Summer 2004 Finnish Kicksled and Scooter Association,
Ville's
Autumn Kicks 25.09.2004 Lapinjärvi
The traditional anniversary kicks were held this time with somewhat wistful feelings as the birthday hero was watching us from upon the dark clusters of clouds. It was a pity that not quite as many race visitors showed up as before. On the other hand, the young folks of the region showed that the kick seed sown by Ville hasn't gone down the drain. The ski hut of the local club, Lapinjärven Lukko, served as the event centre and the adjacent gravel road as the venue for the uphill sprint race. The average age of the start field wasn't too high, although Uncle Jan demonstrated to the youngsters how to propel a scooter.
The road administration authorities served a rare delicacy by letting us to try out the yet unopened new highway segment in Liljendal. In the road race the juniors kicked ca. 10,7 km and the seniors 32 km. There would have been room for even more participants; plenty of possibilities to pass each another.
The weather varied from drizzling rain to short spells of sunshine until Jan Elmgren, who changed to summer fashion during the race, crossed the finish line as the winner. Thereafter the heavens opened and the rest of the seniors including the fastest lady Jaana Nykänen got a cold shower already during the race. The water made the glossy new asphalt slippery and the wind was blowing with quite some vigor. Thus the finish times were somewhat slower than the ones kicked on the old route, although this time the distance didn't increase from the previous year.
After the race sauna, soup and a warm athmosphere revived the chilled limbs of the competitors and race officers. Once again thanks to the kick folks in Lapinjärvi, who irrespective of circumstances manage to conjure up nice events. It was pleasant to close the domestic summer race season focusing upon the coming meets next winter.
Esa Mononen
Results
Uphill sprint 550 m
Girls 8 years: Petra Nurmi 2.53
Boys 8 years: Sebastian Jordas 2.35
Girls 12 years: Julia Have 2.36
Boys 12 years: Roope Nurmi 1.43
Girls 16 years: Laura Nurmi 1.54
Men: Jan Elmgren 1.26
Road race
Ladies 32 km
1. Jaana Nykänen 1.30,57Men 32 km
1. Jan Elmgren 1.11.33, 2. Esa Mononen 1.18.54Juniors 10.7 km
Roope Nurmi (11 years) 31.27, Julia Have (9 years) 45.30, Sebastian Jordas (8 years) 49.25
Pitkäjärvi
Cross Country22.08.2004 EspooThe largest recreational cross-country biking event in the capital region enrolled a handful of bold riders on a Kickbike, too. The distance was about 50 km over rocks and marshlands along small roads and forest paths. You had to like the smell of peat and taste of mud in order to enjoy the journey.
Even Alpo Kuusisto didn't find the slippery and soft course easy, although no other kicker could follow him. The second finisher Janne Mononen surprised many an experienced kicker. Richard Van Camp finished third but could not quite keep up with the newcomer in the uphills.On difficult segments the Kickbike seemed more agile than an ordinary mountain bike. Alpo could with a few strong steps leave bikers panting behind in a small uphill. Furthermore, bikers riding in a pack tended to collide with each another when the path became too rugged for pedaling. For kickers, on the contrary, ground contact is part of life, so switching to running and back is fluid and graceful.
See also Pitkäjärvi cross country results.
Esa Mononen
Alpo's tough shape became evident in the rough circumstances. 
In the beginning Hannu, Rick and Janne were the closest to chase Alpo.
It wasn't easy to keep one's balance on slippery base rock. 
Hannu's helmet tilted sadly to the side as Alpo didn't give the famous end sprint a chance.
Vierikko
Double Eurocup Winner14.08.2004 NakkilaEurocup Finland was held in sunshine near the western coast about 200 km from Helsinki. The organising club was Nakkilan Wisa.
The mile took place on a running track with a 300 m lap. After accelerating on the home stretch the competitors had 5 full laps to go. The men's race gathered a start field of 11 kickers from 5 different countries. Six kickers made the final from the qualifying heats. The group remained together with Erwin Borremans leading most of the way. Before the last curve Hannu Vierikko started such a sprint from middle of the pack that the others could nothing but admire his bold pose in the finish. Erwin could maintain the second place before Alpo Kuusisto.
On the ladies' mile no qualifying heats were necessary as there was only one participant. Laura Nurmi picked the victory and full Eurocup points by kicking her race together with the men in their second heat.
During the interval between the mile and the marathon there was a 4 x 300 m pair relay. There was enough commotion when 5 pairs changed the kicker after each lap. The winners were Richard Van Camp and Karel Cvalin before Hannu Vierikko and Jan Elmgren, who fouled up their changes.
The kid's race was virtually a "club duel" between Lapinjärven Lukko (3 participants) and Nakkilan Wisa (2 participants). All participants kicked well and were hence rewarded with good prizes.
The marathon consisted of 3 laps on a route following river Kokemäenjoki on both sides. There was once again a tough fight for victory between the familiar domestic trio Hannu Vierikko, Jan Elmgren and Alpo Kuusisto. Hannu pulled the longest straw and took his second victory for the day. The only participant in ladies' class was Jaana Nykänen.
After the races the competitors could enjoy sauna and swim in the town pool that was exclusively reserved for them. In the price ceremony the best were handed out medals with kick emblems and trophies that all seemed bigger than the other. Thanks to the organisers and officials for excellent races ! Hopefully next time there will be more kickers especially in the ladies' events.
Jaana Nykänen (photos Veli-Matti Lehtinen and Esa Mononen)
Laura Nurmi kicked happily towards Eurocup victory on ladies' mile.
Hannu Vierikko reminded already in the men's qualifying heat that he can take the lead. 
In the final the winner hid for a while behind the other medalists.
Hannu's gest of victory resembled Olympic gymnastics. 
The kids' race brought a fresh kick to the Eurocup happening.
There was plenty of speculation among the tough guys. 
Lars Kessler secured steadily valuable Eurocup points.
Already the acceleration gave foresight of Hannu winning the marathon, too.
Afterwards the champion could calmly listen to the explanations of his fellow competitors.
Jaana Nykänen was the fastest lady on the marathon in nice countryside landscape. 
Results
Men Eurocup mile
1. Hannu Vierikko Ketkupolkka 3.20.46 2. Erwin Borremans Belgium 3.21.04 3. Alpo Kuusisto Ketkupolkka 3.21.62 4. Richard Van Camp USA 3.22.22 5. Karel Cvalin Czech Republic 3.22.57 6. Jan Elmgren Vantaan Veturi 3.23.22 7. Lars Kessler Germany 3.36.33 8. Antti Joenkoski Ketkupolkka 3.39.22 9. Matti Pesälä Harjavalta 3.55.70 10. Roope Nurmi Lapinjärven Lukko 4.17.56 11. Artturi Kankeri Nakkilan Wisa 4.41.75 Ladies Eurocup mile
1. Laura Nurmi Lapinjärven Lukko 4.31.41 Men Eurocup marathon
1. Hannu Vierikko Ketkupolkka 1.30.58 2. Jan Elmgren Vantaan Veturi 1.30.59 3. Alpo Kuusisto Ketkupolkka 1.31.00 4. Richard Van Camp USA 1.32.55 5. Karel Cvalin Czech Republic 1.37.40 6. Erwin Borremans Belgium 1.45.48 7. Esa Mononen Ketkupolkka 1.45.51 8. Lars Kessler Germany 1.55.07 9. Antti Joenkoski Ketkupolkka 1.57.31 10. Matti Pesälä Harjavalta 2.00.30 Ladies Eurocup marathon
1. Jaana Nykänen Ketkupolkka 1.59.02 Pair relay 4 x 300m
1. Karel Cvalin / Richard Van Camp 2.25 2. Hannu Vierikko / Jan Elmgren 2.26 3. Lars Kessler / Erwin Borremans 2.28 4. Alpo Kuusisto / Matti Pesälä 2.35 5. Antti Joenkoski / Roope Nurmi 2.53 Children's race 300m
1. Roope Nurmi Lapinjärven Lukko 43.9 2. Laura Nurmi Lapinjärven Lukko 46.0 3. Petra Nurmi Lapinjärven Lukko 1.05 4. Tuuliina Viinamäki Nakkilan Wisa 1.07 5. Aarne Kankeri Nakkilan Wisa 1.08
Southern Tip
Kick Duathlon8.8.2004 Tammisaari / EkenäsThe event venue was located not too far from the southernmost tip of Finnish mainland, perhaps thus the weather felt tropical enough for the four kickers participating in the duathlon race. After the start flag had waved all the participants swarmed out onto a 5 km running course marked on a cross-country ski track. Alpo took immediately the lead among the kickers. The next to the change area were Esa and Jan, the latter having kicked the Porvoo marathon the day before. On the 35 km kick leg Jan left Esa behind and secured the second place in the race. Except for the last stretch along a main road from Tenhola back to Vesterby ski centre, the kick route undulated along smaller roads in beautiful countryside scenery. After kicking the competitors faced still another 5 km run along the same course as in the beginning.
Alpo Kuusisto was fit enough to win the kick duathlon followed by a 35-mile cooldown (archive pic). The only lady who participated with a Kickbike was Jaana, who traversed the course saving her best effort for the Eurocup marathon in Nakkila. The race organisation was excellent with a casual athmosphere. Everybody got a medal, there were enough drink stations on the running legs and after sauna/shower they served lunch, too. Hopefully next year there will be more kickers trying out the combination of two sports.
Jaana Nykänen (photos & translation Esa Mononen)
Jaana Nykänen spared a flying kick for the last running leg. 
Results cumulative times after each leg run 5 km kick 35 km run 5 km Ladies 1. Jaana Nykänen 27.12 2.06.40 2.37.22 Men 1. Alpo Kuusisto 20.10 1.38.38 1.59.29 2. Jan Elmgren 1.39.02 2.01.20 3. Esa Mononen 1.50.59 2.11.51
Porvoo
Marathon7.8.2004 Porvoo / BorgåResults
10 km
1. Petra Nurmi (8 years) Lapinjärvi 0.51.29, 2. Sari Nurmi Lapinjärvi 0.51.39Half Marathon
1. Riitta Aalto-Koistinen Helsinki 01.46.44,0Marathon men
1. Hannu Vierikko Helsinki 01.27.55,0, 2. Jan Elmgren Vantaa 01.28.07,0, 3. Roope Nurmi (11 years) Lapinjärvi 02.16.43,0Marathon ladies
1. Heidi Räihä Lapinjärvi 02.11.15,0, 2. Laura Nurmi Lapinjärvi (13 years) 02.19.19,0, 3. Riitta Ansala Riihimäki 02.42.57,0
Formula
Spark 30.7.2004 Karjaa / Karis
Formula Spark took place in the center of Karjaa as part of the Formula (roller) Ski Games programme. The master of heavens favoured the races so that there were only occasional light showers. The track was a less than 600 m circuit across a small "valley", so on each lap there were 2 uphills to sprint and 2 downhills to descend, respectively. The number of laps in the race was 15 (total 8820 m). There was a plenty of spectators around who cheered to all competitors also after the fastest had already finished.
There were 7 kickers altogether daring to pose behind the start line. The struggle for victory was fought between three men. Alpo Kuusisto and Jan Elmgren took turns in the lead while Hannu Vierikko settled to observe the pace of the others. On the last lap Hannu left his fellow competitors behind and snatched the victory. Jan became second leaving Alpo, who competed in the Endurance Quest during the previous weekend, to the third place. The fourth was Esa Mononen who passed Antti Joenkoski on the sixth lap. Antti kicked at a very good pace in his first race of the season and second race in his life. His speed on the early laps promises a good time for the Eurocup mile in Nakkila. The more experienced kickers ought to tie their shoelaces well before that race. 
Roope (11 years) and Laura (13 years) Nurmi represented the younger generation of kickers. Although they have spent some more time this summer biking with pedals, they both completed Formula Spark with a good steady kick.
Jaana Nykänen (translation Esa Mononen)
Results
Men: 1. Hannu Vierikko 17:48, 2. Jan Elmgren 17:49, 3. Alpo Kuusisto 17:51, 4. Esa Mononen 20:28, 5. Antti Joenkoski 22:13
Junior men: 1. Roope Nurmi ; Junior ladies: 1. Laura Nurmi
Kick pics also on Formula Ski image page.
Team
Kickbike in Endurance Quest 2004 20-25.7.2004 Southern FinlandOur race began with a ride in a military boat from Syndalen, on the southern tip of Finland to a military outpost somewhere in the maze of islands that is the Finnish Archipelago. Listening to teams chat in Swedish, French and Finnish, I tried to work out what equipment other teams had in their bags hmmm they have food…oh my God food! We were kindly asked not to bring our tents and then left for the night on the rocks. Not a big deal for Alpo but an annoyance for us softer types. The next day we went through a few safety tests and then in the afternoon the race began with a prologue. After a short swim in which we had to drag one kayak with us, we did some "coastaleering," which included usual orienteering in the forest, together with swimming out to control points on rocks, one small cliff dive and an ascension of a rock face from the sea by one team member (Alpo). It certainly was an exciting beginning to the race, and the danger was heightened by us not being allowed to use spikes on the slippery rocks. Our other team member Vesa Ruuska used the most unorthodox footwear, opting for rubber sandals-good on the rocks but rather harsh in the prickly shrubs. The same Wednesday evening the race proper kicked off with the first leg kayaks, myself in a single and Alpo and Vesa in a double. Vesa, the most experienced in paddling, navigated.
Vesa had no trouble finding our control points and we kept a fairly easy pace at this point. The kayaking was interrupted by another section of coastaleering in the dark, which I think we all agreed was one of the high points of the whole race. We followed Alpo through the dark, carrying cheap air mattresses (also known as packrafts) with us to swim across to rocks. We discovered quickly that Vesa had a special knack for this kind of swimming and Alpo and I gladly let him take the control points, while we swam in his wake. Back into the kayaks again we found ourselves tailed by the top women's team, Team Haglöfs, who acted more like they were out for a Vappu party rather than an endurance race. Behind us one girl sang "Ooooole ole ole ole!" Oh no…are they going to do that for the next 60 hours!?
We arrived to the mainland in the morning and met our fantastic support man, Samuli who was ready with warm food and equipment for the next section. Alpo drew the control points on the maps for the next section and Vesa and I fumbled with our equipment wondering how we could ever carry so much in our backpacks. The sardonic organisers had us carry our skates, along with climbing equipment, life vests, food, water, first aid kit, a tuxedo, various kitchen appliances, and a sofa-you get the idea. At one point we had to swim few hundred meters of water with our in-line skates somehow attached to us. Vesa's solution was a backpack big enough for two weeks in the Himalayas (he would regret this green monster later when he had to skate with it). We came up with a quick solution of putting all of our skates into one plastic trash bag and floating them on one of our air mattresses. A slow method but it kept our skates dry. Across the water and then we started hiking in search of the asphalt road where the long skating section would begin…problem was the asphalt never came. Finally we realised that we were expected to skate on pitted gravel roads. This was not really something we had planned for, particularly Vesa who was skating for the 3rd time in his life. Needless to say we lost some serious time here to the other teams, learning the art of in-line skating on gravel. A sport that would surely be banned in any civilised country.
Anyways we got through it and eventually ran to the last part of this section on Thursday night. Our mission was now to build a raft from logs and move 5 kilometers across water. Sound easy? I assure you it is not. Here Samuli, allowed to assist, again proved to be the support man extraordinaire, having already scoped out other teams' solutions, deciding on the best construction, a double layer of logs. Unfortunately there weren't many good logs left for us but with Samuli's help we eventually managed something that floated. We jumped on and began to paddle. Then we noticed…hey we have been paddling a long time and the shore is still behind us. The thing is log rafts are not meant for still water. It would take several cold, dark hours for the raft to finally reach its destination and I would have to be left on shore along the way to rest with back spasms and hypothermia. Alpo and Vesa finished the job, took apart the raft and then swam and ran back to meet me in the transition area. At this point we were very far behind the lead teams and it must be admitted, just a little discouraged. Alpo and Vesa had not slept at all and we had to continue in order to stay under the cut off line for the next section.
Friday was more enjoyable and we all seemed to have caught our second wind, and a short horse ride/ run section provided some comic relief. I stupidly admitted to having been on a horse when I was a kid and was elected to ride the horse while Alpo and Vesa followed on foot. Well let's just say I will not make fun of people whose hobby is horse riding anymore because it takes some skill to stay aboard one of these beasts when it decides to move fast (I didn't seem to have much say in the matter), not to mention the pounding your nether parts take. Alpo noted my running style changed after this. Next we had some long mountain biking sections which were challenging and all three of us enjoyed the varied terrain with Vesa and Alpo both doing turns orienteering. Along the way there were some "quests", usually something involving ropes and going up or down high places.
Another transition and a change of support personal to the equally helpful Sara, we were now out on a long running section which would take us eventually to some real gritty orienteering sections followed by what we had been waiting for of course, the KB section! The running section turned out to be or best with Vesa leading in fine form. The orienteering parts that followed in the dark was then led by Alpo who was impressively fast in the very difficult terrain. Here were greeted by Hannu, who couldn't help but note that his boys were a little behind Team Nokia who had arrived many hours ago. I must admit I didn't enjoy the KBing as much as usual thanks to some nasty blisters that had developed. Alpo was also looking a little ragged and having trouble remembering where we were going, resulting in us triumphantly passing the Spanish Buff team not once, but twice! The end of this section took us to the darkest hour of our race, both literally and figuratively. We were worn down, hungry and behind schedule. It was decided the best thing to do was take expensive penalty by skipping the next canoe section and instead get some food and rest. We made it to a gas station and Vesa entertained us by falling asleep as he lifted a coffee cup to his mouth.
Our race finished up on Saturday with a very nasty swim in cold water which again left me hypothermic and Vesa, with a leak in his air mattress, having to be rescued by a boat. Finally, determined to make the finish before the end of the race, Alpo led us full speed on the mountain bike with some determined orienteering, followed by a final short running orienteering section and the welcome greeting of the finish line in Siuntio. We made it in a respectable 13th position, despite some beginner's mistakes and each of us having had a bad moment in the race. How tired were we at the end? Well the next day it took Vesa and I nearly 6 hours to drive a usual 3.5 hour trip from Helsinki to Jyväskylä. We took two wrong turns and at one point even drove the wrong direction back towards Helsinki. Yeah we were fairly tired, but satisfyingly so.
Thanks again to our sponsor, Kickbike Worldwide, as well as our supporters particularly Samuli, who obviously knew more about preparing than we did, and Sara who did not complain about having to wait outside with the mosquitos in the early morning while we caught a little sleep in the car. Congratulations to the winners Team Nokia, and watch out for us next time!
http://www.endurancequest.com/
Richard Van Camp
Brahe Spark
24.7.2004 Jakobstad/Pietarsaari
Photos: Elina Karp
Results
Men ca 4 km
1. Jan Elmgren, Vanda Lokomotiv
2. Tomas Porthin, Ketkupolkka
3. Markus Porthin, Ketkupolkka
4. Andreas Harju, Jakobstad
5. Henrik Porthin, Jakobstad
6. Sebastian Björkqvist, Jakobstad
7. Patrik Nyman, IF Brahe
Jakob
Marathon 23.7.2004 Jakobstad/PietarsaariJakob Marathon was kicked once again in sunshine. During the first half the kickers were aided also by a slight tailwind. Jan Elmgren left the others behind already quite in the beginning. The second finisher was Tomas Porthin, who came in only a bit over a minute before the next. There was a hard fight for the third place between Esa Mononen, Markus Porthin and Sami Rokala. Sami dropped out of the pack during the second half. Esa could keep Markus behind on the home stretch. The ladies' first and last place was taken by Jaana Nykänen.
Acceleration after the pistol shot. 
Jan Elmgren makes the winner's gest.
Sprint struggle of Esa Mononen and Markus Porthin has been resolved. 
Celebration on the podium. 
Special thanks to Elin, Annika & Tomas who invited all the long-distance kickers to sauna & overnight stay at their cottage by the seaside.
Photos: Elina Karp, Caption: Jaana Nykänen
Results
Men
1. Jan Elmgren Vanda Lokomotiv 1.26.32
2. Tomas Porthin Ketkupolkka 1.36.41
3. Esa Mononen Ketkupolkka 1.37.51
4. Markus Porthin Ketkupolkka 1.37.52
5. Sami Rokala Gamlakarleby IF 1.42.45
Women
1. Jaana Nykänen Ketkupolkka 1.51.37
5th
Puruvesipyörähdys around lake Puruvesi 17.-18.7.2004 Savonlinna-Kerimäki-Kesälahti-Punkaharju-Savonlinna
The 5th Puruvesipyörähdys, a non-competitive kickbiking and cycling tour around Lake Puruvesi at the heart of the lake district in Eastern Finland arranged by the local KB club, gathered once again an enthusiastic group of over 50 participants, some of whom had taken part in the event all five year in a row while others were challenging themselves for the 160 km tour for the first time. Sunny skies and mostly tail wind escorted the cheerful group in their this time red T-shirts from the very beginning till the very end. And special thanks belongs to the service troops who once again did an excellent job.
The intermediate night of the two-day event was spent at Karjalan Kievari, a holiday resort by the crystal clear Lake Puruvesi. The place had been renovated since last year and at least the food was better (and there was more of it!) than ever. Smoke sauna and pancakes baked by an open fire are also a tradition which cannot be passed at this relaxed event. And the nearby dancing place also draws the same familiar group to warm up for the second day.
This merry event seems to have such firm roots and support that it seems that we are going to have to arrange it again - maybe the next five years in the opposite direction!
Tuija H Kickbike-Savonlinna ry
Happy Kick
News 28.6.2004 Lapinjärvi
Hjalmar Vickholm born in Porvoo 24.6.
Kuntokieppi
Scooter Races 13.6.2004 LaukaaThe domestic scooter season got an effective kickstart near Jyväskylä on a car driving practice circuit that proved to be quite suitable for kicking as well as following the races. The athmosphere was relaxed and the race organisation functioned flexibly but smoothly.
Petra Lahtinen was able to adjust her spacious steps to the tight curve ahead.
The spectators could nothing but admire the fluid kicking of Lauri Lahtinen . 
The sprint race of one lap with an interval start gathered a delightingly large start field as several rollerskaters who had their own race between the kick events were eager to try out kicking, too. The men's race was a draw between Jan Elmgren and Richard Van Camp, the latter easing up a little in the end after mistakenly suspecting himself of taking a shortcut.
Pirjo Karetie won the ladie's sprint while Rick finished cruising behind. 
There were no newcomers behind the start line of the longer race.
Might the smaller wheel have determined Jan's destiny in the tight struggles ? 
Jaana Nykänen won the ladies' longer eight-lap race kicking at a very nice pace. In the men's race the favourites Rick and Jan left the others behind already after the first lap. Rick crossed the finish line a mere two inches ahead of Jan. The third place was snatched by Antti Lehtinen before Timo Rinkinen who did not give up until the bitter end.
Esa Mononen
Results
Ladies 1,2 km
1. Karetie Pirjo 3:10Men 1,2 km
1. Elmgren Jan 2:11, 1. Van Camp Richard 2:11, 3. Rinkinen Timo 2:18, 4. Lehtinen Antti 2:19, 5. Kanervo Mika 2:27, 6. Lahtinen Kai 2:36, 7. Ilmavirta Keijo 2:42, 8. Tervo Timo 2:58, 9. Pohjola Paavo 3:01Girls 400 m
1. Lahtinen Petra 1:17Boys 400 m
1. Lahtinen Lauri 1:12Ladies 9,6 km
1. Nykänen Jaana 22:48Men 9,6 km
1. Van Camp Richard 18:28, 2. Elmgren Jan 18:28, 3. Lehtinen Antti 20:29, 4. Rinkinen Timo 20:30, 5. Mononen Esa 20:33
Scooter Trip
Story
Alex and Alpo, photo: Tomas PorthinTomas, Alpo and Alex (from New York) made a one week scooter trip just after the WC in CZ. See photos here!
Day 1, monday 7.6:
Mittenwald-Wallgau-Vorderriss-Achenpass-Rottach-Egern-Valepp-almost_to_Spitzings ee. ca. 85km. We started the kicking "safari" in Mittenwald, which is between Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Innsbruck. We came there with train. It was a nice sunshine and we enjoyed the Alpine-scenery while we made our first kilometers. Alpo teached kicking technik to Alex during the day. Alex bought a new shorter stem in Rottach-Egern in order to get a better position.
Day 2, tue. 8.6:
Spitzingsee-Bayrischzell-Sudelfeld-Oberaudorf-Walchsee-St. Johann in Tirol-Hochfilzen. ca. 95km. More klimbing, more downhills. Beautiful. The road to Oberaudorf was closed, so we thought "yes, no cars" but it turned out that they were making new asphalt and we got a lot of that sticky stuff on our wheels. It was hard to get it away. In Walchsee we jumped in the lake. In the evening we found a beautiful spot to put up our tent. We saw Kitzbüheler Horn in one direction and Loferer Steingebirge in the other. Unfortunately we had no more "Good Stuff" (the right fuel for the Trangia) and we could only find "Bad Stuff" (Sicherheitsbrennpaste) in the gas station. It took us more than one hour to cook our pasta with that gel-like Bad Stuff.
Day 3, wed. 9.6:
Hochfilzen-Leogang-Saalfelden-Dienten-Bischofshofen-Hüttau-St. Martin. ca. 95km. The best day. The steepest hills (more than 2000 m klimbing). The fastest downhills (topspeed 87.5 km/h). The warmest day. The Weissbier on our stop at the Wellness hotel in Dienten was really well deserved. Near Leogang we found a go-cart track where we made some rounds with our Kickbikes. Of course we had to take a "Bischofshofen" in Bischofshofen.
Tomas, photo: Tomas Porthin & co
Day 4, thu. 10.6:
St.Martin-Gosau-Hallstättersee-Bad Ischl - train to Linz - Pregarten. ca. 90km (+ ca 100 km train). Alex "stick to the plan!" Bekkerman wasn't too happy when we missed the train we had planned to take and we didn't make it all the way in the Check Republic.
Day 5, fri. 11.6:
Alex takes the train to Prag. We took train to Czesky Krumlov. C. Krumlov-Horny Plana-Chlum-Volary-Lenora over 60 km in rain and some kilometers without rain. Alpo had his hair cut for only 28 Kc (ca. 0.90 EUR)! It must have been a hairdress trainee place. At last some suffering in the cold rain after four wonderful sunny days. In Lenora we took a nice room instead of putting up our tent in the pouring rain. In Lenora there was sportsmassage for only 80 Kc, but the next available massage time was on saturday at 18.00, so we could not use this amazingly cheap offer.
Day 6, sat. 12.6:
To Sindlov in Sumava 23 km. 30 km race in the afternoon. Alpo was not surprisingly stonger than best Czeck Ladislav, Tomas was fifth. The evening party included a fire were people could grill sausages, Karel played the guitar and singed. Later at night we had a beer relay Finland against the Czeck. Although we had Milan Gazarek as our third man, the Czeck team was faster.
Day 7, sun. 13.6:
Uphill race 7 km in Sumava. + over 80 km kicking from Sindlov to Passau. Train from Passau home. After a short night sleep it was hard to get up for the morning race. Our friend Gazarek did what he usually does in Sumava: didn't race the sunday race because of too much partying and beer drinking the night before. On this shorter race the Czecks were surprisingly strong. Alpo was third and I was seventh. Our way back to the nearest train station on the German side turned out to bee interesting. We took a small hiking path to the German border. It was only uphill. On the German side we then more than 10 km of downhill with good asphalt and a good view. In Freying the Trainstation was pretty dead. We asked some people if any trains go here and they told us "no, not anymore, go to Passau", so we kicked another 40 km to Passau. Total kicking kilometers of the trip was 582 km.Tomas Porthin
First
Scooter World Championships 4.-6.6.2004, Karlovy Vary and Plsen, Czech Republic
Day 1
On last Thursday more than a few folk in Prague on their daily bus and metro commutes may have noticed an unusual number of foreigners wearing big smiles and travelling with strangely shaped bags. Questioning looks were easily answered: “it is my kolobezkach!” From Finland alone travelled six, from Italy six, from Holland a van full, from Germany four and from the US one guy with the biggest bag of all. We met the US representative, a gadget-loving New Yorker named Alex Bekkerman, that evening in Jan Vlasek’s apartment where Jan generously invited many of us for the night. The gadget man had us spellbound with an array of heartbeat counting, altitude tracking, voice recording little machines, as well as a sexy Kickbike tricked out with the lightest nipples and a radically angled stem. The next day we all headed east to Karlovy Vary, site of the first race. Jan Elmgren and I chauffeured Hannu Vierikko, already in disinformation mode with his “You know, I haven’t been training much really” routine, and Markus Porthin from the airport in the morning. The conversation along the way naturally fell to who among the Czechs might surprise, as usual we have heard Ladislav Provod has been training up to 12 times a day and mean enough to crack pavement with his kick (just kidding, Ladi is obviously a gentle giant).
Alex Bekkerman came all the way from New York. photo: Thijza
Well no big surprises in Karlovy Vary, where the podium was filled up with the usual suspects: Vierikko, Kuusisto, and Provod. The race was held on an interesting 2.4 kilometer loop in the center, with only a few small hills that would pose little challenge to the strongest kickers and an interesting downhill through a tunnel--this is the same course as two years ago for the Euro Championships. Hannu Vierikko answered any questions that he may not be in shape—his own question as I mentioned before—as he took the lead from the start, along with sprinter Jan Vlasek who wanted to at least challenge for the lead for the first minute of the race. This is a race that demands a good start or you quickly find yourself separated from the leaders. Hannu effortlessly managed the race until the end overtaking Alpo K. on the last straight away shouting “Com’n on your left!!” Jan Elmgren escaped a fast closing bunch for a respectable fourth. The rest of us fought for our rankings with two newcomers in the mix, each with justifiable expectations for good finishes based on athletic pedigrees—Erwin Borremans and Ondrej Vodrazka. The latter is a world cup ski orienteerer and a very likely Czech man for the podium once he refines his skills on the scooter.
Before start. photo: Thijza Day 2
First, excuse my chauvinism for not mentioning the women’s criterium on Day 1, which was dominated by the Czech women and won in fine style by Anezka Zijkova representing her Prague club.
It is not always easy to say when one scooter day ends and another begins in the Czech scooter world since the boundaries between days are inevitably blurred by the parties. Once again we celebrated together with participants of the White water kayaking World Cup at a beautiful outdoor celebration including all you can eat, drink, and sing. While I won’t comment on the quality of the singing, Markus Porthin was heard to remark 28 times: “I really like this Czech beer.” I think he spoke for all of us.
Saturdays competition was undoubtably the most suspense filled of the weekend. Not only was the weather unpredictable with fits of hard rain but the results of the qualifying time trial left a few of us scratching our heads. Only the top 16, after an approximately 1 kilometre time trial, would proceed to the sprints. Many of the favourites found themselves just squeaking in, with Hannu Vierikko 15th and Jan Elmgren shockingly just beyond the cut-off at 17th. The fastest times were posted by Provod, P. Pesta, and Van Camp (don’t ask me how).
In the afternoon the real action started, with both the men’s and women’s quarters, semis, and finals providing down-to-the-wire excitement. The course involved two hairpin turns on wet pavement, offering those inclined to recline on their scooters the opportunity to do so (I was one of these, although it would have mattered little as I was in the “group of death” for my quarter final). The most exciting semi, was a preview of the final with Vierikko and 200m kicksled world champion Borremans going head-to-head. Both eased off at the end but it was clear believed they could win. In the other semi, two Czechs looked ominously strong, again Ladi and newcomer Ondrej.
Hermien Koers in lead, the Czechs are chasing. photo: Thijza The women’s race provided two strong contenders for the final, Lucie Gazarovka, a young Czech with scootering in her genes (her father is a Czech scooter party legend) and Hermien Koers, also from a scooter family with her brother being one of last year’s European Champions. The two battled it out in the final, a contrast in styles, Lucie with quick, choppy kicks and Hermin with long, powerful kicks. Hermien to a commanding lead, but it was slowly wittled away by a tough Lucie who eventually overtook her tiring rival for the win.
The men’s final was probably the most exciting sprint race in scooter history. Before the race each man was wrapped in concentration and uncharacteristically quiet. Even Borremans, who will go down in history as the biggest back-slapper and hand-shaker in scooter history, looked…well a little pissed off!? At the gun it was full out for the first corner with Borremans just edging Provod and Vierikko tucked in behind. Borremans and Provod went at each other with teeth gritted and chests puffing. The lead changing several times but with neither clearly stronger. Vierikko, the most experienced of the group, sat behind the too locomotives with Ondrej Vodrajka right there two. In the end, Vierikko showed again that there is no one who can accelerate more quickly at high speed, winning the lead at the last corner and coasting in with Provod in a hard earned second. Wow. Almost as amazing as the race itself was the world’s first demonstration of scooter aerobics by the best looking scooter club in the Czech Rep, it was even sexier than Alex’s scooter.
Borremans just ahead of Provod with one lap to go in the mens sprint final. Vierikko in behind waiting to put in his final spurt. photo:Thijza How did day 2 conclude? Hey this is the Czech Republic stupid! We had another party. We drank, we danced, and meaningfully we all toasted our fallen friend, Ville Vickholm. There was also a short scooter jumping competition, which ended tragically in the destruction of one Kolobezka (sorry Gazarek!).
Day 3
There are probably not many World Championships in which the athletes are able to perform at the limits of physical endurance in spite of the accumulation of multiple hangovers over several nights. But it all comes down to hard training! But in all seriousness the importance of Sunday’s race was exemplified by the moderation shown by the racers the night before at the party with free drinks. We had fun of course but the big race was still to come...
The favourite for this race was clear: not only does Alpo Kuusisto own this course, he owns most every long distance scooter record there is. So to beat Alpo would have taken something extra special. Enter Ladislav Provod, a big strong contender with an unorthodox straight-legged style capable of accelerating hard up big hills and with dogged determination. Ladislav was certainly the number one contender before the race, despite his Achille’s heel of lacking speed on downhills. But once again we learned not to discount the wily veteran with many nicknames: Hannu, Mr. Kickbike, the guru, and many other names which cannot be printed here. In characteristic fashion Hannu was the last out of bed in the morning before the race and with a new piece of equipment on display, wearing a very stifling looking aerodynamic helmet, his little “head sauna” as he called it.
The main pack of eight held together for less than two laps when a gap started to open behind the three aforementioned contenders. The winning move would happen on the third lap when Alpo, so far looking relaxed and nonchalant on his scooter, made a hard move up the main climb with Ladislav in tow. Somehow Hannu, using superior descending skills and his ability to put in a hard burst when necessary kept within range. At the end Alpo proved unbeatable, winning as expected and a surprising Vierikko was able to overtake Ladislav, putting Ladislav again in the now familiar 3rd position. Jan Elmgren was clearly the next best and some of us smiled to see him awarded for best master racer, since we know Hannu is also in the master’s faze of life and only one man in his twenties was fast enough to beat those two.
Familiar faces on the podium of the mens 30km. photo: Thijza The women’s race saw its third winner in three days, with Karlovy Vary scooterist Alena Kupilikova taking the win over her Czech team mate. The Championships concluded with the relays. Here Team Kickbike International lived up to its name with Vierikko, Van Camp, and Borremans representing three different countries (although all now call Finland home). This team easily won the relay with the Czech team coming second but winning the Championship because they were the first national team. The Finnish team would have surely provided a strong challenge for the title but unfortunately the aforementioned “master” got a late start due to a misunderstanding about where the start line was. In the women’s relay it was Czechs filling up the whole podium.
Let me conclude by thanking, on behalf of all the scooterists from Finland, the Czech scooterists for their great warm hearted hospitality and their love of scooter sport. These are people who will give it all in a race and then take the train home so you can ride in a car. Particularly I would like to thank Jan Vlasek and his family for giving up their apartment to a group of scooter freaks, Karel Cvalin and Jaroslav Tlapa for all their help and their garlic drinking game, the Pesta brothers for making the whole thing happen and again Gazarek for his Kolobezka.
ResultsRichard Van Camp
Kickers win
respect in Lohja 24hr MTB event 22.-23.5.2004, Lohja, FinlandIn the largest event of its kind in Finland, Team Kickbike International made history by joining 90 other teams in a 24 hour non-stop relay on their XC Kickbikes. Many of the biking participants expressed amazement that the scooters were flying by them on the bumpy single-track. Indeed we were somewhat amazed ourselves how easy it was, leaving us wishing for even bigger climbs and more technical descents. In total Team Kickbike accummulated 388,5 kilometres. Our team was a mix of kicking veterans, including continent crossers Alpo and Jaani, as well as newcomers like the Belgium Energiser, Erwin, and adventurer pal Samuli. Veteran scooter man Heikki Nyman handled some of the toughest laps in the early morning and also treated us to excellent pancakes. Hannu Vierikko not only added to the kicking effort but provided plush accommodations in a rented motor home and with all-we-could-eat catering. This last service unfortunately may have resulted in some of the kickers actually gaining weight during the 24 hour non-stop event.
Although this was not officially a race, some of us are unable to keep our eyes off the clock. Not surprisingly Alpo Kuusisto had the fastest lap time, just over 25 minutes, and the average was around 30 minutes (some of the fitter MTB guys reported 22 minute laps but most actually went slower). There appeared to be some advantage in this terrain in having rugged orienteering shoes rather than smoother soled running shoes. This also proved to be a good opportunity for old and new equipment to be put to the test, with a mysterious orange monster scooter being shipped in from Germany for that purpose.
Times slowed down during the darkest hours when we kicked with lamps attached to our helmets but many of us found these the most pleasant rounds as the forest revealed its night secrets. By morning the smell outside was better than in the camper and there was no shortage of kickers willing to make a round, with all joining together for the last circuit. On the whole, the event confirmed for me that XC kicking, although an add concept to begin with, turns out to be great fun and surprisingly efficient. The next appearance of Team Kickbike International at a 24 hour MTB event will be next month in Wales. See photos from http://www.kickbike.fi/Lohja/!
Richard Van Camp
Kickers Make
Adventurers Take Notice with Surprise Win 8.5.2004, Sipoo, FinlandOn Friday eve we were enjoying pure Finland in a summer cottage on an island about 100km north from Helsinki. Normally here we just relax, go to sauna combined with little swim and turn off our mobile phones... Luckily this day I had forgotten to turn it off because Hannu called and asked if I would be interesting in going to an adventure race the next morning.
The race was around 40km including canoeing, kickbike, orienteering and mountain biking. Our plan was too challenge some race-friends by using our Kickbikes in the last 18km long MTB segment. “We will see…” we thought.
Hannu and I drove in a hurry together to the start place, quickly getting our numbers and drawing our route on the blank racemaps. There was no time any more to take the lowering sets off our racing Kickbikes so we decided to give it a try with them on.
The race started with a overly difficult puzzle task. Already here we lost 4 min to the leaders but the game had only started. We rushed into the forest for the orienteering leg. Hannu was mastering the maps, my task was to get the control points. We ran smoothly and were the third team to go into the water for some canoeing. We had never been canoeing together before which resulted in the beginning in a near tip-over... but yep yep we found our rhythm and even made some time up to the leaders.
Now it was time for our part. All the teams needed to conquer the kickbike for a 7 km (too easy ;) lap. We took over the second position and jumped back into our canoe. Paddling as fast as we could, we started as leaders in the last 18km long mountain bike leg. Were we going to make it...?
We kicked like our lives depended on it. We were lucky that there were some fast parts in between so our racing Kickbikes didn’t roll bad at all! Every now and then we looked backwards to see if our competitors were taking us over on their MTBs, but nobody came. This feeling gave us still extra wings and we raced, flew and kicked to victory. I need to admit that we could hardly believe that all this really happened but perhaps we have convinced some adventure freaks to take the Kickbike a little bit more often ;)
Greets Erwin
Ps. more information under Sipoo Multisport 2004.
Czech season
opening 19.4. Karlovy Vary, Czech RepublicThe Czech scooter seazon started this Saturday in Pilsen. The 11km race brought all the czech top athletes together to face each other for the first time in 2004.
A really strong 8 men group escaped in the first round in a tremendous speed just around 30km/h. 3 laps to go and hard attack came from the side of Petr Pesta and Ladi Provod (PSP KK Pilsen) to destroy the group (5 men only in that time). Petr took the victory just on the finnish line. Sprint for the third place was won by Jan Vlasek (Utima K.lap Team) ahead of another pilsener Karel Cvalin.
Marketa Stejrova (Pilsen) broken the "la resistance" tryings from the side of Anezka Zykova (Ultima) when there were just 2 laps to go and she took the first seazon victory. Tereza Vlaskova (Ultima) was third.
Nice competition, nice weather, nice avs (more than 30km/h for the winner)...what more to wish. The Czech Rollo league starts next weekend, it is gonna be a great seazon I hope.
Jan Vlasek
