Floriade 2102

Wednesday, 29-August-2012 - Venlo - Marij and I went to the Floriade today.  It was a day to enjoy and remember.  pics (328) video clips gondola lift (51 sec) clouds over gondola lift (20 sec) cloud (and visitor) watching (36 sec) grass swaying in the wind (8 sec) open-air theater (76 sec)

Just Felt Like Skating

Tuesday, 28-August-2012 - Boekel - After I fell back from the fast group, I just felt like skating.  Ended up near Westerbeek.  It was a straight shot back to Boekel. No one noticed that I was missing, until they got to talking at the ice cream shop. I was good for 29 km. pics (28)

Father of the Bride Suits Up

Monday, 27-August-2012 - Nistelrode - Marij, Rosan, and I went to van Tilburg today. I found a very nice shirt and tie, thanks to this helpful saleswoman.

Catchup Skating

Saturday, 25-August-2012 - Veghel - Got to the Sligro meeting point five minutes late, only to see Mieke's car and a bike with a child seat. Met up with Mieke and Ingrid on their way back from Nijnsel. On my way home, stopped bij Vrijhof Vishandel to say hello to Marij, who was back from Helmond Market and near the end of her usual 13-hour workday. pics (26)

Electroworld Skating 2012--Looking Out for Each Other

Saturday, 18-August-2012 - Boekel - This summer, I averaged 80 km a week, and I was going to once more try to finish the 100 km distance for the  Electroworld Skating Tour.  That was until the weather forecast predicted 34 Degrees Celcius for today.  I knew that would be pushing my luck to work so hard in such hot weather. I got up at 0500 to see Marij off to work. I had a good breakfast and got ready. Three raisin bread rolls (one for each 20 km-leg), lunch, spare socks, sunscreen, bouillon cubes (to replace salt sweated out), and an Arab-like headress to shade my neck from the sun. Yesterday, I made sure my skates were in good order--one last check.  I made it to Boekel at 0910. I saw familiar smiles, and met new friends along the way.  At the start Gerard emphasized looking out for each other, and that choosing for 60 km would be a good decision this year for those unsure about the 100.  I told Fun-on-Wheels skater Astrid, I'd watch out for her--it was her first time for the 60-km in Boekel.  As it turned out, I had a rough time myself getting to the first resting point.  I was skating near the leaders, but I started to fall back.  The skater behind me asked if it was okay if he gave me a push to close the gap. I appreciated that helping hand.  Three cups of sport drink, a raisin bread roll, a few minutes sitting in the shade, some cool water splashed over me head, and some more sunscreen. I felt a lot better.  Astrid was doing okay.  The next 20 km was enjoyable.  Changed my socks at the 40 km stop in Rijkevoort.  More sun screen.  Astrid was ready for the last leg of the tour. Talked to Sijtze. He also got up a 0500 this morning. But unlike me, he first had to milked his cows and drove 200 km to get to Boekel from Appelscha, Friesland.  I first met Sijtze two years ago at the 60-km rest stop.  Astrid ran out of gas halfway back to Boekel. I stopped to see if I could help. She was glad to hop in the safety vehicle for a ride back.  I started skating to rejoin the group.  Jos was on bicycle, and I asked him to ride in front me to shield me from the wind. I asked him to step it up to 22 km per hour. We caught up in five minutes. We rolled over the finish around 1400.  Met a smiling Astrid back at the meeting point.  I was happy to find some nice grass in the shade.  Thanks to all the volunteers and participants who made this a great day! I'll try again next year for the 100 km. pics (159)

Powerslide Inline Skate Brake Pad Replacement

Friday, 17-Aug-2012 - Veghel - Tomorrow was the Electroworld Skating Tour, and my brake pad was already worn down to the bolt head.  It was just a week after I had installed new wheels and a new brake system.  The rubber on the Powerslide brake was just too soft, and the design left half of the rubber unsed.  My Rollerblade brake pads were much more durable, but they didn't fit on the Powerslide brake.  After looking at it for a while, I came up with a solution. I sawed a notch into the Rollerblade brake pad, and I added a washer, using the same bolt and nut that came with the Powerslide brake.  Now, I was ready to roll again.  pics (8)

Thursday Evening Skating in Dinther

Thursday, 16-Augustus-2012 - Dinther/Den Bosch - After meeting at de Toren, we carpooled to the Dungense brug starting point at the edge of Den Bosch. Ten skaters and three bicyclists--good for 30 km. pics (44) waiting for canal bridge to lower (64 sec)

Tuesday Evening Skating in Boekel

Tuesday, 14-Aug-2012 - Boekel - Twenty skaters headed in the direction of Veghel.  We asked eached other, "60 of 100 Saturday?" We were talking about the 2012 Electroworld Inline Skating Tour planned for this coming Saturday. We were good for 28 km. pics (48)

Saturday Fun-on-Wheels

Saturday, 11-August-2012 - Veghel - I met Sanne at the A50 carpool, and we skated to the Sligro meeting point (7.5 km).  Tightened a wheel axle along the way (photo). We were the first ones there so we killed some time skating around the industrial park. Mieke van Erp and Frans returned from a 30 km skate in Eindhoven. Mieke Hurkmans and Ingrid joined us shortly thereafter.  We headed for the Schijndel meadows.  Six skaters--good for 24 km. pics (60)

New Inline Skate Wheels and Brake System

Thursday, 9-August-2012, Veghel - After seeing Marc's wheels and brake system during our tour to Postel last week, I ordered a set for myself. They came in the mail today--just in time for this year's Electroworld Skating Tour.  pics (23)

Postel 2012

Saturday, 4-August-2012 -Oirschot/Postel - It was the fifth year that Pieter organized the Oirschot-Postel-Oirschot skating tour--the fourth year for me.  The weather and the company couldn't have been better.  I was already having trouble keeping up at the 20 km mark.  Henriette rode in front of me to shield me from the wind, allowing me to catch up with the rest. I started to fall back again when Mark gave me a push and some encouraging words to get me back in place. I got some rest at 30 km stop. Henriette:  "Make sure you get in front of the group." Skated behind Johan who slowed down the pace.  Got some more rest at our lunch stop in Postel. I felt a lot better. Started to fall back once more at the 90 km mark. Bart shielded me from the wind to join the group.  Frans gave some stern instructions which helped me the rest of the way back to Oirschot.  When we got back got a garden hose shower and jumped in the pool to cool off. The barbecue got fired up and we had a great meal. What a great day! Fifteen skaters, four bicyclists, and one solex rider.  Good for 105 km. route pics dale (189) pics marc (2) pics johan (15) video clips by wil: clip1 (75 sec) clip2 (75 sec) clip3 (34 sec) clip4 (21 sec) clip5 (30 sec)