Routes

You can view the Long Pirkka route in more detail via this link.

Route: Tampere – Kangasala – Valkeakoski – Akaa – Urjala – Punkalaidun – Vesilahti – Lempäälä – Pirkkala – Tampere.

In the Long Pirkka, it is possible to participate in average-speed groups where the pace is maintained with the help of designated ride leaders. The cycling club Kaupin Kanuunat acts as the leader of the groups, and each group has its own group leader. Four different average speeds are available: 34, 32, 30, and 28 (±1) km/h. Groups A and B are identical and start consecutively along the route. Registration for the average-speed groups is done at the time of event registration. The maximum group size is 35 participants plus leaders. Any bicycle breakdowns must be handled independently; the group will not wait for stopped riders. All average-speed groups follow the same route. Joining an average-speed group along the way is prohibited. There is no difference between A and B groups—this division only serves to create smaller group sizes.

Riders in the Long Pirkka (210 km) will start from 7.20 onwards from the yard of the Tampere Exhibition and Sports Centre. The average-speed groups depart first, starting with the fastest. After them, riders without a specific target time start in groups of 30 cyclists, in numerical order.

At the starting area, cyclists will receive sports drink to fill their own bottles.
There are six service points along the route (Liuksiala School / 24 km, Voipala Art Centre / 60 km, Urjala Comprehensive School / 101 km, Krääkkiö PVY community hall / 147 km, Vesilahti Market Square (church village) / 172 km, and Säijä School / 191 km). At the Krääkkiö service point, participants in the Long Pirkka will be served a soup lunch. Hot soup will also be available at the finish.

The finish at the Tampere Exhibition and Sports Centre closes at 20.00.

You can view the Klassikko route in more detail via this link.

Route: Tampere – Kangasala – Valkeakoski – Akaa – Vesilahti – Lempäälä – Pirkkala – Tampere.

There are five service points along the route (Liuksiala School / 24 km, Voipala Art Centre / 60 km, Akaa Arena / 80 km, Vesilahti Market Square (church village) / 95 km, and Säijä School / 114 km).
At the starting area, sports drink will be distributed for participants to fill their own bottles, and soup will be served to participants at the finish.

When registering, participants choose a starting group according to their target time:

target time under 5 hours (starting time from 8.00)
target time under 6 hours (starting time from 8.25)
target time under 7 hours (starting time from 8.50)
no target time (starting time from 9.1)

We advise the fastest riders to register for the first starting group (target time under 5 hours).
A maximum of 500 riders will be accepted into the first three starting tiers.

The first starts of the Classic (134 km) are at 8.00.
In all starting tiers, riders are sent off in groups of 30 at one-minute intervals, and a pause is held between tiers before the next starting time begins. Starting during the pause is prohibited. By registering for a starting time group that matches your pace, you are more likely to find fellow riders maintaining a similar speed right from the start. This reduces the need for overtaking on the road and improves traffic safety.

Starts take place in numerical order; queue jumping with a larger number is prohibited. A rider with a smaller number may move back to join a rider with a larger number.

All starts will be completed by approximately 10.00.

The finish at the Tampere Exhibition and Sports Centre closes at 20.00.

You can view the Hiekka Pirkka route in more detail via this link. Here is the route for summer 2025.

The route follows other cycling routes while seeking to include as much unpaved road surface as possible. It uses the same service points, but the route does not pass through all of them.

The Hiekka Pirkka route for summer 2026 will be modified somewhat compared to summer 2025. More detailed information about the route and the service points along the way will be updated later.

There are no pre-designated average-speed groups in Hiekka Pirkka. The route is not marked in the terrain, but a GPX file is available in advance so you can familiarize yourself with the route. Traffic control is provided at least at points where the route crosses or meets the main road route.

At the start, sports drink will be distributed for participants to fill their own bottles.
Service points along the 2025 route were: Voipaala (54 km), Akaa Arena (86 km), and Säijä School (121 km).
At the finish, participants will also be served a soup lunch.

The finish at the Tampere Exhibition and Sports Centre closes at 20.00.

Night Cycling follows the same route as the Classic.
Route: Tampere – Kangasala – Valkeakoski – Akaa – Vesilahti – Lempäälä – Pirkkala – Tampere.

There is one service point along the route: Akaa Arena / 80 km. Sports drink will be distributed at the start for participants to fill their own bottles.

The start takes place from the yard of the Tampere Exhibition and Sports Centre on Friday 12.6. evening at 21.00. Riders depart in groups of approximately 30 at one-minute intervals. Faster riders should position themselves toward the front to avoid unnecessary overtaking. Start numbers have no significance in Night Cycling.

The route is marked with plastic ribbons, and there is no traffic control along the way. Cyclists must follow normal traffic laws and have no special right of way.

The finish at the Tampere Exhibition and Sports Centre closes on Saturday 13.6. morning at 6.00.

In My Cycling, participants may ride a distance of their choice (210 km, 134 km, or gravel 150 km), in a location and at a time that suits them, provided the performance is completed by 30.6.2026, counting from the purchase date.

Sales of the self-guided package end on 31.5.2026. All registered participants will receive their personal bib number, medal, and sticker by post. Mailings are sent at the turn of April–May, in mid-May, and at the turn of May–June, and if necessary also in mid-April.

You will receive an official result entry and your name in the results list by submitting a GPX file (or equivalent) of your ride after completion, either by sharing the activity or providing a screenshot. The performance is returned via a form available on this website. Official performance recognition is granted according to normal rules for distances of 134 km and 210 km. You do not need to choose a distance when registering, but if you want your name in the results list, state the ridden distance when submitting your performance.

My Cycling is accepted as a partial completion of the Pirkan Kierros.

If desired, the My Cycling participation fee can be transferred to the official cycling event; in this case, the difference in participation fee will be charged.
Participation in the official cycling event can be transferred to My Cycling, but the price difference will not be refunded. Notification of the transfer is made via a form that will later be available on this website.
The participation fee cannot be transferred to the following year, and payments are not refunded under any circumstances.

Participants ride My Cycling at their own risk and commit to following traffic regulations and respecting other road users. The self-guided ride does not include service points, maintenance, or transport in case of interruption.

Routes

LONG PIRKKA 210 KM

CLASSIC PIRKKA 134 KM

SAND PIRKKA N. 150 KM

ADAPTED CYCLING approx. 20 km

NIGHT CYCLING 134 KM (Fri–Sat, 12.-13.6.)

LILLIPUT FAMILY CYCLING 2–5 km (Saturday, 13.6.)

MY CYCLING