Up-hill

I added up-hill sprints to my practice schedule. That really gets your thighs on fire. In the beginning it only putted my heart beating fast, but after few hills it started to burn. It's funny how you can push yourself forward, don't matter how bad it feels. I recommend this to everyone!

I sent some questions to Usa immigration unit. I was asking how should I deal with visa if I would like to stay here longer. I told them that I can prove my subsistence. I don't need work visa, but visa for longer time. They recommended to keep on using visa waiver program. If I decide to apply visa and don't get it. I can't use visa waiver program anymore. So it looks like I'm going to plan my life 3months at the time. That is kind of ok. That way, also my travel insurance stays on.


Many times I have been thinking how does it go when people speaks about life being up-hill or down-hill. Which one is better. Going up-hill is hard, but going up usually means something good. And going down-hill is easy cruising, but on the otherhand.. I don't know. Tell me how is it?

Some random pictures from my journey :)

(Video is loading to youtube, so tomorrow you gonna see it)

4130 Subway Series

BMX culture of California cut the mustard! Saturday night, after racing in Palm Springs, I head to Hollywood. There was BMX ride. I can't really tell you how does it feel to to be part of nearly 200 riders cruising from Hollywood to LA downtown. All traffic stopped for us (maybe I should say because of us). Huge amount of strangers became same intense group with me. Ride was around 15miles long and the averige speed was 13miles/h (and I burned 900kcal without even noticing that I was doing sports).

Before I went to starting spot, I was adviced to get lights for bike. Policemen like to catch riders from group and kind of stop the ride. It looked like that they have found some co-operation with cops. Only one kid had to stop because he didn't have helmet. Even sometimes policemen stopped the traffic for us so we were able to continue.

Awesome! I hope I could join the ride every month! 

(Ride is on second Saturday of month. More information from website 4130subwayseries.com)

 Video coming soon!

Sycamore BMX

Nice track. More often you hear people calling this Simi Valley. Which is name of the city where the track is.

Couple times I rolled track and it felt good. In the end of the first straight there is some weird pump and berm in the second turn were bumpy, but otherwise track was perfect. After riding half hour I started to take gates. And that's when I realized that starting hill was really low. Usually when starting hill is low, it ruins the whole track, but this time it didn't.

Got to repeat: really good track and shapes worked out well.

First straight

Second straight

Third straight

Last straight

Life is a dream, realize it

Today friend or mine made me to think about life. Subject was actually meaning of life. That very same subject makes my mind fly far. To simplify everything I use mother Teresa's words: Life is a dream, realize it.

Those words are big part of my filosofy of life and part of this project too. Some times ago I heard that people in Finland were wondering why Outi is in California and why she is going to take part to World's. To answer those question would take too long. I can tell you that one reason for all this is to encourage everyone to see what are their opportunities in life. Now there is all wrong questions in air. I was menth to put people to think what they would like to do in their lives. With that question they could find their dreams and make them become true. Most often the most stupid person are saying things most loudly. So I still might have a change that there is some wiser people who haven't open up their mouths. My project still have hope.

And what comes to BMX. Today was awesome day. At morning Courtney Tomei and Nick Tuttle came to practice with me. Practices were kind of just chilling, but I got plenty of help for my gates. Important thing to realize was that when you do things, you stop speaking crap. And when you have done, you can relax again.

Before my gates felt almost ok. You were able to see clear steps; start, stop, pedal, pedal, pedal. So weird stop in between the starting. I wasn't able to fix that before. Stop came because I was moving too much up- not to front. When I had started I was all the way up. I had to go down again to start pedaling.

In the beginning new gate stand and moving to other direction felt bad. But after few times I was able to understand the difference. Putting hips to bars, looks easy, but it's not that easy to do. So I have still something to exercise. Can't wait for next gate practice!

I haven't really took any photos lately. But this is my new project: Measure the track and obstacles with 2 measure tapes, 2 spirit levelts, lazer..

And some goals for each and everyone to have. RedLine rider Alise Post :)

Zero to Hero

I can't take credit for this cool name. I founded fellow sufferer, sounds too bad, so I'll say soul-mate. So go to Birmingham's World's website to look these zero to hero videos:

http://www.bmxworldchamps.com/ZeroToHero

Thank you

Days just passes. Again, it starts to be tomorrow. Quick update:

Goals for last 6 weeks (actually 5,5weeks anymore):

- gates (quick starting + balancing on gate, that I'm able to stand up even when I have my eyes closed)

- manuals (on flat + on tables + between pumps at rhythm section)

- jumps (just to get bike in air)

- fitness (time makes some limits, but intervalls and weight down)

- race experiences (that have to get before I go to Europe)

- sleep (like NOW)

I really belive that we can do this. ConsciouslyI'm using word we. If I has done this alone, I wouldn't be even this far! There were RedLine gives me bike that I can trust and FOX gives me equipment that I'm able to continue after I have fallen down, you readers, are also part of this project. Thank you for being here with me!

Night race in Hollywood

Let's go right to race vibes :)

Motos were posted. I got terrible gates. My numbers were 6, 8 and 4. The otherones had something like 4, 1, and 2. I shouldn't pay attencion, but I did.

First two motos I was second. I should have been able to win, but I just was terrible bad. What's going on? At the second straight I hardly was able to keep my bike up..

Little rest. I started to concentrate. I got better place on gate. I also made better start. I was first. I knew that the one who has won first 2 motos is coming from inside. Little moment I was thinking to move inside so the other one couldn't come there. But I felt that's not fear. And then he passed me. Man I was stupid.

On the next turn I rode from outside to in (high low) and made to the first. At the 3rd straight I moved to inside so that guy can't pass me. And I WON the last moto!

Well, I was second in total points. All night I was wondering. I should practice more on other tracks, so I would learn to ride. Not learn the track. It's still tough thinking going on.. we'll see what does come out!

More alternatives for prizes: board