Random bike shots from the north..

[Mika K]

Yep we're weird

Please first watch this Sswedish Robert Gustafsson portrays the 5 (stereotypical) stages of Finnish drinking http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAl9OyGYxOg. Then think about that for a while and then read this article called "Finns - masters of silence" http://www.hs.fi/english/article/Fin.../1135246072691

And there it is! Now you have the tools to understand our nation better than average..

[Marco]

Ha - very amusing, Mika!

I too have no problem with silence and can't abide people starting idle chit-chat for the sake of breaking a perfectly normal, reflective silence. I much prefer people who are quiet and pensive, than loudmouths, cackling away (groups of females on a night out together are most guilty of this), who love nothing more than the sound of their own voices!

I also generally find the atmosphere that most people are accustomed to living in these days way too 'loud', with kids running around screaming and shouting, adults often behaving not much better (!) TVs blaring, often with no-one watching them, and just the general hubbub and noise level continually in evidence in many people's homes.

Working from home and spending most of my day alone in a tranquil and relaxing atmosphere (we live in a detached house in a nice quiet area), with the only 'noise' coming from music played on my system, or the cats meowing (until my wife returns from work), means that I'm simply not used to the continual 'din' that many people these days consider as normal! I simply can't abide it. In some ways, I think that this is a British thing, as one doesn't tend to encounter this natural desire for noise as much elsewhere in Europe.

Therefore, the little 'quirks' of Finnish people, which you describe, would be no problem for me whatsoever - in fact, I'd rather enjoy it!

Marco.

[Marco]

Hey, Mika, I'm surprised you haven't commented on this!

Marco.

[Mika K]

All you wrote made perfect sense to me when reading it, so didn't really have anything to comment. So just acting as a proper Finn here..

[Marco]

Marco.

[Mika K]

Today did three hour ride with my 29er to celebrate the nice -3 C degree weather. Rode mostly bike lanes as the paths and singletracks are too soft after the new snow that has fallen during the week. Just few really popular tracks were hard enough for a big rider like me, here is one next to the playgroung at one small park neat the forest area next to the university..

[Mika K]

1st of February the winter cycle challenge started, a playful competition for work communities and sport clubs etc to mark their distances covered by bike. The event is sponsored by the ministry of health with an idea to get people moving instead of using cars for all the commuting. Have marked my rides and so far have been able to cover 231km during 10 days - could be worse..

Few shots from previous week. The first one taken by the river Oulu and other one near the light wall installation next to the sports centre Raatti.

[Mika K]

have had some great days here for winter biking, temperatures have been from -5 to -18 degrees of C and virtually no wind at all. And when you combine the longer days and even some sun, that make you feel like spring season is starting soon, oh boy

Icefishing season has also started at the river Oulu and enthusiasts seem to go awfully close to the edge of the ice..





Also the trails have been in wonderful shape! Yesterday evening did almost 2 hour ride with my Steamroller and despite of the 35mm wide CX tires the dark paths and singletracks are fast and really give you the sensation of speed and pure fun!





So far this month have ridden 403km and counting. Today we have team evening and dinnes form work 16kms away on other side of the town and planned to commute there and back home. Some of my colleques are looking me just like some weirdo..

[Mika K]

Long time without decent bike shots as have been mostly skiing. Still before some skiing piccies one shot after todays ride.

Very beautiful winter day today, bluebird etc. Decided to do a little spin after Mrs came home from morning shift and aerobic class. My face looked and also felt bit exotic after three hours and 57km. My toes did not felt much anything as temperature was -15 degrees of C when I left and -19 when got back home..

[Alex_UK]

Now that is dedication Mika! Hopefully your toes won't fall off!