Hi Nick. This is my hometown and every time I drive south I like to use the other side of the river because it's fun to drive on. There are bends and hills, especially the river landscapes are beautiful in places. The river is Finland's longest river, Kemijoki.
I used to like commuting in the rain strangely - but not torrential rain for hours 😂 - been a nice, relaxing journey so far with some stunning scenery.
Having a squelchy boot is no fun at all! It's hard to find really good wet weather gear that lasts.....thank goodness our skin is waterproof down to 200M! Well done for remaining so positive and for making the most of a challenging day. We can all relate to that 'I just want to jump into a hot shower feeling' we get after prolonged exposure to heavy rain.......Cheers.
Hi Nick! Enjoying your continued travel updates. The heavy rain had added such a huge impact on your riding gear. Wet boots are a pain, but a tip I was told was in long trips putting your boot into a plastic bag safely secured solves many a wet boot! Also how has yours tyres worn! How often are you oiling the chain and doing an oil change / service? Still love my 2022 CB500X, such a capable bike! Keep up the good updates I love how you cover long distances each day you are on the road. Regards John
Thanks John. The bike behaved very well, I lubed and adjusted the chain on an adhoc basis and had the bike serviced in Estonia at 25Km. Spoiler alert... I squared off the rear tyre due to the very effective but almost dead straight roads in Finland and parts of Estonia. I replaced the rear tyre when I got home, it was new when I left. Glad you're enjoying the CB500X, I still am. Ref plastic bags... many are now compostible so seem to disintegrate quickly when wet. I did try some inside my boot but still soaked through... or maybe just my perspiring feet!!!! Nick
Good morning Nick (East Coast USA time). Although the riding gear has improved over the 55+ years I’ve been riding, I still haven’t found completely waterproof gear. If you’re riding all day in a downpour, eventually water finds a way in. Thank goodness the temperature was tolerable.. Looking forward to seeing the next episode (hopefully without rain). Cheers, Jim
Seems to be that all the rain gear I ever had started leaking eventually, just a matter of rain severity and duration :) Hats off to you for camping after all that. Whenever I get wet I check into a motel or something, instead of mucking about in a tent with all the wet gear.
Ref the rain gear... very true. Things have improved over the years but water has a way of finding its way in. Hotels are soooo tempting even when the weather is fine 😉 Nick
I’ve heard that Garmins get confused when they are so far north. You shouldn’t use the automatic changeover from daylight mode to night time mode. Just set it to daylightmode all the time.
Hi Nick I have thoroughly enjoyed this trip ,well done .
Many thanks. I did too 😁
Nick
Hi Nick. This is my hometown and every time I drive south I like to use the other side of the river because it's fun to drive on. There are bends and hills, especially the river landscapes are beautiful in places. The river is Finland's longest river, Kemijoki.
Thanks for the information... maybe next time 😉
Nick
So lucky for so long with the weather...still an awesome adventure
Yes indeed, just a few days of rain, I still can't believe how lucky I was
Nick
Well Nick....welcome to my world of motorcycling! everytime I venture out on a trip I'm drowned.....nice to see someone else feeling my pain lol.
😁😁 All part of the experience that is motorcycling 😉
Nick
Well done for continuing through that rain, Nick. I have to say that I think I'd have given in and looked for a B&B!
Many thanks, and yes, looking back maybe I should have done just that 😁
Nick
I used to like commuting in the rain strangely - but not torrential rain for hours 😂 - been a nice, relaxing journey so far with some stunning scenery.
Each to their own 😁
Many thanks for the comment
Nick
Having a squelchy boot is no fun at all! It's hard to find really good wet weather gear that lasts.....thank goodness our skin is waterproof down to 200M! Well done for remaining so positive and for making the most of a challenging day. We can all relate to that 'I just want to jump into a hot shower feeling' we get after prolonged exposure to heavy rain.......Cheers.
Absolutely. I must say I enjoy the hot showers available at campsites, not available wild camping 😁
Nick
Hi Nick! Enjoying your continued travel updates. The heavy rain had added such a huge impact on your riding gear. Wet boots are a pain, but a tip I was told was in long trips putting your boot into a plastic bag safely secured solves many a wet boot!
Also how has yours tyres worn! How often are you oiling the chain and doing an oil change / service?
Still love my 2022 CB500X, such a capable bike!
Keep up the good updates I love how you cover long distances each day you are on the road.
Regards
John
Thanks John. The bike behaved very well, I lubed and adjusted the chain on an adhoc basis and had the bike serviced in Estonia at 25Km. Spoiler alert... I squared off the rear tyre due to the very effective but almost dead straight roads in Finland and parts of Estonia. I replaced the rear tyre when I got home, it was new when I left.
Glad you're enjoying the CB500X, I still am.
Ref plastic bags... many are now compostible so seem to disintegrate quickly when wet. I did try some inside my boot but still soaked through... or maybe just my perspiring feet!!!!
Nick
You were at the wrong end of the E75. It's much better weather at the other end where I was ...Athens Greece.🤗
🤣🤣🤣
Nick
Good job you are not in Finland now as it is about -20c!
Oh my... wrap up warm!!!!!
Nick
Good morning Nick (East Coast USA time). Although the riding gear has improved over the 55+ years I’ve been riding, I still haven’t found completely waterproof gear. If you’re riding all day in a downpour, eventually water finds a way in. Thank goodness the temperature was tolerable.. Looking forward to seeing the next episode (hopefully without rain). Cheers, Jim
Hi Jim, yep... maybe a diver's dry suit is the way to go. Start a new trend? 😁
Nick
Seems to be that all the rain gear I ever had started leaking eventually, just a matter of rain severity and duration :)
Hats off to you for camping after all that. Whenever I get wet I check into a motel or something, instead of mucking about in a tent with all the wet gear.
Ref the rain gear... very true. Things have improved over the years but water has a way of finding its way in. Hotels are soooo tempting even when the weather is fine 😉
Nick
I’ve heard that Garmins get confused when they are so far north. You shouldn’t use the automatic changeover from daylight mode to night time mode. Just set it to daylightmode all the time.
Good suggestion. Thanks... next time 😁
Nick
Well... it's not an adventure if every day is nice and comfortable isn't it? :P
Very true!
Nick