So close, yet so far away....
Today I visited Helsinki for the first time in my life. First time in Finland in fact. Caught the red-eye from Stockholm and had meetings at "Työ- ja elinkeinoministeriö" and "Tukes" (ministry and agency in Finland dealing with product safety). On the flight over I told my colleague about the best and biggest collector of Vintage BMX bikes in all of the Nordic countries, Mr 2 Fresh. He nodded politely, knowing about my interest in "kids bikes". After the meetings we catched a cab and are driving out of Helsinki to the airport. And what do I spot? Timo on his CTS BMX riding along! What are the chances of that? I mean, Helsinki is a city of over half a million inhabitants! My first thought was to tell the cab to stop, but I had my senior colleague with me, and we didn't have that much time before to flight was departing... so we just passed by. (Timo, ths was at about 4 pm in the afternoon and on something I think was called Tavesta street). Very weird feeling indeed... passing a person you somehow, thru mutal interest and chat on the internet feel a common bond with... hard to explain.
Anyway, great to see you are doing well Timo, and the next time I'm going over I hope I have a better chance at deciding my own schedule.
BTW - the flight to Stockholm was delayed, so I wish I hade stopped the damn cab, and had a chat with you.
Full Version: Helsinki/Finland = My public Blog :)
that is absolutely insane
you know i have often thought that this site makes the world seem smaller. we can share our love of these silly little kid bikes and this sport with like minded folks on the other side of this country or the world. we can develop true friendships and share our lives with people we have not and may never meet or we might see them riding their bike down the street. i guess you just never know. 
Hello fellow riders, it's been a while since here due to various things, some good some bad. We lost our grandma at 94 and more recently the black cat (Elvis) too at 14. A bit too much to cope in such short period of time considering our losses last year.
RIP Elvis <3
But i haven't completely forgot you guys!
Anyway, first off Daniel, that's crazy. Talking about one in million, or in our scale, one in half million. I too wish you'd stopped the cab! Seriously. So here we are, VBMX members randomly zooming around Helsinki. That's just too much, lol. I was on my way home from work at the time you spotted me, left around 15:30 and was riding up Hämeentie (Tavastvägen). And a moment before a lady tried to knock me (push) off of sidewlk to street. She had a problem with bikes. Even though it has been tough i haven't stopped my activities around and related with bikes, in fact i am swamped with projects, which is great and keeps the thoughts on the positive side. Right now restoring a banana seat that belongs to a late 60's vintage Jupiter youth bike, kinda like 23" version of a Sting-ray and whatnot. A muscle bike, a "chopper" if you will, of bygone times. Ape hanger, sissy bar etc. Bought it at the local "Graig's List" early this year. What else is new in the bike front projects.. A late 70's to early 80's british made Elswick for one which i completed a while ago. A german Alpina brand BMX project from early to mid 80's, a midschool '96 Dragonfly Double Dynamite, two KHE Premium Laggers also known as the Jesse Puente's signature model from '97, a new 14" scooter waiting for cables, a '95 Interceptor, three generations of Morales etc.
It's the eve of 1st of may and the annual celebrations starting up downtown again. However i don't feel much like celebrating due to these unfortunate events still with fresh mental wounds but they'll heal. It's the day again when finns drink way too much and the statue downtown get's its hat. They suffer a terrible hangover the morning after and the city turnes into a public dump for a day, lol!
The long awaited spring and summer has arrived finally. It was about time too!
-Timo
RIP Elvis <3
But i haven't completely forgot you guys!
Anyway, first off Daniel, that's crazy. Talking about one in million, or in our scale, one in half million. I too wish you'd stopped the cab! Seriously. So here we are, VBMX members randomly zooming around Helsinki. That's just too much, lol. I was on my way home from work at the time you spotted me, left around 15:30 and was riding up Hämeentie (Tavastvägen). And a moment before a lady tried to knock me (push) off of sidewlk to street. She had a problem with bikes. Even though it has been tough i haven't stopped my activities around and related with bikes, in fact i am swamped with projects, which is great and keeps the thoughts on the positive side. Right now restoring a banana seat that belongs to a late 60's vintage Jupiter youth bike, kinda like 23" version of a Sting-ray and whatnot. A muscle bike, a "chopper" if you will, of bygone times. Ape hanger, sissy bar etc. Bought it at the local "Graig's List" early this year. What else is new in the bike front projects.. A late 70's to early 80's british made Elswick for one which i completed a while ago. A german Alpina brand BMX project from early to mid 80's, a midschool '96 Dragonfly Double Dynamite, two KHE Premium Laggers also known as the Jesse Puente's signature model from '97, a new 14" scooter waiting for cables, a '95 Interceptor, three generations of Morales etc.
It's the eve of 1st of may and the annual celebrations starting up downtown again. However i don't feel much like celebrating due to these unfortunate events still with fresh mental wounds but they'll heal. It's the day again when finns drink way too much and the statue downtown get's its hat. They suffer a terrible hangover the morning after and the city turnes into a public dump for a day, lol!
The long awaited spring and summer has arrived finally. It was about time too!
-Timo
Hey Timo, good to see you mate. Looks like nice weather for you too.
Ride on buddy.
Ride on buddy.
Hey Timo, I just picked up on this thread and read it... lol, Loooooooooong.
Sorry to hear that Elvis went to join his brother in kitty heaven. Here is a site you may or may not have seen before, it brings me much laughs.
http://icanhascheezburger.com/
This is Mr Cute, 5.5kg of hugs and purrs.
Sorry to hear that Elvis went to join his brother in kitty heaven. Here is a site you may or may not have seen before, it brings me much laughs.
http://icanhascheezburger.com/
This is Mr Cute, 5.5kg of hugs and purrs.
Mom - no question this site makes the world smaller. I mean, through the years here I have chatted with everyone from childhood heroes to people who just share a passion for this thing called BMX. In part I think the site is part of it, but also BMX itself. BMX is small enough to give this feeling of family.
Timo – Sorry to hear about your losses. Hopefully Elvis can take care of our little Boris the cat who went to kitty-heaven way too soon a couple of years back after being struck by a car. I do have a couple of more interviews I want to conduct with Finnish authorities so I might be back. In any case I think Helsinki seems like a nice town to visit properly, so I might take the wife over someday for a weekend trip or something. If I do, I promise to contact you beforehand (and of course, I would go by the ferry... hmmm.. or not.)
And BTW: What is the deal with Domino cookies? We got them at both meetings. Lots of them!
Timo – Sorry to hear about your losses. Hopefully Elvis can take care of our little Boris the cat who went to kitty-heaven way too soon a couple of years back after being struck by a car. I do have a couple of more interviews I want to conduct with Finnish authorities so I might be back. In any case I think Helsinki seems like a nice town to visit properly, so I might take the wife over someday for a weekend trip or something. If I do, I promise to contact you beforehand (and of course, I would go by the ferry... hmmm.. or not.)
And BTW: What is the deal with Domino cookies? We got them at both meetings. Lots of them!
Domino is the finnish equivalent to what's known as Orio's in the states. I love Domino cookiez. Could eatz loadz ov dem.
Been out riding only three times this season after six or so months pause but i was happy to realize the tricks came back to me quick as expected. Winter sucked, i didn't ride one bit, i hated it. Well except once at the underground lot but that doesn't count cause theplace sucked so bad and it was cold. As for the indoor skatepark.. forget it. Too crowded and no room for proper flatland area. The knee holds fine which is great news afterr crashing on it hard twice within the past year. I almost got uses it being halfway healed constantly being too careful with it. The bike feels as good as it used to. No complains, just wishing there would be more hours in a day to do everything i want to.
Meanwhile, i have been going skateboarding quite a bit with a buddy, last time yesterday. Keeps you motivated whenever i dont feel like riding. It was fun. Here's a couple photos form the past two sessions. Thanks to Jussi for taking photos.
Skateboarding is something i have been into since '86 and i have to say it is (usually) much less complicated than trying to figure out the next flatland move and/or being stuck with a damn move or combo you've been working on over an over since the beginning of time. Therefore, getting on a board and just letting go feels great every once in a while. And, believe it or not, i'm less likely to get hurt on a board than i would be on a bike. Riding is complicated most of the time and it takes way more patience. In all and especially withing todays standards with the ollie-based skateboarding, i am terrible skateboarder, but i'm comfortable with the old stuff i CAN do and there's no need to avance.
-T
Been out riding only three times this season after six or so months pause but i was happy to realize the tricks came back to me quick as expected. Winter sucked, i didn't ride one bit, i hated it. Well except once at the underground lot but that doesn't count cause theplace sucked so bad and it was cold. As for the indoor skatepark.. forget it. Too crowded and no room for proper flatland area. The knee holds fine which is great news afterr crashing on it hard twice within the past year. I almost got uses it being halfway healed constantly being too careful with it. The bike feels as good as it used to. No complains, just wishing there would be more hours in a day to do everything i want to.
Meanwhile, i have been going skateboarding quite a bit with a buddy, last time yesterday. Keeps you motivated whenever i dont feel like riding. It was fun. Here's a couple photos form the past two sessions. Thanks to Jussi for taking photos.
Skateboarding is something i have been into since '86 and i have to say it is (usually) much less complicated than trying to figure out the next flatland move and/or being stuck with a damn move or combo you've been working on over an over since the beginning of time. Therefore, getting on a board and just letting go feels great every once in a while. And, believe it or not, i'm less likely to get hurt on a board than i would be on a bike. Riding is complicated most of the time and it takes way more patience. In all and especially withing todays standards with the ollie-based skateboarding, i am terrible skateboarder, but i'm comfortable with the old stuff i CAN do and there's no need to avance.
-T
Good to see you riding something Timmo. I used to skate in the early-mid 70's before bmx took over. I still ride my sons skateboard a lot. I just finished restoring a 70's fibreglass skatey too.
Ride on mate and good to see you again.
Ride on mate and good to see you again.
Picture of the day ..or week, we'll see how dedicated i will be with this 
What do you do when you see wet cement? Well, scribble something for the future generations to see ofcourse! Timo + Kati were - and will stay - here. I wonder if the construction workers paid any attention to this or did they even notice. "who the hell.."
What do you do when you see wet cement? Well, scribble something for the future generations to see ofcourse! Timo + Kati were - and will stay - here. I wonder if the construction workers paid any attention to this or did they even notice. "who the hell.."
Nice, brilliant warm sunny day with fluffy summer clouds on the way to the shack.
Now it's time to paint some pinstripes..
-T
Now it's time to paint some pinstripes..
-T
The annual 110-meter bungee fest at Kaivopuisto beach yesterday with some guy.
Lokit chillaa Hernesaaressa
Looks like no more outdoor fun for a while.
Some recent pics of chillin' downtown Helsinki where every corner is "under construction" except for the old cathedral.
Nice pics Timo, keep them coming. I´d like to see some more, maybe showing a few of your beautiful Finnish girls or infamous Death Metal fans...?
On construction zones it´s the same here in Germany. You literally see them on every corner. Must be the Euro-wide conjuncture programs to fight the financial crisis, or something.
Also the beginning of dusk at half past 3 in the afternoon is very familiar to me. I already got out my daylight lamp to avoid too heavy depressions.
Cheers and stay cool, but don´t freeze. (cheesy.lol)
On construction zones it´s the same here in Germany. You literally see them on every corner. Must be the Euro-wide conjuncture programs to fight the financial crisis, or something.
Also the beginning of dusk at half past 3 in the afternoon is very familiar to me. I already got out my daylight lamp to avoid too heavy depressions.
Cheers and stay cool, but don´t freeze. (cheesy.lol)
I believe "grey" is the word for this weekend
Perfect flat landscape as far as eye can see. I wish it was concrete or asphalt though.
Hei Hei Timmo,
how are you?
we are on our way to Finland this Friday (March 26th)
I believe there is still lots of snow for me to look forward to?
Dingo
how are you?
we are on our way to Finland this Friday (March 26th)
I believe there is still lots of snow for me to look forward to?
Dingo
Great thread Timo, I am also diggin your "building reports" for the bikes in the museum.
Keep up the good work and effort.
Keep up the good work and effort.
Where are the pictures from Simpel Session, Estonia?
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