Wednesday 25 June 2008
Today, Ivalo to Vuotso via the E75-4. Away from the campsite at around 09:15 in bright sunshine. Followed the cycle path for a couple of miles to avoid being taken out by the sometime thoughtless Finnish drivers. Plenty of gentle ups and downs to keep us amused mostly with a side order of head wind for good measure.
Met a mad Swiss couple who were en route to Nordkapp having cycled 32000km in 26 months! Put our efforts into perspective... Had a natter for half an hour before continuing on our merry way.
One very heavy shower had us donning full waterproofs and getting our heads down to grind the miles out to our campsite in Vuotso.
Arrived into Vuotso (Finland) around 16:30 where we ran into a slightly deranged couple from the former GDR. They spent half an hour waxing lyrical as to how it was preferable to wait 15 years to be eligible for a Trabant under the old regime rather than enjoying the fruits of modern society post reformation... Not sure what the correct answer is. Shortage of cardboard cars or rank consumerism.....
He was riding a single speed bike fully loaded (not designed as SS just fubared) and she a three speed. They were camping wild and enjoying themselves.. Good on em!
To our consternation (not to mention slight dismay), we found our planned campsite to be non existent so we were faced with an additional 30 miles or camping wild in the woods. We chose the latter as did the entire local population of Mosquitoes.
A rapid dinner was consumed before we took refuge in the tent from the voracious little blighters. The little buggers in these parts eat men whole!
Total today a meagre 48 miles and 510m of ascent.
Thursday 26 June 2008
After a slightly restless night and a speedy al fresco (mitt Mosquito) breakfast we upped and awayed in the rain shortly after 09:30.
The rain stayed with us all day and rapidly had us soaked through to the last Euro note.
Stopped after an hour for a warm and a pancake at a roadside Sami tourist trap. Avoided the tat and spent time in their authentic tee-pee complete with open wood fire and reindeer hides to sit on.
All too soon, we were back on the road with the heavens trying to increase our bodies water content from 99 to 100 percent.
Got our heads down and billy whizzed into Sodankyla, Finland for the night and our first rest day tomorrow. Yay!
Rented a cabin (AKA shed) for a couple of nights to dry us and the gear out
Not much to see today apart from water in its various forms though the landscape has flattened out and the head wind scuttled around to follow us. Double yay!
Total today 53 miles and only 140m of ascent.
Tomorrow; rest!
Back soon. Miles & Tracey.
