Winter smells on Fells /mountain biking in October
We started our mountain biking on Saturday about 11 am and we had planned to go to admire the landscapes of the Fell Kukastunturi. We biked with mountain bikes from Äkäslompolo to Nilivaara and we thought to find the right route from there to the Fell Kukastunturi. All roads were covered with new snow and we didn't see the roads. We found ourselves inside reindeer fence and there we wondered why there was so many reindeers in the same place. Then we realized where we were, we turned back quickly and hoped that the reindeer host did not see us.
After we had found the right route, we noticed that other mountain bikers have already been on the same route and they had done good biking paths for us. We had been practiced mountain biking in summertime and now it went quite easy, though we had snow about 20 centimeters. Because of snow it was important to spot snow-covered stones and slippery places. Before we reached to the Fell Kukastunturi, we needed to push the bikes because the route was too steep. The snow glowed as white around and the sun began to shine behind the clouds. The moon was still visible between the trees and we continued our journey up with a very good mood.
The views of the Fell Kukastunturi were stunning and from there was able to see Pallas Fells, too. To the south we saw the Ylläs Fell and Äkäslompolo's village. Though weather was windy I was able to take some pictures. The weather can be different on the Fell and it can change very quickly. Warm gloves would have been very necessary.
The return biking down was much easier, and we planned to continue mountain biking on Sunday and Monday. We found that Fatbikes were very nice and smooth to drive even in the wintertime.
Sunday morning was bright and cold, about ten degrees below zero. We chose to wear winter clothes and instead of cycling helmets we put the ski helmets, which are considerably warmer and safer. We planned new biking route to Kotamaja and from there to the Hangasoja. On the beginning of the route the bike path was well trodden, but towards to Kotamaja there was much narrower route.
The narrower route was more challenging but also more fun to drive and needed more focusing. The fun came from concentration (all other thoughts was away) and we got more and more mountain biking skills.
In the Hangaskuru we had to decide which route to choose back to Äkäslompolo, could we take a very challenging route through Hangaskuru to Latvamaja or should we go easier route through Tähtipolku back to Äkäslompolo. We had some sense left and we decided to take safer route via Tähtipolku.
From Tähtipolku we found new route to Tahkokuru and we decided to go there. From Tahkokuru we found a route to top of Fell Kesänkitunturi. This route we made by walking. It was a late afternoon and we saw beautiful sunbeams in Fell Kesänkitunturi. It was worthwhile because of beautiful views and the landscape and it was almost like a moon landscape.
The return trip was easy again, Tähtipolku was flat and wide and it took to the road of Kesängin Keidas. However, we did not bike along the road, we went along skiing route to village. If you have started with the forest route, you will want to keep it to the end.
There was still one cycling day left Monday. The last day was cloudy, and we decided to drive along a Tähtipolku towards the Hangaskuru. We just hoped to get a good mountain biking training by the familiar route and getting used to driving on snow paths. We stopped at the Hangaskuru and I wanted to take some pictures. I saw a small barn in the middle of the field, and I started to walk towards it. Though there had been been cold nights, the wet places had not yet frozen, and I found myself in a wet swamp. My shoe was full of mud and my trousers were wet. As a stubborn woman I didn't give up and we continued the biking journey towards the Kotamaja. My husband asked, do I had cold, and I said no if we could bike a little bit faster. So, we continued our journey. But I was not attentive anymore and I fell with my bike and I found myself on the top of fallen tree. My thick winter clothes and the ski helmet were protecting me. My husband first lifted the bike from me and then pulled me up. After this both the old woman and the bike were still in perfect driving condition. Luckily, there is no picture remaining for this situation. The rest of the trip was easy and only the frozen legs of the trousers reminded about the incident.
We can say now that mountain biking needs some training in winter conditions. But the bike runs lightly and gets easy forward. Electrical assistance is a very good equipment in a long distances and varying landscapes. It is very useful on uphill areas and in Äkäslompolo and in Ylläs you can find lots of this kind of hills. Mountain biking is a very good exercise and enjoyable, too. And though we love skiing we could change some skiing day to biking days. This is very much promised from us.