欧州自転車レース追っかけ日記

I am not a Balaclava mania (maybe a bit obsessed?).

In Luxembourg (you'll be fined to pay hefty dough if you are caught in driving without winter tires during winter when the conditions are icy), you have to have winter tires on your vehicle during winter (generally October-February).

Last year (and early this year), I decided not to buy ones for my Ka. I saved some money but that was not the main reason why I decided not to buy winter tires.

I wanted to use my bike to work (and home). It worked. I regularly took my bike out.

This coming winter, I will do the same. Last winter was a nasty one. A lot of snow (snowiest winter in last ??? years).

I looked for and shopped a good deal of stuff for my bike to cope with the road conditions.

The biggest help was the Halo Twin Rail Courier Berlin Puncture Protection tires (700 x 24C). I will use this tires again. Terrific tires!

I don't have any other special equipment for my bike other than these tires. Quite normal clothing for a winter ride. Long bibtights and a matching jersey, shoe covers, a thin rain/wind breaker, gloves (when the temperature drops under minus 5, I used the triple layer trick: thin latex glove-thin gloves-outer gloves). I had a knit cap on.

Additionally, I tried (only to fail) to get a decent mask for really icy days. I bought several masks (a half mask and a balaclava). I wrote about them before.

I want (wanted) to keep my ears protected because that is where that matters the most in your face. Or in other words, ears are vulnerable to icy temperatures.

It is also desirable if you can keep your neck area protected.

To achieve these two goals, I looked for a balaclava. The one from Northwave was a big disappointment.

I ordered a balaclava from Gore Bike Wear. It will arrive in a week. I am looking forward to put it on.


In Japanese: 続きをどうぞ

[Balaclava mania?]の続きを読む

1. 2013/08/29(木) 16:29:06|
2. Bikes and related things
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I have been wondering for sometime by now (since the end of TdF) why the race calendar on the official site at RSLT was so desolate in August, September, October and so on.

I was planning to see them in action at Circuit Franco-Belge, GP Furmies or Binche-Tournai-Binche like last year but the race calendar would not show the names of the races above entioned.

Now I know why.

According to the report on Wort.lu (source: Belgian niewsblad.be), the current management decided to cut corners and save money by not participating those "local" races and only participating in WorldTour races (because the participation is obligatory!!).


Sad! I am really disappointed. This means for me the 2013 race season is over. I may go watch those races above mentioned to enjoy them but I know RSLT riders won't be there.


Obligatory races that RSLT is participating:
GP Plouay
GP Québec
GP Montréal
Il Lombardia
Tour of Beijing

October 5 Il Lombardia is held in Italy but I don't think I can make it.


(Altough relatively big) Non-bligatory races that RSLT is not participating:
Paris-Brussels
Paris-Tours
Tour of Britain

Paris-Tours is a good race but I am not going there, perhaps.


All the races they are doing in USA now (and later) will be, undoubtedly, paid by Trek (to promote their bikes). It seems that Japan Cup organizer promised a good deal of money to cover the expenses and Trek also agreed to pay for the expenses since they sell a lot of bikes in Japan. This fact is clearly apparent as they signed Fumiyuki Beppu for the new team.


In Japanese: 続きをどうぞ [RadioShack-Leopard only in WorldTour races]の続きを読む

テーマ:自転車ロードレース - ジャンル:スポーツ

1. 2013/08/27(火) 09:02:39|
2. RadioShack-Leopard-Trek
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I drove to the local post office this morning. I had a delivery notice stab in my post box, which I found last evening.

I knew who sent it.

I picked it up this morning and opened it later.


Whoa!!! I am a happy man. Thank you guys!

There was two of Start Number "41" at the Tour de France 2013. I wonder who wore them.



In Japanese: 続きをどうぞ [A package arrived]の続きを読む

テーマ:自転車ロードレース - ジャンル:スポーツ

1. 2013/08/22(木) 14:12:09|
2. Miscellaneous stuff
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There is an ariticle (at the moment) on Wort.lu that says Luxembourg is issuing a new 10 Euro coin, limited quantity of 3,000 pieces, which costs 160 Euro a piece.

Did I miss something in between?

It says it is a kind of coin made of (not entirely, of course) gold. How much gold is minted in there? Why does it cost 160 Euro when its face value is only 10 Euro? Because it is rare?

Are there any chances that counterfeiters are eager to exercise their skills? Or 160 Euro value coins are not worth a try?

You can (maybe still) purchase them from a bank (BCL) if you want them.


On a separate account, cyclingnews.com reports that Maxime Monfort is still negotiationg with the new Trek team and Lotto-Belisol.

Also on a separate account, PMQ is being cornered. His moat (excuses for not being nominated by his own federation) is being buried in gradually. This stuff is getting better everyday. Usually, you can only remotely hear or watch this kind of doctoring the election process scandals in some sketchy reports from some underdeveloped countries, where tyrants rule.

I am watching the USA Pro Challenge on TV (EuroSport Germany). Jens Voigt is doing what he does the best. Solo attacking! Go! Go!

I can not go to bed before seeing the end of the stage.



In Japanese: 続きをどうぞ [New 10 Euro coin (in Luxembourg) that costs 160 Euro!]の続きを読む

1. 2013/08/21(水) 15:49:14|
2. Info Luxembourg
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I could be going to watch the following races but not definite.

Sunday, October 6 (last stage of Circuit Franco-Belge Mons-Tournai)
official web URL: http://www.circuitfrancobelge.com/

Binche Tournai Binche (but does this race take place this year?)
(ditto): http://www.binche-tournai-binche.eu/

GP Fourmies

It all depends on my work schedule, RadioShack-Leopard participation and others.



In Japanese: 続きをどうぞ [New Trek Team in 2014]の続きを読む

テーマ:自転車ロードレース - ジャンル:スポーツ

1. 2013/08/19(月) 16:45:45|
2. RadioShack-Leopard-Trek
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Tienen (Tierlmont in French) was rainy.
Geraardsbergen (French name?) was sunny.

In Wallonne, the road signs said we were heading for Tierlmont but as soon as we were in Dutch (Flemish) speaking area, the signs said we were heading Tienen. Confusing? Maybe, yes if you are relying on the road signs.

In some cases, you see three names for one city on a single sign. If you are traveling around Aachen/Liège/Maastricht area, you will spot three names for a city almost simultaneously. Luik, Lütich and Liège for example.

The finish city, Geraardsbergen, host a famous cobble stone climb. It had been used as apart of de Ronde Vlaanderen when Ninove was the finish town. I was there for the first time. I have seen that famous section where a chapel is in the background. The famous section has been modified.


As of August 18, 2013 after EnecoTour Stage 7.

This year, I went to the races:
Pairs-Nice (Prologue)
Gent-Wevelgem
De Ronde van Vlaanderen
Paris-Roubaix
Amstel Gold Race
la Frèche Wallonne
Liège-Bastogne-Liège
Tour of Belgium (last stage)
Tour de Suisse (all stages)
National Championship Road Luxembourg
Tour de France (all stages including team presentation)
EnecoTour (stage 7)



I got the autographs of:
Stijn Devolder (Gent-Wevelgem)
Yaloslav Popovych (Paris-Roubaix)
Markel Irizar (Paris-Roubaix)
Benjamin King (Amstel Gold Race)
Ben Hermans (Liège-Bastogne-Liège Team Presentation)
Laurent Didier (Liège-Bastogne-Liège Team Presentation)
Tony Gallopin (Liège-Bastogne-Liège Team Presentation)
Maxime Monfort (Liège-Bastogne-Liège Team Presentation)
Matthew Busche (Liège-Bastogne-Liège Team Presentation)
Andy Schleck (Liège-Bastogne-Liège Team Presentation)
Haimar Zubeldia Aguirre (Liège-Bastogne-Liège Team Presentation)
Jens Voigt (Tour de Suisse)
Hayden Roulston (Tour de Suisse)
Andreas Klöden (Tour de Suisse)
Fabian Cancellara (Tour of Belgium)
Thomas Rohreggar (Tour of Belgium)
Grégory Rast (Tour de Suisse)
Jan Bakelants (Tour de France)
Danilo Hondo (EnecoTour)
Bob Jungels (EnecoTour)
Giacomo Nizzolo (EnecoTour)
Jesse Sergent (EnecoTour)

So far 22 riders.

The missing riders:
Chris Horner
Robert Kiserlovsky
Tiago Machado
Nelson Oliveira
George Bennett


In Japanese: 続きをどうぞ [Eneco Tour 2013 Stage 7 Part III]の続きを読む

テーマ:自転車ロードレース - ジャンル:スポーツ

1. 2013/08/18(日) 21:19:17|
2. Bike Races in Belgium
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This is where I jot down what I don't want to forget.

I went to the races:
Pairs-Nice (Prologue)
Gent-Wevelgem
De Ronde van Vlaanderen
Paris-Roubaix
Amstel Gold Race
la Frèche Wallonne
Liège-Bastogne-Liège
Tour of Belgium (last stage)
Tour de Suisse (all stages)
National Championship Road Luxembourg
Tour de France (all stages including team presentation)



I got the autographs of:
Stijn Devolder (Gent-Wevelgem)
Yaloslav Popovych (Paris-Roubaix)
Markel Irizar (Paris-Roubaix)
Benjamin King (Amstel Gold Race)
Ben Hermans (Liège-Bastogne-Liège Team Presentation)
Laurent Didier (Liège-Bastogne-Liège Team Presentation)
Tony Gallopin (Liège-Bastogne-Liège Team Presentation)
Maxime Monfort (Liège-Bastogne-Liège Team Presentation)
Matthew Busche (Liège-Bastogne-Liège Team Presentation)
Andy Schleck (Liège-Bastogne-Liège Team Presentation)
Haimar Zubeldia Aguirre (Liège-Bastogne-Liège Team Presentation)
Jens Voigt (Tour de Suisse)
Hayden Roulston (Tour de Suisse)
Andreas Klöden (Tour de Suisse)
Fabian Cancellara (Tour of Belgium)
Thomas Rohreggar (Tour of Belgium)
Grégory Rast (Tour de Suisse)
Jan Bakelants (Tour de France)

So far 18 riders

The targeted riders at EnecoTour will be:
Danilo Hondo
Bob Jungels
Giacomo Nizzolo
Jesse Sergent



The remaining riders:
Chris Horner
Robert Kiserlovsky
Tiago Machado
Nelson Oliveira
George Bennett


I plan to go to the following races next:
.. (now being planned)
EnecoTour Stage 7

etc....


In Japanese: 続きをどうぞ [Eneco Tour 2013 Stage 7 Part II]の続きを読む

テーマ:自転車ロードレース - ジャンル:スポーツ

1. 2013/08/17(土) 14:21:55|
2. Calendar and Results
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I don't really remember how many time I went to see the feed zones during the Tour de France 2013. Maybe 5 or so?

I did not excel as a hyena or vulture this time. Chiefly because this year the weather was generally good and the feed zones enticed so many of them (hyenas and vultures).

I only got one bag! There were some food left inside the bag.

In 2012 I was good. I got three RadioShack-Nissan-Leopard (at that time) bags. I got them from manily Fabian Cancellara. He (and I guess many, if not most, of the riders) has a really good eyesight. One time, he was about to discard the bag (in the act of crumpling it) when I saw him and shouted out "Fabian". He recognized me and threw it to me.

This year, I got it from the one and only Philippe Gilbert. The same way Fabian Cancellara gave his to me.

I know this avid fan of Philippe Gilbert and she comes to see him almost every year. I take her around during Liège-Bastogne-Liège/La Fléche Wallonne/Amstel Gold Race week. I think I keep this food bag and give it to her.

In Japanese: 続きをどうぞ [The only feed zone pick-up this summer at TdF2013]の続きを読む

テーマ:自転車ロードレース - ジャンル:スポーツ

1. 2013/08/16(金) 14:00:19|
2. Team Saxo Bank-SunGard
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I am going to go to Tienen and then Geraardsbergen. I have to study the parcours to see if I can make a short stop at the feed zone.


It seems that after leaving Tienen for Geraardsbergen, the course becomes a circuit. The feed zone seems to be the entering point into Geraardsbergen. OK, then it will be easy.

Saturday's course will be more exciting but I can not go there that day.



In Japanese: 続きをどうぞ [Eneco Tour 2013 Stage 7]の続きを読む

テーマ:自転車ロードレース - ジャンル:スポーツ

1. 2013/08/12(月) 15:22:43|
2. Bike Races in Belgium
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I check cyclingnews.com regularly. It is in English and highly comprehensive.

I read this "http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/supporting-mcquaid-could-financially-damage-swiss-cycling" article.


I suddenly had an avid urge to buy some Skins product.

And,............... I did. Bravo, Skins! I love Skins products.

I ordered the a pair of calf tights. I am sorry to say that I chose one of the most expensive products among their compression lines.

Well, it is a small contribution but better than nothing, right?


Skins rule! I endorse Skins products.



In Japanese: 続きをどうぞ [Buy Skins products! I recommend them.]の続きを読む

テーマ:自転車ロードレース - ジャンル:スポーツ

1. 2013/08/09(金) 13:50:49|
2. Bike Races
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OMG! Finally this day has come (not yet but 2014)! I have a Japanese rider in the team I support. According to cyclingnews.com, Fumy Beppu has signed for the next season. According to other sources, he has two year contract. I love it.

So far, in the media, Fabian Cancellara, Schleck brothers and Basque riders (Markel Irizar and Haimar Zubeldia) have been confirmed to ride for the team next year.

Other signings include (rumors or so) Boy Van Poppel and (I forgot).

Sad news is that Tony Gallopin is leaving. He is a very friendly guy so I miss him.


In Japanese: 続きをどうぞ [Beppu to the new Trek (-sub-sponsor, if any) Team]の続きを読む

テーマ:自転車ロードレース - ジャンル:スポーツ

1. 2013/08/08(木) 09:05:50|
2. RadioShack-Leopard-Trek
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I don't remember why and how it happened that the Belgium National Champioship is going to be held now. Was there a rain storm that forced the scheduled Championship event to abort?

I realized that the Belgium National Championship is going to be held next Sunday. I would like to go but it is held in Maldegem, which is far away from Luxembourg. Oh, well. I will stay home. Why don't they do it near Liège?

August 15 is a National Holiday in Luxembourg. I would like to do something. EnecoTour is on but the stage which takes place that day is between Essen, Belgium and Vlijmen, Holland. It is too far away. I am not happy about that, either.




In Japanese: 続きをどうぞ [Belgium Championship in Maldegem,.... now?]の続きを読む

テーマ:自転車ロードレース - ジャンル:スポーツ

1. 2013/08/06(火) 16:42:39|
2. Bike Races in Belgium
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My iPhone 4 (jailbroken) crashes everyday at midnight. It goes into "Safe mode".

I don't know why. It is a minor annoyance. It (iPhone) wakes up (when inactive) at exactly at midnight and goes into the safe mode. I have to restart it. Once I waited seconds before midnight and woke up my iPhone and used it. Nothing happened. As soon as I let it inactive (screen off), it crashed. I gave up.

I suspected "DateCarrier", an app which replaces the carrier name with date since it has to do with the clock. I disabled it but the situation remained the same. Whatever.




[My iPhone 4 crashes at midnight, why?]の続きを読む

テーマ:iPhone/iPad - ジャンル:携帯電話・PHS

1. 2013/08/05(月) 19:33:12|
2. iPad, iPhone and iPod touch
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I had fun climbing Mont Ventoux, l'Alpe d'Huez or Semnoz this summer during the Tour de France.

It was fun. Feeling the pain going up was fun. I enjoyed the pain.

I have to write that climbing down was not fun at all.

I hate climbing down the hill because;
1) braking makes the wheel rim wear (I used very expensive carbon wheels)
2) braking makes my hands worn out (details later)
3) climbing down is dangerous than up because of the velocity

Everybody (who rides a bike and has used carbon rim wheels) knows that aluminium rim wheels brake better than carbon rim wheels. The extent (of stopping effectiveness difference) could be slightly or greatly. Brake pads also could be a factor.

I use Zipp 404 (year 2006?) and Koolstop pads. I chose Koolstop pads because they wear quick, meaning they are gentle on carbon rims.

I use old Camillo Negative-G caliper brakes. These brakes are not for performance, no offense Camillo, the manufacturer! They are for the look.

Between these Negative-G and Koolstop pads I had no chance. I hate climbing down!

I had hard time stopping my bike. By the time I reached the Bèdoin or the foot of Alpe d'Huez, I had to stretch my fingers which had gone cramped.

My bike weighs 6.7 kg with the Zipp 404 on (with Speedplay pedals). I am thinking of shaving off some extra weight next year by swapping some parts. The current saddle weighs 135 g (Selle Italia SLR XP) can be upgraded to a super lightweight carbon saddle. Some SRAM components could be upgraded to lighter ones.

I am trying to shave off my weight, too.

Conclusion: If you like going down fast and safely, avoid Camillo products. If you want to go up fast but come down slowly (, which you may not accomplish), you can still buy their products.


In Japanese:続きをどうぞ [Bike Parts Review]の続きを読む

テーマ:自転車（スポーツ用） - ジャンル:スポーツ

1. 2013/08/05(月) 00:49:47|
2. Bikes and related things
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Today, I went to a store, Decathlon, in Thionville (Terville 57/Lorraine), France and bought a new tent.

Thionville is the closest middle-size French town from Luxembourg.

I checked the internet site before deciding which to buy. My previous Quechua 2 seconds has served me for 8 years. It is a durable and tough tent. I loved it. Naturally, I wanted to buy the one from the same brand.

They (Quechua tents) have evolved since. The foot (floor) shape has become more rectangular than oval. Some have built-in illumination. There must be more improvement that I am not aware of.

I chose this. All images are from http://www.decathlon.fr/

The shape has not been changed significantly but become slightly rectangular.　This picture is not the one for three sleeping space but two. Decathlon wanted to save some money by not preparing the right picture, I guess.


The built-in illumination! I know this might break after a couple of years. I will see. This extra feature cost 30 Euro. The same tent without illumination cost 30 Euro less.


Up to three people can sleep.



In Japanese: 続きをどうぞ [A new tent from Quechua]の続きを読む

テーマ:自転車ロードレース - ジャンル:スポーツ

1. 2013/08/02(金) 17:25:35|
2. Camping in Europe
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