nbjtours

Overkalix, Sweden

Day Six 103 miles 2927 ft

The last day in Finland was the coolest start so far, with a thick mist and low cloud keeping the temperature down until almost midday. This was also the first day wholly outside the Arctic Circle too. 

Leaving the campsite at an ok 9am, saw the first 16 miles all on cycle paths,  again summing up the very positive attitude the Finns have to bikes. 

Having to turn off the cycle path I then had an up and over ride between two river valleys with plenty of straight roads round each corner. On average around 1 1/2 miles long, see below, one up, the other down. They all look up when cycling though. 

   
 
As usual toast, jam and coffee by the roadside after 30 odd miles, was  today accompanied by a treat of a croissant, before more of the same roads down until we crossed the border into Sweden. 

No dramas,  though I did hit a dragonfly, pretty heavy things too. The forest floor is still covered by bilberry and lingonberry plants and I did spot an infamous Red Campion for the first time, but the birch leaves are starting to turn indicating autumn is on its way. 
   
 
After lunch the route took us off the main road as desired, but disastrously the maps do not indicate if the road is Tarmac or dirt. 

Unfortunately, this road had had a fresh dressing of large chippings and after only 500 yards I got a rear flat,  managing to repair this whilst spitting out mosquitoes. I got going again, only to last around a mile more before both tyres cried enough just 50 Yards From the turning off. 

I staggered  round in my shoes on the  gravel then with two flats and only one inner tube left had to call Nigel for spares by this time 20 miles  up the road. So seeing an opportunity to break the motorbike out again on the dirt, he was only to happy to oblige. 

Nigel cracked open the Evernden Cycles emergency kit and together with the track pump, opened up the throttle and had some fun as he turned into Monty Pythons Bicycle Repair Man

   
 
After a 40 minute wait ( Monica insisted that he put on all his gear) when only one car passed, Nigel arrived and the bike was returned to full health. 

Once again though, a 20 mile stretch of unmade up road beckoned but this was much better and smooth enough for me to hit 30 mph+ downhill missing the potholes. 

  
The final fun of the day was getting on the Sandudden Ferry across to the our destination Overkalix, where the local petrol heads were out in force, one very nice modified 1950s Volvo pulling a superb burn out which must have cost him almost a new set of tyres. 103 miles had taken 10 hours after the various delays, but a good days work. 

   
 
The next three days are probably the longest combined of the tour so an early start awaits and sadly the dry weather looks set to break tomorrow or Wednesday. 

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