Cycling and Disc Golf
Jessica took this photo at Munkkiniemen frisbeegolfrata during our first week in Helsinki.
One of the perks of our current living situation is that we can “rent” bikes for free from our building. The bikes aren’t exactly Tour-de-France ready. Mine had no bell, and a few of the spokes on the back wheel rattled out of position as I bounced my way through a construction zone. But they get the job done.
Helsinki is a city built for cycling: there are nearly 1,000 miles of solid bike paths throughout the city. No matter the weather, you’ll see locals pedaling by. I was among them on Tuesday morning. My destination was the most famous disc golf course in Helsinki, Talin Disc Golf Park (aka Talin frisbeegolfpuisto).
My New Favorite Sport
In April 2020, a couple of my best friends introduced me to disc golf. We were looking for a safe way to have fun during the pandemic. I was horrible at it, but it turns out that throwing frisbees in the woods with friends and a beer in hand is a great way to stay sane.
Almost a year and a half later, I am fully hooked. I play at least a couple of times per week, so I finally have some control over my discs. I even watch professional tournaments which are posted on YouTube with great production quality. It is fair to say that disc golf is close to an obsession for me.
I assumed I would have to give up my new favorite sport when Jessica and I relocated to Finland. As it turns out, Finland has the second most disc golf courses per capita in the entire world! My discs were among the few belongings that I stuffed into my duffel before our flight.
Out on the Course
You may be able to make out the red band on the basket at the end of the tunnel if you zoom in.
My first stop was Munkkiniemen frisbeegolfpuista, a nine-hole course in the neighborhood of Munkkiniemi. I did not plan to stop there, but — after pedaling up inclines on a two-gear bike for twenty minutes — my legs felt like rubber. The idea of a warm-up round had gained appeal.
After a quick round in Munkkiniemi, I made my way to my intended destination in Talin. I wanted to get a feel for a “real” Finnish disc golf course. Talin Disc Golf park fulfilled that desire.
It is the highest-rated course in Helsinki, and it is home to a professional tournament in the spring. Needless to say, I did not keep track of my score. I did peek over my shoulder a few times to see if there were any witnesses after I thwacked my disc into nearby trees.
It was a beautiful course. My only desire is that I can share it with friends at some point. It gets warmer in May!
The Outdoors as Therapy
It has been a challenge to be away from family and friends. I anticipate that it will only get harder as the daylight hours dwindle and the cold creeps in. Going outside is my remedy for melancholy.
The more time I spend in Helsinki the more I appreciate the old Finnish saying, “There's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.” If it’s raining, wear a raincoat and boots. If it’s cold, wear a hat and gloves.
This mentality speaks to me, and I want to bring it back to New England. Whether it’s cycling, disc golf, or something else, I need to spend time outdoors this winter. A few minutes outside does wonders for my psyche.
More on Disc Golf
If you’re curious about disc golf, I highly recommend it. Discs are cheap and most of the courses are free. If nothing else, it’s a great excuse to walk in the woods.
You can look up courses on UDisc.com and buy a starter set. Also, check out the breakdown of the greatest disc golf shot of all time below. It’s worth five minutes of your time, I promise!