Sunny ride

It's been a while since I rode with the Huneliggers, but last night the message "Are we going to ride tomorrow?" was posted on the forum, so I thought... yeah, it's about time. The alarm clock sounded at 7:45 and after making lunch I left riding into the morning sun. There was no wind at all and riding along the Van Starkenborgkanaal the water was as smooth as a mirror. The sun was low and it produced some very nice pictures. Seeing I was running a bit late (as usual) I realy had to put 'the pedal to the metal'. But I managed to cover the distance of 32 km within the hour.

Once I arrived at the Café Vriezerbrug it turned out that I was the first to arrive. Good, I could lower the plates on my shoes. The last couple of days were getting colder so I took my winter shoes out of the closet. Once on my way I realize that the plates were to high, which doesn't ride very comfortable. After a warm cup of thee it was almost 10, but no other recumbent-riders in sight. And a little while later I've had it... I didn't want to cycle all the way back alone so I called Robert, who placed the 'are we riding' message. "Where are you" I asked, "ehhh, at home on the couch". He thought nobody would show up, so he stayed home. But I could cycle to Assen to get a cup of thee. So I did.

Inside was nice and warm and the thee was delicious. Suddenly Robert came running with a little box. "You wanted these, right?" en he gave me a box with two 'Quarter turn bike mounts' from Garmin. He accidentally ordered one to many and I needed a extra for my rowingbike which (hopefully) is ready within 3 to 7 weeks. "For you birthday" he said, and the box changed ownership.

The plan was to ride to Groningen. I had to be there at 13:45 for another skiff-1 instruction (just like yesterday) and to do some rowing with my own team (which wasn't canceled like yesterday). Robert would cycle with me until Groningen where I would show him our rowingclub and offer him a cup of thee. Robert said he wanted to take it easy but the speed started at a good 32+ km/h. Later we settled at about 27-28 km/h, which is nice and relaxed. I had the brilliant idea to do some roll-out tests. Yesterday I visited Anton and we talked about tires (among other thins). I was driving on three Vredestein Perfect Moiree tires and he had Schwalbe Marathon Supreme's mounted on his bike. We started driving with 27-28 km/h next to each other and after the standard 3-2-1-0 we both stopped pedaling. The first time (on quite a rough surface) it took a while to notice a difference, but eventually my bike started to roll ahead of Robert's bike. After the second test (with the same result on a less rough surface) we decided on a final test. The asphalt was much smoother and that payed of. Shortly after stopping with pedaling my bike started to gain distance to Robert's bike. Eventually there was more than 100 meters between both bikes. If it has something to do with the tires or that his three year old bike has mor worn out bearing I don't know...

As does happen sometimes we encountered a horse and a little pony. At first the horse was frightened a bit by our presence, but after we talked calmly to the animal and we let her glance into our bikes the fear was gone. I've said it before, but I still feel tiny when such a big animal is standing next to my bike.

After the skiff-1 instruction and my own rowing it was time to go home. In the morning I got to watch the beautiful sunrise and on the way back I was greeted by the same glowing ball. A pretty red glow covered the road and I headed straight into it. Which wasn't without a risk. On a certain part of the road they had placed traffic calming concrete blocks with red and white signs. But if the sun is that low you can't see those things very well. Luckily I spotted them at the last moment and I didn't hit them. On my way back home I passed the school which burned down yesterday. There is literally nothing left but the concrete construction.

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