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Autumn bike packing trip

By Erik Plankton

October 1^st, 2015

THE PLAN

Pack bikes into the car after work on Friday. Drive to Repovesi and camp. Go for a long day ride on Saturday. Enjoy beers.

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SUKELTAJANNIEMI

Great camping spot with a nice view over the lake.

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gearing up

This time it was an international affair. Ed had contacted me for some biking info in Finland, since he would be doing a three month work stint here. After a few emails he decided to join us for the Repovesi ride. If someone says it is not a good idea to head out into the woods with a stranger from the internet - don’t believe them!

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onto the trails

Last year we did the ride from Mäntyharju to Repovesi. This time we did it the other way around and kind of missed the first bit by going on a hiking trail instead of the mtb route. There was some nice and steep hike a bike sections.

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back on track

After the slow start we found the right trails and it was good riding. Pitkäjärvi lean to shelter was midway and a good place to have lunch and take in the sun.

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more is more

During lunch we met a bike packer who was going in the same direction. After chatting around for a while we asked him to join us for the ride. Andrei ended up riding all the way to camp and staying over night with us.

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braaaaap

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great day of riding

The trails were in super good condition with only a few muddy sections. The sun was shining and everything zen.

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Smiley faces after a good day on the trails. The only annoyance was the number of deer flies.

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post ride rewards

After a quick swim it was time for refreshments. There were plenty.

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dinner

We made pulled pork burritos for dinner. They were awesome. Since the weather so nice, there were a lot people in the National Park area. Two girls had picked a metric tonne of blue- and lingonberries for their pancakes. They were nice enough to provide us with portions. Thanks!

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super moon

It was full moon and clear skies. The night was beautiful.

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good morning

After a decent amount of sleep it was nice to view the mist slowly moving on the dead calm lake. Ed had the Exped Ergo hammock, which looked like a really good bike packing sleeping system.

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Autumn colors

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making friends

It was as super weekend with good riding in nice weather and great people. I have never heard so many bad jokes about the imperial vs metric system differences.

Doge would like to have some cheese please.

The route

4 hours, 55 km (2 188 976, 6/16 inches): https://www.strava.com/activities/400481740

Footnotes

Bike packing trip to Mäntyharju trails. Pics by Ed, Eki, Jockum & Mathias.

FootNotes

Bike packing trip to Mäntyharju trails. Pics by Ed, Eki, Jockum & Mathias.

© 2026 Erik Plankton

Call of the river

Paddling Ivalojoki with the Gumotex Palava

Seeking solitude

On a familiar route

Paddling the Ivalojoki river

Luxury camping with a canoe

Sailing to Iceland

Aboard a Swan 65 s/y Vahine

RAILS TO TRAILS

Arctic bikepacking in Finland - film and gear check

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