I NEVER STOPPED LOOKING.

My favorite photo of 2012.

This will probably end up being by my standards the best photo that I took in 2012. Somehow calms me down so much yet reminds me of the fragility of summer and the few months of sunshine we get here in Helsinki. 

Here’s to those days.

And from the deepest coldest corner it came.

Winter is here. Yay. 

More spring (almost).

Although the sun seems to be out more and more everyday, the temperatures still keep dipping below zero and we’re seeing snowfall every couple of days. 

Like many others, I take every single chance I get to go and bike about without getting killed by ice and being blasted in the face with snow and these are some pics from those moments that seem to me so rare these days..

I’m seriously considering moving somewhere warmer. Toronto?

Winter’s Edge.

Being an avid Winter Cyclist and tired of hearing people complain about the weather and a few centimetres of snow I went out with a friend the other day to film some cycling on a basic finnish winter day in Helsinki. Slush, cold, and slippery. The soundtrack is Window by Album Leaf and the voice over was provided by my Brother Samu Ainesmaa (ainesmaa.com). 

Here is the short and some photos we took as well.

It’s so easy to lose focus of the joy of riding when conditions are hard but even in the worst of weathers you can find that simple joy of mind-emptying simplicity and lose yourself into the gentle hum of spinning steel.

Winter essentials.

The snow keeps piling in Helsinki and yesterday we got about 20cm worth of fresh powder everywhere. While it’s getting more and more difficult to ride the commute always seems to be worth it when you make it home with a taste of blood in your mouth and fresh icicles hanging from your face :)

Anyhow these are some of the items I just couldn’t do without.

KRNKY winter hat. www.krnky.com

My trusted Bern.

Helly Hansen merino unders.. Brilliant piece of clothing.

Sailing gloves for extreme weathers.

Mission Workshop SPD shoes.

Wool Socks FTW.

The winter commuter for REAL. (NS Bikes Analog 2011)

A week ago Helsinki got hit by a bunch of snow that then during the week melted and froze into an covering of messed up, uneven ice allover the roads through which I commute everyday to work. My route takes me through some forest parks which save me like 3km in distance as opposed to the main roads.

 I went out on my Olmo in the beginning of the week and made it about 40m before crashing and having promised myself that this year I wouldn’t let the winter defeat me in my commuting, I decided to take my trusty NS Bikes Analog FGFS bike and turn it into something that could tackle the hazards of winter. The geometry of FGFS bikes are laid back enough that they make great winter bikes when set up properly. Add the benefit of fitting bigger tires and we have a winner.

All that was really needed were some fenders (snap-ons) and a set of Nokian Rollspeed W friction all season tires. I first thought of getting some proper studded versions but due to the constant change in weather, I got persuaded into tires that could do well on street, gravel, forest, snow and ice. So far after a weeks worth of ice, they’ve held up well and proper!

I’m still thinking of getting some mustache bars and a longer stem for the winter (yeah I know, total style mess up;) ) cause they’d allow me for even a more upright position and take more weight of the front wheel and make the ride even steadier. Well we’ll see.

Without further ado my winter warrior.