Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Merry Christmas from sub-24 Helsinki



To all sub-24ers, past, present and future, we wish you a very happy Christmas and an adventurous new year!


Next trip: January 2015.
Comments welcome.

Sunday, November 16, 2014

Sub-24 Pikkujoulu































I've finally recovered enough from the sub-24 pikkujoulu to put some pictures on here. When I'm feeling up to it, I might even post something about them:



























Thursday, October 16, 2014

24th October

is when a very chilly sub-24 ride took place.

We'll tell you all about it some time soon...












Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Myrsky

September, ruska season in full swing, and 6 cyclists in the wind looking for a connection with the spirit of Finnish Nature (read an equinox storm).

No plans being drawn in advance, they let their heart lead the way. First, the well-trodden Kunnarlantie towards Pirttimäki. Answering the spell of the forest, they promptly turned to Reitti 2000, the famous long distance trail of Helsinki metropolitan area. Hazy memories from previous hiking trips led to think the section up North from Pirttimäki would be cyclable, but reality quickly kicked in and soon they found themselves pushing the bikes over roots and rocks.









Still in high spirits, a decision nonetheless had to be taken: continuing in the forest over bumpy terrain, or rolling easily along the nicest touring road of the region, Velskolantie?
Unable to resist the attraction for smooth asphalt once in sight, our cyclists turned to the road, cruising up and down the hills. Reaching the crossroad on Vihdintie they all came with a general agreement about the place for camp: The laavu of Kämmenlampi bordering Espoo and Vihti, by the Reitti 2000.

After pondering 3 different options to reach it, the group pushed North towards Rinnekoti in full speed. The Beast, having some recollection from a solo walk along the Reitti 2000 in 2012 was put with the duty to find the connection to the trail. A lucky spotting of a fading blue and white mark on a tree and all were back on a challenging terrain once again, definitely more suitable for hiking than cycling.










Darkness setting in, the push over mires and streams through the woods went on for a good while, until full night finally came. A quick glance at the map was enough to realize it would still take at least an hour of painful effort along the trail to reach the laavu. With some creative map reading, an alternative route was chosen: first circumnavigating a lake on a countryside road, followed by a few hundred meters of hacking our way through the woods keeping a second lake on our right to keep the right direction, to finally find Myllymajalämmentie where the sign to the laavu was indicated. The plan worked brilliantly!


Deep in the night the sight of 6 cyclists coming from nowhere might have scared a bit the 2 hikers already at the laavu, but it looks like they did not mind the company. A proper autumn storm scheduled for the night, Lee, Robin and Florian opted for the laavu to set up their sleeping systems, while Nick, Christiane and Xavier would try their luck setting up their shelters to see how they would hold in the wind and heavy rain. The usual dinner in common was enjoyed and after a few silly discussions it was time to blow off the candles and call it a night.

Roaring winds, torrential rain (almost no exaggeration here), nothing could trouble the sleep of our tired cyclists. A bright sun and crisp autumn air welcomed their morning, feeling at at one with themselves, each other, and the surrounding nature.

A brief breakfast, a straight ride along Vihdintie with Nick and Robin and I was home, full of memories of the last few hours. Who said you cannot get an adventure in less than 24 hours? Certainly not Sub24 Helsinki.

Thanks all for the companionship and the great times out there.

- Florian




 


Saturday, August 30, 2014

Sub24 August 2014

PORKKALA

VÄRANSBY



We left with a distant target in mind: The beautiful peninsula of Porkkala and its numerous dear and elk. One group left from Bemböle and another from Otaniemi to meet at Länsiväylä’s bridge on the border of Kirkkonummi. My group was a bit early and we could indulge in the contemplation of fishermen pulling pikes and perch from the water. If fishing calms down the soul, watching fishermen is even more powerful anti-stress activity. 

The sub24 group was strong of seven riders this time, in a merry mood and ready to explore new roads. From Sarvvikin Puistotie, we turned left to Finnbyntie to risk ourselves in a web of country side roads. Making the most of digitalized printed map, satellite geolocalization and Nokia map, we found our way to Långvik, crossing some farm roads and entertaining some friendly cows (I take the opportunity to thank the monster-sized bull to have stayed out of sight). 



Near Långvik, we made an unusual decision: we changed our plan and decided to head for Väransby. The reason was that orienteering might have been difficult on the never ending web of small roads. Now that I write these lines, I see that Honskbyvägen and Bondarbyvägen would have lead us relatively simply to Porkkalantie. Let’s keep that in mind for another time. 








The ride continued smoothly to the very beautiful camping spot of Väransby. The still water was a mirror, reflecting the stunning archipelago landscape. Few riders could resist the temptation to swim surrounded by the colours of the setting sun despite the water having turned to the chilly side already.
The shelter had been rebuilt since last time and once again we were thankful for the good job of the organizations keeping these shelters in such good shape. 


The evening went with cooking, shared treats, happy fire and good company. Apparently mosquitoes already stopped to be a threat at this time of the year. Some geese were making test flights in the sky, getting ready for their migration to Continental Europe. My heart tensed for a second at the thought that these birds take the summer away and we are heading fast into another round of darkness.

Please, never do that and consider more sensible camping stove.



In the morning, a small group of early birds left early, while the rest took hearty breakfast and good coffee. We went back to Bemböle by Kuninkaantie. Thanks to all the riders for this pleasant edition and stayed tuned for the next ride that might include a surprise. -Olivier
 

















Wednesday, July 23, 2014

July trip

I haven't said it for a while, but... there will always be a sub-24! 

This month a very relaxed group or four enjoyed some very diverse riding and amazing sunshine at Hynkänlampi. 

Interestingly, there were as many women as men this time - a sub-24 first! And for the first time, we stayed so long at the lake, we barely made it home in under 24 hours. 

The other item of note was the surprising peacefulness of the camp (despite it being a sunny summer Friday) and the outrageous breaking of that peace by a coach-load of North American cruisers!



Let's hope for similar weather next month...