This time I had a planned route. With the help of Google Maps satellite view, I spent some time searching and connecting gravel roads at the west of Helsinki. The excitement woke me up early and, with a good weather and forecast, I got on my bike.
I first took the 110 to Nupuri. I don’t know why I keep taking that road, it’s a succession of traffic lights, crossings, and zebra crossings. Next time I will use the 1 and E18.
The next stage was Brobackantie, Nuuksiontie, Kattilantie to Kattila. But it started raining and it got so bad that I had to take cover in a bus stop in Nuuksio.
Without stopping, the rain eventually became thin. I was already soaked and cold in my summer gear, so I seriously considered going back home. But I made it that far so I decided to check the trails in Nuuksio National Park.
My next stage of the plan was to go west from Kattila to Kurjolampi. The road looked great and apparently a Google Street View vehicle did it. However, those trails are not open to traffic. Being a National Park, I imagined they are serious about it so I turned around. The only way out was back to the 110.
The road between Nupuri and Kattila has some curves but since the Park is a popular place there is traffic including buses. Only the end near Kattila has no ashpalt. I don’t recommend it unless you are actually going to hike in the Park, which I did once and I discovered a beautiful forest with easy trails and amazing landscapes.
Frustrated and with no sign of the weather improving, I went back to Helsinki through the 110 again, this time to avoid going fast on a wet motorway. As per Murphy’s law, when I reached Helsinki the sky opened and the sun shined. I decided to give the day a last chance checking Laajasalo and Santahamina. In the former you can only drive in the suburbs, and I had no idea the later is a military base. I had my documents checked for a while, just for approaching the gate.
So, the only positive outcome of the day is that I learned a few places where not to go and I fixed my plan, which I hope I can follow some other time. Also, it was a good test for my new Sidi Adventure Gore-Tex boots. I will tell you about my gear in some post.
But next, I will be riding in Estonia.
