It is February and it is in the middle of winter. We all know what time it is. It is time for Helsinki Winter Tweed Run. Due to the pandemic the event seemed to have been cancelled this year as well as last year.
It is understandable with all those mixed regulations coming and going. Everything from how many people are allowed in gatherings to closing hours of bars and restaurants and further on. I have not talked to the organizers, but I guess that they instead of planing an event during the pandemic, they will wait until the pandemic situation is more stable and then will create an event. When it is safe for everyone again and there can be an event and party without any risks.
But what to do instead of visiting Finland? That is easy, by now we know that a #solotweedride is the ticket. We were two tweedians who decided to meet up just for fun, bringing a small part of Finland to us and create a Winter Tweed event ourself. Last year we had perfect winter weather with sunshine, lots of snow and minus degrees. This year it was at least a sunny day. There were no snow to be found anywhere, only patches of ice which made the ride rather interesting (especially with summer tires). But still, a winter ride.
We started our day by having a Finnish inspired lunch. First up on the menu was a serving of steaming hot pea-soup with a healthy dollop Helsinki mustard, served in vintage Kockums enamel plates for the vintage touch. A few weeks ago I found a can of Jalostaja pea-soup in the local supermarket, I just had to buy it along with sweet and strong Helsinki mustard. After all, every time I have attended Helsinki Winter Tweed Run there have been a large pot boiling with home made pea-soup. Along with mustard and rye bread it is a hearty and good meal after a cold ride and a part of the experience.
After the soup we had home-made Kareailan pies with mixed egg and butter topping. A classic, delicious and very Finnish food, served on Finnish Arabia plates, (if we were going all in on the Finnish theme, why stop at the food). There were cans of Koff beer and Jaloviina spirits to drink along the lunch. For desert we had home-made Runebergstårta, since 5th of February was the anniversary of the Finnish national poet Johan Ludvig Runeberg who was born back in 1804 and is celebrated each year with his favourite cake.
As musical entertainment, we would have loved listening to the wonderful music and entertainment by Maestro Ruscello e Gruppo Velocitá. They are the Winter Tweed Run Helsinki’s own band. But since that was not possible, we listened to the Bar Moskva playlist instead. That is a playlist I created on Spotify many years ago after a visit to Helsinki and Bar Moskva. Bar Moskva or Café Москва́ was an Soviet inspired bar, without the political stuff only filled with nostalgia from an era long ago. It was created by the staff at Bar Corona to have a place to relax and have fun. But it turned out to be so popular that they opened up for the public. Behind the bar was a old radio and gramophone furniture playing old Finish tango music. Both Moskva and Corona was started by the Kaurismäki brothers, two famous Finnish movie makers and was my home away from home. I have spent countless hours there. Sadly both bar are now gone due to renovation of the building. The Spotify list reminds me of those lovely times I spent there.
After the lunch we decided to get going, no time to sentimental. The route of the day went along icy bicycle lanes towards the water front of Södermalm, the southern parts of Stockholm. I used the Hermes “Franken-racer” that I built from reused parts earlier. In fact it was my fellow tweedian who wanted a half-racer and I had the parts, it was a fun and easy build. The bicycle has a quirky history and it is nice that he really likes it and takes over the old bicycle.
The ride took us to the Hammarby canal along its bicycle lanes. It was really nice weather for the time of year, the sun was out and it felt a bit like early spring, even the birds were chirping when we were gliding along. We stopped a few times, just to relax and enjoy the sunshine. The sun was a reminder that the summer will come in a few months.
Hopefully the pandemic will be over by then so we can attend tweed events as before. Dressing up in our tweeds, riding vintage bicycles without any restrictions or regulations. Riding along and having fun, meeting new and old friends. Having fun as so many times before. Let us really hope for the best in the future.
Let us also hope for a tweed event in Helsinki next winter. A ride around the shoreline visiting Kaivopuisto, Ullanlinna, Eira, Etu-Töölö, feeling the ice cold head wind from the sea that makes your eyes watering. Taking a rest somewhere and listening to the organizers shout and direct us to the next destination. Having steaming hot pea soup served out of an at least 20 litres pot after the ride. Listening to Maestro Ruscello e Gruppo Velocitá and their lovely music during the party and having a wonderful time.
I also miss the ferry ride with all adventures that brings, the confused looks on the ticket clerk when arriving at the car registration on a bicycle in the middle of winter. Or the ferry crew trying to guide me when I ride my vintage bicycle onboard the ferry.
As we were riding this time I thought about the party in Helsinki 2020. That was one of the best moments I have experienced so far. Every tweed event have their highlight, but Winter Tweed Run Helsinki is an highlight by it self in my opinion.
Until next time, Pyöräile varovasti* as they say in Finland.
*Cycle carefully
schneebremse 