Scary movie

Just some insane biking…

Brilliant accessories design

Just saw this on Urban Velo. Some of the idea’s in this clip are really awesome! I would buy them instandly…

Bicimaquinas

Since 1997 the San Andrés Itzapa (Guatemala) based Maya Pedal Association are recycling scraps of bicycles and rebuilding them into ‘bicimaquinas’. This peddle powered machinery can be used for all kinds of household tasks. Instructions on how to build these machines can be found on their website.

Statements concerning traffic

A few days ago I came across this little book from 1980. And some of the quotes are so true! (And sorry for those who don’t speak Flemish)

© APA

Maiden trip

07:00 Sunday Morning. I’m taking a train to Tongeren. Not only to exercise in a slightly hilly environment, but also to enjoy the scenery and the blossoms.

 

Bike fitting

After all these years of biking, the different ways that people sit on their bikes still strikes me. Because my own riding position was never perfect I spoke with other bikers, bike shops, physiotherapists and even bike fitting centers. And they all said something different! While test driving my new, custom made race bike I felt how huge the differences were. And they feel right. The ride is more comfy and stiffer at the same time, I can accelerate harder and maintain a higher cruising speed.  Last night I altered my position on my old bike to approach the new setting and just then I saw how big the differences really were. For instance… I had to changed the stem from a 90 mm to a 130 mm model and placed the ankle upright instead of horizontal. The saddle is now 30 mm higher. Hopefully the new setting will make bike trips over my magical limit of 150 km possible…

Saddle testing

For the first time in my biking life I’m testing (Fi’zi:k) saddles. One way, it’s an awkward and weird thing to keep changing and fine-tuning the saddles. On the other hand it’s the most logic way to do, knowing what difference it could make for your comfort. The Aliante is definitely not my cup of tea, but the choice between the Arione and Antares is rather difficult. Up to another long bike trip to make the final decision…

2012 Brussels average bus speed

On the 29th of April there were some interesting figures published in the newspaper (De Standaard, page 13). The average bus speed in Brussels in 2012 was 16,6 km/h. During rush hour this was reduced to 15,6 km/h. Late night it was 20,3 km/h. The busiest and slowest lines didn’t reach an average of 12 km/h! According to Jef Van Damme (SP.A) these figures show that public transport can only be a real alternative if there’s less space for cars and more space for busses and trams. In my opinion these figures also show the relativeness of speeds approached by motorized (public) transport and the possibilities of peddle power. A vast majority of people must be able (maybe with some practice) to reach these average speeds. So dear politicians, please invest in good and safe cycle infrastructure!

Assembly and delivery of the Jaegher

After 11 weeks of endless waiting I could finally pick up my new bike. Not this fact itself, but the pick up trip is what really matters. The ride to the Jaegher atelier was a big reminder of why I am a bike enthusiast after all. It took me 35 minutes to reach the highway. The travelled distance at that moment: 12,5 km. The remaining 84 km (only 6 of them where not on the highway) took me another 75 minutes. So 1 hour and 50 minutes to travel over a distance of 96,5 km using a motorized  vehicle? That’s (if my maths are correct) a ridiculous average of 52,64 km/h. Or only twice as fast as a bike… Luckily there’s something called good music and a start-stop system.

 

Wine Transporting System

A slightly ridiculous solution, but way cooler than using your backpack! And the Bicycle Wine Rack is not the only good idea from Oopsmark…