As it turns out I might find myself in Finland this May. I suspect I already know the answer to this question but, is it possible to ride to the arctic circle in May? I've ridden to the one we got here in the US and I'd like to take a shot at Finland's if it's at all possible.
You might take a look at this site,http://www.wunderground.com/ The town of Rovaniemi is close. May 10 last year the temp spread was 8C-0C, May 20 was 26-12, May 30 was 13-4. Looks like May 20 is the day to go there.
I've lived in Finland. You can go to Lapland in May as long as you don't hate the cold. I'd be more worried about rain though. Being cold is ok but wet and cold over there sucks.
Thanks for the help everyone. So I'm not too concerned about the temps if I have my heated gear with or the rain as I'll have my rain gear with as well. My main concern is if the roads will be kind to two wheel travel. I just heard from another source that they should be passible. Apparently Finland's Arctic Circle is nothing like the US's Arctic Circle - it has people and towns and the roads are paved and maintained to a much larger degree than in the US. So far, this seems like it'll be doable to me. Fingers crossed.
This is what I got when I went there 2 years ago, a paved road, a gift shop and towns close by. The Canadian one was a different story, A muddy 260 mile road, no gas for the first 240, quiet the adventure compared to the Euro crossing.
No problems with roads on May, they are in good shape and maintained well. All mainroads are paved and northward you go roads will be better (and straight..). On May there may not be so much mosquitoes but reindeers you should be watching carefully. And yes, there is towns and you don't need to be worried about food, gasoline or bike service there. Why don't you go to Nordcap (northest point in europe) in same tour, it's only 450 miles from arctic circle to to north :)
Mr. Puukko thanks for the road condition report - though I figured as much it's nice to have the actual independent verification. As far as the Nordcap, I like the way you think. Any idea what would be involved/required for the boarder crossing for someone from the US?
Boarder crossing between Norway and Finland is not a problem if you got visa to Finland. Both countries belong to schengen area. More information about visa requirements here: http://formin.finland.fi/public/default.aspx?contentid=50910&nodeid=15717&contentlan=2&culture=en-US
Mr. Puukko you are a fount of knowledge! Your assistance is much appreciated. If this trip comes to fruition I hope to repay your kindness somehow.
There is one bike shop near Helsinki - Vantaa airport: www.biketeam.fi they rent motorcycles and bmw 1200 gs cost 150 euros / day. Here's email address to ask details for: biketeam@biketeam.fi Another smaller rent company I found from Helsinki is www.lomavayla.fi, there is 1200 gs for 800 euros / week or 150 euros / day. email: rauno.asplund@lomavayla.fi Of course there is many more rent companies, those are examples with allroad motorcycle to hire for. Roads are so good on northern Finland you can do it with every motorcycle on earth if you stay on paved road. If you need help with renting details sent me private message, I will help if I can.
just a remark here during my trip last summer to Nordkapp (which you should visit as puuko suggested since you are going so north) I found that not all main roads are paved in Finland, despite being shown as paved on my maps... Some roads start as paved and then they turn to unpaved, but smooth enough so even a street bike can cross them (at summer at least), as you can see in the pics below. These photos are shot in northern Finland and then some more Watch out for reindeers because they tend to appear out of nowhere and there are lots of them!
John from Greece is right, there may be some unpaved mails but gravel roads are usually in very good shape. As you can see there is good roads: And not so good roads (this is "road" if you believe to garmin gps)...: Also something between them...: Northern Lapland skene:
Beautiful pics. Can't wait to get there! (if I get there - plan tix not bought yet) Also waiting to here back from a couple of rental places. Fingers crossed.
IDK - The weather in May was fantastic and I had an awesome time. Roads in Finland are nice and very smooth (compared to the US). However, I don't know what the weather will be like in September but I'd say go for it. If you only get half way, so be it.
Early sept in Finnish Lapland should be ok, it will have started to cool down but not to unbearable levels(I am Icelandic tho so that might make me a bit "biased" on what is cold and what not...). That has happened in mid Okt in the last 2 years.(I do snowmobile safari guiding here in Rovaniemi and drive a few thousand km on my own snowmobile every winter so we watch it VERY attentively). Early sept should also get the "Ruska" which is the seasonal color change of the forests, a fantastic view becomes even more so during the "Ruska". It starts usually late Aug to mid Sept depending on season and when it starts to cool down.