!</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicZCKe4Bt_OYM8U1vF5yQNZMsAdc0DGbudWim7-k03dh76eIRmNMO3pJrvtb2envWbCtUQm-Wg2PHRCIw5QOD-hAtJ1jyg2f1MUxlUXWpJSXn5SxtTlNxdzKfacePVQzZpXA2B_TrQvOo6/s1600/20170629_012235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicZCKe4Bt_OYM8U1vF5yQNZMsAdc0DGbudWim7-k03dh76eIRmNMO3pJrvtb2envWbCtUQm-Wg2PHRCIw5QOD-hAtJ1jyg2f1MUxlUXWpJSXn5SxtTlNxdzKfacePVQzZpXA2B_TrQvOo6/s1024/20170629_012235.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEias-wt8WoOmlp5LkZMmx9FVELvh1Q-T9u2nXF8QU35tXGaibGjkFcPBRg5tC-47CEpAsWlclbX7xDB18aXxbpaR02troNRF1BWRsylCsJlyw_OizLi__A9AiCd00fddCpHl1h8iHLagsKW/s1600/20170629_082147.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEias-wt8WoOmlp5LkZMmx9FVELvh1Q-T9u2nXF8QU35tXGaibGjkFcPBRg5tC-47CEpAsWlclbX7xDB18aXxbpaR02troNRF1BWRsylCsJlyw_OizLi__A9AiCd00fddCpHl1h8iHLagsKW/s1024/20170629_082147.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ajoa kertyi vain 218 km. Päivä oli siis vaikea, mutta yhteensä oli jo kasassa 990 km, ja jos mitään katastrofaalista ei tapahtuisi, ehtisin vielä Nuorgamiin asti.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yö tuli nukuttua melko mukavasti, ja aamutoimet alkoivat riittävän ajoissa. Piti vaan taas löytää jostain aamukahvit. Pienen matkaa E75:sta tulikin K-Citymarket ja sen läheltä R-kioski ja tuoretta kahvia, mutta ei mitään kunnon syötävää. Ei ollut kuulemma vielä ehtinyt saapua. Hiukan huono aloitus siis, ja olo oli muutenkin edelleen aika hajonnut. Myös oikea akilles oli alkanut oireilemaan. Latasin molempiin reilusti Voltarenia ja Buranaa tuplana, ja tietysti ajokenkien kiristykset löysälle.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Alkumatka oli hitaanlaista grindaamista, mutta vähitellen ajo parani. Edelleen se oli todella raakaa, mutta seuraava pidemmän tauon ruokapaikka olisi Sodankylä. Jälleen pääkoppa töihin täysillä, eli ne valoisat puolet. Keli oli hyvä, pyörä pelasi jne. Rovaniemen ja Sodankylän välissä pidin pari lyhyttä taukoa, ensin pieni kauppa josta irtosi parempaa aamupalaa, ja myöhemmin kahvila. Tällä osuudella vastaan tuli muuten myös ensimmäinen retkipyöräilijä.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiawzkyeZ6-Lsop3alWdfeLxdj0Sdh7MF-A07QfFZsvbWaenKkpdENMWn_KIEY2z01EmPGTeesSo7lNdvs2prWo03G96t7eSx8eNkQ7YNlX9YkJVxMsJRUk-StFo2gXnulLwEyYP5eqFg6T/s1600/20170629_135753.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiawzkyeZ6-Lsop3alWdfeLxdj0Sdh7MF-A07QfFZsvbWaenKkpdENMWn_KIEY2z01EmPGTeesSo7lNdvs2prWo03G96t7eSx8eNkQ7YNlX9YkJVxMsJRUk-StFo2gXnulLwEyYP5eqFg6T/s1024/20170629_135753.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tienristeys Pyhä-Luostolle. Tuttu ja hieno paikka viime talvelta!</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnPhLRnxd89Z4XFvez93hA6VPsXBP6jWgKJQfyxEZYaii0rID_SYqA5HFxRhfaQUrYc_jqy1Eerxd0NHYUrLdP7jqyBd4yZkKinECxWAlp5NXKMpzX4H-HK2T5H7r1jx2zuk6TFM39qpAV/s1600/20170629_145752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnPhLRnxd89Z4XFvez93hA6VPsXBP6jWgKJQfyxEZYaii0rID_SYqA5HFxRhfaQUrYc_jqy1Eerxd0NHYUrLdP7jqyBd4yZkKinECxWAlp5NXKMpzX4H-HK2T5H7r1jx2zuk6TFM39qpAV/s1024/20170629_145752.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sodankylään päästyäni iltapäivällä menin heti apteekkiin sillä Buranaa ei ollut kuin pari kapselia jäljellä. Voltaren riittäisi. Halusin syödä vihdoin jotain muuta kuin pitsaa tai hampurilaista, joten menin läheltä löytyneeseen pikku ravintolaan nimeltä Päivin Kammari. Tilasin lohikeiton ja laitoin kännykän ja akkupankin lataukseen.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Samaan aikaan Sodankylään vyörysi sadealue. Ei kauhean iso, mutta vettä tuli välillä reilummin ja välillä vähemmän ainakin tunnin ajan. Ruokatauko venyi koska en nähnyt järkeväksi lähteä taas kylpemään, kun olin saanut itseni kuivaksi. Kello kuitenkin kävi armottomasti ja mietin tietysti tulevaa yötä. Kunhan sade loppuisi, ajaisin ainakin Saariselälle asti, jossa voisin jossain yöpyä. Fiilis oli tässä kohtaa todella korkealla, ja tiesin että ajon paras osuus olisi edessä. Pohjois-Lappi parhaimmillaan. Edessä olisi viimeinen yö, ja tässä kohtaa ei enää tarvitsisi säästellä itseään. Yöpymisen jälkeen täytyy aina niin sanotusti repiä kone käyntiin, mutta nyt se tuntui käyvän kohtuullisen hyvin. Ja jos kone toimisi hyvin Saariselälle, suunnittelin jatkavani ajamista yön yli. Liikennettä olisi todella vähän, ja Lapin yötön yö on valoisa. Kävinkin vielä kaupassa ja ostin kaikki paikat täyteen evästä. Voltarenit jalkoihin ja Buranat naamaan. Olin vielä Messengerillä yhteydessä ystävääni Mattiin, joka luetteli loput matkan varrella olevat palvelut aukioloaikoineen.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Vihdoin sade loppui ja lähdin ajamaan. Ja ajaminen tuntuikin hyvältä. Vihdoin viimein homma alkoi oikeasti toimimaan! Ja maisemat muuttuivat erämaaksi!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBGU7eQzrfBuWwhrFceXqZ3f3ANZRT-CYINuPXOZP6jkcKH3iS4e2UShmJligDiGqVDTc8O6zhgL3A-GGryo2yK7M2Gw4gVOqfqFuSrI1JrxgjjOin8RhlXK9qUavNq4rUZ2VRRBkEz_6q/s1600/20170629_203620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBGU7eQzrfBuWwhrFceXqZ3f3ANZRT-CYINuPXOZP6jkcKH3iS4e2UShmJligDiGqVDTc8O6zhgL3A-GGryo2yK7M2Gw4gVOqfqFuSrI1JrxgjjOin8RhlXK9qUavNq4rUZ2VRRBkEz_6q/s1024/20170629_203620.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Peurasuvannon kohdalla vastaan tuli vielä yksi hidasliikkeinen sadealue. Jäin vähäksi aikaa odottelemaan sillä siellä oli pieni mökki- ja leirintäalue. Jokin nainen autollaan oli lähdössä sieltä pois ja kysyi tarvitsenko apua. Sanoin että odotan vain että sade menee ohi, ja mitä olin tekemässä.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sadealue oli sen verran iso että tiet olivat 30-40 km täysin märkiä, ja jalat kastuivat jälleen. Mutta en antanut sen häiritä, ilta oli hieno ja ajaminen tuntui loistavalta.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyHrzknpJK0W9toclZKM7XIcdH8TNI3iPQCrJ5ddnkianpM6JXZKQZWnPcb8rN3shDFamoEVcq3dWZBI7ioVTAYB4EvpA3xKwK4Wau4SWB7yMOfdkCL7Bb7j2WOVHdiRg84qYZtosQ4cCE/s1600/20170629_222911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyHrzknpJK0W9toclZKM7XIcdH8TNI3iPQCrJ5ddnkianpM6JXZKQZWnPcb8rN3shDFamoEVcq3dWZBI7ioVTAYB4EvpA3xKwK4Wau4SWB7yMOfdkCL7Bb7j2WOVHdiRg84qYZtosQ4cCE/s1024/20170629_222911.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpef-tcUM6Wr24AMwrvPRq6qz8QGzi7jyD95RSpHMJmmFHxKqrJTiUiKv4s4oRJ_H5ZBepYiNKXLZU6Nq2flsqdlhCRcvXryMswXq8egjd0IVxXS1OOeQP5VjyjXViNNtdmV__SiDBbWyc/s1600/20170629_222928.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpef-tcUM6Wr24AMwrvPRq6qz8QGzi7jyD95RSpHMJmmFHxKqrJTiUiKv4s4oRJ_H5ZBepYiNKXLZU6Nq2flsqdlhCRcvXryMswXq8egjd0IVxXS1OOeQP5VjyjXViNNtdmV__SiDBbWyc/s1024/20170629_222928.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_PfuZ09ZWhiMseXPQHQuZPV4sTYO9z1dF0JSGhbo3LcFVkjn78OA1V5pWGCjv1M_J_JjWAjpmkpXm2AzAWgytNmyE56NBLJyoXPjIXV9jJ_k_XrYOLvlJHUTGfcBRsHUjgsZSGCYfRWqC/s1600/20170629_222922.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_PfuZ09ZWhiMseXPQHQuZPV4sTYO9z1dF0JSGhbo3LcFVkjn78OA1V5pWGCjv1M_J_JjWAjpmkpXm2AzAWgytNmyE56NBLJyoXPjIXV9jJ_k_XrYOLvlJHUTGfcBRsHUjgsZSGCYfRWqC/s1024/20170629_222922.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6BxmOd8nIi8FSWhoqpnvfrGaIy-iEoDGn_lazXmeZnFCF5pQzeeQp4hEw1EfvZH0Vb-cS7l79EA5LP_Ux30BBo0luKNVCOoM9ZNJZ4ARd0EcEdZ9stl0v5iliWOGwT4Odx2_EkB5s8Vns/s1600/20170629_222916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6BxmOd8nIi8FSWhoqpnvfrGaIy-iEoDGn_lazXmeZnFCF5pQzeeQp4hEw1EfvZH0Vb-cS7l79EA5LP_Ux30BBo0luKNVCOoM9ZNJZ4ARd0EcEdZ9stl0v5iliWOGwT4Odx2_EkB5s8Vns/s1024/20170629_222916.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Laitoin mielessäni musiikin soimaan, MP3-soitintahan ei tietenkään ollut mukana, eikä pitäisikään olla. Sen käyttäminen olisi ollut hengenvaarallista. Yöllä mielessäni soi useaan otteeseen Anna Puun korvamato, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xq54J8Jr39s" target="_blank">'Tarviin vielä yhden yön aikaa'</a>. Tarttuva melodia, mutta myös siksi, että todellakin, en tarvinnut enää kuin tämän yhden yön aikaa.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr2Qi477qjk8OaQFUYi_SSBhFrSHnwHqWXrdmOUjBcrxwLv9bJaB5GwlaR4BatCPNKGqTZnBJ8uTcE-eFrhe9WNosaK2L6madnIRapb1eoi6dxg_IfXR56FCEfRvS7NRSeJ9LJjrRmx4Fa/s1600/20170629_234032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr2Qi477qjk8OaQFUYi_SSBhFrSHnwHqWXrdmOUjBcrxwLv9bJaB5GwlaR4BatCPNKGqTZnBJ8uTcE-eFrhe9WNosaK2L6madnIRapb1eoi6dxg_IfXR56FCEfRvS7NRSeJ9LJjrRmx4Fa/s1024/20170629_234032.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGbqe0lFnqkLetjYpkFGyc-b-74e170pUkDu3ABQ09wvZttwKg-VorzJyjHy9Cpw1jLqEH1tx-W8LEAh-mkte8XsWgT6XIgdz-floQtfxGOkDn3GyEgL2UKzWV4ERtmeaWUsLxHxzB7gC2/s1600/20170630_003345.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGbqe0lFnqkLetjYpkFGyc-b-74e170pUkDu3ABQ09wvZttwKg-VorzJyjHy9Cpw1jLqEH1tx-W8LEAh-mkte8XsWgT6XIgdz-floQtfxGOkDn3GyEgL2UKzWV4ERtmeaWUsLxHxzB7gC2/s1024/20170630_003345.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Saavuin Saariselälle hyvävoimaisena, kellon ollessa jossain 01-02 välillä. Suuntasin Hotelli Riekkolinnaan jossa on 24h respa. Respan mies olikin tosi mukava ja antoi luvan huoltaa itseäni. Ostin tietysti evästä ja juotavaa, kun tarjolla oli sipsejä, suklaata ja cokista. Mies sanoi että viedä märät ajokengät ja sukat hotellin kuivauskaappiin kuivumaan. Aivan loistavaa, sillä jalat olivatkin aika kylmät. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Respan miehen kanssa oli myös mukava rupatella.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">En pitänyt Saariselällä mitään kiirettä, sillä Ivaloon ja Inariin ei enää ollut pitkä matka ja olisi parasta että olisin Inarissa kun paikallinen huoltoasema aukeaa, ja pääsen kahville ja aamupalalle. Tässä kohtaa ei edes väsyttänyt. Loppusuunnitelma oli selvä. Ajan ilman nukkumista loppuun asti Nuorgamiin! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Saariselältä lähtiessäni keli oli hyvä mutta melkoisen raitis.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Inaria lähestyessäni järvimaisemat olivat äärimmäisen kauniit ja villit. Lapin luonto täällä ei ole vain kaunis. Se on todella, todella kaunis, ja mahtava.</span></div><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Saavuin Inariin juuri sopivasti kun paikallinen pikkukauppa oli auki. Sieltä taas tutut täydennykset, ja hiukan myös kuivalihaa pienten olutmakkaroiden muodossa. Sitten Nesteen huoltoasemalle kahville ja aamupalalle. Siellä rupesi univaje ensimmäisen kerran tulemaan silmään, ja torkahdin tuolissa hetken. Sitten lähdin taas ajamaan. Lähteminen oli helppoa, sillä odotin aivan malttamattomana Kaldoaivin erämaata!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnjcPnKe0wxd3xg2FUic7sQzayQP9VZIIilTCZkB4r5DQ744R9YhoIgoDaE7aI0kiHiLtuxiFs9r-zKfyRlEySrXaDvJP0CAF7gHsq3DqfDqRVmh7AwtvtlR0OnQqYcVMAFC63OMkKPWEM/s1600/20170630_091352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnjcPnKe0wxd3xg2FUic7sQzayQP9VZIIilTCZkB4r5DQ744R9YhoIgoDaE7aI0kiHiLtuxiFs9r-zKfyRlEySrXaDvJP0CAF7gHsq3DqfDqRVmh7AwtvtlR0OnQqYcVMAFC63OMkKPWEM/s1024/20170630_091352.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Luonnollisesti porojakin tuli nähtyä muutamaan otteeseen:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwQ6RQagJpIbyMFOvzbRk1G2OpSESoUFEzM3Rl3SOlJE2kNZOMIUJSBrdHwOlMH_JjWP3qDZ44NvFNJYkT-pvNdb7WtEhnThhUXO2CIdKefzLKQf0cWDwiKBIPf3tVW5qg35BFt-dmtf9h/s1600/20170704_215210.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwQ6RQagJpIbyMFOvzbRk1G2OpSESoUFEzM3Rl3SOlJE2kNZOMIUJSBrdHwOlMH_JjWP3qDZ44NvFNJYkT-pvNdb7WtEhnThhUXO2CIdKefzLKQf0cWDwiKBIPf3tVW5qg35BFt-dmtf9h/s1024/20170704_215210.png" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ja vihdoin aloin lähestyä Kaldoaivia! Tässä vaiheessa mielessäni pyöri musiikin puolesta mm. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-TSNcoe8pA" target="_blank">The Shamen ja 'Move Any Mountain'.</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kaldoaivissa (ja vasemmalla puolella Kevon luonnonpuisto ja kauempana maisemassa Paistunturin erämaa) otin kiinni saksalaisen naisretkipyöräilijän. Hiukan hän ihmetteli kun kerroin että olin lähtenyt Hangosta sunnuntai-iltapäivällä, ja olin nyt ajanut yhtä soittoa Rovaniemeltä ja ajaisin Nuorgamiin asti. Hänellä oli seuraavana paikkana vuorossa Utsjoki. Sanoin että pidän kyllä siellä tauon, joten ehkä nähdään vielä siellä.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kaldoaivissa fiilis oli jo täysin euforinen ja hymy tuskin mahtui kunnolla kasvoille!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Utsjokea kohti alkoi tulla enemmän laskuja ja ajaminen helppoa. Liian helppoa, joka tarkoitti että univaje alkoi tekemään tuttuja temppujaan. Yhdessä laskussa väsytti niin kovin että pysähdyin yhteen pöpelikköön jonka vieressä virtasi puro. Torkahdin hetken, puron rauhoittava ääni taustalla. Nyt ei ollut kuitenkaan aika sammua, ja nousin ylös. Erilaisista ultrakisoista minuun on tehnyt tietysti valtavan suuren vaikutuksen Barkley Marathons, ja siitä tehdyt dokumenttielokuvat. Tässä lyhyessä dokkarissa <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-V8x0hQXA4" target="_blank">Barkley 100</a> Jared Campbell, sittemmin kolminkertainen voittaja, sitoo kisansa loppuvaiheessa määrätietoisesti kenkiensä nyörejä. Toistin itselleni samoja lauseita, 'vielä hiukan matkaa ja se on tehty'.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLecqsqTD-q2uhAdnq-22jnwCrV-UaShyphenhyphenYPN7FR9fsGq9vTvJdVb5T5GVM4P9vyZdDEGvhVtBJqXhjWGhkUFHeHuyAFj67KgTjqHHQJxYPCpm8qVjnRaxInAi_PEAZ4LjCYoSycrY104P8/s1600/20170630_121001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" width="768" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLecqsqTD-q2uhAdnq-22jnwCrV-UaShyphenhyphenYPN7FR9fsGq9vTvJdVb5T5GVM4P9vyZdDEGvhVtBJqXhjWGhkUFHeHuyAFj67KgTjqHHQJxYPCpm8qVjnRaxInAi_PEAZ4LjCYoSycrY104P8/s1024/20170630_121001.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbAWgfB2An6-jnZm5ZiLiKHsziQxcOOvXXo6jsXNWlFq1fZih3BPlOnT4Dkt8Mp9gfGHA4v7cw78QnLML152kTrSUXBiIoVO5vJH6urcjnCwCZiYKHdXOkl1Z-p203Smft6quiCoVb57H1/s1600/20170630_140529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbAWgfB2An6-jnZm5ZiLiKHsziQxcOOvXXo6jsXNWlFq1fZih3BPlOnT4Dkt8Mp9gfGHA4v7cw78QnLML152kTrSUXBiIoVO5vJH6urcjnCwCZiYKHdXOkl1Z-p203Smft6quiCoVb57H1/s1024/20170630_140529.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Utsjokeen tullessani pysähdyin heti tähän Annukan grilliin ja söin hampurilaisen ja join cokisen. Matkaa Nuorgamiin rajapyykille olisi enää ~45 km. Hiukan enemmän kuin työmatka, eli läpihuutojuttu varmaankin. Mattikin viestitteli että 'nauti, reitti menee Tenojoen vartta pitkin'.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfS00VdYHw0atriCkFf4VWIpcXokqfvBdFO7yuY3ozaxlZsSE95XKsezHAM4Nc8i0cFQarpOMFuc6bhjxUQU1ds-LrX5BefPW4pfG8P7VhaSkqKKGl54U7CaJN72UjcGsIfdsfD8NYR440/s1600/20170630_141547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfS00VdYHw0atriCkFf4VWIpcXokqfvBdFO7yuY3ozaxlZsSE95XKsezHAM4Nc8i0cFQarpOMFuc6bhjxUQU1ds-LrX5BefPW4pfG8P7VhaSkqKKGl54U7CaJN72UjcGsIfdsfD8NYR440/s1024/20170630_141547.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Uulan säästöstä vielä viimeiset eväät mukaan:</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnxOmFRbJpiqh5XmBVFkmWYIYPOkjH5yVaG2-L67494BCRCFWxmtPOBStovLOEO2pg7EmJkNYVsvYDZ-X3e2FOILfQvHce8tJp0m4xjrK0hYKM9G0ZfpgPOEv_tSIyt-bbUOHLttrKWtq6/s1600/20170630_150817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnxOmFRbJpiqh5XmBVFkmWYIYPOkjH5yVaG2-L67494BCRCFWxmtPOBStovLOEO2pg7EmJkNYVsvYDZ-X3e2FOILfQvHce8tJp0m4xjrK0hYKM9G0ZfpgPOEv_tSIyt-bbUOHLttrKWtq6/s1024/20170630_150817.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kelikin vaikutti vielä aika hyvältä...</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqHlWk7iMIujxdXgnnggQ8G11A-TVzvVWetzC-z9BeC0y7wiQvYvygjlBV_6UXU5e3MdsCAQs90U_BEf3fkcD0pqZNkGVY0_rsAGIIODnfxAU2Y0D-L6hXPWt8hqnwYIwEPJbH63oDe6A6/s1600/20170630_150940.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqHlWk7iMIujxdXgnnggQ8G11A-TVzvVWetzC-z9BeC0y7wiQvYvygjlBV_6UXU5e3MdsCAQs90U_BEf3fkcD0pqZNkGVY0_rsAGIIODnfxAU2Y0D-L6hXPWt8hqnwYIwEPJbH63oDe6A6/s1024/20170630_150940.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...kunnes suunta muuttui, ja myös tuuli.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGmeeYR7B6iG1vsimEmGmFibBWMtsAVzu4ZnMSZH_hXltyYA24lTX8l8vXbg8wG5xVg6ymOdSLemf2VA0bOdqfkKEwUODo_O9aLng4RqtDG1RRgrGx-bBATtcX-FARYSxxINDpVSyoQnL/s1600/20170630_152049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGmeeYR7B6iG1vsimEmGmFibBWMtsAVzu4ZnMSZH_hXltyYA24lTX8l8vXbg8wG5xVg6ymOdSLemf2VA0bOdqfkKEwUODo_O9aLng4RqtDG1RRgrGx-bBATtcX-FARYSxxINDpVSyoQnL/s1024/20170630_152049.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tenojoen varrella ja vuorensolassa tuuli oli kova ja täysin vastainen. Sitkuttelin 10 km rauhallisempaa vauhtia, sillä tuloksella että aloin sammumaan, toden teolla. </span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYM5kW09LvReG5tgPJFjrpP5CP_kwXwKziWubb-TXTmGbNbyVpBtp3p3yH6W1A8VUeZrcI9NfLH120ycoxj3PvZ1mB88UjEPR0XbHiYVWH5F0lZZzH8do3Lbk1uPbE0WVChErm3RLuzHyV/s1600/20170630_154945.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" width="768" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYM5kW09LvReG5tgPJFjrpP5CP_kwXwKziWubb-TXTmGbNbyVpBtp3p3yH6W1A8VUeZrcI9NfLH120ycoxj3PvZ1mB88UjEPR0XbHiYVWH5F0lZZzH8do3Lbk1uPbE0WVChErm3RLuzHyV/s1024/20170630_154945.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kovan vastatuulen lisäksi alkoi pikku hiljaa tietysti satamaan hiukan vettäkin. Vasemmalla puolella oli jokin pieni hirsimökki jossa myytiin kalastuslupia. Menin sen viereen hetkeksi suojaan ja suljin silmäni. En varsinaisesti nukahtanut, mutta lepäsin hetken. Mutta matkaa oli vielä 35 km! En nyt voi missään nimessä sammua tähän! Dramaattinen loppuhan tähän taas tarvittiin. Tuntui siltä että sekä tuuli että sade alkoivat yltyä. Nousin ylös. Nyt ei voinut enää yrittää ajella pikku hiljaa loppuun asti. Ei ollut muuta vaihtoehtoa kuin ajaa täysillä. Se on ainoa tapa pysyä hereillä eikä sammua jonnekin ojan pohjalle. Sainkin adrenaalinin nousemaan ylös ja ajoin suurimman osan matkaa putkelta ruhjoen. Reitti oli vielä lisäksi mäkinen. Laitoin välillä silmiini pyörimään sotaelokuva 'Kwai-joen silta' loppukohtauksen, jossa William Holden taistelee loppuun asti, ammuttunakin. 'Taistele! Loppuun asti!', hoin itselleni. Viimeiset kilometrit alkoivat todella tuntua kidutukselta, kun rajapyykki ei tuntunut vieläkään tulevan vastaan. Mutta tietysti se tulisi, vielä muutama kilometri. Aivan loppu olikin pelkkää ylämäkeä infernaaliselta tuntuneessa vastatuulessa. Sitten näin rajan ja kuuluisan merkkikiven jossa on kyltti 'Suomen pohjoisin piste' ja 'Euroopan unionin pohjoisin piste'. Tunne oli epäuskoinen! Onko se todellakin se?! Kyllä se on!! Tunteet ottivat vallan ja viimeiset 10-20 metriä tulin kivelle kyyneleet silmistä valuen. Hakkasin nyrkillä satulaa ja nostin käden ylös. Ketään ei ollut paikalla.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Vähän ajan päästä paikalle tuli autoilla muutama perhe jotka ottivat toisistaan kuvia merkkipaalun luona. Viimeisen perheen isä otti tämän kuvan.</span></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Päässäni oli hiukan huimaava mutta todella sumea olo, ja muutenkin epätodellinen olo.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9fKzE4Y9beQBOohdcqC2QomR1yQ-HO20Zj8KTA27L6lEcesKIjiI45dHgaYsTKjzWZYpZGHgaEC7KZHRL5YGEt9a0JVBZXRWDX1rv4m31EVauicHmZdYOeKC7znuEpYfHeR_GXVcpM3ic/s1600/20170630_175431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" width="768" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9fKzE4Y9beQBOohdcqC2QomR1yQ-HO20Zj8KTA27L6lEcesKIjiI45dHgaYsTKjzWZYpZGHgaEC7KZHRL5YGEt9a0JVBZXRWDX1rv4m31EVauicHmZdYOeKC7znuEpYfHeR_GXVcpM3ic/s1024/20170630_175431.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4mR71vFkRc42WoIyiIIJCz_cyx0Cg-YZ-0WLhE5hDUiV9wLohuo2ZHLUUj4ASWZY8SjYYlxwcabtghaDiSoWryWMgw_71nZ-giB147swQkMrYcRv0DeJvqVhR3SFY6vRICP9XGHWrJ5iX/s1600/20170630_180312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4mR71vFkRc42WoIyiIIJCz_cyx0Cg-YZ-0WLhE5hDUiV9wLohuo2ZHLUUj4ASWZY8SjYYlxwcabtghaDiSoWryWMgw_71nZ-giB147swQkMrYcRv0DeJvqVhR3SFY6vRICP9XGHWrJ5iX/s1024/20170630_180312.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sade loppui ja laitoin päivitykset someen. 'Destination reached and mission accomplished!'.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht0I8h0vFqC1EXnslWPwGJ9dhjaIhrEN9XHyYR9qHIMghcNPiWtvUt2RnTVxBbdAGU8jPxP9ouNnqj9EO69usJK4-2rGMlBK2B5G6ERPDOxPGj5Tg_Ij98SUuZQZVPcI25B1_WckkmBhK-/s1600/20170630_182811.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" width="768" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht0I8h0vFqC1EXnslWPwGJ9dhjaIhrEN9XHyYR9qHIMghcNPiWtvUt2RnTVxBbdAGU8jPxP9ouNnqj9EO69usJK4-2rGMlBK2B5G6ERPDOxPGj5Tg_Ij98SUuZQZVPcI25B1_WckkmBhK-/s1024/20170630_182811.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiQPVI5YaX0MXteWDedjxr4EZRaAnnk5UvQBUbLqq8sq5T_SFAt_-Yf7UnzoO4Ap4lr5uvOMcQAZd6uNJng0FFPvc4vzFLpfAfwwI3vlmuy94BNNi3357xGgPxo6hO3yj8e-ckvKLoFUD-/s1600/20170630_183927.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" width="768" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiQPVI5YaX0MXteWDedjxr4EZRaAnnk5UvQBUbLqq8sq5T_SFAt_-Yf7UnzoO4Ap4lr5uvOMcQAZd6uNJng0FFPvc4vzFLpfAfwwI3vlmuy94BNNi3357xGgPxo6hO3yj8e-ckvKLoFUD-/s1024/20170630_183927.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Matkaa kertyi karvan alle 1500 km ja aikaa kului 5 vuorokautta ja n. 3,5 tuntia.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hortoilin hetken aikaa Nuorgamissa, ja ehdin käydä kylän kaupassa ostamassa hiukan syötävää. Yöksi asetuin lähelle maantietä, pöpelikköön silti, josta olisi lyhyt matka bussipysäkille. Jos aikaa olisi mennyt reilusti alle 5 vuorokautta, olisin käynyt ajamassa Norjan puolelle Jäämeren rannalle, jonne on matkaa vain reilut 30 km.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwixzwo2NRCI_-6gecUvctuOPvalx_sIOLBa7NG7WSqOmuIUCsOcGeNVsdcu7cVF5-tv89hJ3YUo85UWRsW3CU9xuFWVx6pS6G0oey5K0BzY23qVqYMShu58sEy9PhwVlvetqiI9UYytvj/s1600/20170630_205723.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" width="768" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwixzwo2NRCI_-6gecUvctuOPvalx_sIOLBa7NG7WSqOmuIUCsOcGeNVsdcu7cVF5-tv89hJ3YUo85UWRsW3CU9xuFWVx6pS6G0oey5K0BzY23qVqYMShu58sEy9PhwVlvetqiI9UYytvj/s1024/20170630_205723.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sainkin nukuttua muutaman tunnin. Heräsin hyvissä ajoin ennen bussin tuloa, joskus klo 03. Bussipysäkillä oli 67-vuotias naispyöräilijä, joka oli ollut tekemässä lyhyempiä päivämatkoja Norjan puolella. Tuli siinä juteltua yllättävänkin syvällisiä maailman menosta ja ihmisestä ylipäätään.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bussimatkalla iski päälle sama fiilis kuin ITIn jälkeen vuonna 2015, kun lensin muiden kanssa McGrathista takaisin Anchorageen. Lentokoneen äänen sijaan tällä kertaa bussin matala ja uljas ääni vahvisti paluumatkan mahtavuutta, kun katselin toiseen suuntaan nopeammalla vauhdilla kaikkea sitä minkä läpi olin omin voimin ajanut. Tuota fiilistä ei oikein pysty sanoin kuvaamaan, mutta se on todella upea.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bussimatkalla oli vielä kolmaskin pyöräilijä, 21/22-vuotias (en muista) nimeltään Riku, joka oli ajanut Helsingistä itäistä reittiä 1800 km Jäämerelle asti. Hänellä reissuun meni aikaa kuukausi. Pyörä ja varusteet olivat toki toisenlaiset. Kaksi erilaista lähestymistapaa, mutta kummallakin oli ollut once-in-a-lifetime -kokemus:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Gta5_KB7XRmKXlfb3sbznMveryXP6oK4XKrMLK2XbYMVk7jT4K9a2B9sLVXS4ukbg1KFjvzILazJnCusGm0GZx1OZmrYdc71Rv81_vSG_KdwO8cTd9ZgTRS4pEW1cOT4VVgO7AMvGpSx/s1600/20170701_121228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Gta5_KB7XRmKXlfb3sbznMveryXP6oK4XKrMLK2XbYMVk7jT4K9a2B9sLVXS4ukbg1KFjvzILazJnCusGm0GZx1OZmrYdc71Rv81_vSG_KdwO8cTd9ZgTRS4pEW1cOT4VVgO7AMvGpSx/s1024/20170701_121228.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kävimme yhdessä syömässä Rovaniemessä maittavat pasta-ateriat, jotka maistuivatkin taivaallisen hyvältä:</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFOgIGlInulmqO-Dldd152K40sFUOovxZkR5mIhfJ1S7HFpg9KUVSrI6LPfocIQqEJyfWLI8fJ3UuX-mNKMabEpc2AYP-DGaROq_vO_SQ3FBU_EQ88Mi6B_bkrrv8VJ0jF91yC3Ur3vp8_/s1600/20170701_131901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" width="768" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFOgIGlInulmqO-Dldd152K40sFUOovxZkR5mIhfJ1S7HFpg9KUVSrI6LPfocIQqEJyfWLI8fJ3UuX-mNKMabEpc2AYP-DGaROq_vO_SQ3FBU_EQ88Mi6B_bkrrv8VJ0jF91yC3Ur3vp8_/s1024/20170701_131901.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sitten menimme Ounasjoen rantaan rentoutumaan. Riku oli selvästi hieno nuori mies jolla tuntui arvot olevan kohdallaan. Näytin tietysti kuvia Alaskasta jotka taisi tehdä häneen aika suuren vaikutuksen. Sanoinkin hänelle että kyllä sinäkin sinne vielä pääset jos haluat. Otat siitä itsellesi päämäärän.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkhRUh7fQf0su20XecLzc1DiM9-TbRjgei0Oj2NTmKgrtCbMmvpsYHIZKhn_2KvtO9mdFRYLiPIlqQcu6gRQJmzX3u4uxr8DSCjM-5ynvoMPK9y4k5651gTeD5grd-r1h_7E5CZ_BAEHo0/s1600/20170701_145257.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkhRUh7fQf0su20XecLzc1DiM9-TbRjgei0Oj2NTmKgrtCbMmvpsYHIZKhn_2KvtO9mdFRYLiPIlqQcu6gRQJmzX3u4uxr8DSCjM-5ynvoMPK9y4k5651gTeD5grd-r1h_7E5CZ_BAEHo0/s1024/20170701_145257.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikaih8-g6ySsr3K1l_q9PB8jTsFmTphA4zorcWK6KAZvh3H8PsSUMc4fjuqHgXWXms8EOwfbaoZrV0rSpLjR01FH_FrVuu_KU3DlfTdoTh8hrOIrB3lU-inv5V53hQD5W_n-vUETV-oREo/s1600/20170701_182935.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikaih8-g6ySsr3K1l_q9PB8jTsFmTphA4zorcWK6KAZvh3H8PsSUMc4fjuqHgXWXms8EOwfbaoZrV0rSpLjR01FH_FrVuu_KU3DlfTdoTh8hrOIrB3lU-inv5V53hQD5W_n-vUETV-oREo/s1024/20170701_182935.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Alkuillasta kävin vielä keskustassa istumassa iltaa ennen junan lähtöä, ja tapasin Julian Amorrichin, tutun miehen Rovaniemi 150 -kisoista.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rovaniemen rautatieasemalla:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd1mG_SgkFZaa_ElUGr-FYo-7HC_lXuNsOMagNJvxaP7F71xK8dYTXiWhfAoeTBRiTvbqjCkK7e2-CvFWjDnf6MJkm_l0MPWjQ3UEbJmuiwPn3T3Z-QfDMHEqvFaKApCyy2FN23Y8dL_o7/s1600/20170701_203341.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" width="768" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd1mG_SgkFZaa_ElUGr-FYo-7HC_lXuNsOMagNJvxaP7F71xK8dYTXiWhfAoeTBRiTvbqjCkK7e2-CvFWjDnf6MJkm_l0MPWjQ3UEbJmuiwPn3T3Z-QfDMHEqvFaKApCyy2FN23Y8dL_o7/s1024/20170701_203341.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Junamatkalle sain vielä pyöräilyseuraa Ouluun asti, kun mukaan tuli eräs hyvin omanlaisensa pyörämatkaaja. Mielenkiintoinen puristi jonka kanssa oli hauska jutella.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kello oli taas lähemmäs puolen yön ja ajattelin että voisin vihdoin nukkua. Junan istumapaikalla se on sangen epämiellyttävää, mutta yritin silti nukkua sikiöasennossa. Takanani istui jokin ihme tyyppi joka soitti toistuvasti kännykästään jotain huonoa kappaletta. Jossain vaiheessa se onneksi loppui.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jotain unen tapaista olikin Seinäjoelle asti, kunnes havahduin meteliin kun vaunu tuli täyteen jengiä Provinssirockista! En edes muistanut että sellainenkin oli nyt samana viikonloppuna. Kirosin mielessäni että 'ei jumalauta!'. No, tästä tuli extreme-reissu sanan varsinaisessa merkityksessä. Ja viereeni tuli nuori naishenkilö joka ei itseasiassa selvästikkään ollut humalassa. Muut olivat, ja olivat pääsääntöisesti häntä vanhempia. No, ei auttanut kuin kärvistellä. Vajaan tunnin päästä kaikki metelöitsijät olivatkin sammuneet.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tampereella oli vielä junan vaihto. Turkuun tultaessa en edes vilkaissut kännykällä bussiaikatauluja. Ajaisin vielä 63 km Turusta Kemiöön. En pystynyt millään perustelemaan itselleni bussin käyttöä noin lyhyelle matkalle.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sauvossa, eli 'melkein perillä':</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGfKe8rU_9wRlE0kkaq78qFSS4GWY3p1oALOCuoOIvauQvxhL4YrJOIWRlvMJ9n4BM-GbrqL1BXNp-ssXBZOJsvrJPiFIAY9B0E64z0bEOzPxHSZUHOiu3HXdgLuhJQbRUPHxrgwCYvONn/s1600/20170702_093202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" width="768" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGfKe8rU_9wRlE0kkaq78qFSS4GWY3p1oALOCuoOIvauQvxhL4YrJOIWRlvMJ9n4BM-GbrqL1BXNp-ssXBZOJsvrJPiFIAY9B0E64z0bEOzPxHSZUHOiu3HXdgLuhJQbRUPHxrgwCYvONn/s1024/20170702_093202.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">LOPPUANALYYSI:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Trans Finlandiasta tuli elämysrikas seikkailu, jossa oli vastoinkäymisiä hiukan enemmän kuin odotin. Kuten aina, niistä yli pääseminen tuntuu mahtavalta. Missään vaiheessa uskoni ei kuitenkaan ollut koetuksella. Olin jopa harvinaisen päättäväinen, koska tämä on ollut unelmani pitkän aikaa. 505 kilometrin loppuhuipennuksessa Rovaniemeltä Nuorgamiin huomasin taas sen tosiasian että pyörän päällä, kokeilemassa rajojani, olen juuri se henkilö joka haluan olla. Ja vaikka se voi kuullostaa hullulta, minun on silloin, omalla tavallaan, helpointa olla. Matkan aikana toki auttoi myös kannustus upealta vaimoltani, jolta olen saanut paljon inspiraatiota hänen täysin päinvastaisesta terveystilanteesta. Kiitokset myös kannustuksesta somessa!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Loppuun vielä hiukan klassista jossittelua. Jos olisin ollut fyysisesti paremmassa kunnossa, ja keli olisi ollut parempi, uskon että olisin pystynyt ainakin 12-18 tuntia parempaan suoritukseen. Mutta tämä oli myös seikkailu, ei pelkkä suoritus. Se antoi rutkasti taas lisää itseluottamusta josta voin jatkaa kohti ITIä ja Nomea.</span></div>Toni Lundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05842467508604261945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3788486177697080103.post-41299142592422528102017-01-27T20:14:00.000+02:002017-01-27T20:14:55.295+02:00Race Report: Fat Viking 150 2017<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">During the fall it looked like I would not do any race this winter. After three <a href="http://www.rovaniemi150.com/" target="_blank">Rovaniemi 150</a> races in 2013, 2014 and 2016, <a href="http://www.tonilund.fi/2015/03/iti-2015-race-report-beyond-words-part-1.html" target="_blank">Iditarod Trail Invitational in 2015,</a> 'logical' step could have been <a href="https://www.rovaniemi150.com/rov300/information/" target="_blank">Rovaniemi 300</a> but it was pretty much out of the question as it's just too expensive for me right now. Then came news of a new race in Geilo, Norway. Nina Gässler was organizing Fat Viking 150 km, taking place 21st of January. It sounded very tempting because of the location and high probability of proper climbing, but I was still very unsure to take part. After procrastinating and hesitating for unusually long period of time, I decided to participate, because a winter without a race would feel a bit empty. However, I didn't have enough time to train properly, and I wanted to approach Fat Viking more relaxed. Rovaniemi 150 last winter was very stressful as I set a very high goal, a win. I wanted to go back to my original race philosophy: to race against myself. And, these races are not only races for me, they are adventures too.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My training was characterized by snowless conditions and some crappy weather in December. Right after New Year I was sick with flu, and during the Epiphany I couldn't do my last key training sessions. But I wasn't concerned. After pretty relaxed training period it was clear that Fat Viking would be a good test, and indeed a race against myself.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">During the last week before the race, Iditarod Trail Invitational training camp was going on in Geilo, and the news came that the weather is very mild and trail conditions have turned to ice in many places. There was also a few small changes to the race route. My initial reaction to the news was that this could potentially be a very strange, and extreme race. I had already 45NRTH Dillinger 5 studded tires on my Nextie rims, but some of the studs were moderately worn out. The question was if they would be enough for the race. <a href="http://www.yetirides.com/" target="_blank">Peter</a> was also coming to race and we had planned to travel together, but in the last week some health issues prevented him to take part. Huge disappointment.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The profile of the 150 km race course. Actual distance was at least 167 km:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fzxAIlNncQM/WIpG3ztmj9I/AAAAAAABXw4/YC8Gt6ECNUIfGpNL40BsTz7WODAb3kbvACPcB/s1600/fatviking-150-profile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="691" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fzxAIlNncQM/WIpG3ztmj9I/AAAAAAABXw4/YC8Gt6ECNUIfGpNL40BsTz7WODAb3kbvACPcB/s1024/fatviking-150-profile.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I travelled to Geilo with my friend Antti Sintonen who was of course racing too. Our schedule was a bit 'rough'. We arrived in Geilo just in time for the pre-race meeting at 16PM. I almost fell asleep there because I had woken up at 02.40AM in the night.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The race start was very early, 7AM in the morning, inside the garage of Vestlia Resort. Photo by Paul Arthur Lockhart:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4tZcKnZ2k68/WIov3aQZWjI/AAAAAAABXwo/F8TZ7_iTQV4htMfEVlklOuaGwkFA8wwyQCPcB/s1600/IMG_0007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="576" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4tZcKnZ2k68/WIov3aQZWjI/AAAAAAABXwo/F8TZ7_iTQV4htMfEVlklOuaGwkFA8wwyQCPcB/s1024/IMG_0007.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Nina was also doing the race, and she led us with a neutral start out of the icy mess in the centre of Geilo.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Soon the first long and steep ascent started. Few riders fell down on the early steep part. Once we got past it, the surface got slightly better, and after some pushing it was actually rideable. The climb was long and steep! Soon we all were completely stretched out on the course. My 'engine' was just warming up but the longer I got on the climb, the better I felt. To my surprise I caught <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Antti-Sintonen-824065177649414/?ref=ts&fref=ts" target="_blank">Antti Sintonen</a> and asked if everything is ok. He replied that yes, but he just wasn't getting his legs to work properly. From there we continued together. As the sun was rising, the scenery opened up and it was spectacular!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9T2eg-HOwTw/WIov38cSpUI/AAAAAAABXwo/efs02tsLPdUofs7hxMWTsTc_TbFBh4QowCPcB/s1600/IMG_7104_wm.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="768" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9T2eg-HOwTw/WIov38cSpUI/AAAAAAABXwo/efs02tsLPdUofs7hxMWTsTc_TbFBh4QowCPcB/s1024/IMG_7104_wm.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The sunrise was magnificent:</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4ZvD4jmXDf4/WIov4Pd3neI/AAAAAAABXwo/qwLEYwR3smkXx2FQBfm1Y4UJ6SExBVp9gCPcB/s1600/IMG_7111_wm.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="768" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4ZvD4jmXDf4/WIov4Pd3neI/AAAAAAABXwo/qwLEYwR3smkXx2FQBfm1Y4UJ6SExBVp9gCPcB/s1024/IMG_7111_wm.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Antti riding behind me:</span></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">At times we were riding with Mikkel Soya </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Bølstad </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">and Daniele Andriano.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The best photos I managed to take before the rechargeable batteries unexpectedly died. I took these photos on the move:</span></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The descent to first checkpoint was fast and fun, but I really loved to go up the long climbs managed to do fairly well on them. After the checkpoint more climbing followed and the scenery changed:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gma-mN8EtpA/WIpREpF8umI/AAAAAAABXxI/8LcCorboMFw0Eyapon6nx0FtdwMjA2hvQCPcB/s1600/IMG_7113_wm.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="768" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gma-mN8EtpA/WIpREpF8umI/AAAAAAABXxI/8LcCorboMFw0Eyapon6nx0FtdwMjA2hvQCPcB/s1024/IMG_7113_wm.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">On the top, GPS and actual trail didn't match. Antti was joined by the Danish ride Rune Larsen, and I was fairly close to Daniele. Suddenly I didn't see Antti and Rune. I followed Daniele for a while, but our direction wasn't right, and I turned around, and found the correct route that matched the GPS track.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Then the 'ice hell' started. I tried to maintain moderate speed, but very soon I had some close calls to fall down, so I slowed down. I have had plenty of experience with icy surfaces in my home area, but this was on different level. It was extreme, very extreme. Also, clearly the best grip of my studs were gone. So it truly was not only extreme, it was insane! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Daniele had also found the correct track and caught me. He was riding fairly well the icy parts, but I managed to catch him when we got out from the worst section.</span></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We were getting closer to second checkpoint. First checkpoint was around 38 km mark, and the second roughly 50 km from the first. I looked at my GPS but it showed that I should continue straight. I thought that I should not miss it as we got straight to the first checkpoint. Then I thought that maybe the distance is slightly more than 50 km, because there was a few changes to the race route and we had to find the correct trail before the 'ice hell'. Paul Arthur Lockhart was taking photos there:</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0XWRZEN8_cM/WIov6QbRfpI/AAAAAAABXwo/I70zpwp1-voiUNss4NFilY0xyL_cnvnSgCPcB/s1600/IMG_0410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="576" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0XWRZEN8_cM/WIov6QbRfpI/AAAAAAABXwo/I70zpwp1-voiUNss4NFilY0xyL_cnvnSgCPcB/s1024/IMG_0410.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But the checkpoint didn't come up. Something was clearly wrong, and I stopped. Soon Mikkel Soya came behind me, and said that I missed the second checkpoint, it was in Dagali! Damn, I had been riding maybe 10 km past of it. I had to ride back because every rider had to check in and out at the checkpoints. And so I did, and I rode as fast as I could. I was in fourth place in the men's category (Nina was super strong and was not far away from Adam Erritzoe who was leading) but I reminded myself that I was racing against myself and forget the actual race. I realised that I had not zoomed in the GPS enough and that was reason for the overshot. Second checkpoint was on the right said of the road, and maybe 200 meters uphill. Jarmo Järvinen and Stefan Chmel were leaving the checkpoint when I got there.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I met Adam and Nina at the checkpoint and told what happened to me. It was a bummer, but anything can happen in these races, and this was first time when I was using GPS during a race. A new lesson learned.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I still tried to ride fast, and I catched Jarmo and Stefan on the lake. Now, the lake was very slippery too, but it had about 10 cm of overflow with a thin layer of ice on top of it. It broke through constantly under us. As Jarmo and Stefan stopped briefly, I shaked hand with Stefan as this was our first meeting in the 'real world'. This photo is taken by Stefan Chmel:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rgy_7MZMlg4/WIov7h-jomI/AAAAAAABXws/wMmarVilLykaIGiFHBPBB6ME9-xWDI2iACPcB/s1600/Photo%2B26-01-2017%252C%2B13%2B51%2B52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="768" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rgy_7MZMlg4/WIov7h-jomI/AAAAAAABXws/wMmarVilLykaIGiFHBPBB6ME9-xWDI2iACPcB/s1024/Photo%2B26-01-2017%252C%2B13%2B51%2B52.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Riding through the lake was a bit scary experience, but great nevertheless. After the lake my brakes were unfunctional for a while but they regained full capacity after some braking.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was dark as we got together to third checkpoint, which was the same as the second because we rode a round trip.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Riding the 'ice hell' again in the dark didn't feel good at all. I tried to maintain some kind of speed but I had to slow down to crawling pace on all of the worst parts. I really didn't want to fall down, and wanted to get to the finish in one piece. I also pushed my bike in many of the worst parts. Jarmo and Stefan were ahead of me.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My energy level was low in the end and it was pretty mental in the last big climb before the finish. I knew that I would make it to the finish but I was suffering.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the finish, Bill Merchant was congratulating and shaking hands with every finisher. It felt great, because at times, it was like a nightmare out there!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My time was 16 hours 17 minutes, finishing in 8th place, 189.2 km by Strava and 191.4 km with 3252 meters (?!) of altitude gain by Garmin eTrex 30x. I was very happy with the first 88 km and rode fairly strongly. Overshooting the second checkpoint was a bummer but you always learn something new in these races, and I still managed to overcome it and finish the race in high spirits. I just feel so lucky that I can do these crazy things that are my passion!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I want to thank my family and parents for outstanding support, without them this would not have been possible. Also, thanks to my awesome sponsors: <a href="http://www.konaworld.com/" target="_blank">Kona</a>, <a href="http://rex.fi/en/bike" target="_blank">Rex</a> and <a href="http://www.porcelainrocket.com/" target="_blank">Porcelain Rocket</a>, and all the previous sponsors too.</span></div>Toni Lundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05842467508604261945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3788486177697080103.post-253903291525553612016-11-26T21:29:00.000+02:002016-11-26T21:29:19.478+02:00Tour de Kurjenrahka, November 2016<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Three weeks ago we had a full-blown winter with subzero temps for over a week and a bit of snow. Smaller lakes and even rivers freezed fairly quickly, so I was instantly thinking about the mires of Kurjenrahka National Park. Me, <a href="http://www.yetirides.com/" target="_blank">Peter</a> and JJ had an excellent outing there in March and we crossed all the mires by riding our fatbikes.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Two weeks ago me and Peter decided to go back and do the same tour as in March. But the conditions were not the same, as the fall had been very dry with only little rain, meaning that the water level on the mires was probably a lot lower. We were still fairly optimistic that there would be plenty of rideable surfaces.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Here's a photo recap with some notes of our 'Tour de Kurjenrahka':</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I started the journey from home in the late evening on Friday. My work ended 7PM, so a late start is inevitable, but a late start is always better than not starting at all...</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SNzIB1uE5s8/WDmPg_r8-9I/AAAAAAABVpw/60xElvMZXKY6jgFv8NBqzAmgUhAATeDcwCPcB/s1600/IMG_6872.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SNzIB1uE5s8/WDmPg_r8-9I/AAAAAAABVpw/60xElvMZXKY6jgFv8NBqzAmgUhAATeDcwCPcB/s1600/IMG_6872.JPG" width="600" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I was actually pretty fast as I hammered on the gravel roads towards Vajosuo. In the old shelter place there was instructions to the new shelter place. It was a bit misleading, so I ended riding a longer route that contained a new trail.</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iyZh87HZeF0/WDmPiFrgGSI/AAAAAAABVpw/i6ArrkDJ0AIabOXvbUH3JcCyiu9fYDA7wCPcB/s1600/IMG_6873.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="800" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iyZh87HZeF0/WDmPiFrgGSI/AAAAAAABVpw/i6ArrkDJ0AIabOXvbUH3JcCyiu9fYDA7wCPcB/s1600/IMG_6873.JPG" width="600" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Finally in the new place of the old shelter. It was midnight, and Peter was already in the sleeping bag. After a few words he continued to sleep.</span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hse7DwElhss/WDmPiS4ndJI/AAAAAAABVp4/DAR2tTL9Ob4rydf7BfMzC2kNn_ow-fquQCPcB/s1600/20161112_001621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="768" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hse7DwElhss/WDmPiS4ndJI/AAAAAAABVp4/DAR2tTL9Ob4rydf7BfMzC2kNn_ow-fquQCPcB/s1600/20161112_001621.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sandwiches with campfire. Delicious.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Temperature forecast was for -10°C so I chose 45NRTH Wolfgars for footwear. </span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eu0nxL5GXsQ/WDmPlaRgBEI/AAAAAAABVp4/4ac89IZcY7cS-v1Qd0ywNmls25zQUipPwCPcB/s1600/IMG_6890.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="573" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eu0nxL5GXsQ/WDmPlaRgBEI/AAAAAAABVp4/4ac89IZcY7cS-v1Qd0ywNmls25zQUipPwCPcB/s1600/IMG_6890.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Morning, after fairly good sleep in the night.</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HC1sZ6ZT9rg/WDmPlarOrkI/AAAAAAABVp4/emJQEw2G6rUQKGu0fnNkC6PqDTC6kVa0QCPcB/s1600/20161112_085639.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="573" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HC1sZ6ZT9rg/WDmPlarOrkI/AAAAAAABVp4/emJQEw2G6rUQKGu0fnNkC6PqDTC6kVa0QCPcB/s1600/20161112_085639.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As we packed our gear and prepared to leave the shelter, I noticed that the top of my Mountain Feedbag was slightly broken and most of the candies were gone. Apparently some animal, a mouse, or more likely a squirrel, had eaten them during the night! This has not happened before.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Vajosuo. A candy for the eye.</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E6LFql-eURo/WDmPmYkdiuI/AAAAAAABVp4/iTd8WyglcFMDz5IOaNFLb9cGVNOacvr5gCPcB/s1600/IMG_6894.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="573" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E6LFql-eURo/WDmPmYkdiuI/AAAAAAABVp4/iTd8WyglcFMDz5IOaNFLb9cGVNOacvr5gCPcB/s1600/IMG_6894.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Vajosuo mire was mostly rideable, but as expected, it was different compared to conditions in March. The tussocks were higher so riding was at times pretty hard.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This section was supposed to be rideable, but it had been very dry so no ice, and hence it was pushing time.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_ZL93vC3zkk/WDmPqU9qQ5I/AAAAAAABVp4/64TVNOwVkIg3qAOdT20XtyvkZzjT1RhdgCPcB/s1600/IMG_6909.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="573" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_ZL93vC3zkk/WDmPqU9qQ5I/AAAAAAABVp4/64TVNOwVkIg3qAOdT20XtyvkZzjT1RhdgCPcB/s1600/IMG_6909.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">After little searching we found the ski route that goes out from Vajosuo.</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2rT3WJRUYPU/WDmPrKokShI/AAAAAAABVp4/pO5OWca1tJsthWUF12lT7U3__5cnM7wdwCPcB/s1600/IMG_6913.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="573" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2rT3WJRUYPU/WDmPrKokShI/AAAAAAABVp4/pO5OWca1tJsthWUF12lT7U3__5cnM7wdwCPcB/s1600/IMG_6913.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">After a short gravel section we found this trail that took us to Kurjenrahka.</span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xhT2RqlKaWc/WDmPvVDJQbI/AAAAAAABVp4/mSxOLbNY4QwZ9s-a07YvEubON2zQqq-GwCPcB/s1600/IMG_6925.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="800" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xhT2RqlKaWc/WDmPvVDJQbI/AAAAAAABVp4/mSxOLbNY4QwZ9s-a07YvEubON2zQqq-GwCPcB/s1600/IMG_6925.JPG" width="600" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Kurjenrahka mire was rideable in the beginning, but tussocks made riding again hard.</span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZqmEIzqCUb4/WDmPvk2rA_I/AAAAAAABVp4/GDUFAASDWYoFi1JflDgaXFyQSNoAVzBiwCPcB/s1600/20161112_115620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="573" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZqmEIzqCUb4/WDmPvk2rA_I/AAAAAAABVp4/GDUFAASDWYoFi1JflDgaXFyQSNoAVzBiwCPcB/s1600/20161112_115620.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0F15Z9IS_ks/WDmPwat_7GI/AAAAAAABVp4/DWSiaw3RwrYcb8iOlUKQI4co6YxKKPRFgCPcB/s1600/IMG_6931.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="768" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0F15Z9IS_ks/WDmPwat_7GI/AAAAAAABVp4/DWSiaw3RwrYcb8iOlUKQI4co6YxKKPRFgCPcB/s1600/IMG_6931.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But then it turned to unridable we ended pushing our bikes.</span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lB8Aq8C_RYA/WDmPw6cna9I/AAAAAAABVp4/v632MDAdTXYhepvmQf8cxk7DQORXakZIACPcB/s1600/IMG_6933.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="768" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lB8Aq8C_RYA/WDmPw6cna9I/AAAAAAABVp4/v632MDAdTXYhepvmQf8cxk7DQORXakZIACPcB/s1600/IMG_6933.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We decided to go to the nearby trail so that we could ride to Savojärvi lake and then to Lakjärvi lake.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EsIKqJSZNc8/WDmPxaP4nkI/AAAAAAABVp4/IoxRkVva40oHm0H0NCmQle3UfgoS6XPEACPcB/s1600/IMG_6934.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EsIKqJSZNc8/WDmPxaP4nkI/AAAAAAABVp4/IoxRkVva40oHm0H0NCmQle3UfgoS6XPEACPcB/s1600/IMG_6934.JPG" width="600" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KbSSsKDR6nU/WDmPx4AxsII/AAAAAAABVp4/m4Nd853d_FMRtwOygYGnKHbeUxFy8XcEgCPcB/s1600/IMG_6937.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="768" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KbSSsKDR6nU/WDmPx4AxsII/AAAAAAABVp4/m4Nd853d_FMRtwOygYGnKHbeUxFy8XcEgCPcB/s1600/IMG_6937.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OF8Xl7zYHXk/WDmPyX1GEEI/AAAAAAABVp4/TyRhAUYdcmwOyQ5HFiPqSDG_lz-z7Z-DACPcB/s1600/IMG_6939.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="768" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OF8Xl7zYHXk/WDmPyX1GEEI/AAAAAAABVp4/TyRhAUYdcmwOyQ5HFiPqSDG_lz-z7Z-DACPcB/s1600/IMG_6939.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">At the Lakjärvi shelter we took a break to eat some food and drink coffee.</span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eI26NKSgPVU/WDmPy9Vu2uI/AAAAAAABVp4/PhbY1U7R0ZcviymIwIKX6om51AfICuHygCPcB/s1600/IMG_6940.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="768" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eI26NKSgPVU/WDmPy9Vu2uI/AAAAAAABVp4/PhbY1U7R0ZcviymIwIKX6om51AfICuHygCPcB/s1600/IMG_6940.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-81lTxJCYE30/WDmPzOUnPAI/AAAAAAABVp4/GGlmNKMEhLQ4LsIzPyKgEwikxqpP0V_6QCPcB/s1600/IMG_6942.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="768" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-81lTxJCYE30/WDmPzOUnPAI/AAAAAAABVp4/GGlmNKMEhLQ4LsIzPyKgEwikxqpP0V_6QCPcB/s1600/IMG_6942.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Lakjärvi lake.</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CqwlF516i4I/WDmPzjApk3I/AAAAAAABVp4/G1EFe5nsnTQ67AowkWQ1GFZ0_2G6riFnQCPcB/s1600/IMG_6949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="573" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CqwlF516i4I/WDmPzjApk3I/AAAAAAABVp4/G1EFe5nsnTQ67AowkWQ1GFZ0_2G6riFnQCPcB/s1600/IMG_6949.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Pushing through the Lakjärvenrahka mire.</span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DaXlmAiWViY/WDmPz1K6XFI/AAAAAAABVp4/j0jPnOO5dlQUPwTLzp2EBI5QPj-T6GDeACPcB/s1600/IMG_6952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="573" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DaXlmAiWViY/WDmPz1K6XFI/AAAAAAABVp4/j0jPnOO5dlQUPwTLzp2EBI5QPj-T6GDeACPcB/s1600/IMG_6952.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sUmDdH6e6FM/WDmP0elQNrI/AAAAAAABVp4/tPhaFZ_-INkdLcgziV5LWrTHjH5nY7DZgCPcB/s1600/IMG_6954.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="573" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sUmDdH6e6FM/WDmP0elQNrI/AAAAAAABVp4/tPhaFZ_-INkdLcgziV5LWrTHjH5nY7DZgCPcB/s1600/IMG_6954.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I had the new Garmin eTrex 30x GPS unit in use for the first time, but I didn't have proper topographical maps in it yet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Lammenrahka, first rideable with hard effort...</span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0Sy1NagpxMU/WDmP0_ANu0I/AAAAAAABVp4/yS7nljYwEcU86acQVvOPrt93iWAY8xvtQCPcB/s1600/IMG_6958.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="573" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0Sy1NagpxMU/WDmP0_ANu0I/AAAAAAABVp4/yS7nljYwEcU86acQVvOPrt93iWAY8xvtQCPcB/s1600/IMG_6958.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div>
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...<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">but then just too soft.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Peter searching for alternative route out from the mire.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Not found, so more pushing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Next mire which was partly rideable.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Then again longer pushing / bushwhaking section to the last mire.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The last one of the tour, Laidassuo mire. It was mostly ridable but it was hard going.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It was getting dark. And a bit more of the familiar stuff, pushing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It was completely dark as we reached Vajosuo mire again. We found the route pretty easily and eventually also our old tracks, Garmin eTrex 30x was helpful in that regard too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Around six in the evening we were finally back in the Vajosuo parking place. I had already a headache as I didn't drink enough, as I tried to save some water for the 41-42 km home trip. My hydration pack was almost empty, and I had just one chocolate/energy bar and a bit of salted peanuts. Peter gave me a small bar. I didn't feel good at all and was ready to go with Peter in his car, but still, I decided to ride home. After all, the distance was about the same as my commuting distance.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The first 20 km I was feeling 'ok', but it was already very hard going. The last 20 km was pure hell. 13 km to go I was looking around to stop and melt snow for drinking water, but I didn't want to stop for a break. I just wanted to get home. I had to really dig deep and play some mental games to get home. Incredibly hard but I was happy when I reached home.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This was definitely the hardest trip in Kurjenrahka so far. Lots of bike pushing, but it was worth it. Good training and slightly different perspective of Kurjenrahka. Thanks Peter for the company. Go and read his report <a href="http://www.yetirides.com/2016/11/tour-de-kurjenrahka-early-winter-edition.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></div>
Toni Lundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05842467508604261945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3788486177697080103.post-81113784547045306462016-10-26T21:46:00.002+03:002016-10-26T21:46:42.632+03:00Gloomy Autumn Dream 2016 - The race of truth<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It's that time of the year again. The race of truth. Last year it was still the Mammoth March, but after it's glorious 10-year living, it passed away. Initially it was a shock, but very soon came the good news that it has reborn. Now it's name is <a href="http://synkkis2016.blogspot.fi/" target="_blank">Synkkä Syysunelma</a>, which roughly translates Gloomy Autumn Dream. The concept is still pretty much the same, but orienteering was to be just a bit more challenging this time. Also, the control points were featuring Barkley Marathons, as the racers had to tear a book page that is corresponding to racer's bib number.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But let's wind the clocks back to year 2012. That's the year when I raced my first <a href="http://www.tonilund.fi/2012/10/race-report-mammoth-march-impossible.html" target="_blank">Mammoth March Impossible</a> with a 5-men team in Vihti. It was incredibly hard race as I had lots of difficulties before and during the race. I suffered so much. I had done several 24-hour solo mountain biking races in the past which were hard too, but Mammoth March was even harder. It was different. It truly felt that this is a monster that tries to rip you apart.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.tonilund.fi/2013/10/race-report-mammoth-march-impossible.html" target="_blank">2013 was a lot easier in Raasepori</a> but there were still some hard moments, and for the first time, I saw briefly hallucinations.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.tonilund.fi/2014/11/race-report-mammoth-march-impossible.html" target="_blank">2014 and Nuuksio</a>. Massive sleep deprivation due to very bad circumstances knocked me out of the race early. A very bitter disappointment.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.tonilund.fi/2015/10/mammoth-march-anguish.html" target="_blank">2015 and the 10-year anniversary race</a> in Liesjärvi/Torronsuo. I teamed with Jarkko and I was orienteering for the first time. We were pretty close to finish it but we were running out of time and decided to abort the mission in a bog with dense vegetation. Another DNF.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This summer was void of races for me. I was going to race Märynummi 12h in July but it was cancelled. When the place of Gloomy Autumn Dream was announced (Sammatti), I started to think about participation and made some questions to myself. Have I suffered enough in the past? Is there any point anymore to go through all of it? Well, I haven't done it solo, so there was at least one reason. Also, the last two DNFs were still in the back of my mind. I really wanted to succeed. But I was not going to come with my A game, hardly B game, as my form is not so good at the moment. And I am still pretty new to orienteering. I discussed these matters with my former team mates. When Jarkko figured out that it's better for him to do the shorter 100 km 'March' and Matti was going to run 50 km 'Marathon', it started to look like I was going to do 160 km 'Anguish' solo. When the control points were announced I finally made my decision. 160 km solo! Like always, all or nothing for me. To further justify my decision, this race is so hard and difficult that it guarantees me to confront my fear of failure, insecurities and weaknesses.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">At first I was very excited. This time I was going to make all the maps myself too. But fairly soon I was running out of time and I got help from Jarkko as he printed the maps for the first 24 control points which were same in March and Anguish. I still marked all 32 control points and planned my own route. I printed the remaining maps on Thursday evening, and marked the last points and lines only about 8 hours before the start of the race. I started to think that this doesn't look good. The race track looked really sketchy. It felt like I was 'craving' another DNF again. Not good.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I was also unsure which bike I should choose. Kona Rove ST is excellent and fast bike on gravel, but when the small forest roads gets rough it's better to have bigger tires. So I decided to ride with my 1st generation 9:ZERO:7 as in the previous editions, but with drop bars. I posted these photos to social media with the following message:</span><br />
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<b>Ok people, I'm ready. Well, at least I hope so. It feels like I'm redefining how crazy I am to do this. The orienteering part feels a bit 'unnerving', to say the least. This will be really test for survival, period.</b></div>
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<b>You can follow the race live over here, the start is 20PM EET / 19PM CET:</b></div>
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<a href="http://www.tulospalvelu.fi/gps/2016synkkis/?v=m3" rel="nofollow" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><b>http://www.tulospalvelu.fi/gps/2016synkkis/?v=m3</b></a></div>
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<b><a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/synkk%C3%A4syysunelma?source=feed_text&story_id=1348550718509842" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span class="_5afx" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit;"><span aria-label="avainsana" class="_58cl _5afz" style="color: #4267b2; font-family: inherit; unicode-bidi: isolate;">#</span><span class="_58cm" style="font-family: inherit;">SynkkäSyysunelma</span></span></a> <a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/gloomyautumndream?source=feed_text&story_id=1348550718509842" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span class="_5afx" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit;"><span aria-label="avainsana" class="_58cl _5afz" style="color: #4267b2; font-family: inherit; unicode-bidi: isolate;">#</span><span class="_58cm" style="font-family: inherit;">GloomyAutumnDream</span></span></a> <span class="_5afx" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/hallucinationlightshow?source=feed_text&story_id=1348550718509842" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span aria-label="avainsana" class="_58cl _5afz" style="color: #4267b2; font-family: inherit; unicode-bidi: isolate;">#</span><span class="_58cm" style="font-family: inherit;">HallucinationLightshow</span></a></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">With all these things in my mind it was clear that I should only race against myself and forget the actual race that was going in the background. After all, that has been my original race philosophy. The time limit was 30 hours, so I considered that finishing this monster should still be possible even with some major orienteering mistakes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The weather was looking pretty good on Friday. Overcast but dry, temps near +2°C, a bit of wind, and it was predicted to stay that way through the night and Saturday, only the wind would pick up on Saturday.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">The race centre was in the </span><a href="http://www.retkikartta.fi/?lang=fi&layers=rajoitukset_70:taustakartta_100&x=320341.73591&y=6692272.451017&zoom=5&" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Camping site of Elämännokka, Sammatti</a><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">. Small place just on the side of Enäjärvi lake. In some way, the worst moments are just before the race starts. The air felt surprisingly cold. I was very nervous. Most of the participants were in good moods and laughing inside the race office. I just wanted to be inside the car.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Finally the race was about to start. Last year, there was Twin Peaks Theme as background music. This time, the race director performed small piece of music with fipple flute. Very different to last year, but still very fitting to this very unique race. All bikers started at the same time, 8PM. I didn't bring my camera, I wanted to concentrate completely in the race this time, so no photos.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Like always, the start was pretty fast. I was briefly in the lead but when we headed towards the first control point I was slightly behind. The first two were easily found because there were plenty of other riders together. As planned, the 2nd control point required to leave your bike on the side of the road and hike up to a hill. I was together with Jarkko at this point.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">The trail to 3rd was clearly on the map but we didn't find it right away. The trail was rideable for the most part, and we were going up a hill again. 3rd was inside a mailbox which were easily found on a tree. The mailbox had probably some kind of purpose there because the trail was an official hiking trail.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">I was still with Jarkko. We knew that 4th and 5th would possibly be the worst control points because they required several hundred meters of bike pushing. Our course to 4th wasn't very direct, and we had to push through pretty rough vegetation. Not a big mistake, but it definitely cost some time. But on the way to 5th things got tricky. As on the map, there were two big rocks and we had to evade them. We decided to take a 'path' to the right. There were lots of trees down because of a forestry machine. After slogging through that we encoutered a dense birch grove. At this point we were already heading to a wrong direction, and evading the birch grove further pushed us to a wrong direction. We realized it when we found ourselves on the side of field. Very close to that field were a gravel road, but it headed to restrictred area (defined in the race rules). We decided to cross the field to circumvent the area, and we finally found the road to 5th point. But all this cost a lot of time. Big mistake but that's part of this race, especially for novice orienteerers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">6th point was the swimming point and not far away. There were lots of other racers. Not really a rush of them, but I didn't like the situation and I was already a bit too cool because riding from 5th to 6th was mainly downhill. Jarkko was fast and went for the swim while I hesitated and tried to warm up. Soon I got undressed and put a swimming vest on. The race director, Karhunsolan Tiukunen, was there as a lifeguard and got a headlamp to give a bit of light in the pitch darkness. Like always, the swimming distance was fortunately pretty short, at 10 meters. But the water was brutally cold, a lot colder than it was last year. I almost got some kind of cold shock and was relieved when I got up from water. But I did it!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Jarkko was of course gone and now I was alone, which of course was a good situatution for my solo mission. 7th point looked tricky on the map, no trail, inside a forest, I found it fairly easily when I saw some racers coming back from the direction what I was looking for. The books were inside a black plastic bag which had two snippets of reflective tape on them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Onward to 8th. I found the correct trail and after that a small forest road. On the map, the course looked pretty straightforward and I should find the correct intersection easily. After some riding I noticed that something is not right. There was an intersection, but it didn't look like it should on the map. Damn! I was in a completely wrong place! It took a while to figure out where I was, and I started to think that this is it, the end. But, but, I calmed down and decided to just backtrack as long as I found the right intersection. On the map there should be a beam nearby so that should help me too. Finally I found one and it started to look like I'm back on the right track. And I was! On the way to 8th I met one two-man team and exchanged some words with them. They were also doing the 160 km Anguish. I told them that I was pretty lost for awhile but was now on the right track. At the 8th point I ate and drink, like in most of the other points.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">No problems with the 9th and 10th point, but I was surprised when I met the same two-man team, HK Gunthers, at the 10th. They had a shortcut on the way to 9th which was apparently slow and rough. I stayed and co-operated with them through the night from 10th to 20th point. Although we were riding in the middle of the night in complete darkness, it was already clear that the whole area was a very stunning network of small gravel and forest roads. We found some of the points easily, while others not so easily and we did some smaller orienteering mistakes. The highlights were definitely the two ponds: 14. 'Pienimulkkulammi' (Smalldickpond, yes, really. Finland is full of places with strange names) and 19. 'Kultalähde' (Goldspring). During the night we met runners many times. Apparently they had the orienteering part figured out pretty well.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Close to 20th point I met Jarkko. We searched the points 21-24 together. Finally the darkness was behind us. Another positive thing was that I wasn't sleepy at all during the night, but I was low on energy around 19th, and the long night had taken a lot from me. 24th was a bit tricky, and one 160 km runner, Marko Vapa, was also there but hadn't found it. I had close-up maps for every point and I showed it to Marko. He instantly figured out where we should search it. Soon we found it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Jarkko had still 25th and 26th to go as they were different in 100 km and 160 km tracks. Jarkko was close to finish but I had still a long way to go, and he wished me good luck.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">With 25th I did a couple of small mistakes but eventually found it. 26th was easier. After that I had a longer transfer to 27th. Again, for some reason, I missed the right track at some intersection and I wasn't completely sure where I was, but I knew that I was heading to right direction and should encounter a big road. I did that. I thought that I was too much on the eastern side on the planned route so I rode fairly long on the big road. But after passing the Kisko intersections I realized that actually I was more on the western side. Another big mistake. I backtracked and then found easily the right location of 27th, but I didn't find the actual control point, although I searched pretty much every stump of the location. I decided to call the track master in case the control point had been vandalized. He said that it was there but I was searching on the wrong side of the road. Shortly, another 160 km bike team arrived (Mäkiset) there too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">My riding was pretty slow at this point but I wasn't giving up. I had still five control points to pick up. 28th was again a bit tricky but Mäkiset arrived there too, but riding a different route. It was the same thing with 29th, it was easier but Mäkiset were using different route. After 29th I changed my route plan because the original was a bit longer and used the same roads where I was a bit lost between 26th and 27th. But roughly 1/2 in the end was still the same. And oh man, the route was stunning! Small forest roads going up and down on the side of rapid and then some lakes. The wind was pretty hard and cold but now I knew that I really was on my way to finish this if I just don't get too much lost and somehow loose all of my energy. I did small mistake in the end on my way to 30th but nothing serious. After 30th I started to pick up my speed. It was incredible feeling! The wind was hard, I was alone, but I was feeling better. This was absolutely the best moment of the race. The thrill of adventure and being in control of things, alone. Now I knew that I was going to make it and there was nothing, nothing to stop me! I found 31st and 32nd points easily. The last one had a book named 'Freaks'. I laughed myself. Then I sprinted to the finish!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">In the finish Jarkko and the race director, Karhunsolan Tiukunen, congratulated me. I was absolutely overjoyed! I was so doubtful before the race, but I did it! My finishing time was 21 hours 29 minutes, well inside the 30 hour time limit and I had hoped to do it under 24 hours before the darkness arrives again. Mission accomplished!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">You can replay my race over here, first unselecting all the competitiors and then selecting me, 'Hallucination lightshow':</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.tulospalvelu.fi/gps/2016synkkis/?v=m3">http://www.tulospalvelu.fi/gps/2016synkkis/?v=m3</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Every racer got that prize in the photo, a kitchen rag. It says: 'Gloomy Autumn Dream - hits your face like a wet rag'. Very well said indeed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">I really love this race. In many ways, it's like life. It's hard, sometimes it's very hard and it hits you hard, but if you fight hard enough, in the end you can have the absolute feeling of accomplishment. And compared to other ultra endurance races, you really create your own race. You can visit many places which you might never otherwise visit. It's an adventure. And it's a pure journey inside yourself, to confront your fears, insecurities and weaknesses. And of course, put your strenght, or what of it is left in the end, in to use.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">This race has been, and I'm pretty sure it will be, very important for me. The race crew has done incredible work and they have created a very unique opportunity every year here in Finland. Huge thanks again, and I hope to come back and meet you again next year!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Toni Lundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05842467508604261945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3788486177697080103.post-6572753723023061302016-08-27T00:00:00.000+03:002016-08-27T00:00:43.905+03:00Paradise shore fatbiking adventure<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know, it's been WAY too long without new content. After Rovaniemi 150 race I started to hammer 45-50 hour / 6 day work weeks. I squeezed one overnighter with Peter and JJ in the end of winter (worth of another blog report) but after that it's been a long push of work, bike commuting and some family life. Now I'm having a much deserved summer holiday and I have some time to do small adventures and also write my blog. This blog is certainly not dead and I hope to write more before the holiday ends and also in the forthcoming fall and winter.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Although in recent years I've been more of a 'winter man', I still like all of the other four seasons. The past two summers, the 'paradise shores' in Kimito Island have been certainly my favourite place for an overnighter, as I was there <a href="http://www.tonilund.fi/2014/07/kimito-island-brovernighter.html" target="_blank">with Peter in 2014</a> and also <a href="http://www.tonilund.fi/2015/08/the-last-chance-of-summer.html" target="_blank">last summer</a>. This time, with some help from Peter, I got some maps to explore new areas, and find a route with some trails and small forest and gravel roads to the 'paradise'.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This summer has been warmer than the previous one, but the weather has been pretty volatile all the time, so it's been tricky to have the 'right' weather window. Why that matters? This report with the photos will give the answer. And it's summer. There are enough rain and misery when the fall comes.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Indeed, I had just the right weather window as I started on Wednesday early evening from Långdalen.</span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After the nice gravel road section through Norrlångviken I decided to skip Brokärr area, which is certainly very interesting but also time consuming. Next 14 kilometers were on tarmac.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The airport of Kimito Island. Small planes can land and take off here:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In Dragsfjärd, I was excited as the new-to-me trail/forest road section started. It was a nice mix of small and big trails.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ysDiUpoJgUA/V8BBWFd4_yI/AAAAAAABThc/mLikF1jUZDoY7ByhUrzADwIXn4PiPXqnQCPcB/s1600/DSC_5172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="678" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ysDiUpoJgUA/V8BBWFd4_yI/AAAAAAABThc/mLikF1jUZDoY7ByhUrzADwIXn4PiPXqnQCPcB/s1024/DSC_5172.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then the trail ended. It was supposed to continue through this but it didn't:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Mc0qpSAjJfs/V8BBdUH2bNI/AAAAAAABThc/gS_-aIFERY40Dk437OaxIS32Tgg4BN3-QCPcB/s1600/DSC_5187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="678" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Mc0qpSAjJfs/V8BBdUH2bNI/AAAAAAABThc/gS_-aIFERY40Dk437OaxIS32Tgg4BN3-QCPcB/s1024/DSC_5187.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Looking at the map, I figured out another route, by following the forest road and visiting Ölmos to reach Långsidan:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JgasX2jlIKg/V8BBeTWK5-I/AAAAAAABThc/tazJtWM7knwKumhq1o9bTGOwUrkR8zOpACPcB/s1600/DSC_5186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="678" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JgasX2jlIKg/V8BBeTWK5-I/AAAAAAABThc/tazJtWM7knwKumhq1o9bTGOwUrkR8zOpACPcB/s1024/DSC_5186.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8yI2DVlEJIE/V8BBfSuz9aI/AAAAAAABThc/TFcoa68g1YIxeEpT0hEEduBgkx6CSvTggCPcB/s1600/DSC_5188.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="678" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8yI2DVlEJIE/V8BBfSuz9aI/AAAAAAABThc/TFcoa68g1YIxeEpT0hEEduBgkx6CSvTggCPcB/s1024/DSC_5188.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And soon, I reached the 'paradise shores'. At Ölmos:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jjIkqogcvsI/V8BBlliGcCI/AAAAAAABThc/bucLZSlnt2MAWqEZENy1NDDT3czhGKlaACPcB/s1600/DSC_5193.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="678" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jjIkqogcvsI/V8BBlliGcCI/AAAAAAABThc/bucLZSlnt2MAWqEZENy1NDDT3czhGKlaACPcB/s1024/DSC_5193.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The coarse forest road along Långsidan was fantastic as it was at times very close to the shore!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N3Um9DGluGQ/V8BBntO9zoI/AAAAAAABThc/fUyP4d0TcE8SiIMJF0hAj2nGSuGsG_jeQCPcB/s1600/DSC_5203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="678" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N3Um9DGluGQ/V8BBntO9zoI/AAAAAAABThc/fUyP4d0TcE8SiIMJF0hAj2nGSuGsG_jeQCPcB/s1024/DSC_5203.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-INi_CYKacHU/V8BBpXFNqTI/AAAAAAABThc/uEDGBcPMqFAFmM1YcbA6v6cHbn7MdooSACPcB/s1600/DSC_5206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="678" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-INi_CYKacHU/V8BBpXFNqTI/AAAAAAABThc/uEDGBcPMqFAFmM1YcbA6v6cHbn7MdooSACPcB/s1024/DSC_5206.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xxfCkfSq2zA/V8BBqf-BnAI/AAAAAAABThc/cffKoNdIE3sFwmlhsr9IQM99mDRxTiMegCPcB/s1600/DSC_5208.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="678" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xxfCkfSq2zA/V8BBqf-BnAI/AAAAAAABThc/cffKoNdIE3sFwmlhsr9IQM99mDRxTiMegCPcB/s1024/DSC_5208.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7XnG0HYK7zA/V8BBryKmgxI/AAAAAAABThc/MjzK3W8RkEA7Fw-137VecCCcq2nhzfebgCPcB/s1600/DSC_5218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="678" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7XnG0HYK7zA/V8BBryKmgxI/AAAAAAABThc/MjzK3W8RkEA7Fw-137VecCCcq2nhzfebgCPcB/s1024/DSC_5218.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IsMBYkTTV1M/V8BBt7bmqwI/AAAAAAABThc/402h6YoMaackLHrsX2hyU7aTrD-jxAIuwCPcB/s1600/DSC_5228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="678" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IsMBYkTTV1M/V8BBt7bmqwI/AAAAAAABThc/402h6YoMaackLHrsX2hyU7aTrD-jxAIuwCPcB/s1024/DSC_5228.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then, Purunpää, just in time for the sunset:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eqDygPq-FM4/V8BBvMufnRI/AAAAAAABThc/_FO-piD7BlIiacg6VkVp-W76ajG495ktwCPcB/s1600/DSC_5244.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="678" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eqDygPq-FM4/V8BBvMufnRI/AAAAAAABThc/_FO-piD7BlIiacg6VkVp-W76ajG495ktwCPcB/s1024/DSC_5244.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p-ja5hHEoUk/V8BBwOWionI/AAAAAAABThc/u4RvON-TrT4fu2rrvgYmlyKKh9yABpySgCPcB/s1600/DSC_5255.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="678" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p-ja5hHEoUk/V8BBwOWionI/AAAAAAABThc/u4RvON-TrT4fu2rrvgYmlyKKh9yABpySgCPcB/s1024/DSC_5255.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VIfYuQyf__w/V8BBwyiAs2I/AAAAAAABThc/zWu0GaYRSdsKg8D621HKTARK2p_Qb2FXwCPcB/s1600/DSC_5270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="678" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VIfYuQyf__w/V8BBwyiAs2I/AAAAAAABThc/zWu0GaYRSdsKg8D621HKTARK2p_Qb2FXwCPcB/s1024/DSC_5270.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D9UyW2tz-wk/V8BBxuNDceI/AAAAAAABTio/GUXPcnJN5eAgjLSoojMv6U_d9kIGxEOQgCPcB/s1600/DSC_5271.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="678" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D9UyW2tz-wk/V8BBxuNDceI/AAAAAAABTio/GUXPcnJN5eAgjLSoojMv6U_d9kIGxEOQgCPcB/s1024/DSC_5271.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Before it got too dark, I pitched my tent and prepared myself for the night.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bsQRF5vvfz8/V8CYqfRjLkI/AAAAAAABTjE/yLf0p3vCEj8uq-C45mNFkkPq92Wnm_PmACPcB/s1600/DSC_5279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="678" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bsQRF5vvfz8/V8CYqfRjLkI/AAAAAAABTjE/yLf0p3vCEj8uq-C45mNFkkPq92Wnm_PmACPcB/s1024/DSC_5279.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After pretty good night of sleep, I woke to beautiful morning. I milled and brewed the coffee and enjoyed it with some sandwiches. These kind of mornings doesn't come too often these days, one should have more of this. The peace of nature around you, and no need to hurry anywhere!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AUiT13ttaSg/V8BByiW5aFI/AAAAAAABTio/IkJvN-MH9QgD8gmEVDKTdPzoTrbpuvwewCPcB/s1600/DSC_5281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="678" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AUiT13ttaSg/V8BByiW5aFI/AAAAAAABTio/IkJvN-MH9QgD8gmEVDKTdPzoTrbpuvwewCPcB/s1024/DSC_5281.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bXjovVXcmfI/V8BB02O31_I/AAAAAAABTio/oVmsxnQR5zgU_hfIEOAK4TxjuW703xU7QCPcB/s1600/20160825_082227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="768" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bXjovVXcmfI/V8BB02O31_I/AAAAAAABTio/oVmsxnQR5zgU_hfIEOAK4TxjuW703xU7QCPcB/s1024/20160825_082227.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VfsuRe7g4wI/V8BB1QdP-RI/AAAAAAABTio/XnbM50PKC3oXKx9M1jgoA-IZ7NaZJrvkwCPcB/s1600/20160825_082416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="768" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VfsuRe7g4wI/V8BB1QdP-RI/AAAAAAABTio/XnbM50PKC3oXKx9M1jgoA-IZ7NaZJrvkwCPcB/s1024/20160825_082416.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Some photos of the campsite.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vow06QRCxMk/V8BB3IlY7ZI/AAAAAAABTio/MCP9dPJf_NUtIzhPOhbjPINQ9m5KGRrjACPcB/s1600/DSC_5284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="678" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vow06QRCxMk/V8BB3IlY7ZI/AAAAAAABTio/MCP9dPJf_NUtIzhPOhbjPINQ9m5KGRrjACPcB/s1024/DSC_5284.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eXK6xoWm6aU/V8BB5BAOCkI/AAAAAAABTio/-CXNoHinRlw4JPAGKoA93CDgdVFW4rX2wCPcB/s1600/DSC_5286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="678" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eXK6xoWm6aU/V8BB5BAOCkI/AAAAAAABTio/-CXNoHinRlw4JPAGKoA93CDgdVFW4rX2wCPcB/s1024/DSC_5286.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dkhxDTfhIMk/V8BB7isW1gI/AAAAAAABTio/OO8Gjvxq2KwZGMiHDmNsf5OZUyafoyHWACPcB/s1600/DSC_5287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="678" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dkhxDTfhIMk/V8BB7isW1gI/AAAAAAABTio/OO8Gjvxq2KwZGMiHDmNsf5OZUyafoyHWACPcB/s1024/DSC_5287.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Old sail boat on the waterway:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a17rX7G6mPI/V8BB8fgtC_I/AAAAAAABTio/gCM7sr43Jpo2mV-BO5Dqpp9pQNImGb38wCPcB/s1600/DSC_5296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="678" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a17rX7G6mPI/V8BB8fgtC_I/AAAAAAABTio/gCM7sr43Jpo2mV-BO5Dqpp9pQNImGb38wCPcB/s1024/DSC_5296.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After peaceful morning it was time to move. This trail didn't continue for too long...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vLe7n9kjGu0/V8BB-CPHGII/AAAAAAABTio/qCVL_Y-FMRcVfY55ZlkrfPb77hBYrMUygCPcB/s1600/DSC_5306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="678" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vLe7n9kjGu0/V8BB-CPHGII/AAAAAAABTio/qCVL_Y-FMRcVfY55ZlkrfPb77hBYrMUygCPcB/s1024/DSC_5306.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BY6VX1aBhNQ/V8BCAKClrZI/AAAAAAABTio/xPoJUL0dZ60CBv7PeQ6tlTNn1Q_WfCULACPcB/s1600/DSC_5311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="678" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BY6VX1aBhNQ/V8BCAKClrZI/AAAAAAABTio/xPoJUL0dZ60CBv7PeQ6tlTNn1Q_WfCULACPcB/s1024/DSC_5311.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...so I turned and rode back to Purunpää road.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-umlTNrXNV5Y/V8BCCsk6obI/AAAAAAABTio/vETTJBo8VpILMSPiMVceS7NztkvZQxTHwCPcB/s1600/DSC_5313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="678" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-umlTNrXNV5Y/V8BCCsk6obI/AAAAAAABTio/vETTJBo8VpILMSPiMVceS7NztkvZQxTHwCPcB/s1024/DSC_5313.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rswXB96Ibqs/V8BCEBzZ0_I/AAAAAAABTio/ibF-zrUvcOUZsPjG2StF8zTNjAowKeB1ACPcB/s1600/DSC_5315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="678" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rswXB96Ibqs/V8BCEBzZ0_I/AAAAAAABTio/ibF-zrUvcOUZsPjG2StF8zTNjAowKeB1ACPcB/s1024/DSC_5315.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oK-qsnn9qgM/V8BCGWaRGpI/AAAAAAABTio/gCCFCp6naBcl6hCvbv-KtKQqvo2tXcmpwCPcB/s1600/DSC_5329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="800" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oK-qsnn9qgM/V8BCGWaRGpI/AAAAAAABTio/gCCFCp6naBcl6hCvbv-KtKQqvo2tXcmpwCPcB/s1024/DSC_5329.JPG" width="530" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Next up was a different route back to Kärra. There is also a shelter that I wanted to see, so it would be interesting for future trips.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The route was again a very nice small forest road:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ot9kUrVLCv4/V8BCJJEcJYI/AAAAAAABTio/GizHliUvdtMgu3oTrTSAGF6tokIQQJLygCPcB/s1600/DSC_5331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="678" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ot9kUrVLCv4/V8BCJJEcJYI/AAAAAAABTio/GizHliUvdtMgu3oTrTSAGF6tokIQQJLygCPcB/s1024/DSC_5331.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j-AJRUWSXZI/V8BCLVDhR7I/AAAAAAABTio/j4PysY1YVUQSJRQQETlLl5e-5KPapsMpgCPcB/s1600/DSC_5332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="678" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j-AJRUWSXZI/V8BCLVDhR7I/AAAAAAABTio/j4PysY1YVUQSJRQQETlLl5e-5KPapsMpgCPcB/s1024/DSC_5332.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The shelter is located roughly 1.5 km from one intersection of this road.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It continued to ascend until I arrived to this:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4sc9ZfDfH80/V8BCNNsiObI/AAAAAAABTio/5MQ8ebmNnVs9eW21Psrp-elTJMyWdE2SgCPcB/s1600/DSC_5340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="678" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4sc9ZfDfH80/V8BCNNsiObI/AAAAAAABTio/5MQ8ebmNnVs9eW21Psrp-elTJMyWdE2SgCPcB/s1024/DSC_5340.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was pretty steep ascent, all the way up to the top of the rock. My jaw literally dropped when I reached it as what I was going to see.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KOVUfHJjh1A/V8BCOIoexTI/AAAAAAABTio/YP8A1sww-OY19_alNT9AA2rrpLWIesYPgCPcB/s1600/DSC_5343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="678" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KOVUfHJjh1A/V8BCOIoexTI/AAAAAAABTio/YP8A1sww-OY19_alNT9AA2rrpLWIesYPgCPcB/s1024/DSC_5343.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tOzSTvI9zeM/V8BCPN5fiNI/AAAAAAABTio/tm1Zy4UoMXY5ob4sCV2zvWYORBfjctfuQCPcB/s1600/DSC_5344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="678" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tOzSTvI9zeM/V8BCPN5fiNI/AAAAAAABTio/tm1Zy4UoMXY5ob4sCV2zvWYORBfjctfuQCPcB/s1024/DSC_5344.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I actually had the foreknowledge that it's the 'finest laavu of Kimito Island'. Are you kidding me? I've visited pretty much every shelter in South-Western Finland through the years, not including the ones found in Satakunta area. This is without any doubt the finest laavu of South-Western Finland, probably whole Southern Finland. It's big and it's gorgeous, and there are some pretty impressive details.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There is a fireplace inside the shelter:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VtfuW6_wE9Q/V8BCP36uRRI/AAAAAAABTio/s0I3rVWfVM4_3G4D3dkSJBArKJ7j-9QoACPcB/s1600/DSC_5346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="678" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VtfuW6_wE9Q/V8BCP36uRRI/AAAAAAABTio/s0I3rVWfVM4_3G4D3dkSJBArKJ7j-9QoACPcB/s1024/DSC_5346.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The other side looks great too:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q2zhb1Sh0go/V8BCQkr9zwI/AAAAAAABTio/8ugdj3zi3zY4uyCBnOrCLervW0cvQuJ3gCPcB/s1600/DSC_5347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="678" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q2zhb1Sh0go/V8BCQkr9zwI/AAAAAAABTio/8ugdj3zi3zY4uyCBnOrCLervW0cvQuJ3gCPcB/s1024/DSC_5347.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then there is this big board on the front, with appropiate seats:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5LcnKE7QsbI/V8BCR-f_4OI/AAAAAAABTio/1Q2oPL3LXM8vbtvIlpIheHBW3PYx703xQCPcB/s1600/DSC_5360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="678" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5LcnKE7QsbI/V8BCR-f_4OI/AAAAAAABTio/1Q2oPL3LXM8vbtvIlpIheHBW3PYx703xQCPcB/s1024/DSC_5360.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And look at the roof:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wD0Q5ITdmGY/V8BCTivi0JI/AAAAAAABTio/zPlEIGQa9twlmI5Dyz4msHgcnbMtgf4MwCPcB/s1600/DSC_5368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="678" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wD0Q5ITdmGY/V8BCTivi0JI/AAAAAAABTio/zPlEIGQa9twlmI5Dyz4msHgcnbMtgf4MwCPcB/s1024/DSC_5368.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And the location, just wow! You have incredible views directly from the shelter to all of this:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WIHjdcqqWkU/V8BCUVulsgI/AAAAAAABTio/GdZpNfdkL2gt7hfi3B6-_BVcoO351asDwCPcB/s1600/DSC_5351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="576" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WIHjdcqqWkU/V8BCUVulsgI/AAAAAAABTio/GdZpNfdkL2gt7hfi3B6-_BVcoO351asDwCPcB/s1024/DSC_5351.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1d3rOO4vbfE/V8BCVpkkezI/AAAAAAABTio/EohetQJRhogHGgE_yaJd-Zu64xJswc2rwCPcB/s1600/DSC_5350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="576" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1d3rOO4vbfE/V8BCVpkkezI/AAAAAAABTio/EohetQJRhogHGgE_yaJd-Zu64xJswc2rwCPcB/s1024/DSC_5350.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4k9t7ynk5lU/V8BCWI6xECI/AAAAAAABTio/jBiClKsKBlIDB9MJAvcnoRrA-wQF-JkCwCPcB/s1600/DSC_5363.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="678" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4k9t7ynk5lU/V8BCWI6xECI/AAAAAAABTio/jBiClKsKBlIDB9MJAvcnoRrA-wQF-JkCwCPcB/s1024/DSC_5363.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3nUS93FnJUA/V8BCW5LL8YI/AAAAAAABTio/JBbEGBFM420YrrtRhDoAF-mcWjr2n8wSgCPcB/s1600/20160825_122010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3nUS93FnJUA/V8BCW5LL8YI/AAAAAAABTio/JBbEGBFM420YrrtRhDoAF-mcWjr2n8wSgCPcB/s1024/20160825_122010.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d-j5UdF_jvE/V8BCYAeIPyI/AAAAAAABTio/XueFttddAgQ8-4042B4kFgYDHyk6WV06QCPcB/s1600/DSC_5358.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="678" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d-j5UdF_jvE/V8BCYAeIPyI/AAAAAAABTio/XueFttddAgQ8-4042B4kFgYDHyk6WV06QCPcB/s1024/DSC_5358.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I could not have imagined to find all this here, but I did. This is very stunning area and I rarely get this excited around here.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After enjoying the spectacular views, I continued riding. Another batch of lovely small gravel and forest roads were ahead of me.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t445d0DRiBQ/V8BCZZ1eu0I/AAAAAAABTio/TUiVxRrs3dsDFt-9VeKYU2c3_7U6ODagQCPcB/s1600/DSC_5371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="678" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t445d0DRiBQ/V8BCZZ1eu0I/AAAAAAABTio/TUiVxRrs3dsDFt-9VeKYU2c3_7U6ODagQCPcB/s1024/DSC_5371.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O5178_I03tU/V8BCa9ibMgI/AAAAAAABTio/-kTvLzK10UgpKAAJ8yavdH_vkkeC-8TTQCPcB/s1600/DSC_5387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="678" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O5178_I03tU/V8BCa9ibMgI/AAAAAAABTio/-kTvLzK10UgpKAAJ8yavdH_vkkeC-8TTQCPcB/s1024/DSC_5387.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fatbike is the right tool here, because the roads are very coarse but fat tires rolls over them very smoothly:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s-eeH4eAbKE/V8BCcjdzL-I/AAAAAAABTio/b4RIsbz-NzMmMHYCKqr2QPZpT8SLmVRmgCPcB/s1600/20160825_130922.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="768" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s-eeH4eAbKE/V8BCcjdzL-I/AAAAAAABTio/b4RIsbz-NzMmMHYCKqr2QPZpT8SLmVRmgCPcB/s1024/20160825_130922.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KLDVbQFchDI/V8BCd-LiczI/AAAAAAABTio/PJFgUeVpfGIIXeriKjQIqTLj3Cl-j7vcACPcB/s1600/20160825_130958.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="800" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KLDVbQFchDI/V8BCd-LiczI/AAAAAAABTio/PJFgUeVpfGIIXeriKjQIqTLj3Cl-j7vcACPcB/s1024/20160825_130958.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Trollkullavägen:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y9EEWAzij0Y/V8BCgs_UJOI/AAAAAAABTio/-A7oqsl0aM8uib0TWxo8HUIHstKH_SqugCPcB/s1600/DSC_5393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y9EEWAzij0Y/V8BCgs_UJOI/AAAAAAABTio/-A7oqsl0aM8uib0TWxo8HUIHstKH_SqugCPcB/s1024/DSC_5393.JPG" width="530" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dragsfjärden:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S4WgbgFQ2kg/V8BChihZ5KI/AAAAAAABTio/dUNI7gnaBb4yZXYLuy61_Ll9I4TdKtm6ACPcB/s1600/DSC_5400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="678" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S4WgbgFQ2kg/V8BChihZ5KI/AAAAAAABTio/dUNI7gnaBb4yZXYLuy61_Ll9I4TdKtm6ACPcB/s1024/DSC_5400.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And back to Långdalen on the same route.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rq7kLt4bObw/V8BCiSe9weI/AAAAAAABTio/xM8qG2A8WzEPr-CKZG40o-HuHFdVIQQDQCPcB/s1600/20160825_140115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="576" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rq7kLt4bObw/V8BCiSe9weI/AAAAAAABTio/xM8qG2A8WzEPr-CKZG40o-HuHFdVIQQDQCPcB/s1024/20160825_140115.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OmQqdv1NE8U/V8BCjUzFcGI/AAAAAAABTio/XMsGoNtAnaISGMTryT-Al1ux3WvKKxONQCPcB/s1600/DSC_5406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="678" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OmQqdv1NE8U/V8BCjUzFcGI/AAAAAAABTio/XMsGoNtAnaISGMTryT-Al1ux3WvKKxONQCPcB/s1024/DSC_5406.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was a great summer adventure. There are still the trails and forest roads of Brokärr to be explored. Needless to say, I will do more small adventure to these areas, also in fall and winter.</span></div>Toni Lundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05842467508604261945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3788486177697080103.post-3249777495951230322016-02-25T23:53:00.000+02:002016-02-25T23:53:36.752+02:00Race Report: Rovaniemi 150 2016<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After my Iditarod Trail Invitational race last year it was pretty clear that I would return to Rovaniemi for a third time. In addition to 66 km and 150 km distances, last year there was a double distance 300 km for the first time. I had already decided to do the 150 km. Some people have asked me that why not 300 km? For those who don't know, back in <a href="http://www.tonilund.fi/2014/02/race-report-rovaniemi-150-2014.html" target="_blank">2014 I almost won 150 km</a>. In the last kilometers I rode at wrong side of the Ounasjoki river and that resulted an extra loop. I had about 10 minute lead but lost the race to Rene Fisher only by one minute. Overall it was a great race from me but that dramatic finish has haunted me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Winter ultras are far more unpredictable than other races. Conditions plays a major role. Every year there are different participants, and the level of competition is much higher now. My racing philosophy has always been to win myself and after that see where I stand in the final results. 2014 changed that a bit because I was so close to win. This time I set a super difficult goal for myself: to win this race.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I trained and prepared for the race a lot. A hell of a lot. And there were some scary moments. I had some back problems in December but luckily got my back in control quickly. I was on the edge, in terms of quantity and quality. And I was nervous. All kind of flus and lately influenza epidemic have hammered Finland. If I would get sick, the whole plan would collapse.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Luckily, it didn't. In the tapering period I was feeling great and I was optimistic with my chances in the race. In the last week, it snowed a lot in Rovaniemi and temps very only mildly below zero. It started to look like we would have at least tougher conditions than last year, when records were broken.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On Friday, the race briefing day, I rode a bit on the Ounasjoki:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqUmrUDTMg-YMu39PJKbWyGbQ2HXRary6rCc6_zl2rH9EMafoAmW47TSTPnVOvZOZdJNL1cJ2zd4OG1JKV0Uu7f3JjPV1NHX7OxGnqRzLyuouMLHCpa3l0ARxMxQrYPA7vM5JYf1GIr3oX/s1600/20160219_123138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqUmrUDTMg-YMu39PJKbWyGbQ2HXRary6rCc6_zl2rH9EMafoAmW47TSTPnVOvZOZdJNL1cJ2zd4OG1JKV0Uu7f3JjPV1NHX7OxGnqRzLyuouMLHCpa3l0ARxMxQrYPA7vM5JYf1GIr3oX/s640/20160219_123138.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi257HvJs2Wig8u7fnXB-anxUAmOuktu_Xhr8MGAv3FXeT-H_SouIkQ2uOrhMt-wDYDy4AJPutfH1iMPBIlmYCK27c1IgaU4jbHAR15cjei05TfARm6rXcLViCEdILop5-wlHdDddl0jYxH/s1600/20160219_124146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi257HvJs2Wig8u7fnXB-anxUAmOuktu_Xhr8MGAv3FXeT-H_SouIkQ2uOrhMt-wDYDy4AJPutfH1iMPBIlmYCK27c1IgaU4jbHAR15cjei05TfARm6rXcLViCEdILop5-wlHdDddl0jYxH/s640/20160219_124146.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Saturday, at the start line. Photo by Rovaniemi150:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkvOnnskQRAIJH56wT_Wp_ZTCJH1gNRrYa9iuiqWyhfnoQxpnTfZGxDRY7R-1KdUR1LWA9LaAS6TENUDhRgaerlFOVAYCTS6wUia1qMGUupEFwH62_AnL6EbMa3RMkSI-WN0zhuhQUmyMS/s1600/10401420_987400754670746_3244942396480598729_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkvOnnskQRAIJH56wT_Wp_ZTCJH1gNRrYa9iuiqWyhfnoQxpnTfZGxDRY7R-1KdUR1LWA9LaAS6TENUDhRgaerlFOVAYCTS6wUia1qMGUupEFwH62_AnL6EbMa3RMkSI-WN0zhuhQUmyMS/s640/10401420_987400754670746_3244942396480598729_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As always, the start fast. I was in the lead group on the Ounasjoki river, and probably 3rd at the first checkpoint, Porohovi1. One of the fast men, Kyösti Soini, was opening a gap. There was no way for me to keep that pace so I just concentrated on my own pace. After Ounasjoki the real stuff started with the first snowmobile track to the Sinettajärvi. The conditions were soft and it was instantly pushing time! It was going to be tough race this time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There were two 66 km riders in front of me. Another man to watch, Jussi Karjalainen, was with me and soon I couldn't keep his pushing pace. A tall man from Sweden<span style="background-color: white;">, </span></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Zbigniew Wizner, passed me and he was pushing strongly. Certainly I didn't like the situation but it was still very early in the race so anything could happen. On the Sinettajärvi lake I soon passed Wizner and I was closing on Jussi. Sinettajärvi lake was rideable for the most part but it wasn't very fast.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Photo by Rovaniemi150:</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Jx_UU4YhqnfxiZDD2ECkXaxMPIqQI7NfE5oqkdoX4qkQI_CVkI7kuseTZPnlobfs0-rQAuyGbCYqqX3Pc1RI18Dm1s-jXywlUMXI_PHRSvl8aHpOQuyCvZiN4H7k7KGhQobPLtUzdauo/s1600/12717737_984395911637897_633949278558854091_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Jx_UU4YhqnfxiZDD2ECkXaxMPIqQI7NfE5oqkdoX4qkQI_CVkI7kuseTZPnlobfs0-rQAuyGbCYqqX3Pc1RI18Dm1s-jXywlUMXI_PHRSvl8aHpOQuyCvZiN4H7k7KGhQobPLtUzdauo/s640/12717737_984395911637897_633949278558854091_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After the lake I joined Jussi briefly. As soon as the tough climb on a snowmobile track started, we were pushing our bikes again. Jussi is also a tall guy with long legs. He was seemingly a very good pusher and again I couldn't keep the same pace. At some point Wizner came back and passed me. Also, the hard man in the 300 km race, Jan Kopka, was doing well.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was hot, I kept my jacket open, but I already had first signs of headache. I drank and ate more. Eventually the mild headache faded away. A very good thing because the going was tough indeed.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After Vittavaara and Morajärvi checkpoints I passed Wizner somewhere and I was in third place. At the checkpoints we had to write our names before leaving, and there were in and out times too, but at this point of the race I didn't pay much attention to it. There is a bit longer road section between Peurajärvi and Kuusilampi checkpoints, and it was a relief to ride for awhile after the almost endless pushfest was going on.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Photo by Rovaniemi150:</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLzHrnXFcm4O96JIcsOZi7Mk7Jhq3gw-7s1fxV56aNjIFf0rU81jJFai5LlXj9Eet-TT-kLMupLxWo0NS-kNflA2wIFw-IN2eUDgEGHcWJL13q24INIY2qoLH7SF9QTXVznjlquNkUUtCC/s1600/12743503_984546328289522_837911305483417585_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLzHrnXFcm4O96JIcsOZi7Mk7Jhq3gw-7s1fxV56aNjIFf0rU81jJFai5LlXj9Eet-TT-kLMupLxWo0NS-kNflA2wIFw-IN2eUDgEGHcWJL13q24INIY2qoLH7SF9QTXVznjlquNkUUtCC/s640/12743503_984546328289522_837911305483417585_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 19.5px;">At Kuusilampi checkpoint came the first surprise. Kyösti Soini had decided to DNF because his knee didn't stand all the pushing. I also noticed that Jussi wasn't too far away, maybe ~20 minutes. Kuusilampi CP is around halfway point, so I thought that anything is still possible and I just pushed harder. After a while I had to slow down just a bit because I knew that it could take easily over 20 hours to reach the finish and I was slightly worried if I had enough food for it. Another 300 km man, Antti Sintonen was doing great and I was going with him. He was able to ride some sections with ultra low tire pressure. My tire pressures were low too but I had tubeless setup so I couldn't go too low.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After a while I lost contact with Antti. Pushing felt pretty brutal here but there was that long road section ahead so it was about perseverance here. This race was so completely different compared to 2014! Finally the road section started and I pumped high tire pressures.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.5px;">The long road section went pretty well but the fatigue started to kick in. I had to command myself pretty hard. As I reached the next snowmobile track to Torimokivalo I was surprised that it was rideable, for the most part. Some of the climbs had to be pushed, but it was slighly easier now. At Torimokivalo I passed the skier that had passed me after Kuusilampi. I was still about 20 minutes behind Jussi. I was tired but I didn't have any signs of sleep deprivation.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.5px;">Just before Norvajärvi lake I caught Antti but Petri Lindström came behind and caught me. The wind was blowing really hard on the lake. We rode together. After Norvajärvi there was the last snowmobile track back to Ounasjoki. It was also rideable. It was good to have the company of Antti and Petri. Just before Ounasjoki we ate a bit, though Antti was heading to Porohovi2 checkpoint. When we arrived there with Petri, Antti took a short nap.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.5px;">The wind was brutal on the Ounasjoki river too. We shared the work and agreed for a sprint finish to settle 2nd and 3rd place. Petri was just a bit stronger in the sprint.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.5px;">Although I didn't win, I was on the podium again, and I really put a very hard effort. Actually, I think this is my best performance in the 20-24 hour range. I did everything I could and didn't left anything to the trail. On the next day I had difficulties with easy walking and I was very sore.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.5px;">Final results: </span><span style="line-height: 19.5px;"><a href="http://www.rovaniemi150.com/results/2016/rov150-2016/">http://www.rovaniemi150.com/results/2016/rov150-2016/</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I want to thank again my family for support and my sponsors: <a href="http://www.45nrth.com/" target="_blank">45NRTH</a>, <a href="http://www.porcelainrocket.com/" target="_blank">Porcelain Rocket</a>, <a href="http://www.907bikes.com/" target="_blank">9:ZERO:7</a>, <a href="http://www.lumicycle.com/" target="_blank">Lumicycle</a>, <a href="http://www.nextie.net/" target="_blank">Nextie</a> and <a href="http://www.alpkit.com/" target="_blank">Alpkit</a>. Thanks also to Alex and his team for organizing the race.</span></div>
Toni Lundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05842467508604261945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3788486177697080103.post-2216237938389770522016-01-18T20:48:00.000+02:002016-01-18T20:48:07.992+02:00Winter overnighter and training<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Apologies for the radio silence here in my blog. Life has been very busy and I have prioritized riding, training and family over blogging.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Proper winter weather arrived here in Southern Finland finally after Christmas. Last week we got fair amount of snow so it was time for an overnighter and more some serious training for <a href="http://www.rovaniemi150.com/" target="_blank">Rovaniemi 150</a> race in late February. Perfect area for this is of course the National Park of Kurjenrahka.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The usual suspects, <a href="http://www.yetirides.com/" target="_blank">Peter</a> and Juha, were also on the move. My plan was to join them in the night between Saturday and Sunday I started riding from home around 23:00.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Getting a good warm at the Passage of Askala:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JY4wVyXifXU/Vp0lLT3i6BI/AAAAAAABL8M/SU6BLPqL_uM/s1600/IMG_6515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="768" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JY4wVyXifXU/Vp0lLT3i6BI/AAAAAAABL8M/SU6BLPqL_uM/s1600/IMG_6515.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8nXRUKSeDuk/Vp0lNKtizZI/AAAAAAABL8c/_ieB0Q6tgTk/s1600/IMG_6521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="768" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8nXRUKSeDuk/Vp0lNKtizZI/AAAAAAABL8c/_ieB0Q6tgTk/s1600/IMG_6521.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was also testing new tires from <a href="http://www.45nrth.com/" target="_blank">45NRTH</a>, Flowbeist and Dunderbeist:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gy_NwAUZ_Z8/Vp0lMUDsTcI/AAAAAAABL8Y/gNjtrt6UVT8/s1600/IMG_6519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="768" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gy_NwAUZ_Z8/Vp0lMUDsTcI/AAAAAAABL8Y/gNjtrt6UVT8/s1600/IMG_6519.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Temperature was around -18°C.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2sExY4_hx2I/Vp0lOFnW-6I/AAAAAAABL8k/KbwDfCP9Prg/s1600/IMG_6531.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="800" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2sExY4_hx2I/Vp0lOFnW-6I/AAAAAAABL8k/KbwDfCP9Prg/s1600/IMG_6531.JPG" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On the Vajosuo forest road. I forgot to charge the battery of my helmet light but single Lumicycle Explorer unit is very bright and you don't need that much light when there are snow everywhere.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3kb3oLxj7Ig/Vp0lPCTnRZI/AAAAAAABL8s/rnSo1ZJvJSQ/s1600/IMG_6534.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="800" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3kb3oLxj7Ig/Vp0lPCTnRZI/AAAAAAABL8s/rnSo1ZJvJSQ/s1600/IMG_6534.JPG" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I rode via Vajosuo shelter and Antti Sintonen was sleeping there. He woke up briefly. After few words I continued to the Vajosuo mire.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--r48dnuQsTc/Vp0lPgZl4DI/AAAAAAABL84/4J23tYJS7RI/s1600/IMG_6535.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="768" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--r48dnuQsTc/Vp0lPgZl4DI/AAAAAAABL84/4J23tYJS7RI/s1600/IMG_6535.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Peter and Juha had been riding and pushing their bikes here in the evening, so it was easy to follow their tracks to the Rettu shelter.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SZCrBTkgzbM/Vp0lQbqjBYI/AAAAAAABL9A/_Pp57-EKgQw/s1600/IMG_6540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="768" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SZCrBTkgzbM/Vp0lQbqjBYI/AAAAAAABL9A/_Pp57-EKgQw/s1600/IMG_6540.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was tough but great going on the mire. After it there was some bike pushing through a forest to the trail.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DVA7_7qA7ig/Vp0lQ95VOnI/AAAAAAABL9E/ySlAWnXe17E/s1600/IMG_6542.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="800" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DVA7_7qA7ig/Vp0lQ95VOnI/AAAAAAABL9E/ySlAWnXe17E/s1600/IMG_6542.JPG" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After ~45 km of riding and some pushing I was there. The clock was past 03:00. What a night!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The morning was beautiful, and the usual chores followed.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kh3w1fVvbv0/Vp0lTm1N7tI/AAAAAAABL9c/LahzHfrS55o/s1600/IMG_6553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="768" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kh3w1fVvbv0/Vp0lTm1N7tI/AAAAAAABL9c/LahzHfrS55o/s1600/IMG_6553.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T9spAM0Ryyk/Vp0lUjslZpI/AAAAAAABL9k/Xqiiv6O3-nk/s1600/2016-01-17%2B09.29.27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="768" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T9spAM0Ryyk/Vp0lUjslZpI/AAAAAAABL9k/Xqiiv6O3-nk/s1600/2016-01-17%2B09.29.27.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After rather slow morning we continued to Rantapiha.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rjiPFtHKL98/Vp0lX0iEZgI/AAAAAAABL98/rI4b4TNqop0/s1600/2016-01-17%2B11.25.23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="768" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rjiPFtHKL98/Vp0lX0iEZgI/AAAAAAABL98/rI4b4TNqop0/s1600/2016-01-17%2B11.25.23.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GpOFvqIOef0/Vp0lcwXhp-I/AAAAAAABL-U/jn0pMLH2pk8/s1600/IMG_6557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="768" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GpOFvqIOef0/Vp0lcwXhp-I/AAAAAAABL-U/jn0pMLH2pk8/s1600/IMG_6557.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZnTNLujvh5Q/Vp0lehsBZBI/AAAAAAABL-k/IUZAUenRoVg/s1600/IMG_6561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="573" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZnTNLujvh5Q/Vp0lehsBZBI/AAAAAAABL-k/IUZAUenRoVg/s1600/IMG_6561.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Near Savojärvi I got a resupply of water from Peter and Juha as I had several hours of riding ahead. The guys would leave to home with their cars.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IlQfqhqaPHI/Vp0liIxNfHI/AAAAAAABL-8/MWkyjfvU59U/s1600/IMG_6571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="768" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IlQfqhqaPHI/Vp0liIxNfHI/AAAAAAABL-8/MWkyjfvU59U/s1600/IMG_6571.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mShY6t9oook/Vp0ljznh-FI/AAAAAAABL_E/GMQhsM1imBE/s1600/IMG_6572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="573" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mShY6t9oook/Vp0ljznh-FI/AAAAAAABL_E/GMQhsM1imBE/s1600/IMG_6572.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The first section of the trail towards Töykkälä was easy to ride as hikers had done some grooming.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_tlM1rJy1Tg/Vp0llWPDxFI/AAAAAAABL_M/uCqcTSrgh2U/s1600/IMG_6574.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="768" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_tlM1rJy1Tg/Vp0llWPDxFI/AAAAAAABL_M/uCqcTSrgh2U/s1600/IMG_6574.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YaBKeZ4ljKM/Vp0lmgfKjvI/AAAAAAABL_U/WsT066gxu4E/s1600/IMG_6577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="800" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YaBKeZ4ljKM/Vp0lmgfKjvI/AAAAAAABL_U/WsT066gxu4E/s1600/IMG_6577.JPG" width="600" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Kurjenrahka mire. It's truly amazing place, especially in winter time. That's why I call it 'winter paradise'.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LW5jq7wsN9s/Vp0lnQsrxxI/AAAAAAABL_c/91etUvR87ck/s1600/IMG_6578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="573" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LW5jq7wsN9s/Vp0lnQsrxxI/AAAAAAABL_c/91etUvR87ck/s1600/IMG_6578.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SRCKPVIlpoQ/Vp0lojOH4qI/AAAAAAABL_k/lJiXKqHO1g4/s1600/IMG_6582.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="573" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SRCKPVIlpoQ/Vp0lojOH4qI/AAAAAAABL_k/lJiXKqHO1g4/s1600/IMG_6582.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tfcnI_KURq4/Vp0lpdH0_HI/AAAAAAABL_s/oMdIep4-uM0/s1600/IMG_6589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="573" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tfcnI_KURq4/Vp0lpdH0_HI/AAAAAAABL_s/oMdIep4-uM0/s1600/IMG_6589.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v8cpWkw0qHw/Vp0lyVlZBiI/AAAAAAABMA4/0ZRkUP0cLBM/s1600/IMG_6620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="573" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v8cpWkw0qHw/Vp0lyVlZBiI/AAAAAAABMA4/0ZRkUP0cLBM/s1600/IMG_6620.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dcVJd_iUNUQ/Vp0lz1Nq0tI/AAAAAAABMBE/jodzZE_5WmY/s1600/IMG_6627.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="573" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dcVJd_iUNUQ/Vp0lz1Nq0tI/AAAAAAABMBE/jodzZE_5WmY/s1600/IMG_6627.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I followed again Peter's and Juha's old tracks that would lead me eventually to Töykkälä.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After the magnificent mire that was partially rideable I was on the sketchy, notorious trail with all the broken duckboards.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-919WZqCJRe4/Vp0l0iNm9mI/AAAAAAABMBM/1QUVqFAvTBA/s1600/IMG_6630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="800" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-919WZqCJRe4/Vp0l0iNm9mI/AAAAAAABMBM/1QUVqFAvTBA/s1600/IMG_6630.JPG" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pqiXKJiFo_o/Vp0l13CVPLI/AAAAAAABMBU/QqPYvmanIbw/s1600/IMG_6633.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="800" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pqiXKJiFo_o/Vp0l13CVPLI/AAAAAAABMBU/QqPYvmanIbw/s1600/IMG_6633.JPG" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I found myself pushing my bike more than riding it. Nevertheless, it was good hard training.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZJnmudO7rY4/Vp0l3orpbDI/AAAAAAABMBc/MeZ76x4I1A0/s1600/IMG_6636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="800" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZJnmudO7rY4/Vp0l3orpbDI/AAAAAAABMBc/MeZ76x4I1A0/s1600/IMG_6636.JPG" width="600" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7G1Wi6VALIY/Vp0l4_ViRsI/AAAAAAABMBo/dQdyD6LdcAs/s1600/IMG_6638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="800" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7G1Wi6VALIY/Vp0l4_ViRsI/AAAAAAABMBo/dQdyD6LdcAs/s1600/IMG_6638.JPG" width="600" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I reached Töykkälä around the sunset. I had still about 42 km of riding on the small roads to home.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-glzuSqCS5kI/Vp0l5UbumhI/AAAAAAABMBs/dsJZQxGUm5o/s1600/IMG_6642.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="768" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-glzuSqCS5kI/Vp0l5UbumhI/AAAAAAABMBs/dsJZQxGUm5o/s1600/IMG_6642.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was pretty tired and had to really command myself, but after 8 hours I was back home.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Really happy that I got the full benefit from this weekend. All in all, it was also massive training week, with 22 hours 35 minutes and 360 km.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks Peter and Juha for the company. Check out Peter's <a href="http://www.yetirides.com/2016/01/a-real-fatbike-overnighter.html" target="_blank">blog report</a> and Juha's photos <a href="https://goo.gl/photos/RNN5aG5vPBbatRFRA" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></div>Toni Lundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05842467508604261945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3788486177697080103.post-56575241534141800592015-10-31T17:34:00.001+02:002015-10-31T18:02:13.078+02:00Mammoth March Anguish<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Over the last four years, one race has cemented itself in the calendar: <a href="http://perakylanponnistus.com/kilpailut/mammuttimarssi.php" target="_blank">Mammoth March</a>. For those who doesn't know what this race is, here is a brief summary that I wrote back in 2013:</span><br />
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</span> <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>"The Mammoth March Impossible has potential to be most challenging and demanding ultra endurance race in Finland, specifically for runners. 170 km (closer 190-200 km for cyclists) distance is not that long for cyclists, but there are other elements that can make it really hard endeavour: start in the evening at 20.30 and consequently riding through the night in pitch darkness with sleep deprivation, orienteering that requires concentration, possibly adverse weather conditions of Finnish late fall. And that special swimming checkpoint in cold water. So, it's not just a long, long orienteering race. It's very much an adventure race."</i></span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span> <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.tonilund.fi/2014/11/race-report-mammoth-march-impossible.html" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Last year's edition</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> was a bitter disappointment with a personal DNF while my team continued to the finish. This year marked 10-year anniversary of the event. To celebrate the occassion, the track master, 'Karhusolan Tiukunen', changed to longest 'Impossible' track to 'Anguish', meaning ~200 km instead of 170 km with fairly optimal orienteering for runners. For cyclist, it would be of course even more, easily ~240 km. The event would take place in the southern region of Forssa, including the national parks of Liesjärvi and Torronsuo. The rules of these parks forbids mountain biking, so some walking would be inevitable.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Like always, the level coordinates of the checkpoints were published about two weeks before the race. The first surprise was that 'Anguish' track had massive 45 checkpoints! Fortunately, the old 24 hour time limit was raised to 30 hours, but still it seemed like a daunting task because the track master is known for brutal race tracks.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the previous years I haven't been much involved in the orienteering part but this year I really wanted. I ordered a map holder for my bike:</span><br />
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</span> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFLiCKs-8XjSP1c4KelhBSnG3SqJi1pEKyeIFt8DFBVprBhkRe-23bD8e3rhYx0G4TWj5EGjsde27PtIRUmurwa9YhSuMAXK_LpgkpNPl3YI2KCDIrY6j9duNzTc0VVv1G16qRMStisb_h/s1600/20151020_211754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFLiCKs-8XjSP1c4KelhBSnG3SqJi1pEKyeIFt8DFBVprBhkRe-23bD8e3rhYx0G4TWj5EGjsde27PtIRUmurwa9YhSuMAXK_LpgkpNPl3YI2KCDIrY6j9duNzTc0VVv1G16qRMStisb_h/s800/20151020_211754.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our team from last year saw a change too when Tommi decided to participate in the 100 km March track. Unfortunately, another change was on it's way as <a href="http://www.yetirides.com/" target="_blank">Peter </a>had a persistent flu and it really didn't make any sense for him to take this challenge which was to be very hard. We still had a track plan meeting on Monday and Peter was planning the route with me and Jarkko. Also, Peter printed maps for me. Our fairly optimistic estimate was that it would take 20-24 hours for us.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My preparation for the race was very good this time. I rode almost 1000 km from October 1st to 21st. I had also day off from work on Friday.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The weather forecast was optimistic too, but prior the event it rained hard so pretty much everything would be wet.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We were well in advance in the small race centre, Kievarin Kirnu in Turpoo. The race centres have always been small and ascetic, just perfect for the grassroots feeling this event has always had.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYzIHGb9peEUhIQAyHVDoyWsZorGOXZjj1mrrowiJfNSGOWK3Jd1UQAwtfUzcY4mmD2DH-oDcuQqN02s2ZuG1KNEmrfm56TYWVRTJVj9S2UtJyHYyJQyk0Yypks1X37DdUe1gEvO6og8fh/s1600/20151023_190710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYzIHGb9peEUhIQAyHVDoyWsZorGOXZjj1mrrowiJfNSGOWK3Jd1UQAwtfUzcY4mmD2DH-oDcuQqN02s2ZuG1KNEmrfm56TYWVRTJVj9S2UtJyHYyJQyk0Yypks1X37DdUe1gEvO6og8fh/s800/20151023_190710.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There were 18 teams (some of them were solos) on the start line. The mood was incredible, with Twin Peaks Theme as a background music! At 20PM we were off.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Checkpoint 1: after rather short ride on tarmac we encountered small forest road and then pretty rough terrain. Great start to this adventure. After CP1 we were a bit lost but found our way fairly easily to CP2. CP3 required a hike to the top of a scarp which was super sketchy! The actual checkpoint was inside a cave.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-exX1EYoI2BA/VizbLPv1_4I/AAAAAAABJHA/7WGMfBAIJ30/s1600/IMG_5951.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="800" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-exX1EYoI2BA/VizbLPv1_4I/AAAAAAABJHA/7WGMfBAIJ30/s800/IMG_5951.JPG" width="600" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fm1pXTqquT4/VizbLtK99uI/AAAAAAABJHE/54gI_Fz0aLg/s1600/IMG_5955.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="800" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fm1pXTqquT4/VizbLtK99uI/AAAAAAABJHE/54gI_Fz0aLg/s800/IMG_5955.JPG" width="600" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Some very slippery boardwalks followed on our way to CP4. This was first CP that required a long walk. The trail was very wet and slippery too. CP5 was fairly close where we left our bikes. We found it easily, but we were just a bit lost about our bikes. Soon we found them.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">CP6: the swim! The evening and early night felt really warm so it was actually great to cool down. The water was indeed really cold but it was refreshing!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Xmm8N0GAIk/VjJrRYGY5XI/AAAAAAABJPk/TZNlAX06ahE/s1600/IMG_5947.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="600" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Xmm8N0GAIk/VjJrRYGY5XI/AAAAAAABJPk/TZNlAX06ahE/s800/IMG_5947.JPG" width="800" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">CP7: not much recollection about that one. CP8 was again in the area where mountain biking was forbidden. We followed the trail very closely, but it took a loop and we knew that the CP is on the other side of the loop. This took too much time, and when we finally found it we took a shortcut through the forest.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mnxaazcl5RE/VizbMd9bRZI/AAAAAAABJHQ/Fw6-E8BMexw/s1600/IMG_5956.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="600" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mnxaazcl5RE/VizbMd9bRZI/AAAAAAABJHQ/Fw6-E8BMexw/s800/IMG_5956.JPG" width="800" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To our surprise, all the 'transfers' between checkpoints were gravel roads and some of them were very soft after the rain, and on top of that, some of them were plowed! So, CP9-CP12. I don't have much recollection about them, only that those gravel roads were super SUPER tough! But it was very fitting. This was Mammoth March. It is supposed to be very very tough!</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">CP13-14: first signs of sleep deprivation, but I got over it fast. CP15: we took a short break and ate more. The energy consumption was already horrendous at this point.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Photos of CP14 (maybe) and CP15:</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WbicQdVMfB8/VizbNS-OEPI/AAAAAAABJHY/qzk79FkPj-U/s1600/IMG_5962.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="600" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WbicQdVMfB8/VizbNS-OEPI/AAAAAAABJHY/qzk79FkPj-U/s800/IMG_5962.JPG" width="800" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DY0CvZ3YfyQ/VizbN4QSEUI/AAAAAAABJHg/9OIdGhoD9Es/s1600/IMG_5966.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="600" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DY0CvZ3YfyQ/VizbN4QSEUI/AAAAAAABJHg/9OIdGhoD9Es/s800/IMG_5966.JPG" width="800" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We did a couple of orienteering mistakes on our way to CP16. When we finally found it, nothing was there. Probably someone had taken it off.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was now early morning and the darkness was finally over. CP17 was easy:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JD0bLf0cMaE/VizbOptG6QI/AAAAAAABJHo/AFV5uWm5TDM/s1600/IMG_5968.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="600" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JD0bLf0cMaE/VizbOptG6QI/AAAAAAABJHo/AFV5uWm5TDM/s800/IMG_5968.JPG" width="800" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We had also finally some asphalt road as we rode to CP18. It was on the highest point of this ridge:</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PworT_eFoDI/VizbPYiP5mI/AAAAAAABJHs/dmxsuVRBbtQ/s1600/IMG_5974.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="800" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PworT_eFoDI/VizbPYiP5mI/AAAAAAABJHs/dmxsuVRBbtQ/s800/IMG_5974.JPG" width="600" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And nice views on top of it:</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6672Sb0K73s/VizbP5Nsz7I/AAAAAAABJH4/NBtTa9o62Qs/s1600/IMG_5978.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="600" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6672Sb0K73s/VizbP5Nsz7I/AAAAAAABJH4/NBtTa9o62Qs/s800/IMG_5978.JPG" width="800" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">CP19: beautiful place on the shore of 'Suujärvi', roughly translates 'Mouth Lake'.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l1Ju-Reqbaw/VizbQ-76dvI/AAAAAAABJIA/GdAUsmjsFp4/s1600/IMG_5981.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="600" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l1Ju-Reqbaw/VizbQ-76dvI/AAAAAAABJIA/GdAUsmjsFp4/s800/IMG_5981.JPG" width="800" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9NJfUGytBpY/VizbRTwPvYI/AAAAAAABJPw/DIWTNrJGchM/s1600/IMG_5986.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="600" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9NJfUGytBpY/VizbRTwPvYI/AAAAAAABJPw/DIWTNrJGchM/s800/IMG_5986.JPG" width="800" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lzzKtGVcmCU/VizbSJvS7cI/AAAAAAABJIQ/3QbTTg4Y148/s1600/IMG_5992.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lzzKtGVcmCU/VizbSJvS7cI/AAAAAAABJIQ/3QbTTg4Y148/s800/IMG_5992.JPG" width="800" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EE3alBGRQ9w/VizbSmWT6TI/AAAAAAABJIY/f4vjg9LZo7Y/s1600/IMG_5993.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EE3alBGRQ9w/VizbSmWT6TI/AAAAAAABJIY/f4vjg9LZo7Y/s800/IMG_5993.JPG" width="800" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EYQmT9fz5JA/VizbTQiGPvI/AAAAAAABJIg/tcJ8ZVnm29s/s1600/IMG_5990.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="600" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EYQmT9fz5JA/VizbTQiGPvI/AAAAAAABJIg/tcJ8ZVnm29s/s800/IMG_5990.JPG" width="800" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">CP20 was close to CP19. We hiked this steep hill:</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2Od5xgeh5jo/VizbUYoiAEI/AAAAAAABJIo/vCeA34A8o5o/s1600/IMG_5995.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="800" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2Od5xgeh5jo/VizbUYoiAEI/AAAAAAABJIo/vCeA34A8o5o/s800/IMG_5995.JPG" width="600" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On our way to CP21. This are was truly beautiful:</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xzjfbp7CfZA/VizbVOdLaHI/AAAAAAABJIw/th0tKTU6svk/s1600/IMG_5997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="600" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xzjfbp7CfZA/VizbVOdLaHI/AAAAAAABJIw/th0tKTU6svk/s800/IMG_5997.JPG" width="800" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jay0Rouu2DY/VizbWT--nUI/AAAAAAABJI4/XXaa6dAiuUI/s1600/IMG_5998.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="600" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jay0Rouu2DY/VizbWT--nUI/AAAAAAABJI4/XXaa6dAiuUI/s800/IMG_5998.JPG" width="800" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CvVK1mV5XH8/VizbXXjjRoI/AAAAAAABJI8/gFQ8dTmkmqs/s1600/IMG_6000.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="600" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CvVK1mV5XH8/VizbXXjjRoI/AAAAAAABJI8/gFQ8dTmkmqs/s800/IMG_6000.JPG" width="800" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VkNawyWt52o/VizbYGSezGI/AAAAAAABJJE/crcLtVWnq1c/s1600/IMG_6003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="800" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VkNawyWt52o/VizbYGSezGI/AAAAAAABJJE/crcLtVWnq1c/s800/IMG_6003.JPG" width="600" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">CP22: down to the shore. What a location! Tiukunen is truly the master!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_Y5_JS09osI/VizbY4_ebaI/AAAAAAABJJM/_p3aEuZ6UqM/s1600/IMG_6006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="600" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_Y5_JS09osI/VizbY4_ebaI/AAAAAAABJJM/_p3aEuZ6UqM/s800/IMG_6006.JPG" width="800" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZWoU6sIFDxw/VizbZ3tuHGI/AAAAAAABJJY/qYma8pEJg5s/s1600/IMG_6014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="600" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZWoU6sIFDxw/VizbZ3tuHGI/AAAAAAABJJY/qYma8pEJg5s/s800/IMG_6014.JPG" width="800" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">CP24:</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EDev30RLjOA/Vizba82SP5I/AAAAAAABJJc/NyPXk0dV_hY/s1600/IMG_6017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="800" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EDev30RLjOA/Vizba82SP5I/AAAAAAABJJc/NyPXk0dV_hY/s800/IMG_6017.JPG" width="600" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_g3CY2pvNg4/Vizbb-25iaI/AAAAAAABJJk/mMGYllM3kGg/s1600/IMG_6019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="800" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_g3CY2pvNg4/Vizbb-25iaI/AAAAAAABJJk/mMGYllM3kGg/s800/IMG_6019.JPG" width="600" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n0L86XA7ABw/VizbdMOwFdI/AAAAAAABJJs/euPznrFt0tQ/s1600/IMG_6020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="600" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n0L86XA7ABw/VizbdMOwFdI/AAAAAAABJJs/euPznrFt0tQ/s800/IMG_6020.JPG" width="800" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After CP24 we had finally the planned break for more food and drinks in the centre of Forssa:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-whA96C_rpPM/VizbdztvyXI/AAAAAAABJJ0/JXpgHPKblYw/s1600/IMG_6022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="600" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-whA96C_rpPM/VizbdztvyXI/AAAAAAABJJ0/JXpgHPKblYw/s800/IMG_6022.JPG" width="800" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">CP25: another beautiful location on the side of old waterworks:</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QQUeNlagT7w/Vizbe7sOJ4I/AAAAAAABJJ8/bo8-ETSy13g/s1600/IMG_6026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="600" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QQUeNlagT7w/Vizbe7sOJ4I/AAAAAAABJJ8/bo8-ETSy13g/s800/IMG_6026.JPG" width="800" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">CP26: Tiukunen had really done her work to find these strange spots:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ixj2yU4mvEo/VizbgjZXzgI/AAAAAAABJKE/rN5tgWnM_ss/s1600/IMG_6030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="600" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ixj2yU4mvEo/VizbgjZXzgI/AAAAAAABJKE/rN5tgWnM_ss/s800/IMG_6030.JPG" width="800" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My new map holder worked great, and the whole experience was now really different and way better as I was on the map all the time and navigating.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WUoBDaTKexQ/VizbhnhKmII/AAAAAAABJKQ/k_gfXzeHwSc/s1600/IMG_6033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="600" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WUoBDaTKexQ/VizbhnhKmII/AAAAAAABJKQ/k_gfXzeHwSc/s800/IMG_6033.JPG" width="800" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">CP27: now this was tricky, a 'Tiukunen special'. We tried to approach it from the shorter side. The trail vanished soon and we made the right decision to ride to the other side of the forest and try from there. Well, the trail turned to wrong direction there. We left our bikes and walked to see if we would find the big stone where it should be. After some wandering we found it!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">CP28-CP29: these were fairly easily found near these large fields:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vto2xGcgGWs/VizbigA57AI/AAAAAAABJKU/aS2tY2NqPdM/s1600/IMG_6037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vto2xGcgGWs/VizbigA57AI/AAAAAAABJKU/aS2tY2NqPdM/s800/IMG_6037.JPG" width="800" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">CP30: longish transfer but finally on tarmac! This one was at the bird watching tower of Kiljamo, in the National Park of Torronsuo. The actual CP had been taken off from the tower:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DGSwYjxTG-o/VizbjSIlTMI/AAAAAAABJKg/ef-yn-RXSxw/s1600/IMG_6039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="800" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DGSwYjxTG-o/VizbjSIlTMI/AAAAAAABJKg/ef-yn-RXSxw/s800/IMG_6039.JPG" width="600" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Great views:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CRPDIh-QOC4/VizbkE0HjYI/AAAAAAABJKk/2QWsNZ2iabM/s1600/IMG_6043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CRPDIh-QOC4/VizbkE0HjYI/AAAAAAABJKk/2QWsNZ2iabM/s800/IMG_6043.JPG" width="800" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">CP31-35: we had lots of gravel grinding with between these checkpoints, and uphills too. Things didn't look too good because we knew that the rest of the CPs would be pretty slow. One of the CPs here was a bit difficult to find and we made an orienteering mistake, taking some precious time. For the second time I felt also very tired and for a brief time I was sleepy as I pushed my bike.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ystLRUyS094/Vizbk4D5NqI/AAAAAAABJKs/a_mLCxiPXaY/s1600/IMG_6045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="600" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ystLRUyS094/Vizbk4D5NqI/AAAAAAABJKs/a_mLCxiPXaY/s800/IMG_6045.JPG" width="800" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fnW1JELoMlI/Vizbl8-jERI/AAAAAAABJK4/hL-nrhzSMj8/s1600/IMG_6048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="600" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fnW1JELoMlI/Vizbl8-jERI/AAAAAAABJK4/hL-nrhzSMj8/s800/IMG_6048.JPG" width="800" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TTr91aZEZRE/VizbmbMk76I/AAAAAAABJK8/XU0045SY2bQ/s1600/IMG_6050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="600" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TTr91aZEZRE/VizbmbMk76I/AAAAAAABJK8/XU0045SY2bQ/s800/IMG_6050.JPG" width="800" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">CP36: we knew that we are in the right location, but we couldn't find the CP, which was supposed to be in a ditch. We seek pretty much every ditch with no result. This took again lots of time, and the sun was setting. We took a bit longer break in CP37 as we were tired and hungry.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">CP38: we decided to take a shortcut but this turned out to be another mistake. We were in the Välisuo bog. On the map, there was a marked trail. The actual trail turned soon to a very dense copse, and pushing our bikes was slow and tough. We had already discussed that if we would not find CP38 easily, we would abort the mission. 24 hours in and with the views in the photo below, still 7 CPs left, it was probably the right decision.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XgISyrrrMu0/VizbnPv5PMI/AAAAAAABJLE/I7T97ESau08/s1600/IMG_6051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="600" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XgISyrrrMu0/VizbnPv5PMI/AAAAAAABJLE/I7T97ESau08/s800/IMG_6051.JPG" width="800" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We rode directly back to start/finish. The distance was probably between 15-18 km long and felt pretty hard even thought it was tarmac all the way. The elapsed time in the finish was 25 hours 35 minutes, 248 km riding with ~10 km of it was walking.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Normally DNF would feel like a disappointment but it didn't feel like that this time. We went to great lenghts, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">pushed ourselves very far and it was an epic experience. For the first time in this event, I was on the map all the time and orienteering. This made a big difference compared to other years. It was much more interesting and also rewarding and fun.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, actually, DNF in this race doesn't necessarily mean complete failure. Finishing this race is far from being self-evident. Yes, it would have been great to finish with all the checkpoints, but in terms of experience, it was a success. Which brings to the purpose of Mammoth March. It's an adventure race, and we had a great adventure. And, Mammoth March is very unique race and event. Every year, the tracks are different, and after all, every team makes their own track. Mammoth March is a small race and has great grassroots feeling in it. It challenges every racer in a complete way. It is not for everyone, and it shouldn't be. I really hope to participate in many years to come.</span>Toni Lundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05842467508604261945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3788486177697080103.post-55995454337813945092015-10-23T13:11:00.001+03:002015-10-23T13:11:10.801+03:00Summer racing: Levi24 and Merida MTB Finlandia<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As I'm writing this, it's already fall. So, before it's 'too late' here is a short recap of two races I did this summer.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Levi24</b></span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fairly soon after ITI I wanted to do something in the summer. After three Tahko MTBs in 2012 (120 km), 2013 (180 km DNF) and 2014 (240 km) I didn't feel any reason to go back there. After all, Tahko MTB is not really my type of race. I've been thinking going back to 24-hour solo racing, and there is still one race in Finland, <a href="http://www.levi24.fi/levi24/esivu.php?alue=Alkuun&kieli=fi" target="_blank">Levi24</a>, this year 12th-13th of June. I did it in 2007 (2nd) and 2009 (3rd / 320 km). I really like the race course which is pretty fast and not too technical. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was of course clear that the goal was to improve my previous result from 2009. I set three goals: 1. Win the race. 2. Ride closer 400 km. 3. Show that <a href="http://907bikes.com/" target="_blank">9:ZERO:7</a> with <a href="http://www.nextie-bike.com/" target="_blank">Nextie</a> Snow Fox 29+ wheelset is very capable summer racing bike too.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had a good training period in April and May and things were looking good. But just a few days before the race I had a sore throat, an early symptom of cold. Otherwise I was still feeling fairly good, but mentally I was a bit upset because I came to race for the win, nothing else. I drank lots of tea with honey and just tried to put the thing away mentally.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The weather forecast was looking good for the entire race. I scouted the race course on Thursday and it was surprisingly fast, with only few wet spots. The start was on Friday evening at 6PM. We started with very fast speed. I knew that from the other competitors, Jussi Karjalainen (multiple winner from the previous years) was the man to beat. He was behind me but took the lead fairly soon. After some laps he had problems with tires so I took the lead. We were riding really fast but I was feeling great. I lead the race all night. In the morning I knew that we had to slow down at some point because the race was crazy fast. After 12 hours we had done about 200 km. Pretty soon I encountered the first hard moment and I couldn't ride as fast as I wanted. I was completely trashed and rode a slow lap. In the pit my wife was taking care of drinks and food and she was encouraging me. I thought that the bad moment would go away, like always. But not this time. It just got worse. I had some very slow laps and I had to stop for short periods of time during the laps. Obviously the sickness was kicking in and my body just refused to co-operate. About 17 hours in to the race I took a longer break and tried to sleep a bit. Jussi was now leading the race with closer two laps more of riding than me. The longer break helped slightly but riding was still very very hard. In the last four hours I was able to ride again some decent laps and I fought very hard to the end. I ended in 2nd place with 31 laps / 310 km.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There was simply no way I could have won this race. It's a disappointment, but from the three goals I set one was successful. 9:ZERO:7 with 29+ wheels was indeed fantastic race machine, and I proved that it's also very capable for this kind of summer racing.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A few photos by my wife:</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsgxBtopoY6dKSKs-XSQW13OKnmRzLmbVWI9g_xceA4uIkDpI6dSsm8kz4_JDraS0dYkOxDudOszzYttxIwc_vlZ9Vqpzuz9CCidL617MrkkoWG1RDv3hSVF364xoAY5lIxBPedyAUxBNu/s1600/DSC07827.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="682" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsgxBtopoY6dKSKs-XSQW13OKnmRzLmbVWI9g_xceA4uIkDpI6dSsm8kz4_JDraS0dYkOxDudOszzYttxIwc_vlZ9Vqpzuz9CCidL617MrkkoWG1RDv3hSVF364xoAY5lIxBPedyAUxBNu/s1024/DSC07827.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTSBPN-eBm-tOz1QpKRCdu4l8ZcS-YMpvMa67G36mIGJVpQLRXFZ6ncQKQSyUO1LlcO_vSZnokuu1QYk4YYQJr9F9GfnzPUBFumsPoIM2fHMNSHoKi7wHP4ZHKJRBFr61nvC6baUHFQ-ZT/s1600/DSC07875.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="682" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTSBPN-eBm-tOz1QpKRCdu4l8ZcS-YMpvMa67G36mIGJVpQLRXFZ6ncQKQSyUO1LlcO_vSZnokuu1QYk4YYQJr9F9GfnzPUBFumsPoIM2fHMNSHoKi7wHP4ZHKJRBFr61nvC6baUHFQ-ZT/s1024/DSC07875.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWm4KH1FKCUD5eRNiYzRBZpWMSVAP9IrH3_GuHf5lXIcricCqLjxGAYk32gJn7bGmHjZ5Ja5kEwxCAjqKP2jhdZopXwCI0fIKZMgNiVBIhf1aO8HRw3UP77xIOW70QsSnO2i2qtGSl6yLm/s1600/DSC07933.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWm4KH1FKCUD5eRNiYzRBZpWMSVAP9IrH3_GuHf5lXIcricCqLjxGAYk32gJn7bGmHjZ5Ja5kEwxCAjqKP2jhdZopXwCI0fIKZMgNiVBIhf1aO8HRw3UP77xIOW70QsSnO2i2qtGSl6yLm/s1024/DSC07933.JPG" width="682" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXC953GR765OmdvppXId_rLs3apQK7xfJHwQpwU7lT1n0lX7hVEn6CxZyThf5dZ7bPWG_pI_o2TzbHJwXMz7Xt2rFmW0oVil7gL9Us5nWOJ1sC3gv_x100dO6lGSDkR1bhIeGf184oyLD_/s1600/DSC08023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXC953GR765OmdvppXId_rLs3apQK7xfJHwQpwU7lT1n0lX7hVEn6CxZyThf5dZ7bPWG_pI_o2TzbHJwXMz7Xt2rFmW0oVil7gL9Us5nWOJ1sC3gv_x100dO6lGSDkR1bhIeGf184oyLD_/s1024/DSC08023.JPG" width="682" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And these photos were taken by Teemu Moisio:</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL7y4IPpRtWKeP8erxwxHyivlnHNT8p5hIjx9KSJducoGxzgG4yyJNhn2H2GRR5B8fDe5r7I-SUW9ORGW2o6pzCIxeGUjU-OydqzM_81F5phvpHBqcSlTm51zIf5mxQ5W4tG3rc2b5RYKy/s1600/18182291633_4ca1366b89_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL7y4IPpRtWKeP8erxwxHyivlnHNT8p5hIjx9KSJducoGxzgG4yyJNhn2H2GRR5B8fDe5r7I-SUW9ORGW2o6pzCIxeGUjU-OydqzM_81F5phvpHBqcSlTm51zIf5mxQ5W4tG3rc2b5RYKy/s1024/18182291633_4ca1366b89_o.jpg" width="682" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHp6fK-l2lSlrD8althIxFObdFwkjKuDpyisJRscODNG8ClyUsvEyVR12nl0XBtncWKBNNk_xc_PEluTJtb0AnAHPVPqpJSBPAs9dLZhSs_t0WM8arqBIPwW7geUDGXKr3SfENCoxPGN0Y/s1600/18805547901_a4fc4d7477_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHp6fK-l2lSlrD8althIxFObdFwkjKuDpyisJRscODNG8ClyUsvEyVR12nl0XBtncWKBNNk_xc_PEluTJtb0AnAHPVPqpJSBPAs9dLZhSs_t0WM8arqBIPwW7geUDGXKr3SfENCoxPGN0Y/s1024/18805547901_a4fc4d7477_o.jpg" width="682" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOe2scZ7edys1k2KitC2q4xAGToCSXM3xModxm1wBWWoqPrtwMAPhXaFWEjEZQohjMb4La0d24SWGAfhPDRFv0f2fgVBHvjsJISP1vpe7veVwzMCtv5KrY76IrKTKyN1E7sgq8l6jG0oIg/s1600/18776995616_0fffe16830_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="682" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOe2scZ7edys1k2KitC2q4xAGToCSXM3xModxm1wBWWoqPrtwMAPhXaFWEjEZQohjMb4La0d24SWGAfhPDRFv0f2fgVBHvjsJISP1vpe7veVwzMCtv5KrY76IrKTKyN1E7sgq8l6jG0oIg/s1024/18776995616_0fffe16830_o.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Huge thanks to my wife and her parents for a great pit crew. Without you I wouldn't have been able to do this. Big thanks to my sponsors 9:ZERO:7 and Nextie. Thanks also to Levi24 organisers for putting a great race. I still like it very much. It's hard to say if I will come back but you never know...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Merida MTB Finlandia</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My uninterrupted run of <a href="http://www.twd.fi/merida-mtb-finlandia/" target="_blank">Finlandia MTB</a> from 2003 continued this year on August 16th. I have always done the 2 lap / 75 km race. That distance is a sprint for me so not very ideal, but I really love the race course which is not so easy as many might think.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This year I had company with my brother, who did the one lap race in the new retro mountain bike category for old mountain bikes. Also, this year marked 25th anniversary of the Finlandia MTB.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The race course had a couple of changes, and they were great, with some nice technical singletrack. The weather was fantastic, sunny and warm. I had slightly slow start as it took most of the first lap to really warm up. Nothing new here because my engine is slow to start. I felt really good after the first lap and rode the second lap furiously. To my surprise, I ended in 24th place with a time of 4 hours 2 minutes and 9 seconds. This was my best result ever in the race!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Photo by Aaro Honkala:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM6i6yKciRY5MYvYgn12Afjvgpm-Qqinw6ZErU0ec4aTFc6XNbwU6W9sE-2CGm30SeFOdR0ZVcwnsXJu5jN9_qcYGOOhG0Vecn3kHaIYOTCXKgJNLF0qynux9zcmOSbCsI7-LP6zSD1yFp/s1600/11903696_10153567967713675_2440988648449775167_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="682" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM6i6yKciRY5MYvYgn12Afjvgpm-Qqinw6ZErU0ec4aTFc6XNbwU6W9sE-2CGm30SeFOdR0ZVcwnsXJu5jN9_qcYGOOhG0Vecn3kHaIYOTCXKgJNLF0qynux9zcmOSbCsI7-LP6zSD1yFp/s1024/11903696_10153567967713675_2440988648449775167_n.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks to my brother for the logistics.</span>Toni Lundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05842467508604261945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3788486177697080103.post-16894364056256084182015-08-10T21:51:00.000+03:002015-08-10T21:52:21.983+03:00The Last Chance of the Summer<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After ITI I was busy with training for Levi24 (race report still to come) and with everyday working duties. The last overnighter was with my friends to celebrate my ITI finish in late March/early April. This summer has been very rainy so there hasn't been many opportunities for a photogenic overnighter. Last week the weather forecasts were looking fairly promising, but still some rain for Saturday. On Friday morning there wasn't rain in the forecast anymore, but I wanted to play safe and planned an overnighter for Friday evening - Saturday morning.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Time is really not on my side these days, so I really had to force it to happen. I wanted to go to Kimito Island's 'secret paradise shore' where me and Peter had <a href="http://www.tonilund.fi/2014/07/kimito-island-brovernighter.html" target="_blank">a very nice overnighter last summer</a>. My fairly late ending at work meant that I had to drive by car closer to the destination, with my bike and gear of course, so I could enjoy the sunset.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On the move in Dragsfjärd:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1tPsx8alPG8/Vcek5YgK1CI/AAAAAAABG1U/MH9WQZOB-e8/s1600/DSC_0812.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="678" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1tPsx8alPG8/Vcek5YgK1CI/AAAAAAABG1U/MH9WQZOB-e8/s1600/DSC_0812.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GzSzQS0mU0I/Vcek6i7xo0I/AAAAAAABG1c/OaXO1t1iX7U/s1600/DSC_0820.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="678" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GzSzQS0mU0I/Vcek6i7xo0I/AAAAAAABG1c/OaXO1t1iX7U/s1600/DSC_0820.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qPAyJV7ueww/Vcek7Y42uuI/AAAAAAABG1k/42f0vyBPQUU/s1600/DSC_0821.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="678" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qPAyJV7ueww/Vcek7Y42uuI/AAAAAAABG1k/42f0vyBPQUU/s1600/DSC_0821.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Getting closer to the destination:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7RwkR1C0hck/Vcek8dx6M3I/AAAAAAABG1s/D1WdAzhv37M/s1600/DSC_0823.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="678" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7RwkR1C0hck/Vcek8dx6M3I/AAAAAAABG1s/D1WdAzhv37M/s1600/DSC_0823.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sQI5hDZhRvk/Vcek9uStMBI/AAAAAAABG10/Ya0xljEHjYs/s1600/DSC_0825.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="678" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sQI5hDZhRvk/Vcek9uStMBI/AAAAAAABG10/Ya0xljEHjYs/s1600/DSC_0825.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-thynffujcvs/Vcek_QihfKI/AAAAAAABG18/Vzfye-5d6cA/s1600/DSC_0827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="678" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-thynffujcvs/Vcek_QihfKI/AAAAAAABG18/Vzfye-5d6cA/s1600/DSC_0827.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--3P7WuTJIEs/VcelAvtsUjI/AAAAAAABG2E/Gz5iCrxEG9I/s1600/DSC_0828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="678" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--3P7WuTJIEs/VcelAvtsUjI/AAAAAAABG2E/Gz5iCrxEG9I/s1600/DSC_0828.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2ourZzs4xwg/VcelBu1S7rI/AAAAAAABG2M/82jvezNf618/s1600/DSC_0835.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="678" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2ourZzs4xwg/VcelBu1S7rI/AAAAAAABG2M/82jvezNf618/s1600/DSC_0835.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Almost there, just in time for the sunset!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FPNDcpUIcJI/VcelCir9t3I/AAAAAAABG2U/SjT1u_RNqZA/s1600/DSC_0838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="678" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FPNDcpUIcJI/VcelCir9t3I/AAAAAAABG2U/SjT1u_RNqZA/s1600/DSC_0838.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There was a swan family but no people. Perfect, because I really wanted to be alone, in peace.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oJyYzp_KFU8/VcelDupGL1I/AAAAAAABG2c/Hfg4QQrf1SQ/s1600/DSC_0839.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="678" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oJyYzp_KFU8/VcelDupGL1I/AAAAAAABG2c/Hfg4QQrf1SQ/s1600/DSC_0839.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There were some dark clouds in the horizon but fortunately they were moving fairly fast:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1DccZzGYwTo/VcelEodzAkI/AAAAAAABG2k/tJKoMJjx7c8/s1600/DSC_0840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="678" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1DccZzGYwTo/VcelEodzAkI/AAAAAAABG2k/tJKoMJjx7c8/s1600/DSC_0840.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I chose my older 9:ZERO:7 fatbike because the race machine is in 29+ mode without any bikepacking gear.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N-1hFCByX80/VcelF3rPRrI/AAAAAAABG2s/0vjmM1iKy6E/s1600/DSC_0851.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="1207" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N-1hFCByX80/VcelF3rPRrI/AAAAAAABG2s/0vjmM1iKy6E/s1600/DSC_0851.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's a beautiful shore:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O3k9a79RL4I/VcelGztvYTI/AAAAAAABG20/VB-vZ93c5TM/s1600/DSC_0856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="678" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O3k9a79RL4I/VcelGztvYTI/AAAAAAABG20/VB-vZ93c5TM/s1600/DSC_0856.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The swans:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ObCrDALBlvA/VcelIJl38vI/AAAAAAABG28/dZkQ9hFReHI/s1600/DSC_0858.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="678" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ObCrDALBlvA/VcelIJl38vI/AAAAAAABG28/dZkQ9hFReHI/s1600/DSC_0858.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The sunset was stunning!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vfiCsanuSCE/Vceo-T_s64I/AAAAAAABG6k/tEM-S55YD28/s1600/DSC_0894-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="678" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vfiCsanuSCE/Vceo-T_s64I/AAAAAAABG6k/tEM-S55YD28/s1600/DSC_0894-1.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EeJ1eATCcTQ/VcelJ909KqI/AAAAAAABG3M/hnhYY7FTOHE/s1600/DSC_0905.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="678" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EeJ1eATCcTQ/VcelJ909KqI/AAAAAAABG3M/hnhYY7FTOHE/s1600/DSC_0905.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m08xjFC3I-s/VcelKuDYMbI/AAAAAAABG3U/crd83x1I-KM/s1600/DSC_0900.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="678" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m08xjFC3I-s/VcelKuDYMbI/AAAAAAABG3U/crd83x1I-KM/s1600/DSC_0900.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I made a cup of hot tea and enjoyed the peaceful evening:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r0siYFPIru4/VcelLR0XYrI/AAAAAAABG3c/nO8yKx7X6mM/s1600/DSC_0914.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="678" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r0siYFPIru4/VcelLR0XYrI/AAAAAAABG3c/nO8yKx7X6mM/s1600/DSC_0914.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the night, I woke for a bit of rain. I slept long as there was no rush in the morning:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2oSaJeRzrjw/VcelMGQaC1I/AAAAAAABG3k/CJDPXK72jjY/s1600/DSC_0915.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="678" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2oSaJeRzrjw/VcelMGQaC1I/AAAAAAABG3k/CJDPXK72jjY/s1600/DSC_0915.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SJE5zmUtvoc/VcelNm8JnLI/AAAAAAABG3s/Zul2LoXVK-0/s1600/DSC_0918.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="678" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SJE5zmUtvoc/VcelNm8JnLI/AAAAAAABG3s/Zul2LoXVK-0/s1600/DSC_0918.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Campsite:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EuW53paiIKU/VcelPH8mUvI/AAAAAAABG30/Fz-HBlUjziQ/s1600/DSC_0921.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="678" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EuW53paiIKU/VcelPH8mUvI/AAAAAAABG30/Fz-HBlUjziQ/s1600/DSC_0921.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Small flowers in lichen:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gQ7zNPBxghA/VcelQILFrlI/AAAAAAABG38/t_ImfMX1xNw/s1600/DSC_0926.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="678" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gQ7zNPBxghA/VcelQILFrlI/AAAAAAABG38/t_ImfMX1xNw/s1600/DSC_0926.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-INMCzGFrQXs/VcelRE1TktI/AAAAAAABG4E/NiZ1qEK2DJU/s1600/DSC_0927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="678" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-INMCzGFrQXs/VcelRE1TktI/AAAAAAABG4E/NiZ1qEK2DJU/s1600/DSC_0927.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For a perfect morning, I made some special coffee from Denali Mountain Dark Roast Coffee which I purchased from Anchorage during the ITI trip:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3167-vsEYwk/VcelSm13nWI/AAAAAAABG4M/UPt98-DB98A/s1600/DSC_0937.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="678" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3167-vsEYwk/VcelSm13nWI/AAAAAAABG4M/UPt98-DB98A/s1600/DSC_0937.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V75CHHyNGoc/VcemUVMkkXI/AAAAAAABG6A/usdQeq4N7C0/s1600/2015-08-08%2B10.13.34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="768" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V75CHHyNGoc/VcemUVMkkXI/AAAAAAABG6A/usdQeq4N7C0/s1600/2015-08-08%2B10.13.34.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">More views of the shore:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zGv50At4trA/VcelUNYfN_I/AAAAAAABG4U/wrDifyoPLTQ/s1600/DSC_0944.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="678" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zGv50At4trA/VcelUNYfN_I/AAAAAAABG4U/wrDifyoPLTQ/s1600/DSC_0944.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HQLgHY2tdR8/VcelVmwNp6I/AAAAAAABG4c/kZ1r1Qgul98/s1600/DSC_0947.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="678" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HQLgHY2tdR8/VcelVmwNp6I/AAAAAAABG4c/kZ1r1Qgul98/s1600/DSC_0947.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kJDb_U548Mg/VcelXbtRruI/AAAAAAABG4k/eJu8IsbmM64/s1600/DSC_0949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="678" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kJDb_U548Mg/VcelXbtRruI/AAAAAAABG4k/eJu8IsbmM64/s1600/DSC_0949.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Packed and on the move:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dZi22YbJ-cs/VcelY78SfSI/AAAAAAABG4s/QTg7KR84yc4/s1600/DSC_0950.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="678" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dZi22YbJ-cs/VcelY78SfSI/AAAAAAABG4s/QTg7KR84yc4/s1600/DSC_0950.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2OYvVUzNR-8/Vceladsd3gI/AAAAAAABG40/PWCHvRGlsKI/s1600/DSC_0953.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="1207" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2OYvVUzNR-8/Vceladsd3gI/AAAAAAABG40/PWCHvRGlsKI/s1600/DSC_0953.JPG" width="800" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The forests have lots of blueberries this summer. I stopped to eat some:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8APGUEDFoK0/VcelbXc7DRI/AAAAAAABG48/z2GD0bgigVg/s1600/DSC_0959.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="678" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8APGUEDFoK0/VcelbXc7DRI/AAAAAAABG48/z2GD0bgigVg/s1600/DSC_0959.JPG" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The trail out from the shore:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kpWCywTl-xk/Vcelp0tBqfI/AAAAAAABG5s/yTlZTa8nXFQ/s1600/DSC_0975.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="1207" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kpWCywTl-xk/Vcelp0tBqfI/AAAAAAABG5s/yTlZTa8nXFQ/s1600/DSC_0975.JPG" width="800" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Back on the small road to Dragsfjärd:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZgQvl1FhLTM/VcelrIGORsI/AAAAAAABG50/A-sEs8n1SVY/s1600/DSC_0977.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="678" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZgQvl1FhLTM/VcelrIGORsI/AAAAAAABG50/A-sEs8n1SVY/s1600/DSC_0977.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was a very nice overnighter, and I'm really happy I made it happen. Summer is soon over. I'm of course hoping for a short autumn and long, cold and snowy winter!</span></div>Toni Lundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05842467508604261945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3788486177697080103.post-69289878617764691232015-05-20T21:15:00.001+03:002015-05-20T21:15:54.802+03:00New member of the family<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As the saying goes, the correct number of bikes for bicycle enthusiast is n+1. I have already seven bikes in my carage, and two old frames (mtb and road). I have been lusting over a new cyclocross bike with disc brakes for many years. After all, my Ridley Crossbow is from 2003 and is outdated in today's standards. More importantly, many of the parts are pretty worn out, especially the rear rim that is literally very close to explode.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AkViMPouIiU/VSKZl3Nt6bI/AAAAAAAA-7M/u0fOuDnEgq8/s1600/2015-04-06%2B11.32.09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="576" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AkViMPouIiU/VSKZl3Nt6bI/AAAAAAAA-7M/u0fOuDnEgq8/s1600/2015-04-06%2B11.32.09.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HjaVOkYCRH8/VSKZr6RibOI/AAAAAAAA-7c/_KprQffcO2w/s1600/2015-04-06%2B13.43.42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="576" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HjaVOkYCRH8/VSKZr6RibOI/AAAAAAAA-7c/_KprQffcO2w/s1600/2015-04-06%2B13.43.42.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Recently I started a new work as a professional bike mechanic, so it was very convenient to start looking for a new cyclocross bike. It's a bike that I ride a lot on my commutes. But for a new bike I wanted full bikepacking capabilities, like rack and fender mounts, and an ability to use <a href="http://www.porcelainrocket.com/product/mission-control-handlebar-setup/" target="_blank">Porcelain Rocket MSA handlebar pack</a>. </span><a href="http://www.konaworld.com/" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Kona</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> has </span><a href="http://konaworld.com/rove.cfm" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Rove</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> and </span><a href="http://konaworld.com/images/bikes/sm/rove_al.jpg" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Rove Al</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> in it's freerange platform. I was initially looking for the more affordable aluminium version, Rove Al. But my size, 53cm, has a number of wrong things: crankarm lenght 170mm when it should be 172,5mm, stem lenght 80mm vs. 90mm, Shimano Claris 8-speed components and the aluminum fork is allegedly very hard. And the grey color is not nearly as beautiful as the deep purple of the steel Rove. It didn't take long time to change my mind.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A photo bomb of 30 shots here, sorry for some repeating but this bike looks so great!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0DAeZ_axHxw/VVpJD-nxaUI/AAAAAAABCDg/beQY3IjIIjk/s1600/2015-05-16%2B19.42.23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="576" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0DAeZ_axHxw/VVpJD-nxaUI/AAAAAAABCDg/beQY3IjIIjk/s1600/2015-05-16%2B19.42.23.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The first ride was my morning commute on Saturday. I was completely blown away! This bike is so, so comfortable to ride and it is still very fast. Steel is real! It beats Ridley Crossbow by a huge margin. I rode a steel road bike for a couple of seasons in the late 90s, so I had forgotten how great frame material steel is. My current road bike, carbon Ridley Excalibur, is very nice but this bike is more comfortable. There is no point to compare it to my <a href="http://907bikes.com/" target="_blank">9:ZERO:7</a> fatbikes as these bikes are so different.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I did a gravel grinding ride on Sunday with my brother and another commute on Tuesday. Those rides confirmed that this bike is almost magical! I'm very impressed with the accuracy of the SRAM Apex groupset with X9 rear derailleur. And the Clement Xplor'r MSO tires rolls surprisingly well. I'm really looking forward to great commuting and some occasional bikepacking trips with it.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div>Toni Lundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05842467508604261945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3788486177697080103.post-39797095480882359682015-03-14T19:30:00.001+02:002015-06-23T23:05:57.360+03:00ITI 2015 Race Report - Beyond Words - Part 3<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Previous installments: </span><a href="http://www.tonilund.fi/2015/03/iti-2015-race-report-beyond-words-part-1.html" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">part 1</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> and </span><a href="http://www.tonilund.fi/2015/03/iti-2015-race-report-beyond-words-part-2.html" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">part 2</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">The wind was getting stronger, and I was getting closer to the summit of Rainy Pass. I was in full-fight mode, as my body tried to shutdown itself because of sleep deprivation. Suddenly I heard voices behind me. It was Jay Cable and Pavel Richtr! Jay said that we were not far away from the summit. And just like that, my sleepiness went away.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">As we finally reached the summit, we took some photos of each other:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Onto the descent. Wind had blown snow on the trail so it wasn't rideable all the way down. Closer to the bottom we encountered a number of sketchy spots:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">At the bottom there was barely any snow and the wind was blowing very hard.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Now we were on the rivers that had some really bad overflows just before the race. Thanks to colder temperatures, they were now mostly frozen, but the place was just insane! There was ice all over the place, in all kind of formations, even with level changes. I have never seen something like that before. I managed to take only this one photo which doesn't do justice at all what we witnessed down there.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On the open areas, the wind was just crazy. Studded tires played a major role to just stay upright. There were some craters of open water, and in some places on the river ice there were cracking sounds. Creepy stuff indeed! At this point it was clear that this is not only the toughest winter race. It is, to a certain extent, very dangerous one too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was a relief when we finally arrived in Rohn. I ate lots and decided to sleep outside of the crowded tent. It was warm outside, probably +2°C.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I slept for about four hours, and sleeping outdoors was good decision, because I slept fairly well and I was feeling like a new man.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The legend himself, Bill Merchant, was there too:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">After some much needed coffee and food, I was leaving the checkpoint with Cable.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">After this photo I found myself alone again.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At the same time, I noticed that everything wasn't ok with my bike. The transmission was a bit noisy. After a couple of stops trying to figure out what was wrong, I noticed that the cassette lockring was slightly loosen! The trail was pretty rough in the night before Rohn, and I rode mercilessly. Fortunately this didn't affect my riding much and I just started to ride harder because the tailwind was crazy strong.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As reported before the race, the section from Rohn to near Nikolai was without snow. It is called Farewell Burn. In short, the Burn.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The temperature was +5°C and I started to overheat. I reduced my layers to bare merino wool t-shirt and rode bareheaded. But it was still way too hot.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This area felt so unreal! The sound of hard wind against the burned trees was something that I have never, ever heard before. It was incredible! It was like the trees were shouting to me: "ride or die! ride or die!" (ride or die became a motto later in McGrath by Charly Tri and co.).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Burn had a bit of tough climbing too, but otherwise the trail was very fast.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">'Overflow'. Looks bad, but there was fortunately a detour:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ice. All over the place:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And even more of the barren view:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On the lakes, the wind was so hard that I hardly needed to pedal:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The view I left behind:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Between the lakes there was now more and more tussocks, those little and not so little nasty bumps that made riding pure hell.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Not just flat out:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A touch of snow:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Alaska wilderness is HUGE. The trail had been wild already, but this section was definitely the wildest and most remote. I wasn't really afraid, but the feeling was kind of overwhelming. This is a place where is very little room for error.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tussock hell:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was about halfway point between Rohn and Nikolai, and I was running out of water. About 0.9 mile from the trail there is a shelter cabin, but no water. I was going to check it anyway, but at the same time Joe Stiller came behind. He gave me some of his hydro.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Joe had seemingly a good day and rode hard. Shortly after this, I met Eric Parsons group, which were touring from McGrath to Anchorage. They told me that I would soon find a creek where I can get more drinking water.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now I noticed that the bottom bracket of my bike had lots of sideplay. Everything worked still fine so I decided to ignore it and just ride hard.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sullivan Creek:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I refilled my hydration pack.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A bit more creek crossings:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">The sun was setting and the temperature was finally getting down. A relief after all the heat.</span></span><br />
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</span></span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">And the 'Tussock Hell' was finally over.</span></span><br />
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</span></span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">The last miles before Nikolai checkpoint felt a bit longish.</span></span><br />
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</span></span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">At Nikolai, Jay Cable, Pavel Richtr and Joe Stiller were there. As I entered the house, Joe asked 'how did I feel'. I answered that 'I don't know'. Joe then replied that right answer is 'trashed'. Yeah, I was trashed, but there was still 50 miles to go to McGrath. I planned to just eat and continue, and I joked that I want to suffer to the end. Jay had already had a bit sleep and was ready to go. Joe and Pavel were going to sleep. After some contemplating I decided to take a nap. I figured out that I would certainly suffer to the end without sleep, but I could actually be even slower than with a nap.</span></span><br />
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</span></span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">It was a right decision, but I would suffer. As I was getting myself ready, about 02.30AM in the night, Tracey Petervary arrived. As I continued to ride, it hurt, and my body was constantly telling me the opposite: no more, no more riding. Enter the mind game! I started to give orders: 'you have no excuses, you had a rest, now it's time to crush it'. It hurt, it really did, but it worked too. And the trail was super fast.</span></span><br />
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</span></span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">I had prepared a freeze-dried meal into my thermos bottle, because I just needed something else than my trail mix that I had eaten for the past 60+ hours. After every stop I really had to grit my teeth in pain. When I was back in the saddle, it was better. I rode hard. I rode as hard as I could. Every time I felt some sleepiness, I standed on pedals and just rode even harder. This mind game would continue to the finish.</span></span><br />
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</span></span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Finally, the morning:</span></span><br />
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</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Near the end there was still one tricky intersection on the trail, where the other track leaded to the Iron Dog snowmobile race course. Like some others, I went there too, but headed back when I saw that the tire tracks ended fairly soon.</span></span><br />
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</span></span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">In the finish, the winner John Lackey, Kevin Breitenbach and John Logar (or someone else) congratulated me. I DID IT! 2 days 18 hours 34 minutes, 8th place among the men in the 350 mile race.</span></span><br />
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</span></span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">As I entered the house, I just wanted to lay on the floor. I said to race director Kathi Merchant: 'Everything I have done before this race is child's play. This race is so tough and so demanding. It's hard to believe what I did out there'.</span></span><br />
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</span></span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">It took several hours before I could eat anything. But when I ate, it was really good. The legendary Mancakes made by Peter </span></span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Schneiderheinze:</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Throughout the entire race there was only one person that I wanted to win. Myself. And I did it.</span></span><br />
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</span></span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">There will be part 4, The Aftermath, where I will analyse my preparation, training and expectations and what I feel after this once-in-a-lifetime experience. I will go deep inside of me, so it will take some time. But I think it will be worth it...</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br />
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Toni Lundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05842467508604261945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3788486177697080103.post-83023674740836151272015-03-10T11:56:00.000+02:002015-03-10T12:46:43.712+02:00ITI 2015 Race Report - Beyond Words - Part 2<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, I was alone again, in the night, heading to next checkpoint, Finger Lake / Winterlake Lodge. The temperature was about +1..+2°C in the start at Knik Lake but was now a couple of degrees below freezing. The Plan B was to hang with a group with suitable speed and not get lost from the trail. I had ridden about 80 miles of the first 90 miles alone, so it was clearly Plan C: ride alone with your own speed and follow the tire tracks. This worked really well.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jay Cable said to me that the next 20 miles were pretty easy to Finger Lake and there shouldn't be a danger to get lost. Maybe 8-10 miles in, Jay Petervary caught me and he was flying. I followed him for awhile but figured out soon that his speed was too much for me.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The last 10 miles felt really long and I was a bit worried if I had get lost anyway. After 130 miles of pretty hard riding I finally arrived in Finger Lake, first of two checkpoints for drop bags. I dried some of my clothes, ate and had a short chat with JayP. The next 35 miles would be the toughest of the entire race. I took a short, 20 minute nap on a chair. I didn't want to sleep longer because I was still feeling great and wanted to keep good progress. Soon the sun would rise and that would lift my spirit even more.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The volunteers in Finger Lake were great, and they were surprised that I was from Finland. They confirmed that I was the first from Finland ever visit Winterlake Lodge.</span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YeZ_aEOu67c/VPy5jXTs1hI/AAAAAAAA9YM/Lwl7Yyc1Gis/s1600/IMG_5236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YeZ_aEOu67c/VPy5jXTs1hI/AAAAAAAA9YM/Lwl7Yyc1Gis/s1600/IMG_5236.JPG" height="573" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As I was just about to leave the checkpoint, Joe Stiller stormed in.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The temperature was now -15°C and it felt a lot better than the balmy -3...-5°C of the night. The morning was beautiful!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mHsSfzTjgRs/VPy5kOD1OCI/AAAAAAAA9YM/yFRqwIvrY5s/s1600/IMG_5239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mHsSfzTjgRs/VPy5kOD1OCI/AAAAAAAA9YM/yFRqwIvrY5s/s1600/IMG_5239.JPG" height="573" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YP6ayik_c_o/VPy5lglFGEI/AAAAAAAA9YM/SI1K6GmXJJE/s1600/IMG_5249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YP6ayik_c_o/VPy5lglFGEI/AAAAAAAA9YM/SI1K6GmXJJE/s1600/IMG_5249.JPG" height="573" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The temperature swings were big in the morning, as the coldest reading was -20°C:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nH6-ph94kn4/VPy5mW-qw2I/AAAAAAAA9YM/JX_DK1YQqcE/s1600/IMG_5253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nH6-ph94kn4/VPy5mW-qw2I/AAAAAAAA9YM/JX_DK1YQqcE/s1600/IMG_5253.JPG" height="573" width="1024" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At the same time, the race course was getting tougher.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-35p0xa0Ot8w/VPy5pFecrOI/AAAAAAAA9YM/XioW2-4O5X4/s1600/IMG_5258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-35p0xa0Ot8w/VPy5pFecrOI/AAAAAAAA9YM/XioW2-4O5X4/s1600/IMG_5258.JPG" height="573" width="1024" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And the views were gorgeous!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NQ9YmyFeXpA/VPzAKw7XhcI/AAAAAAAA9YM/ubTck0yPylI/s1600/IMG_5261-PANO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NQ9YmyFeXpA/VPzAKw7XhcI/AAAAAAAA9YM/ubTck0yPylI/s1600/IMG_5261-PANO.jpg" height="203" width="1024" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Between these scenic views the going was now extremely tough. The trail went up and down, all the time, and it certainly felt that it went more up than down. Many of the uphills were so steep that there were no other way to go than push.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One of the easier spots on this section.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eCaz5kUyX6s/VPy5sjEtvjI/AAAAAAAA9YM/IBeGUHYzC-A/s1600/IMG_5268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eCaz5kUyX6s/VPy5sjEtvjI/AAAAAAAA9YM/IBeGUHYzC-A/s1600/IMG_5268.JPG" height="800" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And even more spectacular views!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KhG-hqZLoro/VPy5tpPlY6I/AAAAAAAA9YM/yMVUMOkb1Xw/s1600/IMG_5271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KhG-hqZLoro/VPy5tpPlY6I/AAAAAAAA9YM/yMVUMOkb1Xw/s1600/IMG_5271.JPG" height="768" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LVULNKyit-M/VPy5wEAGx1I/AAAAAAAA9YM/oDbGEnpfmB0/s1600/IMG_5278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LVULNKyit-M/VPy5wEAGx1I/AAAAAAAA9YM/oDbGEnpfmB0/s1600/IMG_5278.JPG" height="573" width="1024" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fairly soon I met this wall, which would have make my 'Sunday Cyclocross' friends very envious:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EHNDkLIg97w/VPy5x0CjX5I/AAAAAAAA9YM/bDWLsiqPpWM/s1600/IMG_5279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EHNDkLIg97w/VPy5x0CjX5I/AAAAAAAA9YM/bDWLsiqPpWM/s1600/IMG_5279.JPG" height="800" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Even the detour required super hard work:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-duaRNmTrOkQ/VPy5zcBeGTI/AAAAAAAA9YM/lRlHWGXtRpk/s1600/IMG_5280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-duaRNmTrOkQ/VPy5zcBeGTI/AAAAAAAA9YM/lRlHWGXtRpk/s1600/IMG_5280.JPG" height="768" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zz6XrWADxXI/VPy51EbLuhI/AAAAAAAA9YM/TW4hU4htvRo/s1600/IMG_5282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zz6XrWADxXI/VPy51EbLuhI/AAAAAAAA9YM/TW4hU4htvRo/s1600/IMG_5282.JPG" height="800" width="600" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AAGTOsU9Pgk/VPy52l4iN8I/AAAAAAAA9YM/omQvJFcv3GU/s1600/IMG_5283.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AAGTOsU9Pgk/VPy52l4iN8I/AAAAAAAA9YM/omQvJFcv3GU/s1600/IMG_5283.JPG" height="768" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9hnPHPTzEg8/VPy54emFQbI/AAAAAAAA9YM/YbS_l1-yNss/s1600/IMG_5286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9hnPHPTzEg8/VPy54emFQbI/AAAAAAAA9YM/YbS_l1-yNss/s1600/IMG_5286.JPG" height="768" width="1024" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After this wall, another excruciating uphill followed. To slightly reduce the amount of torture, the descents were really great fun. Yes, this section was torture, but in a good way. At this point, in my view, ITI was not just 'allegedly' toughest winter ultra marathon. It really is. And I had not even reached the halfway point! I didn't come here for a pleasant Sunday ride. I wanted the real deal, and I got it.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had colossal amount of work to do with the uphills, but I was in paradise.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_6ifHqQuTyE/VPy553UAEfI/AAAAAAAA9YM/3Szoy936N1g/s1600/IMG_5288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_6ifHqQuTyE/VPy553UAEfI/AAAAAAAA9YM/3Szoy936N1g/s1600/IMG_5288.JPG" height="800" width="600" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y7lbsxJWvok/VPy58nGdxFI/AAAAAAAA9YM/Fp8iuuGjdVg/s1600/IMG_5294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y7lbsxJWvok/VPy58nGdxFI/AAAAAAAA9YM/Fp8iuuGjdVg/s1600/IMG_5294.JPG" height="573" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It took me 6 hours 50 minutes to cover 35 miles from Finger Lake to Puntilla (Rainy Pass Lodge). And I was alone, the entire time.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JUnnG0hbtmo/VPy6P8AT7eI/AAAAAAAA9YM/oBT3eICWmdw/s1600/IMG_5329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JUnnG0hbtmo/VPy6P8AT7eI/AAAAAAAA9YM/oBT3eICWmdw/s1600/IMG_5329.JPG" height="573" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U8Z7Z_g_VZo/VPy6SFOubMI/AAAAAAAA9YM/--RuYgRjLzo/s1600/IMG_5331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U8Z7Z_g_VZo/VPy6SFOubMI/AAAAAAAA9YM/--RuYgRjLzo/s1600/IMG_5331.JPG" height="573" width="1024" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And I was alone in the Rainy Pass Lodge too. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oUR0Tky2caw/VPy6S3pplZI/AAAAAAAA9YM/tY3Es4krPFE/s1600/IMG_5334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oUR0Tky2caw/VPy6S3pplZI/AAAAAAAA9YM/tY3Es4krPFE/s1600/IMG_5334.JPG" height="768" width="1024" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I ate too cans of chili sauce and took about 40 minute nap. I woke up when Jeff Oatley, Heather Best and Phil Hofstetter arrived. And that was so cool! The legend himself was so relaxed and every routine he did was so natural and effortless.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Next up was the mythical Rainy Pass, with its peak at 3167 ft. I was chatting with Jeff and I was way too optimistic about reaching Rohn in about 5 hours. Jeff said that make it 8 hours, even 9 hours, depending how the conditions are there.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We all were leaving about the same time.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iDxgF5vDpCc/VPy6UIK61LI/AAAAAAAA9YM/hSSKyFs3RF0/s1600/IMG_5338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iDxgF5vDpCc/VPy6UIK61LI/AAAAAAAA9YM/hSSKyFs3RF0/s1600/IMG_5338.JPG" height="768" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The valley and mountain views were magnificent.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tCwJYYPLeC0/VPy6VGM8iUI/AAAAAAAA9YM/pOPiNbym-ZE/s1600/IMG_5339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tCwJYYPLeC0/VPy6VGM8iUI/AAAAAAAA9YM/pOPiNbym-ZE/s1600/IMG_5339.JPG" height="768" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x5c_7zhiTdg/VPy6WGmkLRI/AAAAAAAA9YM/IF87NnIaVbY/s1600/IMG_5341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x5c_7zhiTdg/VPy6WGmkLRI/AAAAAAAA9YM/IF87NnIaVbY/s1600/IMG_5341.JPG" height="573" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9jRdaY6jBFA/VPy6W_5RvLI/AAAAAAAA9YM/lLH-k4A3Fkw/s1600/IMG_5343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9jRdaY6jBFA/VPy6W_5RvLI/AAAAAAAA9YM/lLH-k4A3Fkw/s1600/IMG_5343.JPG" height="573" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Soon I found myself doing lots of pushing. The trail was rideable for the most part, but I had hard time to see where the tire tracks were going because everything was so white. I also fell a couple of times.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pmY4wvL0XUE/VPy6XYt671I/AAAAAAAA9YM/0Mn2G_4sIiQ/s1600/IMG_5345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pmY4wvL0XUE/VPy6XYt671I/AAAAAAAA9YM/0Mn2G_4sIiQ/s1600/IMG_5345.JPG" height="573" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rdYSKJ41pf0/VPy6YHQyS5I/AAAAAAAA9YM/psnILUWFMfE/s1600/IMG_5346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rdYSKJ41pf0/VPy6YHQyS5I/AAAAAAAA9YM/psnILUWFMfE/s1600/IMG_5346.JPG" height="573" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FpAZrH76ksU/VPy6ZCktOYI/AAAAAAAA9YM/4cjIGzg8xbU/s1600/IMG_5347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FpAZrH76ksU/VPy6ZCktOYI/AAAAAAAA9YM/4cjIGzg8xbU/s1600/IMG_5347.JPG" height="573" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TsNPnHAyWEs/VPy6Z38Sj4I/AAAAAAAA9YM/7w5F5ITVGh4/s1600/IMG_5350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TsNPnHAyWEs/VPy6Z38Sj4I/AAAAAAAA9YM/7w5F5ITVGh4/s1600/IMG_5350.JPG" height="573" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6fm8w-L1rZk/VPy6apGINCI/AAAAAAAA9YM/2IS4d9MM-DE/s1600/IMG_5351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6fm8w-L1rZk/VPy6apGINCI/AAAAAAAA9YM/2IS4d9MM-DE/s1600/IMG_5351.JPG" height="573" width="1024" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The going was slow, and I figured out that my 40 minute nap wasn't really enough at the Rainy Pass Lodge. Also, the almost-7-hour sufferfest between Finger Lake and Puntilla was taking it's toll. I was still far away from the peak of Rainy Pass.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CXQo_AOW_sk/VPy6bGneg7I/AAAAAAAA9YM/fMZEEf9qRb0/s1600/IMG_5356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CXQo_AOW_sk/VPy6bGneg7I/AAAAAAAA9YM/fMZEEf9qRb0/s1600/IMG_5356.JPG" height="573" width="1024" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Things didn't look good at this point. I was really sleepy and started to consider bivying before continuing to Rainy Pass. Then I saw two headlights behind me in the distance. My race was going so well, I just didn't want to bivy, as the headlights were slowly approaching me.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This race is not only extremely tough, it is dangerous too:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TxlT7FOrjoY/VPy6b8Dw3jI/AAAAAAAA9YM/qesfbIFXRyM/s1600/IMG_5357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TxlT7FOrjoY/VPy6b8Dw3jI/AAAAAAAA9YM/qesfbIFXRyM/s1600/IMG_5357.JPG" height="573" width="1024" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now was the time to fight. I kept thinking that just eat and drink and move on. You can overcome the sleep monster. But it was hard, it was SO hard.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The wind was picking up, and I was gaining elevation. The moon was behind the clouds but gave just a bit of light to see that the mountains were very close to me. This was something that I had only dreamed and now it was real! There really is no words to describe the feeling. You are alone, with the mountains, with the wind, and you are tired and sleepy.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iOkxk14Bp-4/VPy6clwvlkI/AAAAAAAA9YM/r-FQILUonc8/s1600/IMG_5359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iOkxk14Bp-4/VPy6clwvlkI/AAAAAAAA9YM/r-FQILUonc8/s1600/IMG_5359.JPG" height="573" width="1024" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I just kept saying to myself that move on...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Toni Lundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05842467508604261945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3788486177697080103.post-36156779800363180872015-03-09T08:06:00.001+02:002015-03-10T12:47:17.585+02:00ITI 2015 Race Report - Beyond Words - Part 1<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sunday, March 1, 11AM. I was in the Westmark Hotel's lounge with all other participants. The start was only three hours away. I was going to do something that I never, ever believed would be possible. It was an incredible feeling. These kind of moments can only be described as "defining moments".</span><br />
<div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">13.30AM, Knik Lake:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cSIq0fi9BcQ/VPy5Diij4sI/AAAAAAAA9YM/679iWprmgiU/s1600/IMG_5144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cSIq0fi9BcQ/VPy5Diij4sI/AAAAAAAA9YM/679iWprmgiU/s1600/IMG_5144.JPG" height="573" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h1qBkVxpvB8/VPy5EfJFRDI/AAAAAAAA9YM/agIH1OAOisE/s1600/IMG_5148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h1qBkVxpvB8/VPy5EfJFRDI/AAAAAAAA9YM/agIH1OAOisE/s1600/IMG_5148.JPG" height="573" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My bike in front of the Knik Bar:</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RUZApEsyGl4/VPy5FVsBmqI/AAAAAAAA9YM/NJRmSZg298w/s1600/IMG_5153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RUZApEsyGl4/VPy5FVsBmqI/AAAAAAAA9YM/NJRmSZg298w/s1600/IMG_5153.JPG" height="573" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Joe Stiller:</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--erSwqsfHJo/VPy5GvIEBII/AAAAAAAA9YM/3_VroW0nRGM/s1600/IMG_5156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--erSwqsfHJo/VPy5GvIEBII/AAAAAAAA9YM/3_VroW0nRGM/s1600/IMG_5156.JPG" height="573" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Racers gathering in the start area:</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K_qNdFJ8yVE/VPy5H5X2DiI/AAAAAAAA9YM/SWPael8ttCs/s1600/IMG_5158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K_qNdFJ8yVE/VPy5H5X2DiI/AAAAAAAA9YM/SWPael8ttCs/s1600/IMG_5158.JPG" height="573" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">9:Zero:7 team mate <a href="http://charlytri.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Charly Tri</a> getting ready.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kt_wOF02eZs/VPy5Iw8tOhI/AAAAAAAA9YM/ygndAEgkaVA/s1600/IMG_5159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kt_wOF02eZs/VPy5Iw8tOhI/AAAAAAAA9YM/ygndAEgkaVA/s1600/IMG_5159.JPG" height="573" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had a very clear plans in my mind for my race. Plan A was to hang with the lead group as long as possible, if the speed would be suitable. My biggest concern for the beginning of the race was to not get lost. Following veterans would take care of this concern. Plan B would be to hang with a slower group, if the lead group's speed would be too high.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Another key plan for my race was to make every checkpoint as an intermediate goal and keep my own pace. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The ice on the Knik Lake was extremely slick, with a thin cover of snow on top of it, hence the start was cautious and slow. A section of icy singletrack followed, and soon we hit a tarmac road leading to the actual Iditarod Trail.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0PwaFAhmdag/VPy5LT16rrI/AAAAAAAA9YM/kTGlrM9tzzc/s1600/IMG_5164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0PwaFAhmdag/VPy5LT16rrI/AAAAAAAA9YM/kTGlrM9tzzc/s1600/IMG_5164.JPG" height="573" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q9HRQ_deUbE/VPy5MhSRnxI/AAAAAAAA9YM/KmhUpaLwEvo/s1600/IMG_5166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q9HRQ_deUbE/VPy5MhSRnxI/AAAAAAAA9YM/KmhUpaLwEvo/s1600/IMG_5166.JPG" height="573" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Andrew Kulmatiski, an ITI rookie like me, attacking this early in the race!:</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c-9x1cOxlnY/VPy5NsCSNGI/AAAAAAAA9YM/cK1QADaz_jA/s1600/IMG_5168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c-9x1cOxlnY/VPy5NsCSNGI/AAAAAAAA9YM/cK1QADaz_jA/s1600/IMG_5168.JPG" height="573" width="1024" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The first warning signal came in the end of the road section, when John Lackey, followed by the others, cranked up a nasty uphill with more speed. I almost lost the lead group at this point, but managed to get back in the following flat section.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When we hit the actual trail, the speed started to rise again.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gqOJankvQlg/VPy5P4CgsbI/AAAAAAAA9YM/S8AkaLbjew0/s1600/IMG_5184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gqOJankvQlg/VPy5P4CgsbI/AAAAAAAA9YM/S8AkaLbjew0/s1600/IMG_5184.JPG" height="573" width="1024" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At this point, so early in the race, it was very clear that I had to find my own speed and rhythm, but I tried to keep visual contact with the lead group because this was the place where I could get lost. The trail was like a huge fatbike highway and visibility was very good. I took all the photos on the fly.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dhcScVzjHfI/VPy5RGHhkGI/AAAAAAAA9YM/IeJJlIBAsHs/s1600/IMG_5186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dhcScVzjHfI/VPy5RGHhkGI/AAAAAAAA9YM/IeJJlIBAsHs/s1600/IMG_5186.JPG" height="573" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gIk6CxEuIrs/VPy5SqzmNvI/AAAAAAAA9YM/WvhthVXAj50/s1600/IMG_5191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gIk6CxEuIrs/VPy5SqzmNvI/AAAAAAAA9YM/WvhthVXAj50/s1600/IMG_5191.JPG" height="573" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OF4WuCb7QL0/VPy5ULR3HhI/AAAAAAAA9YM/rxwaGmnU4zk/s1600/IMG_5194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OF4WuCb7QL0/VPy5ULR3HhI/AAAAAAAA9YM/rxwaGmnU4zk/s1600/IMG_5194.JPG" height="573" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YgR3LYxG2_0/VPy5VR-gmnI/AAAAAAAA9YM/eVhGcBWdshY/s1600/IMG_5195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YgR3LYxG2_0/VPy5VR-gmnI/AAAAAAAA9YM/eVhGcBWdshY/s1600/IMG_5195.JPG" height="573" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mnD38fXJKxg/VPy5WSXYKSI/AAAAAAAA9YM/ymbDy7nde3M/s1600/IMG_5198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mnD38fXJKxg/VPy5WSXYKSI/AAAAAAAA9YM/ymbDy7nde3M/s1600/IMG_5198.JPG" height="573" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6k2HG93TXIc/VPy5XPDIs9I/AAAAAAAA9YM/JncbAQ00nHs/s1600/IMG_5199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6k2HG93TXIc/VPy5XPDIs9I/AAAAAAAA9YM/JncbAQ00nHs/s1600/IMG_5199.JPG" height="573" width="1024" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As you can see, the views were already very spectacular and I was very stoked.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After some 30 miles in, I reached Flathorn Lake.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GSTBc993QJk/VPy5X0T2biI/AAAAAAAA9YM/z32TYcQQuTY/s1600/IMG_5203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GSTBc993QJk/VPy5X0T2biI/AAAAAAAA9YM/z32TYcQQuTY/s1600/IMG_5203.JPG" height="573" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PY1Jn0mFFSs/VPy5Y3xbsbI/AAAAAAAA9YM/ZO9Bk-N58n4/s1600/IMG_5204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PY1Jn0mFFSs/VPy5Y3xbsbI/AAAAAAAA9YM/ZO9Bk-N58n4/s1600/IMG_5204.JPG" height="573" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QxWtWPotp4k/VPy5ZpKWp9I/AAAAAAAA9YM/2vffaonsT6M/s1600/IMG_5206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QxWtWPotp4k/VPy5ZpKWp9I/AAAAAAAA9YM/2vffaonsT6M/s1600/IMG_5206.JPG" height="573" width="1024" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Followed by Dismal Swamp:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-81427g7M7Ow/VPy5bGCi9JI/AAAAAAAA9YM/z7aYT7BQ2Gk/s1600/IMG_5209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-81427g7M7Ow/VPy5bGCi9JI/AAAAAAAA9YM/z7aYT7BQ2Gk/s1600/IMG_5209.JPG" height="573" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZNMMwujOmTo/VPy5cdqaY9I/AAAAAAAA9YM/IbWfMhVStC0/s1600/IMG_5215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZNMMwujOmTo/VPy5cdqaY9I/AAAAAAAA9YM/IbWfMhVStC0/s1600/IMG_5215.JPG" height="573" width="1024" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was still not feeling like I wanted to feel, most likely because of the fast start. But things started to get gradually better as I reached the Susitna River.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lDkJ4PebDTE/VPy5dreMf-I/AAAAAAAA9YM/YXGA-yxGglg/s1600/IMG_5217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lDkJ4PebDTE/VPy5dreMf-I/AAAAAAAA9YM/YXGA-yxGglg/s1600/IMG_5217.JPG" height="573" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z8W7uKiYQSs/VPy5emEE1iI/AAAAAAAA9YM/NzFjPGMEni0/s1600/IMG_5218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z8W7uKiYQSs/VPy5emEE1iI/AAAAAAAA9YM/NzFjPGMEni0/s1600/IMG_5218.JPG" height="573" width="1024" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pavel Richtr, who was going to Nome, joined me for awhile:</span><br />
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</span> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E0S5e5l7c3k/VPy5fZVhCcI/AAAAAAAA9YM/m1Bg_oE2r5E/s1600/IMG_5223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E0S5e5l7c3k/VPy5fZVhCcI/AAAAAAAA9YM/m1Bg_oE2r5E/s1600/IMG_5223.JPG" height="1430" width="800" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Susitna River is really beautiful:</span><br />
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</span> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-up2XVfHi6mQ/VPy5f_frU8I/AAAAAAAA9YM/iNTdho5VT_s/s1600/IMG_5226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-up2XVfHi6mQ/VPy5f_frU8I/AAAAAAAA9YM/iNTdho5VT_s/s1600/IMG_5226.JPG" height="573" width="1024" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A snowmobile heading to Yentna Station, first checkpoint:</span><br />
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</span> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GwKWruQAdkQ/VPy5gk7BkYI/AAAAAAAA9YM/HddQZrYBJys/s1600/IMG_5227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GwKWruQAdkQ/VPy5gk7BkYI/AAAAAAAA9YM/HddQZrYBJys/s1600/IMG_5227.JPG" height="573" width="1024" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And then the sun was setting:</span><br />
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</span> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7eVIjhZDsFI/VPy5hTfz3oI/AAAAAAAA9YM/r3BQ_pmCUFU/s1600/IMG_5228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7eVIjhZDsFI/VPy5hTfz3oI/AAAAAAAA9YM/r3BQ_pmCUFU/s1600/IMG_5228.JPG" height="573" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JY1G8rmknVM/VPy5iBkRzvI/AAAAAAAA9YM/qOB2G-2pEy4/s1600/IMG_5233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JY1G8rmknVM/VPy5iBkRzvI/AAAAAAAA9YM/qOB2G-2pEy4/s1600/IMG_5233.JPG" height="573" width="1024" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">59 miles in and I reached the first checkpoint, Yentna Station:</span><br />
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</span> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UkbZ7_-TgeA/VPy5i-phKNI/AAAAAAAA9YM/MuyVtx7PgDg/s1600/IMG_5234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UkbZ7_-TgeA/VPy5i-phKNI/AAAAAAAA9YM/MuyVtx7PgDg/s1600/IMG_5234.JPG" height="573" width="1024" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My stop there was very short, because everything was now under control and I was feeling great. Fast conditions continued from here to next checkpoint at 90 miles, Skwentna Roadhouse, and in this section I was feeling high. I had excellent rhythm and I had that 'ride-all-day-all-night-long' feeling!</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At Skwentna, some real food was in order, so I ate chicken-noodle soup. Bunch of other riders were there too, among them Jay Petervary who was actually sleeping, Jay Cable, Joe Stiller, Heather Best and the legend himself, Jeff Oatley.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I found myself leaving with Cable, Richtr and Stiller and we had a good speed towards the next checkpoint. Soon Stiller was dropped because he had some cramps. I continued with good rhythm with Cable and Richtr. The trail had some really fun but also a little tougher sections there, with some short uphills.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Next checkpoint, Finger Lake / Winter Lake Lodge, was still far away. We reached the Shell Lake Lodge where racers can sleep in a cabin. Cable and Richtr wanted to stop there to take a nap. I was feeling great without any sign of sleepiness, so I continued alone towards Finger Lake in the night.</span></div>Toni Lundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05842467508604261945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3788486177697080103.post-87903692972895022502015-02-27T21:04:00.001+02:002015-02-27T21:07:03.358+02:00Iditarod<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The year was probably 2002. It was winter, and I was searching on the internet for tips on winter cycling. The site I was looking is still amazingly online, <a href="http://icebike.org/">Icebike.org</a>. At the same time I learned about this race, <a href="http://www.iditarodtrailinvitational.com/" target="_blank">Iditarod Trail Invitational</a>, in 2001 and before known as Iditasport Extreme (350 miles) and Iditasport Impossible (1100 miles). My first reaction was that, wow, this is amazing, but also that it is completely impossible for me, for many reasons. It felt that there is no way that I could ever take part in it. Back then I was still more of a road racer, but I loved cycling in winter time. Alaska is very far away from Finland. Financially and every other way it felt impossible. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In 2006 I did my first 24-hour solo race, Kangasala 24h. It opened my eyes, but ITI remained impossible. Somehow, things started to change in 2009-2011 when we had great winters in Finland. In 2013 I did my first winter ultra, <a href="http://www.rovaniemi150.com/" target="_blank">Rovaniemi 150</a>, and again last year, which I nearly won. The idea of doing ITI didn't seem impossible any longer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And in the end of April last year it was confirmed. I was selected to ITI 2015 roster. It's a miracle for me. All credits for this goes to my awesome sponsors, <a href="http://907bikes.com/" target="_blank">9:Zero:7</a>, <a href="http://www.45nrth.com/" target="_blank">45NRTH</a>, <a href="http://www.lumicycle.com/" target="_blank">Lumicycle</a>, <a href="http://www.porcelainrocket.com/" target="_blank">Porcelain Rocket</a>, <a href="http://www.nextiebikes.com/" target="_blank">Nextie Bike</a> and <a href="http://www.alpkit.com/" target="_blank">Alpkit</a>. Without them, this project would have remained impossible. Also huge thanks goes to my wife and daughter, my parents and in-laws.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This winter has seen lots of training and preparation for the race. If you have followed my Facebook and Google+ pages, you have seen updates about my training. Here are some photos of those updates.</span><br />
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</span> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kx2XL5GcWjQ/VKBYNZRyRGI/AAAAAAAA43Q/iIfuTZJ7E30/s1600/IMG_3884.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kx2XL5GcWjQ/VKBYNZRyRGI/AAAAAAAA43Q/iIfuTZJ7E30/s1600/IMG_3884.JPG" height="768" width="1024" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6MrNh4PGnPE/VKBYQ_EGc-I/AAAAAAAA43w/H1bGJ_s7hHE/s1600/IMG_3903.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6MrNh4PGnPE/VKBYQ_EGc-I/AAAAAAAA43w/H1bGJ_s7hHE/s1600/IMG_3903.JPG" height="768" width="1024" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3XrAqZhswOo/VKh7WxEXOvI/AAAAAAAA5bU/TIWjJ4VIz70/s1600/IMG_4108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3XrAqZhswOo/VKh7WxEXOvI/AAAAAAAA5bU/TIWjJ4VIz70/s1600/IMG_4108.JPG" height="1024" width="768" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MrdgLtXv6a8/VKw9SH4sW1I/AAAAAAAA5wE/NdU1w9JBSdw/s1600/2015-01-04%2B16.57.14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MrdgLtXv6a8/VKw9SH4sW1I/AAAAAAAA5wE/NdU1w9JBSdw/s1600/2015-01-04%2B16.57.14.jpg" height="573" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2kmVttLDRLM/VKw-Ez3ZsJI/AAAAAAAA5yg/ZrusLWXlTz4/s1600/IMG_4346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2kmVttLDRLM/VKw-Ez3ZsJI/AAAAAAAA5yg/ZrusLWXlTz4/s1600/IMG_4346.JPG" height="1024" width="768" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dVhAwh7J59U/VLK36OXdnUI/AAAAAAAA540/Ms6vuBp2mT4/s1600/IMG_4403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dVhAwh7J59U/VLK36OXdnUI/AAAAAAAA540/Ms6vuBp2mT4/s1600/IMG_4403.JPG" height="768" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VDClv2lXG7k/VM3b6OAvqzI/AAAAAAAA6z8/tPesv-u6Hc8/s1600/2015-01-31%2B19.57.12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VDClv2lXG7k/VM3b6OAvqzI/AAAAAAAA6z8/tPesv-u6Hc8/s1600/2015-01-31%2B19.57.12.jpg" height="573" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XlDvVJtltyQ/VOEEeJbUzKI/AAAAAAAA7dY/gEYqs9FcGMU/s1600/2015-02-15%2B16.01.22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XlDvVJtltyQ/VOEEeJbUzKI/AAAAAAAA7dY/gEYqs9FcGMU/s1600/2015-02-15%2B16.01.22.jpg" height="573" width="1024" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As I'm writing this I'm already in Anchorage and it feels unbelievable that I am here. I never believed that this could happen but I'm here now, and it's only two days to the start of the race.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My expectations? Compared to all the other races that I have done so far, this is going to be different and a lot longer. I will do my best and as always, I have to win myself. Everything else comes after that. Surroundigs are breathtaking here, and this will surely be mindblowing experience.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I did a ride here in Anchorage on Wednesday, in Kincaid and Earthquake Parks, and here are some photos from it. I rode with my 907 teammate <a href="http://charlytri.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Charly Tri</a> in the beginning as he did a bike test shake down ride.</span><br />
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</span> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xELErwILv6Q/VO_UoXqI3GI/AAAAAAAA8Is/S4e0CcYyBJE/s1600/IMG_4928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xELErwILv6Q/VO_UoXqI3GI/AAAAAAAA8Is/S4e0CcYyBJE/s1600/IMG_4928.JPG" height="768" width="1024" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_ZCthoeA-rI/VO_UrCC0_rI/AAAAAAAA8I8/g1bY4z-gD-g/s1600/IMG_4952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_ZCthoeA-rI/VO_UrCC0_rI/AAAAAAAA8I8/g1bY4z-gD-g/s1600/IMG_4952.JPG" height="768" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o92CIQX4LBE/VO_UvsgvX7I/AAAAAAAA8JU/COU6kNfer7E/s1600/IMG_4962.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o92CIQX4LBE/VO_UvsgvX7I/AAAAAAAA8JU/COU6kNfer7E/s1600/IMG_4962.JPG" height="768" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lxNtNvJnwGw/VO_UynDs1WI/AAAAAAAA8Jk/UtF6q2U5s9A/s1600/IMG_4978.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lxNtNvJnwGw/VO_UynDs1WI/AAAAAAAA8Jk/UtF6q2U5s9A/s1600/IMG_4978.JPG" height="573" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fcfDwaat4iE/VO_U0VPOleI/AAAAAAAA8Js/BWc0MnEp1KE/s1600/IMG_4980.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fcfDwaat4iE/VO_U0VPOleI/AAAAAAAA8Js/BWc0MnEp1KE/s1600/IMG_4980.JPG" height="573" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F6xJLLFVXY0/VO_U44-I-AI/AAAAAAAA8KM/k01BJEJ91Us/s1600/IMG_5003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F6xJLLFVXY0/VO_U44-I-AI/AAAAAAAA8KM/k01BJEJ91Us/s1600/IMG_5003.JPG" height="573" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fUExXhl9gTE/VO_U7AVu-dI/AAAAAAAA8KY/R2BXcu7JTNE/s1600/IMG_5004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fUExXhl9gTE/VO_U7AVu-dI/AAAAAAAA8KY/R2BXcu7JTNE/s1600/IMG_5004.JPG" height="573" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P4kHzpr4gI0/VO_VBNpxHYI/AAAAAAAA8K8/1IaIUknfkpk/s1600/IMG_5029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P4kHzpr4gI0/VO_VBNpxHYI/AAAAAAAA8K8/1IaIUknfkpk/s1600/IMG_5029.JPG" height="768" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZpSnlT19gnM/VO_VCpuqeyI/AAAAAAAA8LE/3Q5TK6AcIqE/s1600/IMG_5033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZpSnlT19gnM/VO_VCpuqeyI/AAAAAAAA8LE/3Q5TK6AcIqE/s1600/IMG_5033.JPG" height="573" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DrXPI9NfXng/VO_VDiTiSfI/AAAAAAAA8LM/QeZGkIVFfbc/s1600/IMG_5034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DrXPI9NfXng/VO_VDiTiSfI/AAAAAAAA8LM/QeZGkIVFfbc/s1600/IMG_5034.JPG" height="573" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_un-yaaZ1D8/VO_VFb_xK7I/AAAAAAAA8Lc/Vqa0SOCnt5w/s1600/IMG_5048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_un-yaaZ1D8/VO_VFb_xK7I/AAAAAAAA8Lc/Vqa0SOCnt5w/s1600/IMG_5048.JPG" height="573" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tS-TsbTTs0g/VO_VGiFOavI/AAAAAAAA8Lk/Z8fZ7zyLKdo/s1600/IMG_5049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tS-TsbTTs0g/VO_VGiFOavI/AAAAAAAA8Lk/Z8fZ7zyLKdo/s1600/IMG_5049.JPG" height="573" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xOpPBs8A444/VO_VHkJPnCI/AAAAAAAA8Ls/AplYrIDqCxE/s1600/IMG_5059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xOpPBs8A444/VO_VHkJPnCI/AAAAAAAA8Ls/AplYrIDqCxE/s1600/IMG_5059.JPG" height="573" width="1024" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This year you can follow the race in realtime at <a href="http://trackleaders.com/iti15" target="_blank">Trackleaders.com</a>, and like in previous years, check <a href="https://www.facebook.com/iditarodtrailinvitational?fref=nf" target="_blank">ITI Facebook page</a> for the updates too.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What really draws attention to me in this race is it's philosophy, which is best said by Bill Merchant, racer and co-director of the race: <span style="background-color: white;">"We go into the Alaskan backcountry to find cracks in ourselves. We go back a year later to see if we've done anything about them". I will find out that soon myself.</span></span>Toni Lundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05842467508604261945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3788486177697080103.post-73968060779663611932015-01-02T00:48:00.000+02:002015-01-02T00:48:43.334+02:002014 in Retrospective<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The New Year 2015 has just started. It's time to look back at 2014. Instead of writing about every month, I chose a photo for every month that somehow was highlight for every month.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Like for 2013, it's very easy to pick the best moment of the year: <a href="http://www.tonilund.fi/2014/02/race-report-rovaniemi-150-2014.html" target="_blank">Rovaniemi 150</a>. The race that I was so close to win. It was truly unforgettable experience and the feelings are imprinted deeply in my soul.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Another fairly important achievement for me was <a href="http://www.tonilund.fi/2014/06/race-report-tahko-mtb-240-2014.html" target="_blank">Tahko MTB 240</a> in June. After doing it there really is no reason to go back.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Barring any force majeure event, 2015 will be monumental year for me. It will be something that I never thought would be possible: <a href="http://iditarodtrailinvitational.com/" target="_blank">Iditarod Trail Invitational</a>. A standalone blog post is in my mind about that and it will be published this month.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks to all supporters, sponsors and you readers for a great year! Happy New Year 2015!</span><br />
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</span> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9MlVMKomexo/UuVk57MedHI/AAAAAAAAlPI/LUJgWmI-WJ0/s1600/2014-01-26%2B12.54.17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9MlVMKomexo/UuVk57MedHI/AAAAAAAAlPI/LUJgWmI-WJ0/s1600/2014-01-26%2B12.54.17.jpg" height="576" width="1024" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ITPlmMhQOg4/UwMkxnsM0OI/AAAAAAAAmqU/VaZtVMZGylQ/s1600/IMG_3121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ITPlmMhQOg4/UwMkxnsM0OI/AAAAAAAAmqU/VaZtVMZGylQ/s1600/IMG_3121.JPG" height="1365" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gEr8QpINvRQ/VHIaRLjooAI/AAAAAAAA3ZI/N8LBiZp0E2M/s1600/DSC_7421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gEr8QpINvRQ/VHIaRLjooAI/AAAAAAAA3ZI/N8LBiZp0E2M/s1600/DSC_7421.jpg" height="678" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o2LuKHxdKc8/VJw7RrKSdhI/AAAAAAAA4sk/ZJzuf1ZrJLs/s1600/DSC_7995.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o2LuKHxdKc8/VJw7RrKSdhI/AAAAAAAA4sk/ZJzuf1ZrJLs/s1600/DSC_7995.jpg" height="678" width="1024" /></a></div>Toni Lundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05842467508604261945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3788486177697080103.post-5883224769442547322014-12-06T20:28:00.000+02:002014-12-06T20:28:26.054+02:00Vajosuo Beer Ride 2014<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The definite highlight of November for the past two years has been Vajosuo Beer Ride, and this year for a third time was no different. In part of my training for <a href="http://iditarodtrailinvitational.com/" target="_blank">ITI</a>, I decided to choose 'the long form', meaning I would ride from home to start place, Rantapiha at Savojärvi in the National Park of Kurjenrahka, about 51,5 km and also back to home the next day.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The weather wasn't an exception either. Despite the timing of late November, which could offer winter weather, it was wet and overcast again with temps around +2°C.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My 'Arctic Machine 1', 9:Zero:7 190mm, packed and ready. I had easily over 2 kg of food and drinks in there.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u-W6TJHKW3M/VIMUHJR-HtI/AAAAAAAA32o/O8Tguq780xI/s1600/2014-11-29%2B15.31.28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u-W6TJHKW3M/VIMUHJR-HtI/AAAAAAAA32o/O8Tguq780xI/s1600/2014-11-29%2B15.31.28.jpg" height="450" width="800" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was on the move around 15:30 and it was getting dark. My route to Savojärvi was the usual one, going thru the old Askala hydro power plant.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OA6T1QKMnds/VIL3pAmEXSI/AAAAAAAA3yg/2FfixxD7OoA/s1600/IMG_3435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OA6T1QKMnds/VIL3pAmEXSI/AAAAAAAA3yg/2FfixxD7OoA/s1600/IMG_3435.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After 2.5 hours of riding mostly on gravel roads I arrived to Savojärvi. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We were seven rides and everyone had a fatbike! Peter had 29+ wheels and tires on his Mukluk.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JUAaURS-3eQ/VIL3qe68dLI/AAAAAAAA3yo/XKjAd4AdJZo/s1600/IMG_3444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JUAaURS-3eQ/VIL3qe68dLI/AAAAAAAA3yo/XKjAd4AdJZo/s1600/IMG_3444.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The first boardwalks are in good shape and riding on them was easy. Water level on the mires were high as expected.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jNyXVAjcFwo/VHtyUuTBY-I/AAAAAAAA3oc/f6nFpe1ForQ/s1600/IMG_3475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jNyXVAjcFwo/VHtyUuTBY-I/AAAAAAAA3oc/f6nFpe1ForQ/s1600/IMG_3475.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">High-powered lights are imperative choice here.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZRgTb2Iy4SA/VHtyVg615mI/AAAAAAAA3ok/GQ4NpKU3ct4/s1600/IMG_3479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZRgTb2Iy4SA/VHtyVg615mI/AAAAAAAA3ok/GQ4NpKU3ct4/s1600/IMG_3479.JPG" height="1067" width="800" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The older boardwalks are in poor shape and going was slow there.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YmZrSiPdRD4/VHtyWuDv97I/AAAAAAAA3os/1_UP5l2wCuk/s1600/IMG_3486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YmZrSiPdRD4/VHtyWuDv97I/AAAAAAAA3os/1_UP5l2wCuk/s1600/IMG_3486.JPG" height="1067" width="800" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One boardwalk was wider.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VCAt3TjF3FI/VIL3rLajI6I/AAAAAAAA3yw/m0qozvLVy8g/s1600/IMG_3464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VCAt3TjF3FI/VIL3rLajI6I/AAAAAAAA3yw/m0qozvLVy8g/s1600/IMG_3464.JPG" height="1067" width="800" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-81D-Idr_p6Y/VIL3sFpbxAI/AAAAAAAA3y4/TDJTS-W7Xo8/s1600/IMG_3473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-81D-Idr_p6Y/VIL3sFpbxAI/AAAAAAAA3y4/TDJTS-W7Xo8/s1600/IMG_3473.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Trails are very technical and challenging in many places. I managed to fall once, fortunately without any significant damage.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_1DzUFKm77M/VIL3tWuN1CI/AAAAAAAA3zA/7737icHZxZ8/s1600/IMG_3478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_1DzUFKm77M/VIL3tWuN1CI/AAAAAAAA3zA/7737icHZxZ8/s1600/IMG_3478.JPG" height="1067" width="800" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's always rewarding to arrive to Vajosuo shelter after three hours of demanding riding. Tommi and couple of others were already there and campfire was burning.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ANKap2PAims/VIL3uYDaJEI/AAAAAAAA3zI/KBrAs_mDPOo/s1600/IMG_3488.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ANKap2PAims/VIL3uYDaJEI/AAAAAAAA3zI/KBrAs_mDPOo/s1600/IMG_3488.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-schz4gU8_3A/VHtyXXJiX4I/AAAAAAAA3p0/OOa50-N8tEA/s1600/IMG_3489.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-schz4gU8_3A/VHtyXXJiX4I/AAAAAAAA3p0/OOa50-N8tEA/s1600/IMG_3489.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had pork and potatoes for food and some beer.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xzsdM3bcS_s/VIL3vWPMB3I/AAAAAAAA3zQ/SuvoW6YCJvw/s1600/IMG_3518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xzsdM3bcS_s/VIL3vWPMB3I/AAAAAAAA3zQ/SuvoW6YCJvw/s1600/IMG_3518.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Following the traditions, we went to bird watching tower around 02:00 in the night.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i2jP-O7K200/VIL3wT6v_KI/AAAAAAAA3zg/DL6Hq-Y2iUg/s1600/IMG_3526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i2jP-O7K200/VIL3wT6v_KI/AAAAAAAA3zg/DL6Hq-Y2iUg/s1600/IMG_3526.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then it was time to sleep under sky in bivi and sleeping bags. I woke up to this view in the morning.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ix_8uOdSPHA/VIL3xRsgMuI/AAAAAAAA3zo/6nS9VOqCmVw/s1600/IMG_3533.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ix_8uOdSPHA/VIL3xRsgMuI/AAAAAAAA3zo/6nS9VOqCmVw/s1600/IMG_3533.JPG" height="1067" width="800" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I slept well as I was warm and comfortable in my sleeping system.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C0IbiFrjyEI/VIL300u2tWI/AAAAAAAA30I/h3crIdLU1EU/s1600/IMG_3550.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C0IbiFrjyEI/VIL300u2tWI/AAAAAAAA30I/h3crIdLU1EU/s1600/IMG_3550.JPG" height="1067" width="800" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My <a href="http://45nrth.com/products/footwear/wolvhammer" target="_blank">45NRTH Wölvhammers</a> ready for a tough day ahead.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kuG47WRoXoo/VIL3yi_d7BI/AAAAAAAA3zw/xxxaa0mEdbI/s1600/IMG_3538.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kuG47WRoXoo/VIL3yi_d7BI/AAAAAAAA3zw/xxxaa0mEdbI/s1600/IMG_3538.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Campfire in the morning.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kGHnjklF39A/VIL3zQLB9LI/AAAAAAAA3z4/gOLfjAynRiA/s1600/IMG_3545.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kGHnjklF39A/VIL3zQLB9LI/AAAAAAAA3z4/gOLfjAynRiA/s1600/IMG_3545.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gzWLrrHEFcM/VIM_0Hb0a5I/AAAAAAAA328/aBVl_cuwj38/s1600/2014-11-30%2B09.00.09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gzWLrrHEFcM/VIM_0Hb0a5I/AAAAAAAA328/aBVl_cuwj38/s1600/2014-11-30%2B09.00.09.jpg" height="450" width="800" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After nice breakfast with good coffee, we started riding again.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m-ODhvJEAUY/VIM_8tJgDRI/AAAAAAAA33E/KX4VXH6Fc7U/s1600/2014-11-30%2B10.16.28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m-ODhvJEAUY/VIM_8tJgDRI/AAAAAAAA33E/KX4VXH6Fc7U/s1600/2014-11-30%2B10.16.28.jpg" height="450" width="800" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vZe9BhVMimU/VIL34PxScBI/AAAAAAAA30g/zZ-lcnBXmCc/s1600/IMG_3558.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vZe9BhVMimU/VIL34PxScBI/AAAAAAAA30g/zZ-lcnBXmCc/s1600/IMG_3558.JPG" height="1067" width="800" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Vajosuo mire. A magnificent place.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vZe9BhVMimU/VIL34PxScBI/AAAAAAAA30g/zZ-lcnBXmCc/s1600/IMG_3558.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vZe9BhVMimU/VIL34PxScBI/AAAAAAAA30g/zZ-lcnBXmCc/s1600/IMG_3558.JPG" height="1067" width="800" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vXesrOJL0mA/VHtyYaMf1oI/AAAAAAAA3q4/i5f2JH4PgmI/s1600/IMG_3560.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vXesrOJL0mA/VHtyYaMf1oI/AAAAAAAA3q4/i5f2JH4PgmI/s1600/IMG_3560.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8CObmhEEpCs/VHtyZRU8rNI/AAAAAAAA3ps/iKyjvojhvDs/s1600/IMG_3567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8CObmhEEpCs/VHtyZRU8rNI/AAAAAAAA3ps/iKyjvojhvDs/s1600/IMG_3567.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mUTFVOMJvkw/VHtyabukkDI/AAAAAAAA3pM/NygcXX0Pqsc/s1600/IMG_3569.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mUTFVOMJvkw/VHtyabukkDI/AAAAAAAA3pM/NygcXX0Pqsc/s1600/IMG_3569.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bVqcwfRJ5rs/VHtybSc7YKI/AAAAAAAA3sc/dpKJ8ZX4wHc/s1600/IMG_3578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bVqcwfRJ5rs/VHtybSc7YKI/AAAAAAAA3sc/dpKJ8ZX4wHc/s1600/IMG_3578.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7dP7UQIXVDM/VHtycKvgADI/AAAAAAAA3rY/pW1Qkpt4CVI/s1600/IMG_3580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7dP7UQIXVDM/VHtycKvgADI/AAAAAAAA3rY/pW1Qkpt4CVI/s1600/IMG_3580.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A short break at one of the many shelters around Kurjenrahka. This one is called Laaskorpi.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dts7XZ4nfpk/VIL36Jc7FdI/AAAAAAAA30o/Hb_K8Xs7ESo/s1600/IMG_3607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dts7XZ4nfpk/VIL36Jc7FdI/AAAAAAAA30o/Hb_K8Xs7ESo/s1600/IMG_3607.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A very technical and demanding section on the route.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dYcSQ4LmQx4/VIL32vhNNLI/AAAAAAAA30Q/1108l3D_3ic/s1600/IMG_3632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dYcSQ4LmQx4/VIL32vhNNLI/AAAAAAAA30Q/1108l3D_3ic/s1600/IMG_3632.JPG" height="1067" width="800" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There was also lots of this.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KmCkC5gJ_KI/VIL37_sflWI/AAAAAAAA30w/GLS-9tLuvGU/s1600/IMG_3619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KmCkC5gJ_KI/VIL37_sflWI/AAAAAAAA30w/GLS-9tLuvGU/s1600/IMG_3619.JPG" height="1067" width="800" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hellbiking.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yyjJ6IQKGzw/VIL39TfiBPI/AAAAAAAA304/kElRxxZ7QCI/s1600/IMG_3594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yyjJ6IQKGzw/VIL39TfiBPI/AAAAAAAA304/kElRxxZ7QCI/s1600/IMG_3594.JPG" height="1067" width="800" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At Takaniitunvuori.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vSOQM1idxdM/VIL3_W5JslI/AAAAAAAA32Y/CEVrwlfqEjo/s1600/IMG_3626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vSOQM1idxdM/VIL3_W5JslI/AAAAAAAA32Y/CEVrwlfqEjo/s1600/IMG_3626.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Roots in the last part of the route.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N6WNJtyXNWU/VHtydGGo2GI/AAAAAAAA3q8/k9jMuf_dg9c/s1600/IMG_3638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N6WNJtyXNWU/VHtydGGo2GI/AAAAAAAA3q8/k9jMuf_dg9c/s1600/IMG_3638.JPG" height="1067" width="800" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Back at Rantapiha we thanked each other and said goodbyes. I boiled water with my MSR WhisperLite and new <a href="https://www.alpkit.com/products/mytipot" target="_blank">Alpkit MytiPot 900</a> cooking pot for freeze-dried meal.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hvmMq1et0As/VIL4AUnp0WI/AAAAAAAA31I/VFO6870GVCA/s1600/IMG_3652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hvmMq1et0As/VIL4AUnp0WI/AAAAAAAA31I/VFO6870GVCA/s1600/IMG_3652.JPG" height="1067" width="800" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At the same time, temperature dropped below freezing. A warm meal and hot water was crucial, as my energy level was low and it was getting cold.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vAwUnqd9sCU/VIL4Bo5a4EI/AAAAAAAA31Q/hQF7sP-0rR4/s1600/IMG_3656.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vAwUnqd9sCU/VIL4Bo5a4EI/AAAAAAAA31Q/hQF7sP-0rR4/s1600/IMG_3656.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had to ride with my down jacket (Alpkit Filo) for 8 km to properly warm up, but after that everything was under control.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PaQY9xG9Cj0/VIL4CWyWnAI/AAAAAAAA31Y/t8mcVfTgGRY/s1600/IMG_3659.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PaQY9xG9Cj0/VIL4CWyWnAI/AAAAAAAA31Y/t8mcVfTgGRY/s1600/IMG_3659.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I felt strong in the end of the journey, so my training is in the right direction.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oe1EJdaq9Dw/VIL4DQwmoGI/AAAAAAAA31g/nmSEoswZFD8/s1600/IMG_3671.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oe1EJdaq9Dw/VIL4DQwmoGI/AAAAAAAA31g/nmSEoswZFD8/s1600/IMG_3671.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A great weekend indeed, with total of 145,4 km riding. Thanks to Juha Jokila and all the other participants! Next year again!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Check out Peter's report <a href="http://www.yetirides.com/2014/12/sixth-annual-vajosuo-beer-ride.html" target="_blank">here</a>, and Juha's photos <a href="https://plus.google.com/photos/109979989294437051433/albums/6087572614548778433" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></div>Toni Lundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05842467508604261945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3788486177697080103.post-26381022221925308452014-11-23T21:20:00.000+02:002014-11-23T21:20:44.026+02:00Into the Winter Paradise<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Every October I start to wait it. Winter. Periodically I look for news how winter has started in Northern Hemisphere. I follow some long range weather forecasts and discussions on the Internet, and especially development of <a href="http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/precip/CWlink/daily_ao_index/ao_index.html" target="_blank">Arctic Oscillation</a> and <a href="http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/precip/CWlink/pna/nao_index.html" target="_blank">North Atlantic Oscillation</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Living in South-Western Finland, close to Baltic Sea, usually means that the wait is long. Early winter arrives here rarely. It happened in 2010, and the whole winter was incredible. Last winter (2013-2014) was almost complete opposite. November and December were very mild and wet. It was fairly cold for three weeks in January, but there was hardly any snow. After that we got snow once in early February and once in early March.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The old saying goes here that "years are not brothers to each other", and every year is different some way. Indeed, the fall and early winter has been different so far. We got first snow on 6th November, but it melted away the next day. The temperatures have been generally lower this November, so things have been looking sligthly better.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Friday, 21th November:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hKs1RwzrMWc/VHIfeSE4gpI/AAAAAAAA3Zk/dcNXc90fTs8/s1600/2014-11-21%2B18.53.08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hKs1RwzrMWc/VHIfeSE4gpI/AAAAAAAA3Zk/dcNXc90fTs8/s1600/2014-11-21%2B18.53.08.jpg" height="768" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We got about 8 cm of snow and paradise was everywhere!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3WRpcfdUOdQ/VHIaAPTGzxI/AAAAAAAA3WU/J88N-jUetAw/s1600/DSC_7145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3WRpcfdUOdQ/VHIaAPTGzxI/AAAAAAAA3WU/J88N-jUetAw/s1600/DSC_7145.JPG" height="678" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xNjtWaUTL0U/VHIaA6yY1GI/AAAAAAAA3Wc/3f1yzWeryXs/s1600/DSC_7105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xNjtWaUTL0U/VHIaA6yY1GI/AAAAAAAA3Wc/3f1yzWeryXs/s1600/DSC_7105.JPG" height="678" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u_Gi6EU-hiA/VHIaBl6XL_I/AAAAAAAA3Wk/uTc5un6iZ-E/s1600/DSC_7112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u_Gi6EU-hiA/VHIaBl6XL_I/AAAAAAAA3Wk/uTc5un6iZ-E/s1600/DSC_7112.JPG" height="678" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1HqjQNdF0y4/VHIaCnrtqbI/AAAAAAAA3Ws/XaHZk7z43uI/s1600/DSC_7151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1HqjQNdF0y4/VHIaCnrtqbI/AAAAAAAA3Ws/XaHZk7z43uI/s1600/DSC_7151.JPG" height="678" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I decided to go for a short overnighter on Saturday-Sunday night, because weather forecasts were looking bad for next week.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After a great day with my family, I rode to a shelter close to my home that I found recently, in the middle of the night:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hvG7M_3kDvs/VHIaDa4Yu7I/AAAAAAAA3W0/E2TaBWFRHZ4/s1600/DSC_7318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hvG7M_3kDvs/VHIaDa4Yu7I/AAAAAAAA3W0/E2TaBWFRHZ4/s1600/DSC_7318.JPG" height="678" width="1024" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-559nEtdVgpo/VHIaEGgkaII/AAAAAAAA3W8/2EPsmmglUvM/s1600/DSC_7332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-559nEtdVgpo/VHIaEGgkaII/AAAAAAAA3W8/2EPsmmglUvM/s1600/DSC_7332.JPG" height="1546" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Id3n5LMyzM8/VHIaEtJBANI/AAAAAAAA3XE/XWOtRgEOULA/s1600/DSC_7334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Id3n5LMyzM8/VHIaEtJBANI/AAAAAAAA3XE/XWOtRgEOULA/s1600/DSC_7334.JPG" height="678" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0WqLjVMEmfE/VHIaFlnqCrI/AAAAAAAA3XM/_OpjWcaUcfM/s1600/DSC_7338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0WqLjVMEmfE/VHIaFlnqCrI/AAAAAAAA3XM/_OpjWcaUcfM/s1600/DSC_7338.JPG" height="678" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xfJXJk80G54/VHIaGb73yvI/AAAAAAAA3XU/zKELY-qyvU8/s1600/DSC_7345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xfJXJk80G54/VHIaGb73yvI/AAAAAAAA3XU/zKELY-qyvU8/s1600/DSC_7345.JPG" height="1546" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s948umBOLB0/VHIaG1IL73I/AAAAAAAA3Xc/CX24GMJLWjg/s1600/DSC_7351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s948umBOLB0/VHIaG1IL73I/AAAAAAAA3Xc/CX24GMJLWjg/s1600/DSC_7351.JPG" height="1546" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kB4jCC0zycw/VHIaHluIOJI/AAAAAAAA3Xk/F7jbt0YsDik/s1600/DSC_7354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kB4jCC0zycw/VHIaHluIOJI/AAAAAAAA3Xk/F7jbt0YsDik/s1600/DSC_7354.JPG" height="678" width="1024" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> It was late, so I prepared my sleeping system and went to sleep.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B0LHcnNiaxw/VHIaIli-HUI/AAAAAAAA3Xs/42pHaH0aPzA/s1600/DSC_7357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B0LHcnNiaxw/VHIaIli-HUI/AAAAAAAA3Xs/42pHaH0aPzA/s1600/DSC_7357.JPG" height="678" width="1024" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And a good night it was, as was the morning with coffee and sandwich:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m_tCCxlfRgw/VHIaJfml-VI/AAAAAAAA3X0/pX9nHjaFaT4/s1600/DSC_7358.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m_tCCxlfRgw/VHIaJfml-VI/AAAAAAAA3X0/pX9nHjaFaT4/s1600/DSC_7358.JPG" height="1546" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The morning was beautiful:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--W4uX9TNn3o/VHIaL8zHV2I/AAAAAAAA3YM/-QIgccyFq7Y/s1600/DSC_7376.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--W4uX9TNn3o/VHIaL8zHV2I/AAAAAAAA3YM/-QIgccyFq7Y/s1600/DSC_7376.jpg" height="678" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The new <a href="http://45nrth.com/products/footwear/wolvhammer" target="_blank">45NRTH </a></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://45nrth.com/products/footwear/wolvhammer" target="_blank">Wölvhammer</a></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> boots kept my feet warm and comfortable:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-erK9TvA4R-M/VHIaNQrxrdI/AAAAAAAA3Yc/cKJj5Ta1tY0/s1600/DSC_7391.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-erK9TvA4R-M/VHIaNQrxrdI/AAAAAAAA3Yc/cKJj5Ta1tY0/s1600/DSC_7391.jpg" height="678" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And the new <a href="http://45nrth.com/products/tires/vanhelga" target="_blank">45NRTH Vanhelga</a> is really unbeliavable snow tire. No other tire has been so secure and with so much traction!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1TqJdaAkE3I/VHIaOEll4yI/AAAAAAAA3Yk/Kb58yCC5raA/s1600/DSC_7402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1TqJdaAkE3I/VHIaOEll4yI/AAAAAAAA3Yk/Kb58yCC5raA/s1600/DSC_7402.JPG" height="1546" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was a great morning in the winter paradise and I enjoyed every moment of it.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1wH2KXnrOOI/VHIaPFbcsGI/AAAAAAAA3Ys/YCsuGROdf80/s1600/DSC_7407.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1wH2KXnrOOI/VHIaPFbcsGI/AAAAAAAA3Ys/YCsuGROdf80/s1600/DSC_7407.jpg" height="678" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O9bu49RrSwE/VHIaR2TCGJI/AAAAAAAA3ZM/msyBa7--a8U/s1600/DSC_7440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O9bu49RrSwE/VHIaR2TCGJI/AAAAAAAA3ZM/msyBa7--a8U/s1600/DSC_7440.jpg" height="678" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Later in the afternoon I went for ride into the nearby woods.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HprGYpZXD6M/VHIaSrpyQTI/AAAAAAAA3ZU/TJAhnaEB9Oc/s1600/DSC_7451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HprGYpZXD6M/VHIaSrpyQTI/AAAAAAAA3ZU/TJAhnaEB9Oc/s1600/DSC_7451.JPG" height="678" width="1024" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This was a great weekend. Weather forecasts are now looking for above freezing temps and even some rain, so this paradise will be at least partly vanished. Hopefully it will come back soon.</span></div>Toni Lundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05842467508604261945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3788486177697080103.post-64709345797691254512014-11-02T18:00:00.000+02:002014-11-02T18:28:42.459+02:00Race Report: Mammoth March Impossible 2014<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After <a href="http://www.perakylanponnistus.com/kilpailut/mammuttimarssi.php" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Mammoth March Impossible</span></a> in <a href="http://www.tonilund.fi/2012/10/race-report-mammoth-march-impossible.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">2012</span></a> and <a href="http://www.tonilund.fi/2013/10/race-report-mammoth-march-impossible.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">2013</span></a>, it was again clear that our 'MTB-Turku All Night Long' team would participate again, and Mammoth March is now a tradition with my friends. For those readers who doesn't know about this unique race, here is my summary from last year's blog report:</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">The Mammoth March Impossible has potential to be most challenging and demanding ultra endurance race in Finland, specifically for runners. 170 km (closer 190-200 km for cyclists) distance is not that long for cyclists, but there are other elements that can make it really hard endeavour: start in the evening at 20.30 and consequently riding through the night in pitch darkness with sleep deprivation, </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">orienteering that requires concentration, possibly adverse weather conditions of Finnish late fall. And that special swimming checkpoint in cold water. So, it's not just a long, long orienteering race. It's very much an adventure race."</span></i></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">This year we had a new member in our team, Tommi, so it would be four of us. Many weeks before the race I knew that this year's race would be difficult for me because of the shifts in my work. I would be in morning shift week, and I didn't have the luxury to take a day off from work. Sleep deprivation would be a big concern. But I thought that doing fairly hard evening shifts from July would help me, and it would be a good test how much deprivation I can handle.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Like in earlier years, Peter and Jarkko was doing the work with the maps and route planning. This year's location was around Vihti and Nuuksio. I had a new role of taking care of the logistics, by driving the car and planning transportation of our bikes. There was a little setback with this, as I couldn't fit an affordable rooftop rack on my car, and this forced Tommi to take his car too.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">My bike for the race, <a href="http://www.fatbikes.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">9:ZERO:7</span></a> 2011 model converted to 29er with full coverage fenders.</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WaZYxkyFExM/VFK3MMYEFtI/AAAAAAAA2Hk/suVAOt7McFw/s1600/DSC_6950.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WaZYxkyFExM/VFK3MMYEFtI/AAAAAAAA2Hk/suVAOt7McFw/s1600/DSC_6950.JPG" height="530" width="800" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Thursday-Friday night was short, and I slept only 4,5 hours. I woke at 5AM and had everything ready for the race. I was feeling surprisingly good and was really pumped, excited and optimistic for the race start in the evening.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">We arrived well before the start in Otalampi, the race center. There was some late hassle with preparations, but nothing too bad.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">After the start we did immediately first orienteering mistake, but fortunately it wasn't a bad one. At the same time I noticed that I forgot some of my energy supplies in the car. But this wasn't a problem because rest of our team had some extras and there was a gas station later in the route to shop resupplies.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Another surprise was that against all the weather forecasts, it was raining slightly with a temp around +2°C. Forecasts were looking for temps just below freezing later in the night and morning, so this was alarming if roads would get icy.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">For the first three hours of the race I was feeling great. Here's a great photo by Antti Nousiainen from the beginning:</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0JhmK5A4Phg/VFYt1vLI0GI/AAAAAAAA2R8/Nmh4E6w66NM/s1600/DSC_1046-X3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0JhmK5A4Phg/VFYt1vLI0GI/AAAAAAAA2R8/Nmh4E6w66NM/s1600/DSC_1046-X3.jpg" height="533" width="800" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jarkko managed to collide slightly with Peter in one intersection, and fell second time when we entered a muddy trail. Fortunately those falls were innocent without any injuries.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the early part there was also a slightly funny mission checkpoint, where you had to calculate an amount of water and pour it with buckets. Jarkko handled it fast and succesfully and we were again quickly on the move.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Around midnight I had first symptoms of sleep deprivation and I started to feel tired. I have never before had this problem this early, but with the circumstances, it wasn't a surprise. I drank soon first of my two Battery energy drinks. It helped a little.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Somewhere in the darkness:</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IYq-GJKPlIY/VFYraGHp8eI/AAAAAAAA2QA/F95nvkQyKgk/s1600/IMG_3330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IYq-GJKPlIY/VFYraGHp8eI/AAAAAAAA2QA/F95nvkQyKgk/s1600/IMG_3330.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tommi taking some photos too:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">We did another small orienteering mistake around this time.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">One checkpoint was close to a mire:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then another checkpoint required a hike on a narrow and very wet trail:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">The new <a href="http://45nrth.com/products/footwear/fasterkatt" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">45NRTH Fasterkatt</span></a> shoes worked really well in the wet conditions and kept my feet completely dry:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Checkpoint found:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Back to the bikes:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">I felt better on the hiking checkpoint, but after that sleep deprivation hit very hard. My body and mind really wanted to shut down. But I was still determined and was thinking that eventually this bad phase would go away. My team was concerned at this point. Every time we stopped to check maps and our position, I leaned against my handlebars and almost fell every time as I was ready to sleep. I don't remember much what I said to my friends but they said afterwards that I was quite disoriented.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">A photo by Peter, me eating salted peanuts:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">We took a planned break to eat and drink around 02.30 in this tunnel:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Peter gave me two sandwiches and I drank another Battery. Eating helped slightly but Battery had no effect at all as we headed to Nuuksio.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Nuuksio was a hilly place and my problems continued. We did also another small orienteering mistake here. My slow pace started to slow our team. My bad phase with sleep deprivation just didn't go away, it got worse. My riding on the hills were slow and constant twisting, and I was close to fall a couple of times. We discussed the situation. It was 05.15 in the morning and we had done 100 km, so we were around halfway point. I still wanted to continue, and said that probably this bad phase would go away when the sun rises. But this could mean that our pace is too slow for a 20 hour finishing time, and there is no guarantee what pace I can keep after sun rises. The cut-off time was 24 hours. So, we decided that I would DNF, ride back to Kattila which were only 2 km away, start a fire to avoid hypothermia (I didn't have down jacket with me because I really didn't think this kind of situation would happen) and wait for the 'corpse taxi'.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">I called the corpse taxi number, but for some reason, the number was wrong. A man answered, but didn't understand as I told that I was from a team called MTB-Turku All Night Long. I asked that isn't this the corpse taxi. He answered that no. I apologised and called Tommi what happened. I also told that I didn't see a place for campfire. Tommi said that they will handle the corpse taxi, and there must be a campfire place. I found it on the other side of the area.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">My team came back to me and Tommi helped with starting the fire:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">The fire kept me warm and I didn't have any issues, other than being tired, as I waited for the corpse taxi.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I didn't have to wait too long for the corpse taxi. Morning and sunrise was beautiful:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the corpse taxi I felt disappointed, while it picked up two runners from other place and drove back to race center. I also slept for a brief moment. Back in the race center I went to sauna and shower. I figured out that a 30 minute nap on the race course would have been pretty much enough and I would have continued to the finish without any significant problems. I did that in <a href="http://www.tonilund.fi/2013/02/race-report-rovaniemi-150-2013.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Rovaniemi 150 back in 2013</span></a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After sauna I ate and slept for a while on the hard floor of the race center. Then I waited for my team and Matti who was running 100 km March. Matti came after 18 hours, congrats!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It took a little over 20 hours for my team to finish!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On the T-shirt it reads "Mammuttimarssin loppuunkärsinyt 2014", which translates "Mammoth March suffered to the finish 2014". Naturally I'm very envious to not have that shirt, but huge congratulations guys for doing it! They had some epic hike-a-bike sections and mechanical issues with a blown front tire and snapped chain.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Although I'm disappointed, I learned a lot from myself and took a massive hit with sleep deprivation. A very good test indeed. This is now a factor that I have to pay attention to when I'm racing ITI on March 2015. I'm even more determined as I train and prepare for that monumental race of my life so far.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The news is also that next year will be 10-year anniversary of Mammoth March, and there will a couple of newnesses as well. I will definitely be back for that one! And thanks to Peräkylän Ponnistus for a great race again this year!</span></div>
Toni Lundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05842467508604261945noreply@blogger.com