For me, motorcycle touring is not just an adventure—it’s an opportunity to escape daily life and experience the feeling of freedom on the road. In this post, I look back on my summer trip to Lapland, which I planned for four to five days. I traveled alone and decided to camp in a tent, adding a touch of wilderness spirit to the journey.
Day One: Raatteentie
My journey began on a sunny and warm autumn day. My first destination was the historic Raatteentie, a road with deep wartime history. I rode 500 kilometers that day, arriving late in the evening at around 10 PM. I searched for a suitable campsite along a small side road near Raatteentie and pitched my tent.
The next morning, I visited the Raatteen Portti museum, which left a strong impression on me. The exhibits and history gave me a lot to think about before continuing my journey. I had decided to choose my route based on winding asphalt roads, without a strict plan.
Rain, Cold, and Long Distances
My next goal was Sturmbock, but the ride was anything but easy. A few hours into the ride, it started raining, and the rain did not stop for the entire day. Even though I covered another 500 kilometers, the downpour made the journey much more exhausting.
That evening, I set up camp north of Kittilä, pitching my tent in the rain and cooking my dinner in the damp conditions. The rain continued non-stop throughout the night.
In the morning, I packed up my soaked campsite and continued towards Sturmbock. The weather was brutal—relentless rain and temperatures fluctuating between +2°C and +3°C.
100 kilometers before Sturmbock, a wave of doubt hit me. My rain gear had failed, and my riding pants were completely soaked. Despite the discomfort, I decided to push on. Finally, 30 kilometers before my destination, the rain finally let up.
Upon arrival, I was able to explore the Järämä fortress area under the sun—for a moment, the rain and cold were forgotten.
The Journey Home via Sweden
After touring the fortress, I started my journey home. Soon, the rain returned, and even though my original route was planned through Finland, I decided to ride through Sweden instead, as the weather forecast promised better conditions.
The ride continued to Haparanda, and by the time I crossed back into Finland at Tornio, the sun was finally shining.
I had originally planned to stop for a meal in Tornio, but I couldn’t bring myself to stop—instead, I rode straight to the ABC service station in Tupos, where I finally refueled both myself and the bike.
Darkness fell, and the day’s ride stretched to 750 kilometers. I found a campsite along the Oulu-Ylivieska road, and after setting up my tent, I fell asleep almost instantly.
On the final day, I had only 300 kilometers left to home. As the final hundred kilometers passed, I felt a melancholy creeping in—was this journey really coming to an end?
JPost-Trip Reflections
Once I got home, the only thing left was gear maintenance. I washed my motorcycle the next day, but aside from that, the post-trip cleanup was quick and easy.
Although this wasn’t my first long motorcycle journey, it reminded me how reliable the Kawasaki GTR is as a travel companion. The bike carried me through all kinds of weather without issues. The challenges and surprises of the trip made it even more unforgettable.
The roads of Lapland still call, and I already know that next year, it will be time for another motorcycle adventure—this time, to the breathtaking landscapes of the Lofoten Islands.
The road never ends.
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