13

days

Testimonial

"My wife and I are avid cycle tourists and we have had the pleasure of joining Rick on two separate international bike tours; one in Argentina and one in Norway.  Both experiences were exceptional.   Rick provided all of the professional guiding experience, support and technical knowledge that we needed to have safe yet adventurous trips.  We expected this professionalism and we were not disappointed.  But what set Rick’s tours apart from other tours we’ve been on were Rick’s local contacts and the amazing experiences we had with them.  Through Rick, we’ve been greeted by the mayor of Tromso, Norway, stayed overnight in a soccer stadium run by a true Viking, played guitar with a larger-than-life baritone Argentinian, camped under the stars in an Andes mountain trout farm, and stayed in countless friends’ homes throughout Norway and Argentina.  And the new friendships that developed from these experiences have endured, giving us the opportunity to return for visits in the future.  Rick opens doors through his unique enthusiasm for biking and his calm and supportive approach to people and friends.  If you have the opportunity to travel somewhere with Rick, I highly recommend you take it."       

Tom Evans: Calgary, Alberta 2018

Travel to Helsinki, Finland

The adventure begins in Helsinki.

We will have two nights in Helsinki. This will give you time to recover from the flight and to get acclimated to Finland. Our first day on the bikes is Tuesday, August 4. Depending on your schedule, you may want to arrive Helsinki a day or two earlier or stay longer after the trip. 

​Notes

• OnaVelo can help coordinate your travel plans

• The group meeting point in Helsinki will be detailed in your trip registration package

• Pre-trip information sessions will be scheduled prior to your departure

 Preparing bikes and visiting Helsinki

We will spend the first part of the day getting your bike and gear set up and fitted for the trip. In the afternoon there will be time for sightseeing in Helsinki.

​Notes

• OnaVelo will provide you with pannier bags before your trip departure or once you get to Helsinki. You can pack your personal gear directly into the pannier bags for travel or pack in a duffle bag or suitcase and repack your bags once you get to Helsinki.

• There is no support vehicle on this trip. However, if you have things you want for your travels after the bike trip, you can leave a bag in Helsinki with our local guide.

• Group dinner 

53km / 33 mi 

Founded nearly 800 years ago, Porvoo is the second oldest city in Finland and evidence of its long history can still be seen and felt as you walk its charming streets. For centuries, the city has served as both a home and a source of inspiration for many Finnish artists.

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Even though Porvoo is not exactly a coastal town, it is connected to the Gulf of Finland via the Porvoo River. The river flows through the city, passing Porvoo’s most well-known landmarks: its red shore houses. Originally, the shore houses were painted red in honour of the arrival of Gustav III, the king of Sweden. Historically, Porvoo has been an important centre of trade and the shore houses were once used to store goods and produce, such as exotic delicacies from distant lands.

​Notes

• We will stay in a three-storey guest house that was built in 1955 for residential use.

• Group dinner 

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40km / 24mi 

It is wonderful just to wander around in Loviisa, but there are some unique sights you do not want to miss. For example, the beautiful market square and its surroundings, the Bonga Castle, the Kappelinpuisto Park, town museum, old lower town, Suolatori (the ”Salt Square”) and the Laivasilta area with old salt warehouses. Other points of interest are the Myllyharju windmill and the Kukkukivi tower, a panorama look out over the sea, the church and the old Strömfors Iron Works. The fortress bastions Ungern and Rosen are grand landmarks of Loviisa town centre. Designed by Augustin Ehrensvärd, the construction of the fortresses to safeguard the eastern border of Sweden was started in 1748.

​Notes

• Lodging: Accommodation with a private beach area and WiFi .

• Group dinner

• Private beach| Lounge

• Sauna

84km / 52mi 

Verla is an UNESCO World Heritage site that captures an interesting phase of development in Finland’s history. Experience the beautiful surrounding with museums and rock-paintings.

During a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Verla, you can learn about the early history of forestry life in a small village: the original houses and the machinery with the technology of the 19th century, the owner's house, the surrounding countryside and the idyllic workers' houses can be explored as well as the Verla rapids and the power stations located there.  In summer, the village workshops and boutiques are another attraction. On special show days craftsmanship is shown. 

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​Notes

• Lodging: VALKEALA BOSTAD COTTAGES. The end of the 19th century comes alive in the renovated wooden Valkeala Bostad cottages.

• Group dinner

• Sauna

Verla is a UNESCO World Heritage site that captures an interesting phase of development in Finland’s history.

Notes

• Lodging: VALKEALA BOSTAD COTTAGES. The end of the 19th century comes alive in the renovated wooden Valkeala Bostad cottages.

• Lunch and dinner on your own

• Sauna

56km / 34mi 

Mäntyharju is a rural community in Eastern Finland and a border parish of Savo. The boundary of three tribes, the Häme, Savo and Karelia peoples, is located in the municipality area. The current inhabitants of Mäntyharju are mainly of Savo lineage. Currently Mäntyharju has approximately 6,000 residents. In the summer, the services provided in the centre are in part like those of a town and satisfy the needs of both the inhabitants and visitors. The business centre has several banks, restaurants, an off-licence, health centre and diverse commercial services.

​Notes

• Lodging: cozy bed and breakfast-style accommodation

• Group dinner

82km / 51mi

Virtaa is located in the middle of the lovely lakes area of Finland, in the very heart of the unique southern Päijänne lakescape.  Virtaa and its surroundings have been graced with spectacular natural vistas.  In fact, the highway through the Päijänne islands alone is well worth experiencing.

​Notes

• Lodging:  Country manor house

• Group dinner 

61km / 38mi

Idyllically situated around a bay on Lake Vesijärvi, Lahti is a vibrant town 100km north of Helsinki. A popular travel destination, Lahti has excellent skiing facilities at Messilä Ski Resort and the famous ski jumps by the Salpausselkä Ridges and is the only city to have hosted the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 6 times. It is also home to Lahti Symphony Orchestra and hosts the Lahti Sibelius Festival. Other sites of note are the Church of the Cross, Messilä Manor and its Musical Fountains.

Lahti is a lively city of almost 100,000 inhabitants just an hour from Helsinki. It is the capital of Päijänne Tavastia region and was first mentioned in documents in 1445, originally being a village in the parish of Hollola, on the medieval trade route of Ylinen Viipurintie which linked the towns of Hämeenlinna and Vyborg.

​Notes

• Lodging: Lakeview Villa

• Group dinner

Exploring

Rest tday to check out things to do around Lake Vesijärvi and Lahti.

​Notes

• Lodging: Lakeview Villa

• Lunch and dinner on your own

74km / 46mi 

Hyvinkää is a small city located about 50km north of Helsinki. It offers deep dells, hilly moors, resin-saturated pines. The green and verdant city also offers various cultural experiences.

​Notes

• Lodging: Hotel

• Group dinner

62km / 38mi

We will finish the trip in Helsinki. Entwined with the Baltic's bays, inlets and islands, Helsinki's boulevards and backstreets overflow with magnificent architecture, intriguing drinking and dining venues and groundbreaking design.

​Notes

• Lodging: Hotel

• Group dinner 

End of trip

For some of the group, this will be their departure day back home. Others will stay in Finland for a few more days or weeks. Rick and our local hosts can help you with additional travel plans to Estonia, Russia or other destinations. 

​Notes

• OnaVelo can help coordinate your travel plans