XL-Network - Stupid Cow

Patch work

XL-Network — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 16:38:43 +0000

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.

Low five

XL-Network — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 17:15:11 +0000

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

XL-Network — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 17:57:13 +0000

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

XL-Network — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 17:30:15 +0000

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.

ROAM t-shirts and more

XL-Network — Tue, 24 May 2011 18:47:28 +0000

I'll start with the t-shirts... they have arrived. I've ordered some 26 t-shirts for the Dutch delegation of 9 people who are going to America to cycle 5000 kilometers. It all arrived in one big box. Below you can see what a big pile it is and how the front and back look. On the back you can see a image of the route we are taking and which cities we'll be visiting.

Anticipate and keep going

XL-Network — Fri, 20 May 2011 21:08:07 +0000

Another set of movies. In the first you can see a situation where I'm not very visible because of the bush on the left. I anticipate this and always expect a car to pull out of the side street or the main road. The second movie is less shocking, but it happens to me quite a lot. I don't have the right of way, but still receive it. Because I cannot see if the other person has seen me (especially car drivers) I stop. Resulting in... both of us standing still.

Dude!

XL-Network — Thu, 19 May 2011 06:23:17 +0000

... use your indicators! That makes the situation a whole lot clearer for everyone. At first I thought he was going to pull over at the bus stop and I could overtake him. But suddenly he turns left without signaling.

Pre-ROAM check-up and almost run over

XL-Network — Sat, 14 May 2011 20:42:55 +0000

This morning I took my velomobile to the Ligfietsgarage Groningen for a pre-ROAM check-up. Because America has some mountains (like the Rocky's) it seemed a good idea to put in a smaller gear in the middle of the bike. Also, a number of components were checked, lubricated and replaced. The rear chain for instance has been replaced. That being said, it lasted for some 10.686 kilometers. Also the steering block has been replaced because it had a little to much play when I'm speeding down the mountain with 70+ km/h. The last part they have replaced was the bell.

No parking please

XL-Network — Thu, 12 May 2011 22:35:27 +0000

You can stop your car on all sorts of places... for instance on the cycle path.

Three times a charm

XL-Network — Wed, 11 May 2011 07:45:00 +0000

Yes, we got another one, well... actually three. The first car driver does stop, but does it in the middle of the other lane where another car is coming. The second car also stops, but arrives at a high speed, making me unsure if he was going to stop. The last one leaves a side street with a raised curb (so I have priority). She pull's out and luckily sees me and hits the throttle.