General information about Saimaa Cycle Tour

Saimaa Cycle Tour 2023 will take place on 7-8 July 2023. The start and finish of the event is located on Imatrankoski bridge, right next to the Saimaa Cycle Tour event area at Imatra's Inkerinaukio. The first 300 km group will start at 19:30. For the shorter routes Jaakko's Tour 85 km and Ruokolahti Tour 38 km, the start will be on Saturday morning from 10:00.

The maximum number of participants per group is 50 cyclists (max. 30 cyclists on the shorter routes) and groups will be sent out every four minutes. The start will be in a show style and the starting group will cycle back and forth along the Imatrankoskentie, going around the roundabout. The timing will not start until the junction of Imatrankoskentie and Helsingintie. For the shorter routes, the departure will take place on Saturday morning. More detailed information on the departure arrangements and directions for the shorter routes will be confirmed in May 2023.

Online registration for the event will be open until the end of the day on Wed 5 July 2023. You can also register at the event venue in Imatra's Inkerinaukio on Thu 6 July from 4 pm to 8 pm and Fri 8 July from 9 am to 10 pm and on Sat 9 July from 8 am to 10 am. Registration can be made and paid at the event office at Inkerinaukio. See the price list under Entry fees.

Details of the services included in the different routes can be found on the registration page.

Saimaa Cycle Tour 300 km Price
Early Bird registration fee until 31 August 2022 110 €
Registration fee until 8 January 2023 130 €
Registration fee until 5 July 2023 150 €
Registration fee at the event office 6-7 July 2023 170 €
Other fees Price
Transfer protection (transfer your registration free of charge to next year without medical certificate, or transfer your registration to another person) 20 €
Transfer registration to another person 20 €
Changing the departure time 10 €
Jaakko's Tour 85 km Price
Registration fee until 8 January 2023 65 €
Registration fee until 5 July 2023 75 €
Registration fee at the event office 6-8 July 2023 85 €
Children under 16 years of age -50% of the current price.
Ruokolahti Tour 38 km Price
Registration fee until 8 January 2023 35 €
Registration fee until 5 July 2023 40 €
Registration fee at the event office 6-8 July 2023 50 €
Children under 16 years of age -50% of the current price.

For event rules and registration conditions, see the links below:

Event rules
Registration conditions

ListNRide is the official rental partner of the Saimaa Cycle Tour – Rent a premium road bike online for the Saimaa Cycle Tour!

Simply choose the bike you'd like to rent for the event from ListNRide online service from where you will also find all the details of the rental service including bike protection etc. You can pick-up and return the rented bike from the ListNRide's rental are at the Saimaa Cycle Tour Expo area near to the event's start & finish line.

Choose your perfect bike for Saimaa Cycle Tour from ListNRide online service: www.listnride.com

Imatra has several free parking areas within 5 km of the departure area.

Guarded bicycle storage points can be found at the Imatra Sports Hall and at the event area at Imatra's Inkerinaukio.

  • Imatra Sports Hall, Kotipolku 2, Imatra // Guarded bicycle storage is available from Friday 7 July 5 pm until Saturday 8 July 7 pm
  • Event area at Inkerinaukio, Imatra // Guarded bicycle storage is open on Thursday 6 July at 4 pm – 8:30 pm, and from Friday 7 July 9 am until Saturday 8 July 7 pm

Bicycles handed in must be marked with the name and/or bib number. Bicycles with a name will be returned against proof of identity (e.g. driving licence) and bicycles marked with a bib number will be returned against the participant's bib number.

The guarded storage point is located at the Imatra Sports Hall at Kotipolku 2, Imatra. The guarded storage point is open from Friday 7 July 5 pm to Saturday 8 July 7 pm.

All items left in the storage room must be marked with your name and/or bib number and will only be returned on presentation of an identity document (e.g. driving licence) or bib number.

Several photo and film crews will be covering the Saimaa Cycle Tour.

The Saimaa Cycle Tour will also be photographed by Sportograf, the world's leading mass sports event photography service, and the images will be available for purchase on Sportograf's online service after the event. Sportograf will also use automated filming points with additional lighting in low light conditions, e.g. flashlights.

Saimaa Cycle Tour reserves the right to use photos and videos taken of participants during the event for marketing purposes. If a participant does not wish his or her photo to be used for promotional purposes, participant should contact Saimaa Cycle Tour immediately after the event.

Prior to the event

The Saimaa Cycle Tour event office is located at Inkerinaukio in Imatrankoski. See the location on Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/wGULGedLHHFtDomJ8

Thursday 6 July 2023

When picking up your numbers, tell us your last name and your route and you will receive an envelope containing your bib numbers and a timing chip/number to be attached to the seat post. Instructions for attaching the numbers can be found in the envelope. If there are people with the same name registered, please be prepared to prove your identity.

The event office is open from 4 pm to 8 pm (on-site registration and number collection).

Friday 7 July 2023

The event office is open from 9 am to 10 pm (on-site registration and number collection). The first group will leave at 7:30 pm.

Saturday 8 July 2023

The first cyclists arrive in Imatra in the night hours. The finish line closes on Saturday 8 July at 5 pm. The changing rooms and showers close at 7 pm. The bike parks and storage close at 7 pm.

Please come to the event with a bike that is maintained and in good condition.

If you need help before the event, there are bike service points of Saimaa Cycle Tour partners in the Imatra Inkerinaukio area. These service points will be able to help you with the maintenance of your bike.

If you need maintenance for your bike, come on time. Bike maintenance is free, but there is a charge for spare parts.

Remember that your bike must be fitted with front and rear lights at dusk and dawn. For more information, see During an event > Bike lights at dusk and dawn.

Changing rooms and showers can be found at the Imatra Sports Hall at Kotipolku 2, Imatra (Google Maps).

The changing rooms and showers are open from Fri 7 July at 5 pm to Sat 8 July at 7 pm.

During the event

There are 8 service points along the 300 km Saimaa Cycle Tour route, two of which also serve hot food. There's also a fresh water taps at the start. Jaakko's Tour 85 km has two service points and Ruokolahti Tour 38 km has a single service point.

SAIMAA CYCLE TOUR 300 KM SERVICE POINTS

Two service points will serve warm food and at the finish you will get a premium hot dog + coleslaw. Please note that if you have not indicated any dietary restrictions in your profile when registering, you do not eat vegan or gluten/dairy free food so that those who need it can have their own portions. We are unable to accommodate other special diets or allergens.

All the service points offer:
Water, High5 sport drink, Segafredo coffee + oat milk, Blueberry soup by Juustoportti, pickles and salt.

51 km Lappeenranta harbour - Sand Castle
Sweet bun (Pågen Gifflar) or Gluten free sweet bun (Moilas Vanille bun)

93 km Savitaipale
Bananas, bread (Pågen Oivallus) + jam or Gluten free karelian rice pie (Moilas)

122 km Salmiranta - Suomenniemi (food service)
Warm food: Casserole of potatos, beef and veggies or vegan casserole made with soy protein (veganm gluten free, lactose and dairy free)
Raisins (Sunmaid), sweet bun (Pågen Gifflar) or Gluten free sweet bun (Moilas Vanille bun)

163 km Kirkonvarkaus bridge - Mikkeli
Bananas, bread (Pågen Oivallus) + jam or Gluten free karelian rice pie (Moilas)

191 km Huoseuksenniemi - Anttola
Bananas, Foodin protein bar, bread (Pågen Oivallus) + jam or Gluten free karelian rice pie (Moilas)

222 km Sahanlahti Resort - Puumala (food service)
Warm food: Casserole of rice and veggies (vegan, gluten free, lactose and dairy free) + Tsingtao 0,0% non-alcoholic beer
Sweet bun (Pågen Gifflar) or Gluten free sweet bun (Moilas Vanille bun)

248 km Old Border
Bananas, Foodin protein bar, bread (Pågen Oivallus) + jam or Gluten free karelian rice pie (Moilas)

280 ​​km Ruokolahti - Church Hill
Raisins (Sunmaid), sweet bun (Pågen Gifflar) or Gluten free sweet bun (Moilas Vanille bun)

300 km Finish - Inkerinaukio, Imatra
Premium hot dog or Vegan premium hot dog. Gluten free options available. Also Tsingtao 0.0% non-alcoholic beer tai Villi premium spring water

JAAKKO'S TOUR 85 KM SERVICE POINTS

19 ​​km Ruokolahti - Church Hill
Water, High5 sport drink, Segafredo coffee + oat milk, Blueberry soup by Juustoportti, pickles, salt, raisins (Sunmaid), sweet bun (Pågen Gifflar) or Gluten free sweet bun (Moilas Vanille bun)

42 km Äitsaari
Water, High5 sport drink, Segafredo coffee + oat milk, Blueberry soup by Juustoportti, pickles, salt, bananas, Foodin protein bar, bread (Pågen Oivallus) + jam or Gluten free karelian rice pie (Moilas)

85 km Finish - Inkerinaukio, Imatra
Premium hot dog or Vegan premium hot dog. Gluten free options available. Also Tsingtao 0.0% non-alcoholic beer tai Villi premium spring water

RUOKOLAHTI TOUR 38 KM SERVICE POINTS

19 ​​km Ruokolahti - Church Hill
Water, High5 sport drink, Segafredo coffee + oat milk, Blueberry soup by Juustoportti, pickles, salt, raisins (Sunmaid), sweet bun (Pågen Gifflar) or Gluten free sweet bun (Moilas Vanille bun)

38 km Finish - Inkerinaukio, Imatra
Premium hot dog or Vegan premium hot dog. Gluten free options available. Also Tsingtao 0.0% non-alcoholic beer tai Villi premium spring water

The event will follow traffic rules. The event is open to all traffic, so it is your responsibility to be aware of the traffic environment in which you are riding.

Every participant cycles at their own risk and with their own insurance (we recommend that you also check your own bicycle insurance cover with your insurance company).

Drive on the right-hand side of the road whenever possible and stay in your own lane. Also, always respect traffic outside the event (being at the event does not give you the right to commit traffic offences). Also be careful when overtaking other cyclists or groups of cyclists and leave adequate safety clearance for other cyclists when overtaking.

If you need to use your phone, please stop and go to the roadside to make a call. The use of radios or headphones while cycling is also prohibited. If you need to stop, move your bike off the road to avoid danger to other cyclists, vehicles or yourself.

There are hundreds of traffic controllers along the route. The route is also marked with hundreds of clear traffic control and warning signs to help you anticipate dangerous places and stay on the route. Always obey the traffic controllers' instructions to stop. Pay particular attention at junctions and crossroads, because despite the hundreds of traffic controllers and warning signs, there are small junctions on the route where there is no traffic control.

Finnish law prohibits littering. Do not throw rubbish in the countryside, but take it to the nearest service point and put it in the rubbish bin.

According to the Finnish Road Traffic Act, front and rear lights must be used when cycling at dusk and dawn.

Dusk starts around 11.30 pm and ends around 3.30 am during the Saimaa Cycle Tour.

A bike service tent is available at all service points at the event. From there you can get help with the most common technical problems. There will also be Saimaa Cycle Tour service vehicles cruising along the route to help participants if needed.

Service work at the bike service points or from a service vehicle is free of charge, but all the necessary spare parts are subject to a fee and must be paid to the event organiser or partners.

In the event of an intermediate breakdown, the first task of each participant is to prevent further damage and the first priority is to repair the breakdowns themselves or with the help of a cyclist.

  • When a breakdown occurs, inform your fellow cyclists and immediately move to the right-hand side of the road.
  • Don't panic or get upset, but check the necessary maintenance
  • If it's a service you can do yourself and you have the necessary equipment and tools, take your time.
  • If you do not know or are unable to carry out the necessary maintenance, wait for the organiser's service vehicle on the route, which can help you with the most common maintenance operations.
    • The service is free of charge but any spare parts or major equipment must be paid for by the organiser or their partner.
    • Please note that you may have to wait for a service vehicle
    • Position yourself where you can be seen and when the service vehicle approaches, raise your hand clearly to signal for assistance.
  • If the service cannot be carried out at the roadside, a service vehicle can take you and your bike to the nearest service point.

In the event of a collision or other situation leading to possible injury, the first task of every cyclist is to prevent further injuries.

The organiser has a first-aid officer who can be reached by phone on the event hotline number, which can be found on the bib number. He or she will direct the necessary emergency medical assistance to the scene.

  • As stipulated in the Finnish Road Traffic Act, everyone has a duty to help in the event of a road accident. Please, always help in the event of a collision.
  • Don't panic or get upset, but check the condition of the injured.
  • Immediately move to the right side of the road if you have no problems moving.
  • In the event of a surface scratch, asphalt rash or other damage and you are able to continue cycling, you can get first aid at the nearest service point. All service points have a first aid tent.
  • If you have injuries that require first aid along the route, you can contact the organiser's hotline by phone if necessary. Hotline numbers can be found on the bib number.
    • Indicate whether there has been an accident or a medical incident.
    • Please include your name and contact details and as accurate location as possible.
    • Answer any questions and wait for further guidance. Only hang up when you are authorised to do so.
    • Direct the organiser's first aid unit to the scene.

If the person involved in the collision is unresponsive, not breathing, suspected cardiac dysfunction or a more serious degree of injury is suspected, contact the emergency services immediately.

  • Emergency services phone number is 112
  • Indicate whether there has been an accident or a medical incident.
  • Please include your name and contact details and as accurate a location as possible.
  • Answer any questions and wait for further guidance. Only hang up when you are authorised to do so.
  • Direct the first aid unit dispatched by the emergency services to the scene.

The Finnish Red Cross first aid staff will assist in case of illness during the event. SPR first aid tents can be found at all service points and at Imatra's Inkerinaukio in the event area. The first aid team will help in case of minor injuries or treatment requiring first aid. More demanding treatments will be provided by the hospitals or health centres on duty along the route.

Neither Saimaa Cycle Tour nor SPR provide medicines. If you need medication, we recommend that you bring it with you (e.g. painkillers).

During the event, you can have a short massage focusing on the acute problem area (muscle cramps, neck and shoulder pain). The massage is free of charge and is provided by the Saimaa Cycle Tour in cooperation with Rela-Hierojat (www.relahierojat.fi).

  • From the first food service point (approx. 100 km), all service points have access to massage for acute problems.
  • There is the possibility to have a short 10-15 min massage for example on legs, back or neck and shoulders free of charge.

Please note that you may have to queue for a massage at service points and especially after the finish.

Saimaa Cycle Tour hopes that all participants will be able to cycle the route from start to finish. However, if you are not able to finish for one reason or another, please proceed as follows.

  • If possible, drop out and stop cycling at the service point and inform the service point staff.
  • If you have to drop out and stop on the route, wait for a service vehicle that can take you to the nearest service point.
  • In all cases, remember to inform the organisers of the stopping.
  • If you do not need the organisers' transport, please remember to inform the organisers of this as well.

The organisers have arranged free transport to the event area at Imatra's Inkerinaukio square for all those who drop out.

  • Drop-outs will be picked up from the service points at the event.
  • Please note that you may have to wait several hours for transport.

The bikes of cyclists who drop out will also be transported to the finish area free of charge.

  • Bicycles can be transported at different times from cyclists.
  • The bikes of drop-outs will be transported to Imatra to a secure bike storage area at the finish of the event, where you can pick up your bike with your registration number.

Attention! Saimaa Cycle Tour does not take any responsibility and will not replace bikes damaged in transit. Bicycles will be protected as well as possible during transport to avoid possible damage.

After the event

The changing rooms and showers are located at Imatra Urheilutalo, Kotipolku 2, Imatra (Google Maps).

The changing rooms and showers are open Fri 7 July 5 pm - Sat 8 July 7 pm.

Although the journey home may be long and the rush home is great, you've just completed a huge physical activity. While you may feel energetic and refreshed, now is not the time to jump behind the wheel of a vehicle and head home.

If you are participating in the 300 km route, the Saimaa Cycle Tour recommends at least six (6) hours of rest after crossing the finish line before driving.

Have a safe journey home!

Sportograf, the world's largest mass sport event photo service, arrives to take photos of the Saimaa Cycle Tour. You can buy event photos directly from Sportograf.

Sportograf's service will categorise the images according to participation numbers and after the event you can retrieve your own images from the service based on your participation number.

Read more at www.sportograf.com/en

You can inquire about lost items during the event at the Saimaa Cycle Tour event office at Imatra Inkerinaukio or at the event's storage point at Imatra Urheilutalo. After the event, you can inquire about lost items by e-mail at support@saimaacycletour.com.