FNLD GRVL ride report – 177km of pristine gravel in the land of the midnight sun

Peter Stetina leads a group at the FNLD GRVL race

The huge ski jumps of Lahti Ski Stadium (Salpausselän kisapuisto) stand dormant in the summer sun, yet Finland's dry, dusty Nordic ski tracks and unpaved public roads have a new purpose, hosting Europe's inaugural US-style gravel race FNLD GRVL. 

I find myself amongst every type of gravel rider, from moonlighting off-road World Tour Pro to have-a-go party pace hero. We shuffle forward under the FNLD GRVL arch, with gravel bikes lined up the tensions build as the announcer hypes the riders, counting down to the start of the first FNLD GRVL Midnight Sun race.