Syyslenkki MTB 16,5 km

Syyslenkki MTB 16,5 km

The 16.5 km is one lap of the full MTB loop, and the organiser describes the ride as technically fairly easy, low-threshold XC. It begins with a few hundred metres of gravel and wide path and then about 400 m of the hardest trail on the course, with the worst rocks and roots. A sharp right leads onto about 700 m of road, then good trail, ski track and a guarded crossing to the Keurusselkä sports park.

From the sports park the loop climbs Montosvuori steeply, goes through the two-way Kolhontie underpass, drops fast behind the hill and climbs back to the top of that descent, then returns through the tunnel. It carries on past the former Pioneer regiment barracks to the lean-to at the tip of Peurunniemi, climbs Montosvuori a third time on gentler gradients and finishes with a long fast descent, 200 m of disc golf fairway and ski tracks back to the resort, where one-lap riders head for the spa.

The family at the resort sees the start and the finish and little in between. The rider’s own Livebib link opens in a browser without an account or an app, and shows the position on the course line, the distance covered and a finish estimate that updates as the ride goes. Everything estimated is marked as estimated, and if the phone loses signal in the forest the position moves on along the loop rather than freezing.