Random bike shots from the north..

[Jimbo]

Yes the other TT has Zu DL-103 grade 2 still in use. I like it very much despite should soon send it to retip. The SUT I have is the Denon version of the Auditorium 23..

Is that the Denon HA500? I have looked on the Zu website and they have sold out of the standard 103 only have the 103R in stock.

[Mika K]

No the manufacturer for the SUT is Auditorium 23, and the model is designed for Denon 103 carts..

[Jimbo]

No the manufacturer for the SUT is Auditorium 23, and the model is designed for Denon 103 carts..

Ok thanks Mika.

[Marco]

Guys, can we please keep the hi-fi discussion for elsewhere? I'd very much like to keep this thread on topic! :)

Great pics, as usual, Mika. We must chat soon about a possible visit, as it's my wife and my 25th wedding anniversary this year (22nd December), and she wants to go to Lapland (see the Northern Lights), and also stay at the Ice Hotel in Sweden, but we'd also like to pop by and visit you in Finland, as discussed before...

What would you suggest is the best way of facilitating this? It would seem to involve a two-stage holiday. We also intend to hire a car (fly/drive), so we can tour around, off the beaten track, as it were, get away from the touristy parts, and see the real Finland and Sweden :cool:

Marco.

[Mika K]

Hmm, is the icehotel the one located the northern Sweden at city of Kiiruna? Or is some other also there? Perhaps arranging the main visit to the other location (Finland or Sweden) and then visiting the other for some days by car might be the possible and easy option if you do not mind driving around.

Anyway if you're only coming this way just please let me know. I'm happy to assist with the planning and arrangements, so we can continue by PM :)

[Marco]

Hi Mika,

The ice hotel in question is here: http://icehotel.co.uk/index.php As it says on the website, it is situated in the small village of Jukkasjarvi, in Swedish Lapland :)

So are you saying that you could drive from Finland (we'd probably base ourselves there, as I think in general we prefer Finland to Sweden), to the ice hotel? What sort of distance are we talking about, say from where you live to Jukkasjarvi?

Yes, by all means, please continue this via PM :cool:

Marco.

[Mika K]

PM'd.

[Mika K]

Few days ago ha nice three hour ride with my friend Joonas. Some trails around the city limits and hot cranberry juice at the woods.. :)

https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1645/24386014824_61b6912262_z.jpg

https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1562/24386017494_e3a6cbc148_z.jpg

[Jimbo]

Nice quality lights Mika. I use a helmet mounted nightfire 900 lumen light which gives me enough visibility to hurtle through woods at speed in pitch black!

Riding on snow at night is a superb experience as the light and feel is something special,however this is a very rare occurance in UK!

I will try and remember to post up a pick of my Titanium Cove Hummer, you might like a bit of bikeporn:)

[Mika K]

Please do! My friend has standard Cove Hummer back in the days, very nice frame..

Yesterday evening had some brilliant winter singletrack at the forests north of Oulu with few snowmobile tracks for more than three hours. Very mild weather and virtually no windchill at all. Unfortunately the previous days hard south wind and the tide had brought some water on top of the ice here and there at the gulf area, so couldn't go there. Perhaps soon if the temperature drops again a bit..

https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1556/25000394181_6396108e9d_b.jpg

[Mika K]

Today 5h ride to northern Oulu to check the possible routes to few fireplaces. Mostly nide single track and snowmobile tracks, despite some of the latter were occasionally bit too soft for riding. At Isoniemi outdoor area stopped for a little while to free and eat few sausages as some long distance skiers had already started fire there. Shame today it was cloudy day..

https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1556/25153542245_0ca3297ee2_z.jpg

https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1588/24522859874_3469d1f24c_c.jpg

https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1628/24857877170_ae63d5483d_c.jpg

https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1471/25060276261_f8ed982111_c.jpg

[Jimbo]

A few photos of the Cove Hummer as promised Mika
http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k424/Spendorsp2/IMG_0025_zpsltxx0kuk.jpg (http://s326.photobucket.com/user/Spendorsp2/media/IMG_0025_zpsltxx0kuk.jpg.html)http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k424/Spendorsp2/IMG_0024_zpsmaqbrvri.jpg (http://s326.photobucket.com/user/Spendorsp2/media/IMG_0024_zpsmaqbrvri.jpg.html)http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k424/Spendorsp2/IMG_0010_zpsubsbpbao.jpg (http://s326.photobucket.com/user/Spendorsp2/media/IMG_0010_zpsubsbpbao.jpg.html)http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k424/Spendorsp2/IMG_0005_zpsxgzcaxxz.jpg (http://s326.photobucket.com/user/Spendorsp2/media/IMG_0005_zpsxgzcaxxz.jpg.html)

[Mika K]

Looking good but any change for proper side pic? :)

[Jimbo]

Looking good but any change for proper side pic? :)


I will get one up tomorrow:)

[Jimbo]

Here you go Mika.

http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k424/Spendorsp2/IMG_1291_zpsyz0iiilm.jpg (http://s326.photobucket.com/user/Spendorsp2/media/IMG_1291_zpsyz0iiilm.jpg.html)

[Mika K]

Marvellous frame and really nice bike with quality components but hmm..

It seems nowadays I'm having trouble to understand the design principles of these longtravel hardtails made in the era. The whole concept looks weird to me and with the small wheels and that slack steering geometry cannot understand how I could ride long distances with similar builds and think that as efficient way in any manner. Sorry :D

[Jimbo]

Marvellous frame and really nice bike with quality components but hmm..

It seems nowadays I'm having trouble to understand the design principles of these longtravel hardtails made in the era. The whole concept looks weird to me and with the small wheels and that slack steering geometry cannot understand how I could ride long distances with similar builds and think that as efficient way in any manner. Sorry :D

I see a fair few fold riding the larger tyres/wheels now but they must take some effort to get rolling!:) The Hummer is extremely good over long distances and rides like a dream. I have done 100k rides no problem on this and it eats the miles.

[Mika K]

I'm sure it does! The most important thing is that the bike matches the rider, so other opinions can be set aside.

I'm eagerly waiting Saturday group ride we have planned here in Oulu. Its sometime since I have been riding at the southside, so perhaps some almost new trails to me.. :)

[Jimbo]

I'm sure it does! The most important thing is that the bike matches the rider, so other opinions can be set aside.

I'm eagerly waiting Saturday group ride we have planned here in Oulu. Its sometime since I have been riding at the southside, so perhaps some almost new trails to me.. :)

Always good to try new trails. We have a lot of good trails here in the UK but to get good mountains I have to go to Wales or Scotland. However we don't get as much snow as you have in Finland!

Enjoy your weekend ride:)

[Mika K]

Few pics from Syöte National Park and the dedicated fat bike routes last weekend.

https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1688/25814015831_8ec20ee60e_c.jpg

https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1644/25276227234_ede24859ee_c.jpg

https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1562/25814002501_b82148262a_z.jpg

https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1687/25608365770_bebc591fc9_c.jpg

https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1444/25813991611_e0bebab84a_c.jpg

[Jimbo]

Hi Mika, just picked up this Specialized Diverge gravel bike.
http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k424/Spendorsp2/image_zpsd3tampua.jpeg (http://s326.photobucket.com/user/Spendorsp2/media/image_zpsd3tampua.jpeg.html)http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k424/Spendorsp2/image_zpsgujvm0hs.jpeg (http://s326.photobucket.com/user/Spendorsp2/media/image_zpsgujvm0hs.jpeg.html)http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k424/Spendorsp2/image_zpsbadlwzez.jpeg (http://s326.photobucket.com/user/Spendorsp2/media/image_zpsbadlwzez.jpeg.html)

[AlfaGTV]

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160709/de34ca35099f2f075985793c54f5d398.jpg
Hope you dont mind Mika, just wanted to share a bike shot from the south!
On the island of Krk in Croatia, having a wee water break in the 30° C heat! No wind... :)
The bike is my first mtb, bougth in Ft Lauderdale, FL, in 1992! Still going strong!

[Seaharrier]

My Boardman CX Cyclocross - still to be used in anger due to an unfortunate footballing injury.

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff209/dart01magnum/20160620_214636.jpg (http://s238.photobucket.com/user/dart01magnum/media/20160620_214636.jpg.html)