Helmetcam

Ice-Bat racing

A Ice-Bat is a three 'wheeled' recumbent on skates that's propelled by a propeller. Totally weird, new and fun. Last Sunday was the first of two championship days. People competed for the fastest lap time and maximum speed. Both of them I just didn't make (I finished second, just like the day before). The preliminary results can be found on the Ice-Bat blog.

Patch work

A week later then planned, but here is my story about New Year's Eve and what happened next. It was a busy weekend with a afternoon of rowing on Saturday. First I rowed from 11 AM to 1 PM and after that I coached a ladies team from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM. Everything went well and the weather played nicely. Afterwards we drank a cup of tea in the club house and then I climbed into my bike to go to my youngest brother and his wife in Stadskanaal. I've cycled the route before so I could almost do it blindfolded. And that's a good thing as it gets dark very early in the day.

Not again / suicidal

Saturday morning last week I was on my way to our rowing club (as usual). At the intersection (see two clips below) it's always good to pay attention. The car could just get though and I didn't have to brake a lot. Yesterday morning was a different story. This guy didn't look at all and on top of that his side windows are all fogged up which impairs his vision.

The guy below was curious if I wanted to kill myself, because I was riding in on the main road instead of the cycle path (I presume).

Around the city 2011

Last Sunday it was that time again... rowing around the canals of Groningen. I wanted to participate myself, but I couldn't get enough people together to fill a boat. I do however got the chance to steer, which is second best. It isn't a straight track, but it's all narrow passages and corners where steering is as much a challenge as rowing. Below you can see my ladies and gentle men, who were quite at age, trying their very best.

Cheating my way to 55 km/h

Yesterday I was so happy with the sound of my bike (or actually the lack of sound) that I forgot to mention the following. When I left Sinner Bikes Arjen asked me if I've ever ridding in a electric assist Mango. Well no I haven't, so this was a good opportunity. The bike was well adjusted to my length so I could just hop in and go. Arjen put the assist, which is mounted in the pedals, on my maximum sport setting. My first push on the pedals propelled me forward. Okay... this takes a bit of getting used to. But it's cool. Within a few seconds I reached 30 km/h.

Join me in the Cycle Video Day

This morning when I woke up I saw that YouTube user gaz545 had posted a new clip. During the 13 weeks that he couldn't cycle because of his broken clavicle he came up with the idea to have a Cycle Video Day. It was Magnatom's idea.

Picked up our bikes

After we've been up for 26 hours straight we went to bed around 10 PM. I for once really needed that. I got to sleep in until 4:30 AM. Hmmm, jetlag? Closed my eyes and try sleep again. Breakfast as around 8:30 AM and after that we were going to pick up our bikes. Three big pieces of bread with syrup, jam and peanut butter (well, not the kind I'm used to) and a number glasses of orange juice were digested. Then it was finally time to head down to the warehouse where our bikes were waiting for us. The unpacking went very quickly and within two hours we all stood on the loading area.

Low five

It looks like I have a subscription on Stupid Cows because this afternoon I encountered another one. When exiting the round about a cyclist came from the opposite direction... which is not very handy. Just a moment later I signal to enter the side road and the man walking there thinks I want to low-five him. Sorry man, just signaling. Yeah, you're not used that cyclist do that, don't ya?

2-in-a-row

Sometimes you have one of those days that you want something different. As did I when I was cycling home today. I just felt like taking a different route than usual. But new routes also tend to bring new situations. The roundabout near the shopping center is being worked over and that's why the cars are directed over the steel plates next to it. Time to pay attention. Also for people who are leaving their care and just open the door whilst not paying attention to cyclist (probably). That's why I always try to stay away from doors with at least one meter clearance.

Please slow down

After my new camera (the Contour+) had arrived this week it was a matter of trying it out and to wait if something worthwhile comes in front of the lens. Unfortunately that didn't take long. This morning I was on my way to work when I encountered a car that was pushing it in a 30 km/h zone. The junction had a offset center. If he should have stopped for me or another road user he probably couldn't have done so in time. Car drivers often speed at that junction, but this driver was being extra bad. Fortunately I could hear him coming and didn't enter the junction.