Across the Arctic Circle
Across the Arctic Circle
Through Norway, into Finland, and across the Arctic Circle
After the epic send-off at Northcape, the boys rocketed across northern Norway up hill, down hills, through tunnels and into lots of icy polar winds.
4 days in, the tandemers crossed their first international border on two wheels, and pressed on into Finland- the region of Lapland. This proved challenging in different ways, with driving rain and headwinds, and undulating roads that stole the power from their legs.
Times were gritty- the enormity of the challenge was just starting to sink in, and the daily kilometres were taking their toll. The boys were forced to dig deep, and bring the daily km higher and higher.
Just as spirits were hitting rock bottom, the tandem arrived in the town of Rovaniemi, on the very border of the Arctic Circle, and home to Mr S Claus himself. Not wishing to miss such an opportunity, the boys hauled the heavy bike up the stairs of Santa’s official majestic grotto, and said hello to the big man himself. Intriguingly, Santa also expressed interest in a tandem bike as a delivery vehicle for next Christmas (watch out Mrs Claus).
Out of the Arctic Circle, the temperature shot from around 10 degrees up to a balmy 30, which the locals assure us is due to freak summer weather, and not just the effect of the magical arctic circle line that we were raving about. Off came the jackets, overshoes, thermal tights and base layers, and second pair of gloves (it was very chilly up north!) and the boys were finally cycling in good old fashioned lycras, the way a decent cycle tourer should be dressed. This was also the opinion of the infamous Finnish mosquitoes, who delighted in feasting on their pasty naked limbs.
The boys continue to press on through central Finland, at time of writing in Paltamo. Onwards to Russia, the race is on to get there in time before their Russian visas expire!
Wednesday, 8 June 2011