Belgian Border Inline Skating

Sunday, 6-August-2017 - Oirschot - It was the tenth year that Pieter organized the 100 km vacation (Postel) skating tour--the eighth year for me. The weather and the company couldn't have been better.   We had a lunch break at the 40 km mark, at the Kapellerhof garden restaurant near the Dutch-Belgian border.  After just seven kilometers in Belgium, along the Bocholt-Herentals Canal we stopped at border marker 191--the highest point (44 m) in the North Brabant province (photo).  This year I shared a bike with Pieter.  I lost five weeks of skating while recovering from a fall in June, so I didn't  want to push myself over the limit.  There was some rough pavement during the first legs of the tour.  Helene, Louis, and Johan helped me stay with the group when I fell back.  It was the right decision, but pedaling the bike was harder than skating--I couldn't keep up on bike either.  I took some two aspirin (paracetamol) for my hurting left knee.  At out last rest stop at Café in d'n olie-fant
in Veldhoven, we saw the first minutes of the European Womens Championship game Ned-Den.  We went crazy when Vivianne Miedema scored to make it 1-1, and again when Lieke Martens made it 2-1.  It was 2-2 when we left.  Luckily, we had smooth asphalt for the last 20 km.  Hylco stayed with me until we made it back to Oirschot.  There was cheering with arms int the air just before we got back to Pieter's home--the Netherlands beat Denmark 4-2!  There was a full refrigerator and a deluxe garden hose shower waiting for us when we got back.  A barbecue topped off this perfect day.  Thanks to all tour participants, and especially my helpers and our host and guide Pieter for making this day to remember.  Eleven skaters--good for 100 km. pics (172) route

Skating Glimpse of the Efteling

Thursday, 27-July-2017 - Heesweijk-Dinther/Kaatsheuvel - This evening, we headed for the Loonse en Drunense Duinen.  At the edge of this National Park we got a glimpse of the Efteling.  This seven-league boot pointed the way.  Nine de Toren Skaters were good for 30 km. pics (41)
gps-tracked route

Jeannette 50

Sunday, 18-June-2017 - Veghel - We met at Jeannette's home to celebrate her 50th birthday.  Twenty-two Fun-on-Wheels skaters were good for 50 km.  What a great day to remember!  pics (106)
gps-tracked route part 1
gps-tracked route part 2

Warm Evening De Toren Skating

Thursday, 1-June-2017 - Den Bosch - A wonderful sunny evening.  It doesn't get better than this.  I got a replacement bearing today in the mail from Jan van der Hoorn.  I had to clean the other 11 bearings before I headed to de Toren.  On one bearing, the bearing balls got away on me--the first one I spun while rinsing off degreasing cleaning fluid.  It took me 30 min to assemble one bearing!  That was before I watched the two video clips below.  I also put 2-degree wedges between the frames and the skate boots---to make the boots perpendicular to the wheels. I'm really happy with my new skates.  Back at de Toren we told stories and enjoyed the warm evening. Ten skaters and one bicyclist--good for 27 km. pics (104) gps-tracked route
assembling bearings with nylon cage by Jam Skate Addiction (3:52)
assembling bearings with nylon cage by zxcft6yhnji9 (1:09)

Memorial Day--Remembering and Honoring

Monday, 29-May-2017 - Veghel -  It's 2200 and dark now.  I forgot to fly the Flag today (this photo was taken last year).  It is Memorial Day 2017.  I put it on my calendar.  I talked about it with Marij last night, but I still forgot.  It's not a holiday here.  There's no mention of it in the local news.  My thoughts and feelings for my country are unchanged since last year at this time.  "It's Memorial Day in the United States and for Americans all around the world--we remember and honor all Americans who died while in military service to their country.  We thank all those who have served, and all those still serving...On Memorial Day, I can only feel pride to have served my country to help keep it, and the countries of its allies, free and peaceful..."

Fun-on-Wheels Callantsoog-Texel-Medemblik Weekend

Sunday, 21-May-2017 - Callantsoog/Texel/Medemblik - This was a weekend we won't forget.  Thanks to Astrid, Frans, and Jeannette for organizing this year's Fun-on-Wheels "in-country" skating weekend.  26 skaters and two moped riders were good for 120 km!  See links below for photos, clips, and gps-routes by day.
day01_fri_19-may
day02_sat_20-may
day03_sun_21-may

Callantsoog-Texel-Medemblik Skating Weekend--Day 3

Sunday, 21-May-2017 - Medemblik - Today Erik, Gert-Jan, Lisbeth (photo), and Simon from the Radboud Inline Skating Club were our guides. 24 skaters, one moped rider, and one bicyclist--good for 40 km. pics (167)
gps-tracked route

Callantsoog-Texel-Medemblik Skating Weekend--Day 2

Saturday, 20-May-2017 - Texel - It was a glorious day.  We saw acrobatic seagulls all around the ferry on our way to Texel.  24 skaters and two bicyclists and two moped riders--good for 45 km. pics (291)
gps-tracked route part 1
gps-tracked route part 2
acrobatic seagulls (1:03)
dutch wind on texel (31 sec)
ferry docking at den helder (1:37)

Callantsoog-Texel-Medemblik Skating Weekend--Day 1

Friday, 19-May-2017 - Callantsoog - We ate supper at De Strandtent and saw this amazing sunset.  We also experienced lots of playful seashore foam (video clips).  21 skaters and two moped riders--we were good for 35 km.
pics (253)
gps-tracked route--part 1
gps-tracked route--part 2

playful seashore foam (51 sec)

mysterious seashore foam (32 sec)

Sunny Saturday Skating

Saturday, 6-May-2017 - Veghel - It was sunny and warm.  I first needed to get my skates in order.  My right frame had loosened op during the Thursday evening skate.  It seemed that vibration was causing the problem.  I use wedges to correct pronation, and didn't slide the wedge all the way against the frame mounting screw.  I took this opportunity to rotate my wheels.  I thought of a way to keep the wheels and bearings turning in the same direction to minimize wear.  At the Sligro meeting point I was amazed to see eight skaters:  Annet, Bart, Jacqueline, John, Marleen, Ria, Willy, and me.  Our largest turnout of the year! We headed for Heeswijk-Dinther.  Along the way, we passed a herd of grazing sheep (photo).  We were good for 17 km.  When I got back home, I took a shower and made pizza for supper.  pics (85) gps-tracked route.