Cycle Lappland?? Lappland somehow makes me think of perpetual Winter; reindeer; and the endless glow of the Northern Lights. How easy it is to forget that, even at such high latitudes, there is Summer.

Lappland also makes me think of the northernmost reaches of Scandinavia, such as Finland. Thanks to Sibelius, I’d like a route that included Karelia. If not for the composer’s Karelia Suite, though, I might not have heard of the place! I think it would be interesting to actually visit Karelia.

Finland isn’t all snowy wastelands. If riding over snow isn’t your thing, Finland has its warm season. June might be OK; but July is the warmest time of year, with temperatures of 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s not my idea of “warm”, but as they say, all things are relative.

Winter in Finland brings temperatures at or below freezing much of the time, with February typically the coldest month. If you love to make tracks in the snow, that might be the time for you grab a fat-tire bike and plan your visit.

Naturally Finland has its downside; what place doesn’t? But those landscapes! It would be great to Cycle Lappland and really enjoy them — and “Finnish” under the aurora borealis!