Lost in LA

After I have travelled to LA more that 24h, next challenge was to find a motel. I had booked a motel in advance cos I thought that I need to have some place to stay first night. Motel was located in Hemet, about 2hours drive from airport. I was told (many times) that public transport doesn't work in USA. But I couldn't take that without trying. And would have been waiste of money and time, because then need to take that car back to airport.

I started my way to city. I was menth to change to train but suprise suprise there wasn't any transport to Hemet after 6 o'clock. First bus would leave at 1 a.m. And it would drive 2h to wrong direction. Then would have to change to another bus which would leave at 9 a.m. My phone wasn't working. Laptop battery has run out...

I toppled at one corner in railway station. I was done and I thought I could sleep there. After a while guard game to kick out those who didn't have ticket. So I and all other homeless persons had to go out. Winos showed me where the nearest hotel is. I'm happy that I took a room and got some sleep.

I got to tell you, that it's amazing how much half an hour on internet changes your feeling. Let alone good conversation with some normal person. Walking to the place when you know where you are heading. Few coins in pocket so you are able to call. Even if you don't have any local numbers, calling home can feel like a mirracle. I think I don't need to mention what good sleeping does.

I put some pictures when things come little easier.

p.s. I'm in LA

Last 24h before the trip:

I have always dreamed that we could spend christmas in American style. Meaning that we open present at morning. Now I got it. At morning I heard voice of doorbell. Fox's equipments came. After this oppening session I can tell you that American christmas is for me!

I grab some breakfast and head to run things. For a first I go to MOT test, and my sweet car passed that. I can't belive it. Then I went to get signature for renting contract. Pick up RedLine staff from bus-station (christmas keep on rocking), visit graveyard. And the last I went to vote for Finnish president election. Awesome beginning for day by empting to do list.

Clock is 2.00 p.m. I'm waiting for to get nervous, so I'm able to get packing done. But it's not coming, things are not rolling. It's good time to go to visit friends.

I'm back at 10.00 p.m. Still I haven't packed. I start to be scared to get everything done. I load USA maps to my navigator. Get luggage is done at 00.30 p.m. So there is still one hour time before I have to start the trip.

I go to Helsinki Airport by bus. My plane takes off at 7.50 a.m. Right at the moment I'm sitting in the airoplane heading to the longest trip I have ever made. Next 90 days name of the game is BMX Racing!

London

RedLine and Fox

Finally I can make public my new sponsor deals with RedLine and Fox. Personaly I'm really happy for these deals. Both brands are leading-edges on their own sectors! In the future I will race with RedLine bikes and Fox equipments. You got to like this!

At first I would like to raffle RedLine hoodie. You can take a part in raffle with commenting this text. Write your name in comments and you are in. I'm sorry to tell but we are able to deliver products only to Finland. On 31th of January I will publish the winner in my blog. If you write your email address or phone number I will also inform you personally.

New winds are blowing

As you can see; it was time to take off fullface helmet. I can tell you that my legs were shaking when I dropped in to the pool. But also I think it's really important to be able to ride a bike in different places. After practices I was got pain in my elbow and knee :) also suprisingly on next day in my shoulders! Anyway it was fun!

Pimp my bike

This time I explored bike tuning. I hope I ain't gonna get hooked with sweeping spokes. 'Cos I saw some signs that it might happen. Once you get some place sweeped the other thing next to it looks dirty.

I have learned quite much about fixing bikes. Atleast I can take bike apart into pieces. This time I learned to use siliconespray. It sits with glossing the frame, that's really important :) And to separate grips (when you put the grips back and spray fades away the grip sticks on). Squawk!! I made the same mistake when I was fixing the bike: You are not supposed to use siliconespray with grips. Use CRC :)

p.s. If anyone have something on mind what should I get done before California let me know!

Earnest and enthusiastic

Yesterday I was thinking, that need to be gone at least 10 years back, in order to reach a situation where I have done something as serious as I'm doing now. In my case cross-country skiing means I'm doing seriously. Last time (before this session) when I was cross-country skiing were at the time I was 15years old national hockey team player. Doing seriously used to mean forced struggling with training, now training is fun and I never get enough of it.

Three days I have tried to get over my "fear of flying" by snowboarding. For a bonus I got some light tan. Hope that saves me from getting sun-burned in California. I just sit and smile. Life is a wonderful invention. I'll put some pics of olympic track in London which I found from internet. So you all can just sit and smile.

New Year

Happy New Year to everyone! New year puts me to think the previous year. All what have happened you can cut down to letters BMX. Same letters fixes to what has been planned for upcoming year. Stop for I while and think that you got whole year for BMX.. that makes me fly high.

Still I have had to try new sports, because here is no weather or place to practice BMX. Latest sport I have tried is wall climbing. When I was practicing in Märsta, sometimes I had to stop practices cos I could hold on bars anymore. Climbing is answer for that problem. Also my wings started to grow. I hope that helps me to keep up with my plans.


Testing sports has also put me to think how small choices has bring me here. Because of BMX have had to do some difficult selections, but definitely BMX has been worth that all!