YouTubers from UK decided to ride TET Finland! They have 30k followers in their channel. I started to follow them in the spring when Martha was about to get her licence for the big bikes. Then it was maybe in April when my Messenger had some questions from Mitch and about TET Finland. And It was actually quite close that we didn’t meet each other around Midsummer when I was riding in the north myself! I think it was Sunday when they were doing the Alta old post road and for me and my friends it was tuesday! This is actually the first time when someone is doing a full series (10 episodes) of YouTube videos about TransEuroTrail Finland and I think the movies are very good!! First episode here:
They have also very nice instagram channel: Jammy Gits
On the last days befere my “big adventure” I changed the tires to my bike. Metzeler MC 360 Mid Hard was already pretty much gone from the front. Rear had still about 5-6mm of knobby. New tires were Heidenau K60 and they were quite perfect for me in this situation! Then started packing:
I was very happy about the size of all the luggage! Even I decided to take my tent and camping mattress with me (and I didn’t need them!) I was ready for my biggest adventure so far.
First leg was to ride to Helsinki and put my bike to the train (Helsinki – Kolari). And after 15 hours in the train I was far north in Lapland!
Empty shopping mall Zsar This shopping mall was opened in November 2018. Already in december 2020 it was in debt restructuring and in october 2022 the company went bankrupt. Now this amazing building is standing empty just beside the TET Track in the beginning of the section 4. The POI is called “Zsar shopping Mall (empty)”
Kruununpuisto landscape Finland’s first nature reserve Kruununpuisto-park in Imatra is established in 1842. In the same island are the best views of the dam and the old banks of the river/ rapids. The POI in the TET gpx is called “Oldest nature preserve in Finland” or “Imatra Dam”. This park is just beside the TET track.
Parikkala Sculpture park Freak statues! Some even think they are scary… Entrance fee is 7€. The POI in TET gpx is called “Parikkala sculpture park” and it’s just beside the TET track.
Öykköistenvaara Battle Zone This is a perfect place to learn a little about the battles of the Second World War on the Finnish front line. You are free to walk around the area that was built by local volunteers. The POI in TET gpx is called “Öykköistenvaara Battle Zone”.
Most Eastern point of continental EU This would be the most eastern point of the Continental EU. You are now 60km east from St. Petersburg. If you want to go further east in EU you need to visit Cyprus. The POI in TET gpx is called “Most Eastern point of EU”. The TET track takes you as far as you can ride. Then there is still a short hiking trail to the shore of the lake from where you can see the actual point.
Neitikoski/ Ruunaa rapids Ruunaa is a huge area for hiking, fishing or rafting. In the TET gpx file there is one suspension bridge POI but the main place to visit would be the Ruunaa outdoor center and the Neitikoski rapids close to this place. You need to ride 4,5km east from the track and the POI is called “Ruunaa rapids”. You can leave your bike to the parking area beside the outdoor center or somewhere close. The trail to the Neitikoski is very near and easy to find.
I’ve been the Linesman of TET Finland now 1 year. Been making quite many updates and I thought it would be a good idea to show people how it is made? (The update) I don’t remember who made the original Section 5 (From Turku to Räyskälä) to connect Turku harbour with the main route -Sections 1 & 3 (From Helsinki to North)? But even as it was very good addition to the TET that time it didn’t serve as a “real adventure route” because too many parts with paved road. I really wanted to make the update! I didn’t know the gravelroads in that are too well so I knew I had to go and make a ride there also. But I made the “raw version” first and I tried to make as good as possible so that there wouldn’t be too much searching for better alternative when riding!
Ylijoentie, Salo
This was the first place to check! It turned out to be very good “short cut” in the area where there was a little bit paved road. Now there isn’t.
Wiurila Manor, Salo
This was second place I wanted to add to the route. TET was already going very close to this manor but since there was quite long part with only paved road I could add just a little bit gravel road and this amazing house/ area. Wiurilan Kartano
Meyer Yard, Turku
This place I knew. I just needed to check it one more time that it was easy to reach from the route. It’s the Meyer shipyard in Turku but the viewing place is in “Playa del Raiso” -on the other side of the bay. Very easy to make quick visit! After this I was finally on the part of the TET that I wanted to update. Route between Naantali and Räyskälä. First there are may villages with medieval (or very old) stone church. This is one of them:
Askainen Church, not actually a medieval church
After Askainen and Mynämäki you are finally entering the area with mostly gravel road. First the route goes towards Kurjenrahka National park and from there it goes to Somero direction. The whole Section 5 looks like this:
Section 5 (with the main route on the right)
I found 1 more interesting place on this route! There is outside swimming pool in Kyrö Village, entrance fee is 6€.
Kyrö swimming pool
The whole Section 5 is 450 kilometers. It starts from Siuntio, goes through Raasepori to Salo, then to Paimio and Turku, Then to Naantali. Then it turs back to east and goes to Somero and Räyskälä (In Loppi). I didn’t need to change the route almost at all -there was only 1 place where the route went straight through the yard and another place where was “Private road” sign. And ofcourse I made the video about this crazy day. Enjoy!
GoZa Mite 