There were not
enough sub24 organised this year, so we decided to go ex tempore for
a december cycling trip. As often, when we set the date, the weather forecast turned ugly. We cycled together from
Bemböle to a fireplace near Kattilajärvi. Continuous snowfall kept
us company, giving a magic winter feeling to our forest ride. The
snow was light, fluffy and gorgeous. We could not get too much of it.
At Kattilajärvi, we had to cross a couple of lakes to reach the
fireplace. Fortunately thick ice made the endeavour easy. As I crossed the lake, I looked at my fellow cyclists and could only see some light spot moving around. It was beautiful.
We stopped, pitched
tents and light a heart-warming (and limb-warming) fire and proceeded
to the eating arrangements. Soon, the saucisson was sliced and shared
and the delicious smells of various food were floating around us.
Perhaps the cheese fondue was dominating. Some Pino Grigio and some
glöggi were shared, while we were eating joulutorttu and chocolate
banana were getting grilled on the fire. This was pikkujoulu and indeed
we ate and drank plenty.
We went to sleep,
while the temperature rised slightly above zero, transforming this
fairy tell landscape into a dripping wet landscape. Who would
complain, it is always so wonderful to wake up in the forest. After
breakfast, we met a group of skaters that were planing to enjoy the
same lake we planed to ride. After this unusual encounter of cyclists
and skaters, we cycled back through the forest. It was slippery and
sleet and rain starts to fall gently, keeping us fully moist. At
Bemböle, the situation deteriorate further, some headed to
Kauniainen train station while I continued towards Tapiola. It felt like
the sky was full of water. All these goretex
layers, supposedly taking 600 mm column of water, started to give up
and give way to the stubborn rain. I arrived happy for a warm shower
while setting all my cloth including my underwear to dry. Sometimes
the only thing that doesn’t get wet is the high spirit, which is de
rigueur in sub24.
Thank you for the
trip, looking forward another round.Olivier
