It is Sunday, and we have the day off. Also, it is Mother’s Day and in Finland that's a big national holiday. All of the restaurants, stores, museums and other attractions are closed up tight. There are no cars on the roads. There is hardly a person to be seen. They must all be home, having coffee with their mothers. They can’t be anywhere else.
Oulu
There is a bicycle in my apartment, and although I don’t know the owner a note has been left in English that invites me to use it. OK, it’s true that the seat is too high and the crank case wobbles and makes an alarming squeal if I pedal with any force. It’s a one-speed with coaster brakes. But, it should get me downtown at least so I set out.
Oulu
Oulu is a cyclist’s paradise. There are wide paved bicycle paths that go from any place to any other place. You NEVER have to share the road with cars. When you come to a highway, there’s always an underpass. When you come to a river, there’s always a pedestrian bridge.
Oulu
The Finns don’t ride $2000 mountain bikes, either. They ride slowly on dignified retro-looking bikes. Ice, snow and cold does not deter them. They have studded snow tires on their bikes!
Oulu University
It sure makes me wish we had such a system in the San Francisco Bay area, and also ashamed that we don’t. We have much more clement weather for cycling than the Finns do. Some might even argue that we have better scenery. But riding in the Bay Area is unpleasant and dangerous because of all the cars.
Oulu
I went into Oulu Cathedral while the choir was warming up. They sang so well that I almost stayed for the service, but I don’t understand Finnish and I wasn’t sure how long it would take so I left. It’s a good thing I did, because two and a half hours later I was cycling back past the Cathedral and people were just getting out.
Oulu
After exploring Oulu, I rode south of town and headed for the ferry to Hailuoto, but the limits of my bicycle were becoming more and more apparent. It started to rain, and I thought about what it would be like to break down 30 miles from home. So, I turned back.
Oulu
I need to find a better bike.
your choice!
Oulu