Triathlon training in Helsinki

MickAAA · Post by **MickAAA** » Wed Sep 07, 2011 7:50 am

Hi All,

I am looking for some advice for triathlon training in Helsinki in October/November this year. I am coming over for 9 weeks for work from Adelaide, Australia and when I go back in early December to Australia, I have an Ironman triathlon to compete in Busselton, Perth, Australia (my first triathlon too - I know, I am crazy).

I see the average temperature is starting to drop at that time of the year. What is it like to ride in that temperature/weather? Are there bike tracks around that I can use within a close proximity to the centre of Helsinki. I have a 20km track that I use in Adelaide and I am happy doing the same track over and over again. I prefer not to ride on the road if possible.

I am still considering whether to bring my bike over with me. Has anyone experienced bike transport with Finair? Bad/good?

Also, I am looking for a pool in Helsinki that I can do lap swimming in. I prefer a 50m pool, but a 25m pool would be sufficient. There is a good one located in the centre of the city, but it looks like more of a spa (naked spa?), rather than a lap swimming pool.

I am also interested in going to spin/RPM classes at a gym. Does anyone have any good recommendations?

Most of the websites are in Finish and when I can translate them, they don't seem to give specific information about dimensions of the pools and if they are used for lap swimming or just casual swimming. This website helped a bit, but most of the pools are a decent distance away which are large enough and I am not sure what they are like. http://www.hel2.fi/liv/eng/pools.html

Any help anyone could give would be greatly appreciated because I am freaking out a little with the prospect of not being able to continue my training, at the most vital stage of training while overseas.

**Sponsor:**

MickAAA · Post by **MickAAA** » Wed Sep 07, 2011 8:31 am

Just storing some information here so I can use it to lookup.

I will be pretty much staying right in the centre of Helsinki.

I have found some pools which look promising:
http://www.hel2.fi/liv/eng/ruoholahti.html - 25m and close
http://www.hel2.fi/liv/eng/yrjonkatu.html - 25m Not sure if this one would be for lap swimming though. Looks more like a relaxation spa.
http://www.hel2.fi/liv/eng/kallio.html - 25m Possibly with a train ride?
http://www.hel2.fi/liv/eng/lauttasaari.html - 25m Train again?
http://www.hel2.fi/liv/eng/makelanrinne.html -50m Looks big, but train ride? I will be going to work near Käpylä train station, so this may be on the same train loop. This may be a possible way to get there: http://www.reittiopas.fi/?from_in=Helsi ... &nroutes=3

Rosamunda · Post by **Rosamunda** » Wed Sep 07, 2011 10:08 am

Helsinki is a very small city and getting to all those pools is easy with public transport. Lauttasaari, for example, is a short bus ride from the city centre (10-15mins) and you can get to Kallio on bus, tram or metro very easily. You could also cycle between those places though not all the roads have cycle paths/lanes.

There is also a pool at Itäkeskus which is easily accessible on the metro.
http://www.hel.fi/hki/Liv/en/sports+fac ... mming+hall

http://www.hel.fi/wps/wcm/connect/64ca1 ... -505936635

Our minister of foreign trade is a tri-athlete, you might find some info if you google "Alexander Stubb", maybe he has a blog... not sure.

http://www.alexstubb.com/fi/blog/

There are gyms all over the city: eg SATS, Elixia which are both "chains" meaning they have several gyms in different locations and you can get a membership which allows you to use any of them.

www.sats.fi
http://www.elixia.fi

Probably best to choose one which is convenient... most of them let you have a try out session before you sign up.

MagicJ · Post by **MagicJ** » Wed Sep 07, 2011 11:18 pm

MickAAA wrote: http://www.hel2.fi/liv/eng/makelanrinne.html -50m Looks big, but train ride? I will be going to work near Käpylä train station, so this may be on the same train loop. This may be a possible way to get there: Your search: Helsinki railway station to pool

You used the wrong search, the pool is really close to where you will work, 10mins by bus max or walk in 15.
Work to pool
You'll also notice on that map that across the road from the pool is Helsinki velodrome. No idea if they're open in winter, if there's no snow then maybe???

Upphew · Post by **Upphew** » Thu Sep 08, 2011 9:29 am

MagicJ wrote:You'll also notice on that map that across the road from the pool is Helsinki velodrome. No idea if they're open in winter, if there's no snow then maybe???

Seems to close 30.9. : http://www.hel.fi/hki/Liv/fi/liikuntapa ... t/velodrom

MickAAA · Post by **MickAAA** » Thu Sep 08, 2011 9:40 am

Thanks all. I am more confident about being able to swim in Finland now.

Just have to make a decision whether I bringmy road bike over there for 9 weeks or not. Whether just doing spin/RPM in the gym would be enough or to find a bike to hire/borrow.

Rosamunda · Post by **Rosamunda** » Thu Sep 08, 2011 7:08 pm

Well, the weather can do almost anything in October and November but you can expect icy roads and pavements early in the morning and off the cuff I would say there is a 50% chance of some snow during that period. It is also dark (if you have 9-5 working hours expect it to be dark before you go to work and when you leave ). And it can be windy and wet even if it isn't snowing. October can be nice: last year it was lovely at the beginning of October but IIRC we had snow in November.

There are people who cycle all year round and it is even possible to buy winter tyres for road bikes but... is it something you really want to do?

Depending on your budget it might be possible to buy/rent a bike at a reasonable price since it is definitely the off-peak season. OTOH if you are fussy about what kind of bike you want...

Do you need to make the decision much in advance? Or can you just turn up at the airport with the bike?

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