Random bike shots from the north..

Yes, sometimes it's quite nice in the quiet small northern towns like Oulu. If coming this way you know whom to contact.. :)

It's the quiet small (rural) towns I like, Mika - miles away from any bloody tourists: the real Finland.

If I'm surrounded by beautiful scenery, where you can walk, a few shops where you can browse round, and there are some nice family-run restaurants and bars in the area, selling high-quality local produce, I'm happy! :)

Marco.

In that case visiting somewhere outside Helsinki area and the southern rush-Finland might be a welcome option. Depending the season there are some beautiful small towns that offer exactly the things you mentioned. Don't hesitate to contact for some ideas if coming this way :)

Nice one, Mika. Don't worry, I will! :)

Maybe you could give me some suggestions of appropriate towns/areas and I'll do some research on them? :cool:

Marco.

I'll can try to sketch up somekind of shortlist with few links etc and send that to you by PM.

That would be great, Mika! :)

Marco.

No problem. In case you don't get the PM during this week please just send me a quick reminder :)

^Noticed I have something on my to-do-list :)

Anyway yesterday evening there was a fixed gear cx event at Oulu arranged by the local rider community. Despite of the cold -24 degrees of C weather almost ten participants came to race and we had a really nice evening. Few pics..

The light was really nice at the woods near the Lintula sports centre:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8203/8...47779804_c.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8488/8...0650a792_c.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8349/8...36c06199_z.jpg

The podium:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8486/8...edea48f9_c.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8482/8...ffe53b04_c.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8208/8...183f2648_c.jpg

Frozen beards :lol:

Classic

Great shots :)

This evening did a one and half hour ride with my Steamroller as the weather was pretty nice and calm. Only -7 degrees of Celcius today. During the ride noticed one small 7/11 shop with big SALE sign s in it as it was open for the last day. After a brief moment bought icecream as it felt somehow suitable to the situation and was -50% off as some other stuff also. Few pedestrians were smiling for the stupid bike-o-holic eating icecream in the middle of the winter. Made me smile also..

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8488/8...e05f7c98_b.jpg