Soratieajo 2008 - Cyclrocross in Oulu

Now that the leaves are falling, the wind is picking up and the weather is getting generally nastier, the weekly group ride I've been participating in (08-Lenkki) has moved to the forest floor where is warmer and less windy. The threat of rain all day and high winds (40 mph gusts) didn't keep any one away and 37 rides show up for the annual meeting of road, cyclocross, and mountain biker for Soratieajo 2008.

I had no idea what this was at the start but it wound up a 5.5 hour ride through about every imaginable terrain you could find in the forest. So my new cross bike is now officially baptised.

Here's some pics of the ride.

And sportstracker data.

The weather here isn't a factor for riding, it's just another way to dress, and maybe a little extra anti-freeze in your hubs. As one of my colleagues told me, "Finn's aren't made of sugar!"

Must Be Santa!

Mission Accomplished! We crossed the arctic circle and made a visit to the real Santa. It wasn't crowded at all and took us about 20 minutes to see Santa (you aren't allowed to take your own pictures of the inside of Santa's place). In December we were told it takes about 4 hours of waiting in line before you get to see Santa, so catching him early in the season is a wise move (even without snow). Here's a movie of some sights at Santa's Village and the Arctic Museum in Rovanieme.

Dyn-o-mite!

Isabelle got her picture and little quote in the OIS Dynamite. I haven't seen the cafeteria during lunch but Isabelle raves about it and the menu sounds like a chic 5 star restaurant. With items like:

- Reindeer Lasagna
- Porridge with Lingonberry Sauce
- Salmon Soup with Creamed Mushrooms
- Macaroni and Cheese with Minced Reindeer
- Peppered Bear Testicles with Holinday Sauce



OK, I made the last one up, but they do eat some pretty tasting sounding stuff.

And for some reason Isabelle's teaches keeps thinking she is from Dallas. Why is Dallas the only thing any body knows about Texas (yes, I know, who shot JR?). Being called a Dallas-ite is like being called a Blood when you are a Crip, or even worse, suggesting you are from Tampere instead of Oulu!

Adios Summer

-2.7 C this AM. Winter is comming.


But is sure does make for a beautiful commute on the bike!