Roads in Lapland?

[Chas1984]

Can anyone help a K1100RS rider who doesn't like unsurfaced roads? When my contract in Helsinki ends, I intend making my way back to Blighty via Lapland. Don't think I'll bother with the Nordkapp, but I'll stop a couple of nights in/near Rovaniemi, then head for Villhelmina in Swedish Lapland for some fishing. Anyone know what the roads are like between these 2 places? I'm a complete wimp, and hate the idea of travelling any distance on gravel tracks, which aren't uncommon even in the south of Finland.

And anyone used the freight ferries from Brevik to Immingham?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Sven-E]

Gravel roads.

Dirt roads aren't that bad. They are much better in Scandinavia than on the continent or Britain. Often the gravel/sand is bound together with some chemical. These roads are almost as good as tarmac. The only thing to watch out for is loose sand, especially in bends.
If you encounter roads with loose sand/gravel, then you are lucky you have a K. They do pretty well on poor surfaces. They actually do better than the rider. The trick is that you have to loosen your grip on the steering bar. Let the bike do the job. Just push a little to tell the bike where you want the go and the bike chooses the track by itself. Try to get used to the feeling that the front wheel wanders left and right a bit. It never goes far to the side. You need a bit of speed to allow the bike to do it's job. It works best from 50 km/h (30 mph) and up.
This may need some getting used to. Try this on some straight stretches first to get used to the feeling.

Enjoy the trip. Vilhelmina area is fantastic.