Vajosuo Beer Ride 2014

The definite highlight of November for the past two years has been Vajosuo Beer Ride, and this year for a third time was no different. In part of my training for ITI, I decided to choose 'the long form', meaning I would ride from home to start place, Rantapiha at Savojärvi in the National Park of Kurjenrahka, about 51,5 km and also back to home the next day.

The weather wasn't an exception either. Despite the timing of late November, which could offer winter weather, it was wet and overcast again with temps around +2°C.

My 'Arctic Machine 1', 9:Zero:7 190mm, packed and ready. I had easily over 2 kg of food and drinks in there.

I was on the move around 15:30 and it was getting dark. My route to Savojärvi was the usual one, going thru the old Askala hydro power plant.

After 2.5 hours of riding mostly on gravel roads I arrived to Savojärvi. We were seven rides and everyone had a fatbike! Peter had 29+ wheels and tires on his Mukluk.

The first boardwalks are in good shape and riding on them was easy. Water level on the mires were high as expected.

High-powered lights are imperative choice here.

The older boardwalks are in poor shape and going was slow there.

One boardwalk was wider.

Trails are very technical and challenging in many places. I managed to fall once, fortunately without any significant damage.

It's always rewarding to arrive to Vajosuo shelter after three hours of demanding riding. Tommi and couple of others were already there and campfire was burning.

I had pork and potatoes for food and some beer.

Following the traditions, we went to bird watching tower around 02:00 in the night.

Then it was time to sleep under sky in bivi and sleeping bags. I woke up to this view in the morning.

I slept well as I was warm and comfortable in my sleeping system.

My 45NRTH Wölvhammers ready for a tough day ahead.

Campfire in the morning.

After nice breakfast with good coffee, we started riding again.

Vajosuo mire. A magnificent place.

A short break at one of the many shelters around Kurjenrahka. This one is called Laaskorpi.

A very technical and demanding section on the route.

There was also lots of this.

Hellbiking.

At Takaniitunvuori.

Roots in the last part of the route.

Back at Rantapiha we thanked each other and said goodbyes. I boiled water with my MSR WhisperLite and new Alpkit MytiPot 900 cooking pot for freeze-dried meal.

At the same time, temperature dropped below freezing. A warm meal and hot water was crucial, as my energy level was low and it was getting cold.

I had to ride with my down jacket (Alpkit Filo) for 8 km to properly warm up, but after that everything was under control.

I felt strong in the end of the journey, so my training is in the right direction.

A great weekend indeed, with total of 145,4 km riding. Thanks to Juha Jokila and all the other participants! Next year again!

Check out Peter's report here, and Juha's photos here.

Turku All Night Long

My friends Peter, Matti and Jarkko has had an idea for some years about riding the best trails in Turku area, in the night. This spring the idea materialized and we set a date for it, on 17-18 of May. Originally our group consisted five riders, but two of them, Matti and Tommi, had to cancel their participation. Matti's absence, due to overtraining issues, was a disappointment, as his knowledge of the trails is best of us, and riding with him is never boring.

'Turku All Night Long' ride would serve also as a good training session for the forthcoming Tahko MTB 240 km race.

We decided to meet and start from Kaarina at 20:00. I started from my home at 18:55.

I just rode via the fastest route to Kaarina. After chatting with Matti for a while we started riding. The weather was great and it was a beautiful evening.

The Troll forest of Piikkiö was a great place, first time for me.

This little tree knocked me down. Nothing serious this time.

Some amazing trails in Kaarina in the twilight.

Stunning moment at Vaarniemi.

At times, the trails were really rocky and rooty.

The Lumicycle Explorer lights were excellent again.

Katariinanlaakso.

As we rode through Luolavuori, Jarkko's freewheel partially broke, but he was still able to ride.

Aura river in the night.

We rode through the small forests of Suikkila and Mälikkälä as we headed to Raisio. At this point we started to feel slightly tired and we took a short break at the ABC station with coffee and sandwiches.

Next was the trails to Kullaanvuori. This section was very nice.

At Kullaanvuori.

Riding through the night has a special feeling to it, and the first moments of the morning are magical.

Pomponrahka mire.

Sunrise, somewhere near Runosmäki.

The trails near Runosmäki were nostalgic for me, as it was my playground when I was a child.

Heading to Halinen.

After Halinen it was the valley of Aura river. What a stunning place, and the morning light was just perfect!

Then to lake Littoinen, for a small breakfast.

The trails around the lake didn't feel too great, as they were more for a hybrid of goat and moose, at least when you are tired. After Littoinen I headed home and thanked Peter and Jarkko for a great ride.

Admittedly, I was tired, but it still felt good as I pushed home on the familiar commute roads.

Almost home.

It was 8.30 when I arrived home, so the gross time was about 13,5 hours. According to Strava, I rode 141.6 km in 9 hours 53 minutes and 16 seconds.

This was a very rare occassion and it's hard to imagine that I would do this kind of thing alone. Thanks Peter and Jarkko again, let's hope this won't be the last time for this kind of ride. Maybe next time in winter, in the depth of polar night? :)

Check out Peter's report with great photos here, and Jarkko's in Finnish here.