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

 

 

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

 

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...

Hanko Hop, Saturday 12th July 2014

It really happened!

A wonderfully tiring night ride from Helsinki to Hanko.

Next year, even bigger...

Ex tempore sub-24...

... on Friday June 27th.

Bemböle 17:30, riding northwards with an open mind.

Legs saved for Hanko Hop but Finnish wilderness enjoyed nonetheless.

...

Two English gents made friends with five lovely Finns by sharing a hard-to-find laavu. Mosquitoes mainly stayed away but the mud was debilitating...

A hop to Hanko

And hop we go, towards Hanko.

All details here

The May Sub-24...

was quite enjoyable! More about it soon.

For now, I wanted to advertise the forest route from Nuuksio to Bemböle. I returned home that way this morning, riding only a couple of kilometers on asphalt along Nuuksiontie and then the rest on well-maintained gravel paths from Solvalla through quite changing terrain. There were many short, steep hills (I needed to walk up a couple) and the overall distance is a bit longer than the direct road route, but it was seriously rewarding!

Sign posts were present at every turn and there were several maps along the route too. From Solvalla, follow signs for Pirttimäki, Oittaa and, finally, Bemböle. You won't regret it...

-- Lee.

Sub24 May, delayed by one week to accommodate everyone's schedule as much as possible, saw a good turnout of 11 people, representing England, France, Switzerland, Germany and Finland. Meeting up at the regular spot in Bemböle under mixed weather, we all took the most traveled Nupurintie before heading towards the hills of Nuuksiontie. Emile, carrying his young daughter and most of the camping gear in a trailer, deserves an award for producing a major effort dragging everything up there! Passing by "le col de l'Aigle" I could not help but sparing a thought or two of Charles' times as Sub24 charismatic leader.








Reaching Haukkalampi as intended, we realized quickly enough that the amount of outdoor enthusiasts by the fire would not allow us any spots for all our tents. Changing direction towards Mustalampi, we established our camp up a hill needing quite an effort to reach the top.



While setting up my tent some distance away from the fire I heard a big "bang" and I thought for half a second that someone was hunting in the area. Heading to the lake for a refreshing swim (early in the season the surface warms up fast, but the bottom stays bitterly cold), Emile told me his tire just exploded! Not just a regular puncture, but the whole structure of the tire apparently gave up after the last uphill. Sub24 is no stranger to puncture, but a teared up tire is definitely a first.

While pondering how Emile, Nathalie and their daughter would come back home the next day with just one bike operational, we decided to proceed to the cooking and dinner. It's a common knowledge that one thinks wiser with a full stomach. Olivier raised some eyebrows (mainly on the British side of the crowd) with his Italian dry sausage, and the debate was raging around the fire whether "everything" burns. We left off with the agreement that except water everything burns. Eventually. I hope you're happy Lee.

After dinner it was time for serious business and studying the options for Emile, Nathalie and their daughter to have a safe return home. I'll spare you the details, but we came up with the following outcome: Mounting one of Nathalie's bike tire on Emile's bike, dismounting the wheels of Nathalie's bike and attaching the frame and wheels with bungee cords to the trailer carried by Emile's bike.Later tomorrow Emile would cycle home with trailer, his daughter in it and 2 wheels attached to it, and Nathalie would take the bus carrying her bike frame. High five if you understood the whole set up. Thanks everyone involved in the rescue operation!




With the short nights of Finnish summer, one might easily forget about time, and it was 1 am before I realized it. A good night under the trees would follow, the sound of birds making for a pleasant mood.. After a very late wake up (10 am!) I noticed Robin and Lee had come home already and Christopher was just about to.

With the set up agreed the night before, a strange line of cyclists was soon to leave Nuuksio, Emile's trailer looking like a rickshaw with its wheels strapped to it. Natahlie took the bus holding her bike frame as planned, and Emile returned home safely carrying the rest of the equipment.
Sub24 has a new statement: "leave no man (nor woman) behind!"

Thank you all for the great times!


 -- Florian.