Northern Europe
 

Have any of you done a lap around the Baltic sea? I was thinking up Sweden and down Finland. I've heard northern Sweden can be pretty remote. Anything about summer bugs?

Never been around the baltic, but I'll guess the mosquito season is from about beginning of June to end of August, so better bring a net to pull over your head or you will go nuts. You should definitely plan ahead, on the road, when it comes to food in northern Sweden and have at least for a couple of days in your panniers. Not sure about the food situation in northern Finland. It may be better if you stay along the coast.

I've thought a Baltic circumnavigation would be a cool trip, but it would take at least a couple of months. I've cycled Norway, the bugs inland were pretty bad, be prepared. Also the Scandinavian countries are pretty expensive to travel, but there are lots of camping opportunities.

Hypothermia risk even in summer?

I cycled from Finland down to Spain. I did not go around the Baltic but took a boat from Turku to Stockholm. The mosquitoes were bad in Finland; it's their national bird. The bread was awesome in Finland; best bread I've ever had. It rained every damn day I was in Sweden but then that's considered nice summer weather there. I had a great time and it was a great trip. I'd do it again.

Are you going to ship your bike over or buy one there?

55*F on a breezy rainy wet day? Soaked through. Remote area. Yep! A definite possibility. Be prepared and don't be stupid.

You should watch the Vikings series. You can get the previous seasons on Amazon Prime. They eat a lot of fish.

His second thread on touring Scandinavia in as many years.

Why I suggested the TV series. Get that same virtual Scandinavian experience.

Sending you a PM.

It's pretty good, for TV. Amazon has quite a few past seasons of various series. We watched 6 years of "Justified" over a couple of weeks and enjoyed that. Watch a few episodes every day, it's something to do.

Well, all you have to do is look at a map to know that northern Scandanavia is remote. Stockholm south is flat. Going north of Stockholm is hilly. One after the other -wasn't fun for me to ride (my plan had been to ride to the Arctic circle), so after a week I took the train back (which was hell because apparently they had changed the rules and no longer allowed bikes on the train, but there was no other way to get a bike south - don't know if the rules are the same). Finland was hilly, tho I only biked southern Finland.

That's why I was wondering if he planned to take the infamous 920 or arrange for a different sort of bike when he got there.

Awesome series! But it's filmed in Ireland with only some background shots done in western Norway.

[MENTION=426452]Squeezebox[/MENTION] I'll be interested in your trip-report. I might be right behind you :)

It seldom makes any sense to buy a bicycle where you are going. I hear taxes on bicycles are very high in Europe. Much cheaper to bring along on the plane than to spend thousands on another bicycle. The hassle of buying one there? Finding a good shop? If I had been able to afford a Co-motion I would have one now. I have a very good touring bicycle now, Why anything else?
If you're implying that I should try an LHT? We've gone there already. No reason to repeat any of that.
Go test ride a 920 sometime, then you'll know.

Ha Ha! No, not advocating the LHT for you! I used the term "infamous" just because we've heard so much about it here on BF. Actually, I remember when your brother bought it for you, I thought y'all had made a decent choice. Any bike that gets someone into cycling and on the path or road is good, right? If you go off into the wild, you might consider a sturdy set of wheels, but I would even wait on that unless the "tour" becomes more than theoretical.

Speaking of infamous and hearing, did you read the bad news about Ty0604?

You know nothing about my finances. Maybe he owed me money. Just none of your business. You'ld be better off keeping quiet.
Just about any bicycle would want stronger wheels for something like the Great Divide. So far the wheels on it are fine.

Didn't mean to agitate you! Sorry if it's a touchy subject, you didn't mind telling us about it at the time. I'd be happy and grateful if someone bought me a bike! As for your wheels, I agree they are just fine for your rides on the path. :thumb:

Hate to hear of anyone crashing, but now he can post in that other thread!

But Trek says this about the 920:


"920 is equipped to handle whatever lies on or off the beaten path, while carrying the cargo that matters most."


Maybe this is one of those cases where the bike is real but the description is fake. ;)

"Equipped" could mean just about anything. It comes equipped with a pump and patch kit and a couple other tools? It does not say the bike is designed or built to handle anything. What cargo matters most? A tent? And what exactly is the "beaten path?" I think the marketing raises more questions than it answers.

Because this is marketed as an adventure bike I think it would be reasonable for consumer to believe that the bike is equipped (i.e., fitted) with wheels that can withstand whatever terrain you desire to ride it on, including the GDMBR. If I were buying an adventure bike, that's what I would expect. But you are correct. There is some vagary in their claim, which is why I wouldn't touch the thing if I were looking for such a bike.

There are lots of good bikes out there, but its hard to see through the hype.

this review of the 920 says

I dont know exactly what this means but its not for Luddites, which has got to be a good thing, I think.

The review is from bikepacking.com, whom I think are more concerned with the luddite threat, than the rest of us.

Trek 920 Review - BIKEPACKING.com

question: Should Luddite always be capitalized?