UKK
1. What is Arctic Grind?
Arctic Grind is a gravel cycling event in Saariselkä, Finnish Lapland. The event is part of Arctic Event Series by Outdoor Expert Saariselkä.
2. How can I get to Saariselkä?
Saariselkä is located in Finnish Lapland, 260km north from the Arctic Circle. You can travel to Saariselkä by car via E75, by bus, by airplane, or by combined train + bus journey.
The closest airport is located in Ivalo and the closest railway station in Rovaniemi. There are connecting bus connection from both the airport and the railway station.
3. How about the weather?
Early July is typically the best part of the summer in Saariselkä!
The sun shines 24/7, it is typically warm, and there are hardly any mosquitos.
4. How are the routes?
The gravel roads in Saariselkä offer you many different kinds of challenges. The roads are quite rough in many places and there are some pleasant altitude differences. The route is surrounded by wilderness and you are more likely to meet wildlife than cars.
5. Prizes
On the 112km distance there will be money prizes for the 3 fastest male and female riders.
6. What kind of bike should I have?
In the race class you can ride only a proper gravel bike. In the sport class you can ride also a mountain bike.
7. How are the routes marked?
The routes will not be marked. You will be provided with a GPS-track which you will have to follow using a GPS-device.
In the sport class you can sign up for a guided group, and in this case you don't need a GPS-device. There will be two guided groups; one riding average of 15kmph and orher riding 20kmph.