The morning in Lahti city was very pleasant even though I had to drive here and there while looking for a repair shop. I at first called to the Skyteam dealer and asked where in Lahti there is the approved repairing shop. The dealer asked how much I had driven. I told him about 190km and that I managed to get the oils changed yesterday at 60km. He said I can drive to Mikkeli without changing oils. I said I want to change the oils, I haven’t spent a night in Lahti in vain. The dealer gave me contac details for the approved mechanic, but we however agreed that I can go change the oils to any shop and maintain the guarantee of the bike. So I chose to go to Riku Motors, of which I have heard good things.


At first I found Riku Motor’s motorcycle and gear shop. There I met the head of the shop himself in person. I asked from him how much it costs to change oils. He said I must go ask about it from the Riku Motor’s repairing shop and gave me a card with driving information. Then another customer came and said he wants to buy a bike. Riku said alright and asked me what bike I have. I said I only have a small enduro and proceeded to walk out of the shop. Riku followed me outside even though he had a customer who wanted to buy a bike. Outside of the shop Riku was impressed of my poor little Skyteam and asked how much it does cost. I said 3000€ list price. Riku Said “It is nothing”. I disagreed and he said it can still be a lot of money. This time I agreed and we kept chatting about my bike for some time before I left and he went to serve the customer wanting to buy a bike. Amazing! Stories of the owner of the Riku Motors appear to be very much true. Just a freakingly big pity I did not took a photograph of him observing my Skyteam. Lazy shy me!





I found the Riku Motor repairing shop. There were plenty of bikes waiting to be served inside. I told to workers I have a new bike and I am breaking the motor in on it and need to get the oils changed, how much it would cost. They said 50 to 60 euro, which made me start complaining at once of the price. I however agreed after they answered that the price of the oil is included in it, also again I had no plans to spend a night in Lahti in vain.


I drunk a cup of free coffee for the customers from the selection of different refreshments in liquid form. It took about 5 minutes before they were ready to take my bike in for the emergency maintenance. Another 5 minutes and I got my bike back. The bill was 46 euro. Now it was just a matter of driving about 120km back to home. I got the oils changed two times as I had planned. The reason for so many oil changes were a new theory on breaking in the motor. I don’t go to the reasoning of it but the theory suggests one to drive harder and change the oils more frequently.


After driving about 20km from Lahti and driving through Heinola, a small village, I saw a car blocking the way and smoke coming from the distance. I saw an adventure!





The car turned and went away. I had already dismounted and begun to walk towards the smoke when I heard a series of loud explosions. Puzzled on what is happening I took photographs of explosions and cursed I had no zoom or tele lense in camera. As you can see, the explosions were quite big when you compare the size of fire to the street lamps and street lamps to the road worker. This is very unusual in Finland.





I was worried if the road workers would turn me back if I try to drive closer with my bike, so I had to keep walking. And now comes a pro tip (even though I am not a pro photo journalist): act like a pro and you will be treated like a pro. I can’t count how many times people have asked to what newspaper I do photograph. There was a problem that the road worker would turn me back even though I was not driving my bike. To counter it I begun to take pictures of him while he closed by.





It worked or he was not interested of me, he just ignored me and turned the cars away. Note my great little Skyteam parked on the side of the road.





Another road worker came to guide the traffic and the same trick worked. Act like pro and don’t begin to ask stupid questions. I don’t actually know how the pro photo journalist work but I guess they god damn take pictures xD And since I am a photo journalist and adventurer wannabee I god damn take pictures too.





The first fire department rescue car came.





To the opposite direction went a road working vehicle.





Two men were watching the situation. After I photographed them I got confirmed I was acting good like a pro since they asked me do I photograph to some newspaper. I said no I don’t. Unfortunately I had no time to have a chat with them. Duty called!





It was going all good from my side, I managed to get closer without being asked to go away.





Act like a pro; get access and get the pictures.





Seriously, it is good if someone documents what kind of work these firemen do. They are the first to go literally in to the fire. Even I were fine letting them go first. The best wisdom of life I have been told is “it is okay to be crazy but it is bad to be stupid”. I heard that when I was 18. I can say it has ever since been my motto.





I was told that there can be some gas bottles which has not yet exploded.





Firemen discussing about the situation.





Fight fire with water!





Great work firemen.





The firemen did their job, and thanks to their judgement skills they let me do mine as a wannebee photo journalist. The world is now a little bit better place.





Unfortunately my memory card became full of pictures so I chose to go away. My little but great Skyteam was waiting for me faithfully. It was great to meet her again, I can say it was relatively long time no see! I got an ad hoc surprise adventure, of which I have to admit I was very happy and my spirits were high big time, yet I could not help it but to think how nasty the smoke looked and how much firemen get exposed to it. Have to treat them with respect.



(To be continued..)