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

Next sub24 15.02

The snow made a winter wonderland of Helsinki, which should be properly acknowledged by a sub24 skiing edition.

Next trip is on 15.02, meeting at 17:30 at the parking of Oittaa for a ski and camping trip. Weather will be very warm!

If you intend to join, it is good to contact us by email (for ride sharing for example).

Olivier

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