A fully loaded Reilly T325C Road BIke on a bridge in Finland

August 26, 2025 Team Reilly

The Brevet Chronicles by Joan Izquierdo Llopis

Why Do I Ride My Bike?

After stepping away from the world of brevets following a difficult season, I found myself questioning the deeper motivations behind my cycling obsession. Was it a love for the sport, or simply momentum dragging me forward? Yet, the call of the long ride remained strong.

Bike Information

A year ago I bought a Reilly T325 caliper, and it has been a wonderful bike, even with a basic spec: Shimano 105 mechanical, caliper brakes with XLC levers, a Brooks Cambium C15 saddle, and a Son dynamo with Supernova lights.

My Ride

The Finland Green Gold offered the perfect mix: a friend to visit, forested landscapes to explore, and the chance to escape the scorching July heat back home.

Despite skipping the official brevet series, I trained solo with determination and arrived in Finland ready. The route—looping through Mikkeli three times— allowed me to use it as a base. From Helsinki, the ride unfolded across vast, undulating terrain shaped by glaciers and covered in dense birch and conifer forests.

The route carried me through quiet towns, past shimmering lakes, and over rolling granite hills. Finland’s roads offered their own challenge: short, steep climbs and rough surfaces. Checkpoints became moments to rest, refuel, and appreciate rural life, from small kebab shops to misty lakesides.

Long hours in the saddle tested both body and spirit, yet there was magic in those moments—fresh mist after rain, pale orange moonlight, and the soft glow of the white night that never fully darkened. Storms swept through, the sun returned, and I realised I had underestimated the Finnish weather.

When I finally arrived at the One Pint Pub, members of “Randonneurs Finland” were there to celebrate with me. I remain deeply moved by the beauty I witnessed and grateful for the strength to complete such an extraordinary ride.