Discover Finland Bike Tour, June 2003
My friend Carolyn and I joined this bike tour which took place from 19th to 29th June 2003. It took our group of about 27 cyclists from Helsinki to Turku. One of the hightlights of the trip was the Midsummer Bonfire celebration, an important event in Finland. The sun set at about 22:45, and some of the photos were taken in the sunshine that late in the evening!

We had a lot of sun, but also some showers, most of which we managed to dodge, except on the first day during a sightseeing tour of Helsinki on our bikes. We got very wet that day.

This was a new tour being run by Cycle Rides Ltd, but despite some teething problems, as far as I was concerned it was a very enjoyable holiday. Many thanks to couriers Lou and Ersin, and mechanic Jani.

Relevant links include:

Click on any of the thumbnail images below to see the full size photos. Descriptions of the photos appear when you hover the mouse cursor over the thumbnails.

Thursday 19th June 2003 - Fly from London Heathrow to Helsinki.

Friday 20th June 2003 - Cycle from Helsinki to Hikko Manor, Porvoo. 50km

Getting our hire bikes outside the SAS Radisson Hotel, Helsinki Ersin our tour guide at the Sebelius monument Ersin and the group The church cut into the rock, Helsinki
The church cut into the rock, Helsinki The church cut into the rock, Helsinki The church cut into the rock, Helsinki The Parliament Building, Helsinki
A new cruise liner at a shipbuilding yard, Helsinki Carolyn and Graham at Haikko Manor Raising of the Finnish flag at Haikko Manor Haikko Manor
Dancing at the midsummer celebrations at Haikko Manor Dancing at the midsummer celebrations at Haikko Manor Bonfire at the midsummer celebrations at Haikko Manor Bonfire at the midsummer celebrations at Haikko Manor

Saturday 21st June 2003 - Cycle from Porvoo to Tuusula. 65km

Cannon in Porvoo Old Town The Church in Porvoo Old Town The Church in Porvoo Old Town Porvoo Old Town
The sign outside our hotel Krapihovi in Tuusula Our hotel Krapihovi in Tuusula Carolyn, Flick and Dave at our hotel Krapihovi in Tuusula Carolyn and Graham at our hotel Krapihovi in Tuusula
Carolyn loved to smell the lilac

Sunday 22nd June 2003 - Cycle from Tuusula to Kolmiranta. 70km

Myllykoski Rapids Myllykoski Rapids Carolyn on the bridge at the Myllykoski Rapids Carolyn on the bridge at the Myllykoski Rapids
On the unpaved track through the forest in the National Park Jani replacing my tyre Hotel Lepolampi At the Hotel Lopolampi
At the Hotel Lopolampi

Monday 23rd June 2003 - Cycle from Kolmiranta to Mustio. 65km

Lunch stop My room at the Hotel Mustio Manor In the Grounds of Hotel Mustio Manor The lake at Hotel Mustio Manor

Tuesday 24th June 2003 - Cycle from Mustio to Tammisaari. 65km

A preserved engine at Fiskars A row of craft shops at Fiskars Carolyn and preserved steam engine at Pohja Raasepori Castle
Raasepori Castle Raasepori Castle Raasepori Castle Carolyn and Jani from Raasepori Castle
Raasepori Castle Relaxing before dinner at Hotel Sea Front View from Hotel Sea Front View from Hotel Sea Front

Wednesday 25th June 2003 - Cycle from Tammisaari to Hanko. 45km

Market in Hanko Old Town Hotel Sea Front from the bridge at Hanko Mike at the Russian War Cemetary The Russian War Cemetary
This local man built this working scale model of an American Baldwin engine that operated in the area in 1875 Hotel Regatta Coast at Hanko The Franz Höijer, for our 5 hour cruise next day
The Franz Höijer, for our 5 hour cruise next day Carolyn demonstrating the shower arrangement in her room!

Thursday 26th June 2003 - Cycle from Hanko to Nauvo. 40km

On board the Franz Höijer View from the Franz Höijer Some of the group on the Franz Höijer The Franz Höijer passing another boat
Graham on the Franz Höijer View from the Franz Höijer Erica and Jeff, who is deomonstrating his tablet computer Inez, Fred, Flick and Dave on View from the Franz Höijer
Lou and Mike on the Franz Höijer View from the Franz Höijer Tony and Ann on the Franz Höijer The Franz Höijer arrived at Granvik
The group getting ready to ride across Parainen The next ferry to Nauvo Island Ian, Lindsey and Elaine on the ferry to Nauvo Island Hotel Strandbo in Nauvo
Hotel Strandbo in Nauvo View from Hotel Strandbo in Nauvo Ersin giving us a briefing in Hotel Strandbo in Nauvo

Friday 27th June 2003 - Cycle from Nauvo to Naantali. 65km

At a cafe, waiting for the ferry from Korpo island to Houtskar island Waiting for the ferry from Korpo island to Houtskar island Inez and Carolyn on the ferry from Korpo island to Houtskar island Flick on the ferry from Korpo island to Houtskar island
On the ferry from Korpo island to Houtskar island On the ferry from Korpo island to Houtskar island View from the ferry from Korpo island to Houtskär island Another short ferry on Houtskär island
Another short ferry on Houtskär island Reaching the top of the hill on Houtskär island At a cafe, waiting for the ferry from Houtskär to Iniö island The church on Iniö Island
Tony and Ann on Iniö Island The church on Iniö Island The church on Iniö Island Loading our bikes onto the ferry from Iniö Island to Velkua
On the ferry from Iniö Island to Velkua On the ferry from Iniö Island to Velkua Charles (in the green shirt) havinng been presented with a toy elk! The Naantali Spa Hotel

Saturday 28th June 2003 - Cycle from Naantali to Turku. 11km. Then train to Helsinki

Graham at Turku station, for the train back to Helsinki. The hire bike is finished with and about to be handed back! Back in the SAS Radisson hotel, Helsinki, my welcome screen on the TV. Richard seems to have a drinking problem!

Sunday 29th June 2003 - Morning in Helsinki then fly to London Heathrow.

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