2015 Really started

The cyclo cross season 2014-2015 is over. Matthieu van der Poel (BKP; son of Adri van der Poel and grandson of Raymond Poulidor a.k.a. Poupou) won the World Championship and Superprestige. Kevin Pauwels (SUN) won the World Cup. Congrats!

Last weekend the spring classics have started. First race of the road racing season is traditional the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad (d'n Omloop). After a strong ride of Tom Boonen, Niki Terpstra and Stijn Vandenbergh and the others of Ettix Quick Step, Ian Stannard (SKY) was fastest and won the 70th edition of the race.

Picture: Wikipedia

Second course in a row is Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne. Mark Cavendish (EQS) beat his rivals in a mass sprint.

Keep on cycling!

Recumbent: wheel brackets

Yesterday, I mounted the rear brake. Today I finished the rear wheel brackets. They're made from aluminium and are each others mirrir except from the (rear) derailleur mount.

Next step wil be mounting the rear wheel.

Keep on cycling!

Recumbent: rear brake

It's quite a time ago, I updated this blog. Well, I've been busy with other things. Since spring I'm a board member of the Dutch Association for Human Powered Vehicles (NVHPV).

But during these holidays, I started working on my lowracer recumbent bike. As you may remember, the headset was mounted. Today I fitted the rear brake. I got both the Shimano Deore V-brake and a Tioga booster for free from Mossink!

First of all, I created the alumuniulm clamps. The edges aren't perfect but these won't be visible riding the bike.

Thereafter, I fitted the hinges and ...

... dry fitted the brake, booster and clamps combo.

The hinges didn't fit exactly to the booster. So I had to file which wasn't that difficult. Using epoxy and screws, I assembled the clamps to the frame, ...

  ... mounted the booster and ...

... attached the rear brake itself.

Along with the rear wheel, it starts looking a recumbent bike.

Next step will be to mount the rear wheel.

Keep on cycling!

Birthday presents

During my anniversary, I got some really nice presents. I like them very much as I will use them for my recumbent lowracer.

From left to right: three bike chains (rear wheel driven recumbent bikes need looong chains), a sprocket, best wishes including some cash and (below) a Ventisit seat pad. I already use the Ventisit on my Orca. I like it very much as my back stays dry now.

At the moment, I'm busy cycling. During winter, I'll continue the built.

Keep on cycling!

Le Tour

This year's Tour de France started Saturday in the UK. In 2015 it will start in Utrecht in the Netherlands. How do I know? Well, see 'my' office.

Picture: Ordina

Keep on cycling!

Race Across America (RAAM)

Today is the start of The Race Across America (RAAM), that is to say: the solo race.

Do you know RAAM? Well, it's the toughest bike race on earth. The competitors cycle from the American West Coast to the East Coast in one stretch over about 3,000 miles (4.800 km). The race isn't divided in stages; it's up to the participants when the rest and for how long. There are competitions for individuals (male/female

In 1982 the Great American Bike Race was organised. Founder John Marino was one of the four participants. Lon Haldeman won in about 9 days 20 hours (12.6 mph or 20,2 km/h). It was the start of a new event, later renamed to RAAM.

Scientist Michael Shermer was one of the participants. Along racing, it was his aim to investigate human behaviour during such extreme sporting events. The phenomenem Shermer's neck is named after him as he wasn't able to head his face up during the 1983 edition. A special frame was made to fix his head. Several athletes suffered this disorder since then. As far as I know, none of them recumbent riders. ;-)

In 1989 a Human Power Vehicle (HPV) category was created. A relay of teams of four. After a stunning race of the teams Gold Rush and Lightning, the first had to abandon the race. So the latter won and set the (relay) record: just over 5 d 01 h (24.0 mph or 38,7 km/h).

Till today, the event is held 32 times. The men solo race is won by 17 cyclists. Both the Americans and Europeans won 15 races. The 2 remaining victories were gained by an Australian racer. Jure Robic (SLO) won 5 times. Twofold winner Christoph Strasser (AUT) holds the speed record of almost 7 d 23 h (15.7 mph or 25,2 km/h) since his victory in 2013.

Today, 48 racers start: 42 males and 6 females. The standings will be pubished live on this site. Will Strasser be able to win his third RAAM?

Keep on cycling!

Paris - Roubaix

Next Sunday, the professionals will race from Paris to Roubaix. One of the five greatest cycing classics. A monument or Queen of Classics.

In fact the peloton will start in Compiegne, a town near Paris. From there they'll ride nearly 260 km towards the Belgium border. The course consist of many cobblestones.

Picture: Edmond Roger

The riders call this course the Hell of the North. However, this is not about the length or the (lack of) pavement. The nickname was born after World War I or the Great War. Riding along the former trenches, they saw the scars in the landscape (again) and realized what had happened over there.

In 2014 it's 100 year after the outbreak of WWI. For those interested, I wrote some book reviews on my other blog: 1913 and The First World War.

Keep on cycling!