Week 7 – (727km – 450 mile)

Finally back on the bike, only this time with a bit of company. An early start was in order to test Lee fitness. I imagined it was going to be a slow and steady start to ease him in but we finished on a respectable 82 miles for the day (tailwind may have helped).

On a cloudless day we cruised on down to Helsinki passing numerous crystal clear lakes decorated with pine trees for good measure. A fantastic end to a fantastic part of the world. I hope to visit Scandinavia again in the future. Of course by bike.

A 2hr ferry ride across the Gulf of Finland dropped us off in the charming Estonian capital Tallin, which as well as having a beautiful Old Town also boasts some of the most beautiful girls in the world. Halfway across Estonia was the beach resort of Parnu, where we took an extended break to take a swim and watch the girls go by.

Two day’s after arriving in Estonia we were now in Latvia. A lush coastal road that would not have looked out of place in Scandinavia led us towards Riga. As we neared the capital, sadly the road worsened as did the views. So we rattled our way to a hostel for a well earned rest day.

Full of energy from a day of rest and good food, we managed to hit career highs of 103 miles for the day. This saw us make good progress across Lithuania. However with the sun nearly down we still hadn’t found a place to camp.

I spotted a coulple of farmers out in their field. They spoke no English, so after a few hand gestures and what not, they understood that we needed somewhere to sleep. They thankfully offered us their front lawn. Bliss.

 

Week 6 – (0km – 0 mile)

What do you do with 10 day’s off? Not a lot is what.

This week has mostly been spent in the company of Stephen King and his epic novel The Stand. At 1142 pages, quite as challenge in itself.

I tried unsuccessfully to service the bike. Help came in the form of Peter Heath an Englishman who has lived in Finland since before I was born. He spent a couple of hours tweaking the bike in his garage while I like a good student tried to take in as much as I could.

Over an English breakfast he told me of his numerous tour’s since 1979, which only wet my appetite to get back on the road.

He told me something I don’t think I’ll ever forget. No matter how tired, cold, wet or hungry you are. Pick your head up, get back on the bike and pedal, eventually something will turn up. Hopefully in the form of a pub.

He’s right you know, something does always turn up. But only if you keep on pedalling.

 

Week 5 – (723km – 448 mile)

Country number 3 (Finland) and currency number 3 (Euro).

The change was almost instant not only because of the 1 hour time difference and the fact that the language now looked even more foreign than Norway and Sweden. But from a cycling point of view I now have cycle path’s surrounding me, going in all directions and they are all clearly sign posted. Perfectly suited to the flatness of Finland.

This week I got my first puncture and in typical Scandinavian style it was in the middle of a thunderstorm, the same day I completed my first century. 100 miles of graft.

On one of my many snack breaks outside of a supermarket, an old Finnish couple drew up alongside me in their car.

“Come my house, sleep” said the old lady

“Okay” I replied

I followed them a short distance to their home where they generously made me coffee and sandwiches and offered me the use of a shower and a bed. I spent a couple of hours in their company and apologised that I had to leave as it was still mid-afternoon and I had plenty of fuel left in the tank.

I spent the night in a town called Seinajoki and it was here that for the first time in weeks it went slightly dark. Nowhere near full darkness, but enough for me to need my head-torch on to read in the tent. 

So it was I found myself in Tampere after 36 day’s and 3000kms. Leg 1 complete and 10 day’s ahead of schedule. I treated myself to a pizza and more importantly a beer.