Friday 31st July 2015 - Iso Holmas

Two-and-a-half Brits, two-and-a-half Frenchies and one German took the road from Bemböle towards Nuuksio on the last Friday of July. A day of rain dried up for our ride and the scenery along Heinästie was as good as ever. 








The ride became more challenging as we neared Mustalampi - see the picture evidence! - and we pushed our bikes over paths of roots and rocks for as long as we could manage before leaving them to fend for themselves and continuing bikeless on foot. 


Our final destination turned out to be Iso Holmas, and we settled around an open fireplace for food and discussion. There was plenty to talk about as one regular sub-24er is about to embark on the wildest adventure yet - to a mock up of Mars for a year! Good luck, C! 

Lake-side accommodation made up for a chilly night and the following day turned out warm and sunny as we climbed back over the gnarly trails to Mustalampi and the same enjoyable ride back to Bemböle.

Next Friday is the Hanko Hop. Have a look at the tab above and come along - it's only a bike ride.

Next sub-24 is August 28th. The sun might be shining!

Salmi, 26th June 2015

Four adventurers braved the Finnish summer to ride along Kunnarlantie, Velskolantie, Lakistontie and Jokipellontie to approach Salmi from the north.

Salmen ulkoilualue has a lot to offer and we found the area busy with revellers. We settled on the quietest cooking shelter at Iso Parikas.

After a somewhat disturbed night, we left early following Reitti 2000 towards Nuuksio. A cooked breakfast at Kattila helped our tired legs over the hills of Nuuksiontie, back to Bemböle. 

The round-trip to Bemböle was about 65 km and our average speed was 17 kph, causing one puncture. Thanks to Roy, Poopy Pants and the Salainen Suomalainen for an eventful trip. 

Next month's edition will be on the last day of July, that's Friday 31st. The Hanko Hop will be on the following Friday. Hyvää kesää!

The long and winding road

The long and winding road
that leads to your door
Will never disappear
I've seen that road before...

It has now been twice in a row we've been to Porkkala. The long ride is always a special trip in Sub24 events. The longest distance of all Sub24s (40 km from Bemböle), along one of the finest riding roads in Uusimaa to the peninsula reaching far in the Baltic.

Featuring outstanding sceneries, the closest spot to Estonia from mainland Finland is also rich in History, having seen its inhabitants relocated shortly after WWII to accommodate a Soviet settlement that would last 12 years. Many remains can be spotted in the Peninsula, and road names still reflects times gone-by. In particular, Lentotie comes to mind, a narrow section of asphalt leading to apparently nowhere in the countryside, but suggests that a nearby airfield could once be found there.

With many regulars away it's a team of three that gathered in Bemböle with riders from Germany, Spain and France. Following the well-trodden Kuninkaantie another rider from Poland came along and ultimately 2 more riders from Germany and China!

A then strong group of 6 cyclists pushed towards south along Porkkalantie all the way to the campsite, meeting a moose crossing the road right in front of their wheels shortly before arrival to the campsite. Fortunately at this time of year the sun does not set until late, and a vibrant sunshine on the horizon greeted our fellow cyclists in a surprisingly non windy weather.

The usual display of a wide range of food quickly followed, with abundance of sausages, pasta, grilled mushrooms and the very first Finnish strawberries.

Given the relative absence of the wind, few cyclists-turned campers ventured as far as setting their sleeping arrangements right by the sea, with Florian experimenting with hammock set-up.

An uneventful ride back led way to the weekend with nice memories from somewhere south where sea meets land.

But still they lead me back
To the long winding road
You left me standing here
A long long time ago...

May sub-24...

... will in fact be in June this month.
Fridy 5th.Save the date!











After pondering for some time, the bets are off, and we're going to Porkkala! Yes, again. Summer calls for longer rides and at this time of year there's plenty of time to see the place in daylight.


Meeting place and time? The usual meeting spot in Bemböle Shell gaz station (check out map), 18.00.

See you all this Friday to celebrate summer with a ride!

Friday April 24th

Bemböle to Porkkala

Kilometres: 80, roundtrip
Riders: 5
Campers: 4
Punctures: 0
Elk: 5
Deer: Many

Merry riding in cheerful rain.

I don't what would it take for a sub24 no to take place. At least, the foul weather did not prevented us to meet in Bemböle as usual, ready for exciting adventures. This time, we were four. We decided to ride somewhere to Nuuksio instead of distant Porkala because of the rain. We aimed at Holma-Saarijärvi, a bit north from Siikajärvi.

The ride went smoothly until Siikajärvi, until we went to the trails in the forest. We were expecting it, but the paths were covered in place by a slippery layer of ice. And it was mostly prevalent in steep uphill or downhill. Sometimes, it did feel like we had forgotten our (night) ice climbing equipment. After an hour of pushing into the wood and the night, we arrived to one of the most beautiful camping sport of Nuuksio on an island located in a small lake. But on the island, we could see the light and laughing and shouting of hundreds of scouts. After a short debate, we decided to head to the following spot, thankfully not so far away (the author was feeling a bit exhausted). 

As usual, everything felt right when we settled down, pitched up our tent, hammock or minimalistic tarp, chopped wood, started the fire and cooked a lot of food. In the distance, we could still hear the scouts. The rain decided to stop falling to let us enjoy our evening with full comfort.

When we wake up in full day light, we could even actually see the landscape around us. The lake was still well frozen. Full of a new energy after a restful night and a plentiful breakfast, we headed towards Nuuksionpää, thus making a loop through Nuuksio by the hiking path. The rain started again to accompany us during our ride home. 

Thanks a lot for the nice company and the stainless steel spirit!

Next sub24 Friday 24th April. Stay tuned for the exact time of the meeting point and the destination. Target: no more slippery walk on icy path ;).

Olivier

Weather forecast were pretty bad and accurate.

I think I found a gear that keeps me dry in any weather. However, my look makes children laugh at me in the street.

Isn't it minimalistic packing for a night out in rain and just above freezing weather?

Hints of Spring

Hello Sub24ers,

It's been close to a month now that snow has receded in Helsinki region. Another skiing season cut short by the unusual high temperatures. Luckily the sun gone missing for months is now back and it's becoming little by little less of a hassle to move the bikes around.

As last Friday if the month is this coming Friday, time to plan!
Meeting point: Bemböle, Espoo (check the map)
Time: 17.30
Direction: Let's decide the direction at the meeting at Bemböle. If the weather is OK, Porkala. If it is too stormy, we go to nearby Nuuksio.

If you're new to Sub24 activities just run a search about Porkkala on this blog, you'll find a few trip reports in different seasons.

Before we close the winter chapter for good this year, here are 3 pictures from last Month' trip to Saarilampi: