Different from most cycle trips but group kept together well and no moans or groans ... Peter Talfourd , 2019 See more reviews
A really well run week of fat biking - a good introductory day, fun times at the Russian end... Vicky Chamberlain, 2019 See more reviews
Wow, wow, wow is all I can say. This trip exceeded my expectations in every way. This was my... Jennifer Lawrence, 2019 See more reviews
Wow, wow, wow is all I can say. This trip exceeded my expectations in every way. This was my... Jennifer Lawrence, 2019 See more reviews
This was a really great trip and quite challenging even for hardy mountain bikers! The snow... Katy Smith, 2018 See more reviews
We were part of the first ever Exodus Fat Biking trip. We didn't quite know what to expect... Cornelia Szecsei, 2017 See more reviews
If you're considering doing this trip - do it! I loved every moment, the scenery was... Sandra Hazeldon, 2017 See more reviews
the most fun I have had in the snow with my clothes on. Accommodation was great, the log cabin at... Philip Crist, 2017 See more reviews
Itinerary Expand all Day 1 Start Logging Lodge by Basecamp Oulanka Start at Basecamp Oulanka for the first briefing and to visit the kit room to collect all the clothing needed for a week of fat biking in arctic conditions. Depending on the arrival time we may have dinner here or later when we arrive at the Logging Lodge in Oulanka National Park. Meals included: Dinner Day 2 An introduction to fat biking on snow. Our first day is spent acquainting ourselves with fat biking. Before starting we get an introduction from the leader about what to expect fat biking in the wilderness. We spend the day not far from the Logging Lodge, either practising on circuits cut for us in the forest or in a larger clearing on the edge of the forest. In summer this is used as a gravel pit, and whilst that may not sound hugely appealing, a healthy dose of snow in winter turns it into a wide open area with a few ups and downs, perfect for perfecting snow riding skills. Lunch today is taken back at the Logging Lodge. We aim to have a few hours of practice in both the morning and afternoon. In the evening we are given dry sacks to fill with the belongings we’ll need for the next couple of nights spent at the Russian Border. These are then packed onto the trailer and taken by snowmobile in the morning to our destination. Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 3 Cycle over frozen rivers and along the Russian border to a remote wilderness lodge. Once packed we get on the bikes and ride east following the River Oulanka, there are some small ascents and fun descents. After our break we have a short ride to the Russia border, we follow this all the way to our cabin which is situated on the River Oulanka. Once at the Russian End cabin, we will have a hot lunch and some free time to enjoy the sauna, go for a walk to the river or head out on a self-guided ride. Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 4 Fat bike exploration along the Russian border; climb to a viewpoint for spectacular views over Lake Paanjärvi. After breakfast, we have a loop ride south following the River Oulanka and the Russian/Finnish border to the beautiful viewpoint which overlooks Lake Paanajärvi on the Russian side, a wonderful spot from which to admire the natural surroundings. Our ride back takes us through forest inhabited by Elk so there is a high chance of seeing one. In the evening we can relax in the traditional Finnish sauna and head out to the frozen river for an amazing view of the night sky. Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 5 Ride across a vast pine forest back to the Logging Lodge. Today we pack up our kit for the return journey to the Logging Lodge, we ride through the biggest destructed area by elks in Europe. We then stop at the reindeer roundup before rejoining the same route as day three in reverse. Once back at the Logging Lodge we have lunch followed by a free afternoon for relaxing in the sauna or heading out on a self-guided ride. Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 6 Free day optional activities. Free day to enjoy a variety of optional activities on offer today including unguided snowshoeing or dogsledding. An introduction to snowshoeing is required if you wish to do this today to explain how to use the equipment (if you do night snowshoeing earlier on in the week that will be your introduction to snowshoeing). Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 7 Cycle along the Juhtivaara Fell Today we set off into the wilderness for our longest day of the trip. Our route starts by heading north on forest tracks following a trail beneath the Juhtivaara fell. There are some undulations on this route and a few short sections which you may need to push the bike up, though the descents make this effort well worthwhile! We explore the habitat of the Wolverine and Golden Eagle; if we are lucky we might even spot one. We have lunch along the way on the trail. Then we ride back to the Logging Lodge for an outdoor dinner and time for a final sauna. Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 8 End Logging Lodge Our trip ends at the Logging Lodge. Lunch is included for clients booked on the group flights for departures from Dec. 24th to Feb. 11th (included) due to a later inbound flight time. Meals included: Breakfast
Finland No visa required for UK passport holders visiting Finland. For further Brexit travel advice please visit https://www.abta.com/tips-and-advice/brexit-advice-for-travellers
Logging Lodge The Logging Lodge, on the edge of the Oulanka National Park, was originally built in the 1950s and has been renovated to provide more modern accommodation for our groups. Twin rooms actually have two bunks on opposite walls though we use these as twin share. Facilities are shared. There are two bathrooms, a shower room, sauna, drying room and a lounge/dining area. There is wifi throughout. Meals are taken in the main lounge/dining area where there is also a small bar of sorts.
Russian End Wilderness Cabin The Russian End cabin is a traditional elk hunting camp. There is no running water and no electricity and our two nights here give a real taste of life in the wilderness. There is one small room with a twin and a single bed, a small kitchen area where our leaders will prepare the food, and the main living area. The main living area, is quite simply one big room, with a large table down the middle and one long bunk along the wall. Due to the nature of the accommodation it is not possible to have a single here, and we do our best to accommodate people as best we can within these sleeping arrangements, however it is not possible to pre allocate berths. Warmth is never an issue, with a roaring fire and warm sleeping bags and candles to provide light. We may also make use of a second sleeping area in the same cabin as the sauna. The sauna is in a separate building close to the river. Using water cut from the river ice we fire this upon arrival. This space also doubles as a washing area. There is no shower, instead, we use the hot and cold water provided to wash – pouring a mix of these over your head constitutes a real ‘Finnish’ shower and is certainly effective!The toilet here is in a separate hut about 50m from the cabin. The location is unforgettable, a stone’s throw from the river and not far from the Russian border, this is a long way off the grid and all the better for it. With zero light pollution, Northern Lights displays, whilst never guaranteed, can be spectacular.
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Reviewed April 2019 Peter Talfourd Trip: Fat biking in Finland Accurate Different from most cycle trips but group kept together well and no moans or groans Also guide and assistant very good What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Generally feeling of isolation and proximity of Russian border. What did you think of your group leader? Good different from usual guides being older but group age older Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Open mind as to accommodation
Reviewed March 2019 Vicky Chamberlain Trip: Fat biking in Finland Biking in a winter wonderland A really well run week of fat biking - a good introductory day, fun times at the Russian end lodge, never short on food or humour. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? I loved the biking - my favourite day though was the ride back from the Rusiian end lodge, really lovely trail through the trees, late lunch back at the lodge and then a fabulous show shoeing trip after dinner - complete with the northern lights - a totally amazing day. What did you think of your group leader? Jorma was organised and calm and clearly got on well with his team mates. I thought he was a great leader. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? I went with a massive suitcase of clothes as was worried about getting cold. The last minute advice we had, to take a balaclava was worth following. But generally speaking all the clothing and equipment they supply is great - you really don't need to take much of your own - unless you want to. Boots were great! Is there anything else you would like to add? If you are a regular biker and fit this is not a difficult trip. Generally we wre out from 10am til 2 pm. They suplied food for snacks adn a thermos of hot water/juice. I would thoroughly recommend it.
Reviewed February 2019 Jennifer Lawrence Trip: Fat biking in Finland Wow!!! Wow, wow, wow is all I can say. This trip exceeded my expectations in every way. This was my first trip with a Exodus and needless to say I immediately booked my next one when I got home. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? The scenery, the places we stayed, the guides and to be honest just so much about it. What did you think of your group leader? He was amazing. Very knowledgeable of the routes, the park and catered for our needs regardless of strength of cycling capabilities. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Just go to enjoy it and soak up as much of the scenery as you can. Not often you get to experience places like this. Is there anything else you would like to add? Loved it
Reviewed February 2019 Jennifer Lawrence Trip: Fat biking in Finland Wow!!! Wow, wow, wow is all I can say. This trip exceeded my expectations in every way. This was my first trip with a Exodus and needless to say I immediately booked my next one when I got home. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? The scenery, the places we stayed, the guides and to be honest just so much about it. What did you think of your group leader? He was amazing. Very knowledgeable of the routes, the park and catered for our needs regardless of strength of cycling capabilities. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Just go to enjoy it and soak up as much of the scenery as you can. Not often you get to experience places like this. Is there anything else you would like to add? Loved it
Reviewed April 2018 Katy Smith Trip: Fat biking in Finland Fat biking in Finland This was a really great trip and quite challenging even for hardy mountain bikers! The snow conditions made a huge difference the ease of the ride! Cycling in deep fresh snow was exhausting but when it was very cold and the snow was hard and compressed it was much easier! Each day was different and it was wonderful to have a couple of days in complete wilderness. The equipment provided was excellent so no need to buy kit if you don’t already have it - we did bring our own but it wasn’t essential. Some of the bikes were brand new for our trip and were top quality but even the older ones were good and very well maintained. Vesku our guide and his assistant Niila couldn’t have worked harder to make sure our holiday was comfortable and enjoyable and the food was excellent and plentiful. Vegetarians and vegans were well catered for too. We were lucky enough to see the Northern lights on 3 consecutive nights which just added to the magic!! What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Every day was different and great fun so it’s hard to pick out an individual special moment. But cycling on really hard snow at -25 degrees in perfect sunshine was a real treat!! We saw the Northern lights 4 times on 3 nights so of course that has to be at the top of the list!! The first time we saw them whilst at the Wilderness hut will be a moment I’ll remember for ever! Words and photos just don’t do the experience justice!! What did you think of your group leader? Vesku and his assistant Niila were wonderful! They were caring and very knowledgable about the region. They worked tirelessly to ensure we all had a great holiday. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? This really can be quite challenging depending on the snow conditions! But it’s well worth booking if you enjoy cycling and don’t mind a bit of hard work! But be prepared to fall off from time to time - it’s not painful as the snow is soft and deep!! The kit provided and bikes are great quality so it’s not necessary to buy kit specifically for this trip. Is there anything else you would like to add? This is so different and magical - I’d thoroughly recommend it!!
Reviewed May 2017 Cornelia Szecsei Trip: Fat biking in Finland Sauna, Sauna and more Sauna We were part of the first ever Exodus Fat Biking trip. We didn't quite know what to expect but it surpassed all of our predictions. Being in the Finnish wilderness was a totally unique and astoundingly beautiful experience. I've never seen such a clear, starry sky. We generally cycled in a group until early afternoon and then often headed out on the bikes alone or headed to the Sauna with a beer. The cycling was relatively challenging - there are plenty of climbs and although we are aerobically fit we didn't have any mountain biking experience (which would have been useful). The distances don't sound far but unless the paths are compact and firm it is a slow process. If the snow is too soft the bikes sink and you find yourself pushing for a while. As we were the first trip some of the routes were a bit of a test and they were already finding ways of compacting snow better so I suspect the riding will get better and better with each trip. Be prepared to fall off multiple times a day, even if you think you're an experienced rider! Falling into a mound of soft snow is quite pleasant, however, and definitely entertaining. The cabin accommodation and the scenery was what made this trip (the food was incredible too). At the Russian End there's communal sleeping in a big room, outside compost toilet and a traditional wooden Finnish sauna. We did the optional half day dog sledging which was fantastic. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Standing in swimming costumes on a frozen river under a starry sky being doused with ice cold river water before running back into the sauna (not compulsory!). Sitting with a warm drink in front of the fire at The Russian End was also a lovely experience. They had a generator to charge cameras etc but otherwise it was electricity free entertainment. What did you think of your group leader? Our leader Henri was excellent and had a great sense of humour. He was often pointing out animal tracks or telling us about local history. He had very good bike maintenance knowledge and has ridden fat bikes for years. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? You get hotter riding than you might expect and we were often stripping layers off at stops. On arrival you are provided with everything - base layers, socks, waterproof outer layers, head torches, shoes, rucksacks. It's high quality (eg. Salomon boots, Lowe Alpine rucksacks) so I wouldn't invest in anything specifically for the trip. Take a camera and a good book - there's plenty of down time once it gets dark. Is there anything else you would like to add? We saw a hint of the northern lights one night at The Russian End - just a vague green hovering about the trees, but there really is no guarantee and of course they may be happening at 3am when everyone is asleep. Most people downloaded an app to look at how likely it was to happen that night.
Reviewed April 2017 Sheila Davison Trip: Fat biking in Finland Fat biking Finland A great adventure immense fun What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? The isolation of the Russian End peace quiet and wonderful night skies including the Northern Lights. Learning a new skill with confidence What did you think of your group leader? Excellent knowledgeable caring helpful and fun! Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Enjoy a whole new experience.
Reviewed April 2017 Guy Thompson Trip: Fat biking in Finland Fat Biketastic Winter Wonderland This trip exceeded our expectations. We went on the last trip of the year in mid April which I thought may be risky weather wise. Despite my concerns was still there was plenty of snow and temperatures were sub zero. We had the advantage of daylight from 5am to 9pm. We had some sunshine and some fresh snow (often lots of both in one day) which was lovely. The weather made for mixed riding conditions, from easy to ride hard pack, to fresh powder, which is more challenging. Technically, the most demanding element is the fresh snow (even though the snow mobile grooms the tracks first). There were plenty of comedy slow speed tumbles but no-one gets seriously hurt. Physically, there are some long gentle, and short steep, climbs but nothing too demanding. There are plenty of breaks and no-one gets left behind. The last ride to the visitor centre is the most demanding but also one of the most rewarding. The logging lodge accommodation was in a secluded location 45 minutes drive from Oulanka base camp. We had a small group of only 5 so we all had our own rooms. The logging lodge was great for our small group and felt very homely with it's wooden interiors and log burning sauna. The food was always excellently cooked, locally sourced stuff. Lots of elk and warming soups with berry deserts. Having a small group who got on well made the experience more personal and very enjoyable. Though I'm sure the bigger groups had a great time too. On our free day we did the full day husky ride. This was a little pricey but an excellent experience. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? The serenity of biking through a pristine winter wilderness in the falling snow. The adventure experience of staying at the rustic Russian End wilderness lodge by the Oulanka river. Being lucky enough to spot a majestic Elk on the track one day. What did you think of your group leader? Henri was an excellent guide. We bombarded him with all sorts of ridiculous questions which he was only too happy to answer. He is calm, cool and collected with a good sense of humour. He really does know his stuff and you feel you are in safe hands at all times. He is very friendly and approachable and it is largely thanks to him that this is such an excellent trip. Marcus was a great help clearing the tracks and transporting our stuff to the Russian End and was great company when he was with us. Jessica was a great host who prepared a mean salad and could carry a great tune when singing Finnish Folk Songs! Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Some reviewers thought the difficulty was under graded on this trip. I think Exodus are spot on with their 4 rating. If you are reasonably fit and have some mountain biking experience you won't have any problems. Sit facing forwards in the minivan if your the travel sick type. The icy roads are a bit of a roller coaster. If you do the husky ride leave your bags in the owners house on arrival rather than filling the sledge with them. Is there anything else you would like to add? Some of the accommodation pictures on the Exodus website are of Basecamp Oulanka - which is not where you stay. The logging lodge is a 45 minute drive away. It wasn't a problem but it's worth pointing out that the 6 non en suite rooms in the logging lodge are 4 bed bunk dorms. All be it very tidy ones with only the two bottom bunks being used by the guests. It would have been nice to have a go at cross country skiing too. It's a full schedule of biking but maybe there is some way a few more optional activities could be squeezed in to the afternoons or something. It was tough choosing just one thing on the free day.
Reviewed April 2017 Sandra Hazeldon Trip: Fat biking in Finland Wilderness Adventure on a fat bike. If you're considering doing this trip - do it! I loved every moment, the scenery was stunning, my trip companions were lovely, the biking was awesome, the food superb, the organisation top notch and the accommodation was perfect. Anymore superlatives?! We had perfect weather - cold, dry and sunny with clear skies which definitely helped to make this such a wonderful week. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? There were so many but a special mention for the Northern Lights, the lodge by the Russian border, drinking G&T's in the sauna followed by dunkings with frozen river water, riding in the snow in wilderness silence and the stunning scenery. What did you think of your group leader? Henri is a star, a fantastic and knowledgeable group leader, very ably assisted by the rest of the Basecamp crew. He is extremely well organised and went out of his way to ensure we had a good trip. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Mountain bike experience is a definite advantage as balance skills are very useful. All clothing needed for the outdoors apart from base layers is provided but if you've got your own of equal suitability then take them. I took my own and feel I was comfier in clothes that fitted me properly, that I was used to wearing. Is there anything else you would like to add? Be prepared to fall off and know that snow isn't always a soft landing!!
Reviewed April 2017 Philip Crist Trip: Fat biking in Finland Fun, Scenery, Saunas and Northern Lights too the most fun I have had in the snow with my clothes on. Accommodation was great, the log cabin at the Russian end was amazing. Having to cut a hole in the frozen river to get water for the sauna - and what a great sauna that was - all added to the experience. Fatbiking in the snow was a new skill set, never fully mastered, and I lost count of the times I put my foot down for safety only to sink into two foot of snow. Henry was a great tour guide and was definitley part of the holiday. A great group of people having a great time. And the Northern Lights are amazing What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Northern Lights sauna at the Russian end and the ice cold water dunking that went with it The scenery The thrill of the downhills What did you think of your group leader? Henry was great and was definitely a key player in making the holiday work Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Pack light. Most of the outdoor kit is provided and you do get very warm cycling. I typically wore cycle shorts and a light cycle top with the over trousers and jacket on top Is there anything else you would like to add? If you are thinking of doing this - book it it is great
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