One thousand and one lakes 1200 km, June 12-16 2014

St-Petersburg (Repino) - Roschino (32) - Michurinskoe (88) - Priozersk (165) - Sortavala (286) -
Lyaskelya (318,475) - Pitkyaranta (362,437) - Uuksa (375,425) - Salmi (400) - Ruskeala (518) - Puikkola (533) -
Vartsila, Suomi (551)- - Joensuu (638) - Heinavesi (718) - Novy Valaam (755) - Leppavirta (867) - Pieksamaki (915) - Kangasniemi (962) - Joutsa (1050) - Mantyharju (1111) - Savitaipale (1172) - Lappeenranta (1214)

Start time 8:00

Entry fees:

• For foreign participants: 30 euros for registration + 75 euros before the start
• Without preliminary registration: 150 euros

Extra fees could be paid for:

• overnight stays in houses, exact prices later;
• large luggage (bike boxes etc.) delivery to the finish;
• direct transport from the finish to St-Petersburg.

Accommodation

You can find a various options for accommodation in Saint-Petersburg - hotels and hostels which can be booked via Internet.
For extra $15-20 hotel can send an invitation needed for Russian visa.
If you need our assistance in case of trouble - feel free to contact us.

Transportation from finish

We would recommend to take a direct train Lappenranta-Helsinki, it will take around 2 hours.
For your convenience we could bring your bikeboxes to the finish.

 Route description:

1^st day

The start will be done near to Gulf of Finland coast in 50 minutes train ride form St-Petersburg city centre. The route includes the most beautiful places of the Karelian Isthmus. After 200 km the Republic of Karelia starts with 3 last bits of earth road (4 km  + 10 km + 5 km). Then when approaching to Sortavala hilly relief starts with very steep and short ascents. Overnight stays are planned to take place in the camping (375 or 425 km), base entry fee includes stay in tents, stay in houses possible for extra fee (about 25 euros).

2^nd day

The beginning repeats yesterday's route but the places are very picturesque, nobody will be bored. The control point will be in Mountain park of Ruskeala (518 km), one won't regret of 15 minutes to see such a beauty. The Finnish border (550 km) could be passed quickly and right away we turn into quiet road , the real Finland starts. In 635 km is Ioensuu largest town on the route. After Ioensuu the route passes by Liperi where well-known Soviet-Finnish comedy film Borrowing Matchsticks (in Finnish Tulitikkuja lainaamassa)In 710 km the deserved rest will wait in the cosy hostel at the bank of the river (perhaps similar living option will be possible as for the 1st day, more info later).

3^rd day

New Valaam monastery is on 45 km after sleeping control.40km later the track follows 7km of dirt road, which could be compared to the Ladoga one on the first day. You will enjoy picturesque scenery with hills and lakes all the way down to Pieksämäki on 910th km, next sleeping control is on 960th km in the camping at the lake.

4^th day

The most hilly part of the ride starts soon after, following little roads by the lakes and small villages. More flat part starts 30km before finish when the route follows Highway No. 13 with noticeable (according to Finnish standards) traffic. Nice route among beautiful lakes leads you to the finish in the Lappeenranta camping (accommodation 15 euro).

Track and map on gpsies.com

NB. Additional sleeping controls (760 and 1050 km) can be organized if there is a considerable number of participants