Gravel grinding

Exploring local gravel roads on the first day of spring

By Erik Plankton

March 2^nd, 2014

Never boring

The conditions changed from nearly perfect, dry gravel roads to sheer blue ice and super sticky mud. I only had to push for about 2km’s total, so it was not bad at all.

DEforesting

This time I didn’t ride at all in the forest, since the trip was about exploring local side roads. Most of the tracks in the forests were still covered in icy patches.

new rack setup

I installed a Surly Nice Rack to get more capacity for longer expedition type trips with panniers. Feels very solid and was easy to install. This time I only had a tent and sleeping pad on it. The seat bag looks a bit funny on top of the tent bag, but stays nicely in place and is easily accessible without having to open any straps or move stuff.

views

You don’t have to go far from the city to experience the timelessness of the countryside.

lunch

It was about three o’clock and I was getting really hungry. Just as I was looking for a spot to cook a meal-out-of-the-bag type of thing, I spotted a pizzeria and could not resist it. The pizza was a testament of mediocrity on all levels, but provided plenty of calories. After lunch I headed south.

final leg

The pizza gave me plenty of energy, so I continued some 30km more until it was dark. I crossed the bridge to Emäsalo island.

emäsalo bridge

The huge oil refinery looked like a city in the distance.

supper time

I spent the night at a recreational area where camping was allowed and they even had some nice dry firewood available so I made a fire while preparing some supper. Ate a Blå Band expedition meal Mediterranean chicken pasta, which was some what nasty. Set up the tent and went to sleep before 10 pm which must be some kind of a record. I was not sure if it was going to rain during the night, so I put my gaiters on the handlebar to cover the lights and accessories.

hilleberg akto

The tent I borrowed from Kuinoma was actually the reason to do this trip. I am looking for the optimal solo tent for bike packing trips and this one might be very close to it. It has just the right amount of space for you and your gear still being relatively light at 1,6kg. It is also very quick and easy to setup. It is erected as a single unit, so the inner tent will stay dry in case of rain. I slept very well and had a bit difficult time getting up in the morning.

the way home

On sunday I had only some 35km home, so I tried to find interesting places and quiet side roads. It started snowing along the way and everything was a bit wet, but that didn’t really bother since a nice hot shower was only an hour away at home.