Riding North – Destination North Cape
EPISODE 2 – INTO THE NORTH
From Central Sweden to Lapland – rain, distance, and a new world
At a glance
- Dates: June 28–30, 2024
- Route: Björklinge → Sundsvall → Boden → Rovaniemi → Luosto
- Countries crossed: Sweden, Finland
- Travel style: Long-distance northbound riding
- Mood: Endurance → relief → excitement → wonder
Day 4 – Riding into the Rain
June 28, 2024
Morning breaks quietly at the campsite in Björklinge.
Packing is smooth now — the routine is set. The northbound rhythm is real.
The ride toward Sundsvall stretches across endless forest corridors and wide, flowing roads, with beautiful lakes along the way. Sweden shows its scale here: distances are no longer measured in towns, but in time.
Late in the day, just ten minutes before arrival, the sky finally opens.
A sudden, heavy rain shower crashes down — the kind that soaks everything instantly and sharpens every sensation. Focus tightens. Visors fog. The last kilometers feel longer than the entire day.
Arrival above the city
We reach Norra Stadsberget, perched above Sundsvall, wet but relieved. The rain fades as quickly as it came, leaving silence behind.
From up here, the city lies below, calm and distant. A reminder that sometimes the road tests you right before it rewards you.
Theme of the day:
Pushing through, even when comfort disappears at the very end.
Day 5 – Distance Becomes the Story
June 29, 2024
Sunlight. Clear skies. Dry gear.
Leaving Sundsvall on a perfect summer morning feels like a reset. Yesterday’s rain is already a memory, replaced by light, warmth, and that unmistakable feeling that today will be a long one.
The road north is relentless in the best possible way:
- forests that seem endless,
- rivers cutting through the landscape,
- traffic growing thinner with every hour.
This is where Scandinavia stops feeling like Europe and starts feeling like the North.
Arrival in Boden
We roll into Boden around 8:00 p.m. The light is still strong — evening doesn’t behave normally this far north.
The campsite welcomes us with quiet efficiency. No rush. No noise. Just tired bodies and the deep satisfaction of covering serious distance. A fresh breeze arises while we are pitching the tent.
Highlight:
Realizing the sun doesn’t want to set anymore.
Day 6 – Goodbye Sweden, Hello Lapland
June 30, 2024
Morning in Boden is calm, almost ceremonial. Sweden has been generous: roads, order, space.
We ride north one last time under Swedish signs, knowing the border is close.
One last familiar stop
At 2:45 p.m., we stop for a final Swedish ritual:
a burger at MAX Burgers.
It’s casual, almost funny — but it marks a transition. One last taste of the familiar before stepping into something entirely different.
Crossing into Finland
The border comes quietly. No drama. No ceremony. Just a sign — and suddenly, the world feels different.
Roads change. Forests deepen. The sense of remoteness intensifies.
Rovaniemi – the Arctic Circle moment
Visiting Santa Claus Village is surreal. Touristic? Yes.
But standing at the Arctic Circle, knowing how far north you’ve come by motorcycle, makes it meaningful in its own way.
Photos are taken. Smiles appear. This is a milestone — no matter how you frame it.
Night in Lapland
We continue east into quieter territory, arriving in Luosto.
Staying at Lapland Hotels Luostotunturi feels almost unreal. Wooden structures, deep forest, and a silence that feels heavier — and purer — than anywhere before.
Theme of the day:
Crossing an invisible line into a different world.
Key towns & places along this segment
- Björklinge – departure point, routine established
- Sundsvall – rain-soaked arrival above the city
- Norra Stadsberget – quiet viewpoint and recovery
- Boden – gateway to the far north
- Sweden–Finland border – subtle but powerful transition
- Rovaniemi – Arctic Circle milestone
- Luosto – first true night in Lapland
Rider notes (useful & real)
- Weather can change brutally near the coast — stay flexible
- Long distances demand fuel planning, especially north of Sundsvall
- Evening light lasts very long — don’t rely on darkness for rest cues
- Finland roads feel wilder, more remote almost immediately