Tuesday Evening Boekel Inline Skating

Tuesday, 26-April-2022 - Boekel -  We headed for the Volkel Airbase for a 25 km tour. Four skaters Bart van der Heijden (photo), Helie, Jan, and I (for the first time on skates this year in Boekel), and bicyclist Bart van den Heuvel. We were going to pickup Ria along the way. I thought I could handle it, because I skated 16 km last Thursday, and 27 km on Sunday. We had just started when I noticed that I didn't  have my camelbak (with water, tools, and lights) on. Bart and Helie continued on--I said I'd do a shorter route. I went back to the starting point for my gear. Bart called me up at the halfway mark to see if I was okay. it was pretty windy where he was. As it turned out, 18 km was plenty for me. the others were goo for 25 km. pics (30) my gps tracked route

Fun-on-Wheels Anniversary Tour

Sunday, 24-April-2022 - Oirschot - I arrived in plenty of time at Maria's place in Keldonk for the Fun-on-Wheels 25th Anniversary Tour. It was actually last year, but delayed due to Covid-19. I was greeted by energetically bleating sheep (photo). But something was wrong. I was the only one there. I thought maybe Maria was doing a last minute errand before the guests arrived. I looked around. Dogs barking, house locked. I checked my agenda: at Pieter's in Oirschot. Oops! I was on automatic pilot. Our 20th anniversary was six years ago in Keldonk. I showed up in Oirschot just in time for the medal ceremony. Since I skated 16 km on Thursday, I thought I could handle 25 km today--I was counting on a sit-down coffee break halfway. Today's tour took us past Eindhoven Airport. Thanks to Pieter our guide and host, and to Annie and my other bicycling angels Annet, Desiree, and Henriëtte who helped me get back in one piece. 20 skaters and seven bicyclists were good for 27 km. pics (52) gps-tracked route

De Toren Skating

Thursday, 21-April-2022 - Dinther - It was my first time skating with a group this year. I thought, the longer I wait, the harder it'll be to keep up. we met two new recruits just outside of town (photo). We made sure they were safe until their owner came to escort them back home. Apparently, they manage to escape regularly. I fell behind soon after we continued. Bettina asked how it was going. I said pretty tough. Maybe you should head back. Okay, you go on with the others. I looked at my distance. I was only 3 km. Six kilometers is to short for a workout, I thought, so I kept on going to se how far I could get. Five skaters Henk, Magda, Martin, Monique, and I--Bettina on bicycle. Everyone else was good for 18.5 km--15.9 km for me. pics (33)  my gps-tracked route.

Boekel Inline Skaters--Second Tour

Tuesday, 19-April-2022 - Boekel - My car was still in the shop to get fixed (left drive shaft broke), but Maarten had room for my bike in his car. We headed for Handel and Elsendorp. Seven skaters:  Bart, Helie, John, Lynda, Maarten, Ria, Tonnie, and two bicyclists: Bart and I. We were good for 22.4 km. pics (21) gps-tracked route

Bicycling with Boekel Skaters

Tuesday, 12-April-2022 - Boekel - It was the first tour of the season. Five skaters: Gerard, John, Lynda, Ria, Tonnie, and two bicyclists: Bart and I. We were good for 17 km. pics (23) gps-tracked route.

First Time on Skates

Sunday, 3-April-2022 - Veghel - I didn't get up to go with the Fun-on-Wheel skaters today. It was too cold for me (it was going to still be at the freezing point at 0930 our start time). I waited  'til noon before I suited up and went out my myself. It was the first time on skates this year. I needed to get used to skating again before I joined the group on skates. On the way, I met Boekel skater friend Maarten (photo). I was good for 12 km. pics (18) gps-tracked route.

Bicycling with Fun on Wheels Skaters

Sunday, 27-March-2022 - Veghel - It was our first tour of the year.  I hadn't been on skates yet, so I rode my bike. It was four kilometers to the Sligro starting point. Today's route took us to Nijnsel, Schijndel, and Eerde. It was cool and overcast until the sun came out near the end of the trip. Eight skaters: Coby, Frans, Ine, Jeannette, Marcella, Maria, Pieter, and Tonnie; two bicyclists: Henriette and me, and one moped rider: Toon. Thanks to today's guide Frans.  It was a great start of the new skate season! We were good for 22 km. pics (26) gps-tracked route

Bicycling to Nistelrode

Saturday, 5-March-2022 - Nistelrode - I've been doing my long neglected morning stretching and calisthenics every day since I got out of the hospital on Tuesday. Today I got on my bike and rode to Nistelrode. I was a bit chilly, but still a glorious sunny day. I was good for 24 km. gps-tracked route pics (45)

Fun-on-Wheels in Genk and Hasselt

Saturday, 4-September-2021 - Genk/Hasselt - On Saturday 20 March, Flemish Minister of Sport Ben Weyts officially opened the very first inline skate route in Flanders. It was time for Fun-on-Wheels to check it out. These eight skaters (Frans, Maaike, Coby, Helene, Louis, Pieter, Carin, Jeannette and me on my bike were good for 63 km. Thanks to Pieter for organizing this great day! pics (97)

gps tracked route Genk (36.4 km)

gps tracked route Hasselt (26.9 km)

 

Sunday Skating

Sunday, 19-July-2020 - Veghel/Nijnsel - It was only my third time out this year. I wasn't ready to join the Fun-on-Wheels Sunday group. I took a lot of breaks to catch my breath. So many people stopped to see if I was okay when in was sitting in the grassy shoulder. I missed traveling through the countryside, enjoying the flowers like these along the way (photo). I was good for 28 km. (23 km would have been enough, but I had to get back home.) pics (86) gps-tracked route