December ride: pikkujoulu at Vääräjärvi

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