欧州自転車レース追っかけ日記

It is time to made the decision. Should I buy Limits power meter or forget about it?


I think I had written about this a long time ago. UPS Luxembourg tried, in vain, to double tap me. They sent me an invoice for what I had already paid for. I replied to them saying that I had paid. They asked me to send them the proof (a copy of the stab I had). I sent it to them and then I had no response what so ever. I decided that by their silence they had implied that they had admitted that they had made a mistake. No words of apology. I had to pay for the postage to send the copy. So they still owe me some money.

This time, they sent the package meant to me back to the sender, Power2max manufacturer. As I as going to on a vacation, I chose to send the package to a friend of mine. UPS did not find the apartment of the address.

INCOMPETENT!

DPD Luxembourg is also an ass but UPS Luxembourg is even a bigger ass.

I had written both to UPS Luxembourg and Power2max to send it back to me again. I am not sure when or even whether I will receive it.

I used the real names, DPD and UPS Luxembourg here. I condemn them because I have the right to do so. They are incompetent, period! If they want to me to stop saying so, they have to sue me. Sue me!


In Japanese: 続きをどうぞ [UPS Luxembourg is an ass!]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. 2015/04/30(木) 00:21:01|
2. Bikes and related things
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I learned about this cloud funding project just Yesterday (April 23. 2015) while surfing on the Net.

It seems to be a dirt cheap power meter. It has not been materialized yet but will be (or so the project founders claim) by the end of 2015.

The details are here:
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/limits-the-world-s-smartest-cycling-power-meter


I have missed the early bird deals, which had ended before I got to know about this project (April 20). I can still get the pre-mass-production discounts for the funding supporters.

It costs only $259 for the black version (and another 10 bucks for the shipping).

I will sleep on it.

In Japanese: 続きをどうぞ [LIMITS, (cycling) power meter kickstart]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. 2015/04/24(金) 17:02:17|
2. Bikes and related things
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La Fléche Wallonne was OK. Not an exciting finish. A Spanish guy won again for the third time.

Let's focus on the Liège-Bastogne-Liège now!

Today was Thursday, a sunny day it was. I woke up and drove to la Redoute in the morning. I was there before 11:00 (eleven hundred). What should I do?

I noticed something. The "Gilbert" tent was yet again upgraded. It looks much better than it was last year. I think they used another type of tent.

The Bofferding was there, too. Bofferding is a Luxembourg-based beer company, which offers service to Philippe Gilbert huge tent pavilion at the foot of la Redoute. They were there last year. Traditionally it was one of those Belgian beer distributors who helped them.

I saw Madame Gilbert (mother of Philippe Gilbert) and Christian Gilbert (the elder and big brother of Philippe Gilbert) working there, setting up the beer hall and the disco.


Anyway, I started painting on the road. You have to be careful as la Redoute is 'Mt. Gilbert (as told by a Belgian woman who was already there with her husband complete with their motorhome in French)' She and her husband was also there one year ago. I remember paining some names on the road for her.

She is Italian and so her husband. They have been living in Belgium for long time. She wanted names like Phil (to show her respect for the local hero) and Nibali.

The middle part and upper part of the climb of la Redoute had been already heavily painted. "PHIL" all the way. I can not touch them. This is his territory. His birthplace. His family still live there.

I could fine some uncharted area at the foot of the climb. The lower part of la Redoute was still available to me. You may find what I have done on TV.

I saw some professional riders training there. One was Laurens ten Dam. He came alone on the bike. He came from behind and saw me painting some names. He shouted, "Laurens ten Dam." I think he requested his name on the road. So I had to do it. His name is also there.

TFR riders' names are there. "Schleck" will be visible. I will add more on Friday.


In Japanese: 続きをどうぞ [Côte de la Redoute and the international boundary?]の続きを読む

テーマ:自転車レース - ジャンル:スポーツ

1. 2015/04/23(木) 19:21:15|
2. Bike Races in Belgium
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I am writing this using the Wi-Fi provided by the Youth Hostel Liège. Tonight I am sleeping here. The railroad and bus services are totally off Tomorrow. There is a strike among railroad and public bus workers.

I am staying here to provide two other of my friends with the pickup service. They are also in Liège tonight.


In Japanese: 続きをどうぞ [Amstel Gold Race 2015 and la Fléche Wallonne 2015]の続きを読む

1. 2015/04/21(火) 15:58:46|
2. Bike Races in Belgium
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I am leaving for Maastricht in a matter of 6 or 7 hours from now. It will be a bit past midnight. I will be arriving at Cauberg sometime in the early hours of the morning.

I will be back in a week. I am having a week off.


In Japanese: 続きをどうぞ [Amstel Gold Race 2015]の続きを読む

テーマ:自転車レース - ジャンル:スポーツ

1. 2015/04/18(土) 13:39:57|
2. Bike Races in the Netherlands
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This Wednesday (middle of the week) race will be my next race watch opportunity.

I don't usually get Wednesday off but this time something happened and I get this coming Wednesday free.

It will be fun.

In Japanese: 続きをどうぞ [Brabantse Pijl = La Fléche Brabançonne]の続きを読む

テーマ:自転車レース - ジャンル:スポーツ

1. 2015/04/14(火) 00:12:26|
2. Bike Races in Belgium
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I have to write down for something here. This will improve the next year's experience.




In Japanese: 続きをどうぞ [Paris-Roubaix 2015 Notes for next year's edition]の続きを読む

テーマ:自転車レース - ジャンル:スポーツ

1. 2015/04/13(月) 14:32:18|
2. Bike Races in France
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I am leaving for France around midnight arriving in Compiègne around 5 o'clock in the morning. I am planning two stops on the way. I will fill my Ka up before leaving Luxembourg (gas prices are much lower than in France) and at a middle point in France, Aire des Ardennes Woinic.

The weather will be fine on Sunday in both Compiègne and Roubaix but it may be rain this afternoon.

I don't need much. I need basic nourishment like water, some fruit and salty snack. These are important. You must be always hydrated. Fruit gives you quick sugar and mineral. It may be mildly hot tomorrow so when I dehydrate (pee), I will lose some salt. I will need caffein so I will buy cups of coffee on the way.

I am charging 4 sets of TV (two of them are portable LCD screen TVs and the rest are tiny tuners for the iPhone)

All is set.

In Japanese: 続きをどうぞ [Paris-Roubaix 2015 (113rd edition) Watch Plan II]の続きを読む

テーマ:自転車レース - ジャンル:スポーツ

1. 2015/04/11(土) 14:54:10|
2. Bike Races in France
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I have two of my friends with me. They are coming from Japan. I am the designated driver. I have the responsibility of safely driving them around.

Watch Plan Overview:
Simple!
0) Drive from Luxembourg to Compiègne (France). 360 km in about 5 hours.

1) Meeting friends of mine in Compiègne in the morning.

2) Watch the peloton leave.

3) Chase the peloton and see them at Pavé section 23 -- Vertain à St-Martin-sur-Ecaillon

4) Chase them again and see them at Pavé section 13 -- Beuvry-la-Forêt à Orchies

5) Drive to Roubaix and wait for the peloton to arrive.

Cobbled section 23 is just after the first ravitaillement (snack time).
Cobbled section 13 is just after the second raivitaillement (snack time)

I choose these points because they are evenly separated and easily accessed by car. We have to walk from the place where I park the car but not too long.

The first stop (section 23) is not too close to the motorway but almost closest point from the motorway in early part of the course.

The second stop (section 13) is directly next to the motorway. Some people try to park on the side of motorway to watch the race. The police are there to discourage them, of course.

I have done this before and it always worked.

In Japanese: 続きをどうぞ [Paris-Roubaix 2015 (113rd edition) Watch Plan]の続きを読む

テーマ:自転車レース - ジャンル:スポーツ

1. 2015/04/10(金) 21:12:54|
2. Bike Races in France
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I am so embarrassed now that I made a stupid mistake and now I am paying for it.

A while ago, I ordered a Rotor 3D+ MAS 110 mm BCD crankset but it does not fit my frame (Cérvelo RS) and I have pay more to get out of this mess. I shall get out of this mess!

I don't have to write about this and embarrass myself here but I will do so as this is my "diary." I don't care if anybody reads this and laugh at me. I don't think anybody is actually reading this anyway.

Rotor makes BBright specific version of spiders. Those spiders are thicker than other standard spiders. I don't know why but doing so saves some work for those who work on BBright frames (Cérvelo).

Now I have to order 1) a normal standard spider for 3D+, 2) a lockring for 3D+ and 3) a lockring tool. These are easily ordered from Power2Max site. Easy? Yes, it is easy but swallowing the bill from them is not so easy.

This is the Spider for 3D+. I want a BCD 110 mm version.


This is the Lockring for 3D+. It should securely lock the spider above.


This is the special tool for removing and installing the spider. It is the most expensive items of the three.


This is the back side of Rotor 'NORMAL or non-BBright' MAS spider.


This is the back side of Rotor BBright MAS spider.


You will notice that the lockrings are different and the thickness of spider itself seems to be different.
In Japanese: 続きをどうぞ [Oooooooops! I'm so ashamed and embarrassed now.]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. 2015/04/10(金) 16:24:41|
2. Bikes and related things
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Wort.lu has an interesting piece of news here.

http://www.wort.lu/en/sport/on-yer-bike-for-15-000-euros-the-cost-of-cycling-with-the-big-boys-55268d130c88b46a8ce57166

It shows (although the prices are just suggested retail prices) how much a typical professional cyclist puts on when he is training or participating a race. It does not include the spare bikes, TT bikes, spare wheels and so on. If all those spares are included, the cost estimate will at least get four to five times.

Trek Factory Racing definitely wants a second title sponsor but none has come out yet. Shimano and other equipment suppliers will share the burden but Trek is shelling out most of the needed money.

Bontrager, under Trek's control, is also supplying a lot. Bontrager's equipment may be more popular in the USA but here in Europe they (Bontrager's products) are less exposed and less accessible.

Between Trek and Bontrager there's almost everything except for the Shimano components and SRM power meter. Do I own any products from Trek and Bontrager? I have water bottles that I did not buy so they don't count. I buy new kits from Bontrager or Trek. This is my contribution to the funding of the TFR. My newly ordered team kits are arriving sometime soon from Germany.


In Japanese: 続きをどうぞ [A typical (ProTour level professional) cyclist needs a lot of dough]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. 2015/04/09(木) 22:06:47|
2. Trek Factory Racing
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OK, Shimano. You may say that I am too conservative to choose from the Shimano wheels. You may also say that I am too cheap. Yes, I am. Don't they (Shimano) offer hard-to-beat dirt cheap wheels?

1) WH-R501-30 (30 mm rim height) 8//9/10 speed compatible over 2.1 kg as a set on the scale
2) WH-RS21 (24 mm rim height) 8/9/10/11 speed compatible 1.9 kg as a set on the scale
3) WH-RS31 (30 mm rim height) 8/9/10/11 speed compatible over 2 kg as a set on the scale

I thought of getting the Mavic Aksium One rear wheel. It cost a bit more than WH-R501 wheelset (24 mm rim height) and cost a bit less than WH-R501-30.

1) 104.90 Euro (Bike24)
2) 147.90 Euro (ditto)
3) 154.90 Euro (ditto)

I don't need 11-speed compatibility as I am staying with 10-speed component for the moment. On the other hand this 11-speed compatibility won't hurt.

I am leaning toward WH-RS31wheels.

Today, I am working on the Garmin BaseCamp on my MacBook Pro 2010. I need the final tuning of the watch plan.

Because if you let your GPS device show your way, it tends tread on the race course. You can not tread on the race course. Your car gets stopped by the police for sure. Detours are needed and they have to be well prepared.


In Japanese: 続きをどうぞ [WH-R501-30, WH-RS21or WH-RS31,... or ??]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. 2015/04/09(木) 00:27:12|
2. Bikes and related things
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I have to jot down something before I forget them.

I stayed at a camping site called "Camping Panorama." The charge for two nights for one lot - one car and tent - one person - was only 17 euros. Taking shower will cost 1 euro. The camping ground was located on a hilly place. The owner of the camping ground also owns a bar. The place was clean and tidy.

The owner spoke English, of course. She told me that the place was almost full as people came to stay for "De Ronde." There were many (rental?) square prefabricated homes on the ground. Its web page says that it is open from February to November. I think many people live there.

Would I recommend this camping site to others? Yes, I do. First of all the location is perfect for someone who is there for De Ronde.

Dries Devenyns (IAM Cycling, ex-QuickStep) is the local boy and his pictures were hanged in the camping reception. I think there were more of them inside the bar.

It was about 13 to 14 km from the camping site to the center of Oudenaarde


Digital terrestrial signal was generally unreachable in this area. Oudenaarde center (Markt, where the women's race starts and team buses park) gets almost no signal at all. Hopeless.

There are bus shuttle services for the general public for free of charges. I did not know about this.

In Japanese: 続きをどうぞ [De Ronde van Vlaanderen notes]の続きを読む

1. 2015/04/08(水) 00:55:03|
2. Bike Races in Belgium
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The unfortunate incident at De Ronde cost me a rear wheel that I have used for more than 9 years. They were Mavic Cosmos made in 2003 or 2004. They were robust. Now the rear wheel is not usable.

I need at least a new rear wheel. A casual use and training. A clincher 700c because wet, mud and snow patterned but 24/25mm-width tubular tires are rare or non-existent, to my knowledge. In winter I ride my bike and when it snows, I need a wet, mud and snow tires on the wheels.

I would like to have an old-fashioned tubular wheelset with aluminium rims but they arealmost extinct. And the only road racer tire good enough to be used in snowy and ice road conditions is "Halo Twin Rail Courier" tires. The pattern is deep. I have ridden on snowy and icy roads with them and I was very happy with them.

Which one to buy? Shimano, Campagnolo, Fulcrum (a.k.a. Campagnolo) and Mavic are the main players.

FSA (=Vision), Easton and DT Swiss offer low-end entry level wheels, too.

In Europe (from Germany) we have Veltec.

A Taiwanese AClass by Alexrims has made broader appearance in Germany, too. Novatec hubs are almost ubiquitous but their wheels are not.


I am shopping for something up to 300 euros as a wheelset. The money compensation I got was 75 euros. If I had only 75 euros for the budget, I had no choice but to buy Shimano WH-R501. Even WH-R501 wheelset costs more than 75 euros.

A Mavic Aksium One rear wheel costs slightly more than a set of WH-501.


In Japanese: 続きをどうぞ [A new rear wheel or a wheelset?]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. 2015/04/06(月) 21:28:46|
2. Bikes and related things
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Well. As I had expected, digital terrestrial signal (TV and radio) was so weak in Oudenaarde (, where the fewomen's race starts and finishes, men's race finishes and the museum of the De Ronde stands).

I could watch the TV (station EEN, I think it means "one" in the flemish, that had Sporza on) where the men's race had the first feed zone (Ravitallement) just enough to recognize that it was broadcasting the De Ronde and the sound was so scratchy that I did not recognize any words (no specific riders names or so). The picture was like fresco pictures at best and like mosaic pictures that barely moved. I could watch the (most likely a recorded scene) Shimano neutral car incident that involved FDJ rider (Sébastien Chavanel) but did not see the one that involved Jesse Sergent.

I only learned now (Monday evening after coming home) that Jesse Sergent was involved in a separate accident. unlucky for him. He broke the collar bone. I wish him a quick recovery.

OK, I was also hit by a car. VW SUV, of sort at the foot of Paterberg. It was no dramatic accident and I sustained no injury at all.

This SUV (two men inside) was stopped somewhere near the foot of Paterberg by several "Stewards," who had vests on that had "STEWARD" written on the back, in other words, the attendants working for the race organizer. The SUV was at a narrow path and I could not pass so I was waiting behind the SUV (more than 2 meters apart for security, of course). The driver was told that they could not go any further ahead and to park somewhere else. The driver abruptly moved back obviously not looking back carefully to recognize me. My rear wheel was hit by the two wheels (front and rear) of that SUV.

My rear wheel was bent. The talk among, me (the victim), two stewards (main witnesses for me), two police men (were nearby) and the two men (defendants) took place on the spot. I settled for some amount of money to replace the rear wheel. Not much but the wheel (Mavic Cosmic or Cosmos? I forgot the name but Mavic's value wheelset back in 2003 or 2002) was not much of values.

With this money I had to find the replacement, which means a new shopping opportunity to extend the record of consecutive shopping at Bike24 of 4 weeks in a row?

Suddenly watching the race on the climb of Paterberg was not on my mind anymore but how to get to Oudenaarde before the finish was. I managed to bent the rear wheel back enough to ride on it.

Initially the wheel was more than 2 cm out of true and the tire got stuck on the seat tube.

After bending the rim back, now the rim is less than 1 cm out of true, I think. I removed two of the rear brake holders/pads and could pedal back to Oudenaarde.

The rear wheel is not usable anymore. I need a new one for casual and training rides.

What would you buy? What would I buy? A sensible answer from someone who is budget-minded will be "Shimano WH-R501" but in the wake of Jesse Sergent and Sébastien Chavanel accidents, I would refrain from buying a Shimano. Or should I?

Let's browse the Bike24 site for a while!

In Japanese: 続きをどうぞ [Hit by a car (along with Jesse Sergent)!]の続きを読む

テーマ:自転車レース - ジャンル:スポーツ

1. 2015/04/06(月) 16:02:51|
2. Bike Races in Belgium
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4. | コメント：0

I am about to leave for Oudenaarde, Belgium. I have to load my car with the basic camping trip stuff.

We are, here in Europe, having the Easter Monday right after De Ronde van Vlaanderen and I decided to spend two nights (Saturday and Sunday) there. This means that I have rather a relaxed itinerary and I will spend this coming Monday cycling around Oudenaarde or somewhere in Belgium.

It is raining in Luxembourg and it is not a good day for cycling. I will not take my bike out today in Belgium. I have all Monday to do that and it seems that it will be fine Monday.


In Japanese: 続きをどうぞ

[De Ronde van Vlaanreren 2015 Watch Plan Part II]の続きを読む

テーマ:自転車レース - ジャンル:スポーツ

1. 2015/04/04(土) 14:12:33|
2. Bike Races in Belgium
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4. | コメント：0

It is the time of the year when I pay for those jerseys and bibshorts. Last year I bought the jersey (Replica, short sleeve) at a local sporting goods store (namely, Asport) in Luxembourg. They did not have anything else (bibshorts, caps, gloves or socks). I asked my Dutch friends to buy the socks and the bibshorts for me at their local shop in the Netherlands.

This year I found them on an online store that I frequently use, namely Bike24 (Germany).

I did not expect Bike24 to carry TFR clothing so I did not look for them when I shopped earlier this year. They do carry what i want. I will order some items so that I have them for the Ardenne week (Amstel Gold Race / la Fléche Wallonne / Liège-Bastogne-Liège).

This will make me shop from this store 3 week in a row. This will also make me feel stupid and inefficient. I could have saved the shipping and handling fees (up to 12 euros).

So this time (hopefully the last time for the next at least several months) I will carefully choose what I order. I will certainly order (at least one more) "E" spacers of Rotor.

Bike24 offers free shipping only within Germany for shopping values from 100 euros. They don't offer free shipping for any countries other than Germany. Oh, well.

In Japanese: 続きをどうぞ [Trek Factory Racing 2015 jersey and bibshorts on sale]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. 2015/04/02(木) 23:43:52|
2. Trek Factory Racing
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Planning is very important.

This year (2015) I will leave for Oudenaarde (the city where the race ends and the center of the cobble sections and climb sections) Saturday afternoon and arrive at a camping site (to check in there, hopefully) around 18:00. It is still not dark. I will bring my bike with the Garmin Edge 800 and hub-dynamo wheel along with front and rear lights so that I can visit that famous Koppenberg climb by bike.

I have been to the top of Koppenberg at least three times but never been to or seen the climb section before.

It seems (I don't have my MacBook Pro by me now at this moment, which has Garmin BaseCamp on it) that it is only 6 to 7 km from the camping site to Koppenberg. Unfortunately, the weather on Saturday and Sunday will be likely rainy and it will be cold.


In Japanese: 続きをどうぞ [De Ronde van Vlaanreren 2015 Watch Plan ]の続きを読む

テーマ:自転車レース - ジャンル:スポーツ

1. 2015/04/02(木) 15:02:35|
2. Bike Races in Belgium
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4. | コメント：0