Sub24 here we go again!

Sub24 are getting less frequent but they are still as lovely. We rode to Väransby, seeing 44 deers on the way. We had some self made energy bar, pulla and some tea while the sun was taking all the colours along. A sub24 candidate visited us in pitch darkness, got amazed of the place and shared a cup of tea before leaving. We hope to get more camping enthusiast! 

The wine tasted good under the stars, though all the heat of the world was radiating away in the outer space. But no chill resists a good plate of pasta. The fox wanted his share and came circling around us with is bright eyes.

Finland is a good place for those who want to watch sunset, sleep 8 hours and see sunrise. The dawn was breathtaking, so much beauty to take at once, I nearly fainted. Hot tea and banana bread got us full of energy and we started an amazing ride home. Everybody knows what Saturday means: we barely saw two deers, while we spotted 30 hunters getting ready. 

A taste of winter with the colours of autumn. Let's keep riding sub24 my friends!

 

The idiots went to Koppernäs.

We went camping to a gorgeous spot by the sea in Koppernäs. The wind from the sea was freezing, the sun was playing hide-and-seek with the clouds while dispensing a colorful light and sometimes a short snowfall was adding to the wonder of the moment. The migratory seabirds had only one thought in mind: find a partner and little piece of rock for the spring, which made an entertaining show.

These seabirds, they have quite outdated mating protocol I would say. Eight Eider dudes were harassing a single Eider girl, chasing her, jumping on her, fighting between each other and shouting at her while making the chest large. Very inappropriate indeed. The swans didn't behave better, always aggressive, flying into each other, fighting incessantly for a miserable piece of shore. So uneducated.

The way there was uneventful, a peaceful ride through a king bridge, huge fields and smaller roads. We could see rain falling further, but our route didn't cross one of these rain clouds. Lucky us. The most notable incident was the inexplicable loss of the fishing lure of one of our riders.

We had a lazy morning, some fishing, some hiking by the shore and exploring the beautiful nature of the peninsula. We got some notable example of Finnish sisu with the little tree below that grows straight from a tiny hole in the rock, serving a life sentence of exposure to wind and frost, unable to growth from the lack of space for the roots. There might be some sort of fulfillment to endure decades of hardship  without giving up, a sort of full acceptance of one's destiny. However, there might be more enviable fate to live and I recommend all of us to take good care of our karma to avoid rebirth as a pine growing in such conditions. You can avoid that by refraining from insulting strangers in the street.

Why the idiots you may ask? A lady full of self-importance came up with the idea when she said that straight to my face while we were riding three of us in Espoo. I am not sure exactly why, since we were only three of us and it is challenging to go closer than the safety distance while riding a bicycle. The current situation gives to some people the feeling they can insult openly other people if they have slight difference in interpretation of the strictness of the public health recommendations. I think we will need more than just keeping safe distance to survive this pandemic, also support, understanding and a sense of human dignity, which certainly does not allow us to insult people in the street. So let's have a good look at this tree, think of our karma and behave like educated people.  

Folks, take good care! Ride bicycles, it strengthens lungs and helps to manage the worst flu and other viruses.

What is this?

sub24 is coronavirus compatible

While we all get crazy because of spending most of our time indoor, it felt sub24 was a powerful antidote to these difficult times.

We ended our remote work day early and jumped on our bikes, except for one of us that got its bike stolen the previous night. Take good care of these bicycles even in indoor storage. Sub24 people are very resourceful and an extra bike was found.

We had a lovely ride to Linlo, keeping carefully social distancing while catching up with the latest news. We spotted many deers in the Kirkkonummi country-side. The island was quite full from people grilling sausages in the evening, but we were lucky to find a good spot that has just been freed.

Polish tea and cinnamon rolls were shared in the sharing and caring tradition of sub24 before we set up our night equipment. Rapidly we were set and preparing our dinner for which water sea water was needed. The rocks were extremely slippery and steep by the water and it was fortunate that absolutely NOBODY fell in the water with bell pepper and phone, because the water was cold and the wind chilly. Fortunately some spare clothes could have been found in case somebody went in the water by accident and the grill had glass windows offering a good protection from the wind.

I fell asleep in my hammock, breathing the fresh outdoor air and I realised how much I had missed those nights out.

The next morning was glorious, sun high up, beautiful sea and plentiful breakfast table. Some tried their luck at fishing, while some other went exploring the island. The day visitors were already pouring in. We headed back to Espoo while the day felt as warm as July.

Note: sub24 recommends to gather in small number only and keep a safety distance- from each other and from slippery rocks. We don't publish invitation during the epidemic to avoid creating large gathering. However, feel free to contact one of the organizer to join/organize a sub24!

Sub24 3.5 at Urja, Nuuksio. The last snow flakes?

After two weeks of sunny mild weather, the arctic weather system decided to expand over Europe bringing freezing temperature just in time for our sub24! Despite a bitterly cold wind, we were four to ride our bicycles happily towards the mighty wood of Nuuksio. We went along Pitkäjärvi, turned towards Kolmperä and started to push the bicycles for the last 700 m to Urja, which was a bit adventurous especially the narrow bridges for our loaded bicycles.

The lovely campsite of Urja was waiting for us, empty. A fire was quickly set up and we could enjoy some evening sun and the majestic view towards the lake. However tempting it was, nobody indulged in a swim. Some good food was soon simmering, asparagus and smoked salmon rice, rabbit stew and other delicacies that are common sight among the sub24 foodies. 

We all slept well despite the group of scouts having a good evening not so far from us. The night went as cold to -4°C. I am well equipped for cold weather, no problem, but I wonder why we seem to always get this extreme weather on sub24. All the Finnish problems were forgotten when I find myself enjoying some banana bread with a freshly brewed coffee, while some sun light broke through the cloud while a light snow fall started. The sight was of utter beauty.

I was hoping to return through part of the reitti 2000, but a screw of my rack broke, leaving half of it in the frame. The situation was saved using a useful rope and more importantly by the solidarity of the group that took a big part of the weight off my rack. Thanks for that and thanks for this beautiful trip.

When is the next sub24? Contact us to suggest a date.

Olivier

P.S. I managed to get the broken screw off my frame without damage!

Next sub24, this Friday, 3.5!

Despite the temperature went chilly again, we cycle again to the woods for a night of camping in Nuuksio.

See you at Bemböle shell gas station at 17:30 on 3.5. We will ride together to Nuuksio and have a lovely time.

Next sub24 03.05

Next sub24 on 3rd May!

12.04 Väransby report

Sometimes you think that you might just be two to the sub24 and a few regulars pop up by surprise and three join through word-to-mouth (a chat seems to often beat these gigantic data server regarding communication efficiency). So we ride from Otaniemi to Väransby, meeting freely along the way and as far as at the camping. We took the out-of-the-beaten track road in the Kirkkonummi countryside. Lazy deers were grazing and resting in a pack of 16 in the fields, enjoying watching our struggle on the dirt road.

The Väransby did not disappoint us one more time. While we were sipping Polish tea watching the last waves dissolving in the evening calm and forming this bright mirror surface and these sharp tree silhouettes on the islands. There was a consensus that the air was chilly and no swimmers went to break this perfect stillness of the water.

New people, new habits. Delicious marinated steaks were grilled among all the other delicious food that comforted us. The deluxe item tradition is still strong. The fire kept us warm and long awake.

On our way back, we stopped at the landvik kyläkauppa for morning coffee. The group slowly diverged and we were two to follow the beautiful sea shore of Espoo all the way to Tapiola. The crispy temperature kept the path conveniently uncrowded.

Thanks for the very nice company, welcome again to the newcomers! As usual feel free to bring friends and colleagues along.

Olivier

 

 

Next sub24 12.04

Despite the winter coming back, we have a sub24 scheduled on 12.04. We will go to Väransby and meet at 17:00 in Otaniemi (in front of the new aalto building) or at 17:30 on the south bridge of espoon lahti (on the espoo side).

Cheers
Olivier