Satu Renko
“Arrow up for ‘Standard’ setting, arrow down for ‘Eco’,” explains Marko Kiviranta.
We are sitting on electric fat bikes.
“You still need to use your gears, just like on any bike,” he adds.
Having put on windproof handlebar mittens, we start off. The difference is obvious, even from the first push on the pedals.
Compared to a regular fatbike, this fatbike is powerful!
In just a few years, the Ylläs winter trail network has grown to over 100 km in length. Mainly around the Äkäslompolo fells, but there is also an excellent trail starting from Ylläsjärvi. New routes are due to be opened this season.
“This trail is fun to ride with our customers,” says Marko when we head off from Sport Resort Ylläsjärvi (SRY) towards the ‘Kahvikeidas’ (coffee oasis) campfire site.
From SRY to the Kahvikeidas is about 1.5 kilometres.
“This is a awesome route, it’s always in tiptop condition and is an excellent choice for beginners,” enthuses Marko, who rides in front as we zigzag along a forest trail that reminds me of a toboggan run – even though there are some small climbs.
We reach the ‘Kahvikeidas’ much too quickly.
“With a group our speed would normally be around 13 km an hour, but now we did about 20 km/h.
We don’t stop for a coffee, but instead head off towards a treeless swamp. Passing the Latvamaja crossroads, we continue on to the Ojalatva cabin.
“This is a good place to take a break and have a bite to eat. The cabin’s main room is open and there’s a fireplace.”
If you’re used to a regular bike, you’ll love the speed of an E-fatbike – until the front wheel gets stuck in soft snow and you’re stopped dead in your tracks.
“Falling off isn’t usually due to high speed, quite the opposite. Going slowly the bike leans over more easily and when you want to put your foot down, you just sink into the snow.”
People sometimes fall off on Marko’s guided trips, but no serious injuries have occurred.
“Falling off hurts more in summer, because the ground is hard. In winter people just laugh about it and take photos of it,” Marko smiles.
What about the E-bikes? How often do they break down?
“They can take the punishment. We service them all the time.”
We come to a fork in the trail, from which one path leads to Ylläsjärvi village and the other towards Luosu village. We choose Ylläsjärvi and pedal back via ‘Eelin Kauppa’ (shop) to the ski resort.
“We rode 16.5 kilometres in an hour and a half, including photo breaks,” calculates Marko.
It was a nice trip, but without a guide I might have got lost at the junctions. So don’t forget to take a map with you.
If you’d like to test an E-fatbike, ask about rentals at bike stores in Äkäslompolo or Ylläsjärvi. Or about guided tours at your accomodation or sports shop.
If you’d rather set off on your own, be sure to listen carefully about how to handle your bike and which route is best suited to your abilities. Remember to dress warmly!
Retkivinkit Katso mihin Ylläksellä ja lähistöllä kannatta suunnata retkeilemään. Parhaat vinkit ja ohjeet jokaiselle vuodenajalle
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Ylläksen retkivinkit Katso mihin Ylläksellä ja lähistöllä kannatta suunnata retkeilemään. Parhaat vinkit ja ohjeet jokaiselle vuodenajalle
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