Veronika and I will be driving from Prague to Copenhagen, then ferrying over to Sweden; will drive to Stockholm; then either drive or take a train either up Sweden or Finland, depending on which is more effective. It should be a kinda long drive but we are excited for some good scenery through the Czech Republic, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, and Finland. Our new diesel Hyundai wagon gets about 60mpg highway with a roof rack and plenty of trunk space, so we should be able to accommodate 3(+?) more inhabitants.

We can pick up stragglers at all major airports along the way: Prague(PRG), Berlin(BER, SXF, TXL, THF), Copenhagen(CPH, RKE), Stockholm(ARN, BMA, NYO, VST), Helsinki(HEM, HEL), Kittila(KTT)

The race is in Eastern European Time (EEST) at UTC+3. That’s 7hours ahead of the east coast, 10 ahead of AZ, and 1 ahead of most of mainland Europe and the western two fingers of north Europe.

170km north of the Arctic Circle it is daylight for months on end, so no need for lights and a COMPLETELY different experience on the 24 hour race. I am quite curious how it would feel to never get dark?! Plus the race is only 50eur and includes 24 hrs of sauna and camping.

Only 9 guys and 2 women in solo last year, so we are going to kick ass!!
(the women’s winner only got 108km! ha! Veronika has only done like 3 rides in the last year less than that!
She is gonna rip those Finns a new one! She did 156k at old pueblo last year and had been so sick for the previous 2 days that she didn’t eat anything and had to pull over to either puke or shit behind every other cactus! Even my pedestrian 182k last year would have got me 4th.)

Czech out another great video at http://www.av-lappi.com/levi24/24.html

And more images from last year at http://www.laplandfoto.com/store/gallery.php?gid=55

Details:  I have reserved a shelter, shelter #1.  Ok where is that?  Here is a shitty map that might help.   In other words: if you are only bringing beer and some grub, park at the avalon park and ride, strap on a messenger bag, and ride down into the park.  take the road downstream toward the river.  Cross under the railroad bridge and turn left.  Go a few hundred yards, the shelter will be on the right, somewheres.  We’ll try to get there earlier than you.  If you are driving because you need to bring a special 17 cup holder folding chair designed for the beaches of Georgia, former satelite country of the USSR, then come in from route one, and follow the map.  That dash across the river doesnt mean the road is out, it just means there’s a bridge.  Go figure.

Time:  we’ll be there when the park opens, at 9am.  lets try to be out on the trails no later than 10.  Dont be late, or you wont know where the hell we are.

What to brang:  a bike, perferably a singlespeed.  why?  because thats what we’ll be riding, and we dont want you to have an advantage.  Why?  we’re mean.

Food:  a gallon of water for yourself.  A cooler if you want to keep it and your beer cold.   We’ll have a few coolers.  Will we have enough for you too?  Dont know.  I shelled out 20 bucks for the shelter, so I’m gunna bring my own beer and some hamburger buns, ketchup and mustard.  Someone else brings the meat, and charcoal.  Sign up also for: chips and salsa, and something for dinner.  Like what?  How about… Pasta salad with chicken?  then we dont have to cook it.  Or figure out something better.  Also good: grilled wings.  Sign up in the comments section suckas.

Questions can be directed at the comments section too.