欧州自転車レース追っかけ日記

I am watching la Vuelta a Espana on TV. The Eurosports 1 Deutschland (free on air) is the channel.

Yesterday I could also watch the ending of the stage. The Vuelta organizer (ASO bought the organizer so it is under ASO's control) is a fanatic fan of hard climbs. Sprinters (who normally don't like climbs) are having hard time already. I love it. We have not had a real mountain stages yet we have seen short steep climbs.

Nairo Quintana taken over the race lead by accident? Obviously the allergic thing that Quintana suffered during the Tour has gone away.



Work

I was watching an episode of "Married with children" when I was living in the USA a long time ago when I heard this line by Al Bundy. "Work is a four-letter word."

I don't hate working. I like working when I have nothing else to do. I don't like working when the Tour de France is on for example.

Today is Sunday but I have to work to cover a colleague of mine who is on a vacation. 5 weeks of vacation, I heard.


In Japanese: 続きをどうぞ [A quiet Sunday (though I have to work)]の続きを読む

テーマ:自転車用品 - ジャンル:スポーツ

1. 2016/08/28(日) 15:28:25|
2. Bike Races
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Crowdfunding stuff

So it is Saturday and no package arrived Today. I was (and am) expecting two packages.

1) Neo by Reelight (rear light in black) - through Kickstarter.com campaign

2) Limits power meter from Limits Technology (also in black) - through Indiegogo.com campaign


1) Neo

By now we (backers of the campaign) all know that the lights are a flog, a defect, a failure. Backers who have received the lights reported on the campaign site that not only they (lights) had fallen short of our expectations but had not even fulfilled the promised specifications.

How come the company (Reelight) does not recognize the reports and issue some kind of statement to address the issue?

They have so far neither denied or confirmed the various testimonies from the backers.

I would very much like to lay my hands on it and see if those reports are true (most likely true but I have to say I've tested it myself).

How did it happen? How could it possible that the finished products don't meet the promised specification?

First of all, this Neo is an improved and redesigned version of this company's product called "CITY supreme."

Secondoly, they already had a seemingly a working prototype before they started the campaign. I was led to believe that the technical difficulties had been already overcome. In fact, the campaign clearly claims that they only needed the money to scale up the production.

2) Limits

No reports so far that any of the backers have received it although the company had said that they started shipping. I don't know how many units have been shipped but they should eventually land on us.



In this respect, as I remember reading a passage in Mr. DCR's blog referring to the risks of those crowdfunding projects, he wrote that Kickstarter requires a prototype whereas Indiegogo doesn't.

ebay : Returning the item

OK, finally, the seller agreed to accept the item back. The problem is not over yet. The seller wrote to me that the seller was wiling to refund what I paid. Then, I thought, what happens to the shipping fees that I would have to pay at the local post office?

I quickly looked for the answer at the ebay site and here is what I found.

*** QUOTE ***

Here's what we found for "Who pays for return shipping?"
If there's a problem with an item, the seller is responsible for paying return shipping costs.

If a buyer changes their mind about a purchase and wants to return it, they may be required to pay the shipping costs, depending on the seller's return policy.

Sellers can provide a return shipping address and additional return shipping information for the buyer.

For business sellers, find out eBay's return policy requirements, and how to best handle returns.

*** UNQUOTE ***

So I have to write to the seller that ebay clearly states that the returning shipping fees have to be paid by the seller as the item description was not correct and that is the only reason why I am returning.

I will have to go to the post office to ask how much I have to pay for the package to be sent and also ask how much I would pay if it has to be registered in case the seller (who is receiving the item) wants the item to be returned securely.


In Japanese: 続きをどうぞ

[No packages arriving and the weekend is coming]の続きを読む

テーマ:自転車用品 - ジャンル:スポーツ

1. 2016/08/27(土) 22:00:40|
2. Bikes and related things
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Well, there's a progress on my part concerning the troubled purchase of iPhone 4S through ebay.

The iPhone is not activated. The activation process stops where it (iPhone) tried to activate itself with the SIM card I inserted through the Internet connection.

I noticed the i (circled) sign on the bottom right corner of the screen when the phone is awoken. I touched the sign (icon or whatever), IMEI and ICCID came on the screen.

Then I searched on the net where I can get some answers whether a mobile phone is locked or unlocked. I tried a site, iunlocker.com and tried the IMEI (it is an identifying number for a mobile phone) and got the result.

I only gave the IMEI number but the site correctly indicated that it was a iPhone 4S Black 16GB.

(a screenshot clip from iunlocker.net and I think there are more sites offering this kind of service)


I am now convinced. I have no doubts. I am now vindicated. I immediately notified the seller with my findings.

It is LOCKED!

Well, would the seller finally admit that it is locked or continue to insist that it is unlocked?

From 31st of August, I can ask ebay to intervene. I am waiting for the move (of the seller).

In Japanese: 続きをどうぞ [ebay trouble and need my money back]の続きを読む

テーマ:iPhone/iPad - ジャンル:携帯電話・PHS

1. 2016/08/26(金) 14:04:43|
2. iPad, iPhone and iPod touch
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4. | コメント：0

Limits pedal power meter finally shipping to backers

The 88th update proudly announces that they are shipping now. Whatever the firmware improvement has brought (as we don't know what the results brought by the firmware improvement were), they (Limits Technology) think they (the products) were ready to be shipped. They haven't shown any of the data they were supposed to have collected so we are left in the dark.

But fear not as our trusted DCR (www.dcrainmaker.com) will show us what we want in time. I have to repeat here obligingly that I am a proud supporter of his blog. Please give it a try!


Neo by Reelight, is it doomed?

Since a few days ago, backers of the Kickstarter campaign backers have started reporting their experience with the products.

Someone (a German guy, we suppose) has given a preliminary (but so conclusive) test report of his own on the comment section at Kickstarter.

First of all his setting (how he set the light up) is not too clear. I can assume that he put the front light on his 700c aluminium rim wheel on his road bike. He does not specify the gap between the rim and the dynamo core. Usually, the closer they are, the greater the power output.

He testifies that under 12 km/h, the light won't light up. And we have to assume that that is on his front 700c aluminium rim wheel. If you set the Neo on a bike with 16-inch wheel (like Brompton for example), the light will light up at about the half speed. He omitted this kind of conversion but we all know that, right?

In any way, this is really discouraging to me. I ordered a rear right as I knew the front light won't be shiny enough to be used as the main front light. I just wanted a rear SAFETY red light, that means 'to be seen' but not 'to see.' If my rear safety red light is only visible at more than 12 km/h, it won't do. And the safety stand light function seems to fail also. Then I have to say that I wasted my money.

In Japanese: 続きをどうぞ [Limits Power Meter shipping now but Neo flopping now?]の続きを読む

テーマ:自転車用品 - ジャンル:スポーツ

1. 2016/08/24(水) 14:57:13|
2. Bikes and related things
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4. | コメント：0

Neo by Reelight

Since Yesterday, campaign backers started leaving comments on the comment section at www.kickstarter.com. Some encouraging (at least people in various parts of the world started receiving) and others not.

One person received a wrong one in a wrong color. This was also sided by another person who received a front light in a rear light box and a rear light in a front light box. This person was lucky that two made up for each other and he got what he wanted.

So the packing done in China (I guess) was not so thorough (the packaging mishaps).

This reminded me of something that happened to me a long ago. Once I ordered two pairs of Keep-on-Kovers, which are the cleat covers for the Speedplay cleats. They arrived but I found an incomplete pair. One package contained two right covers or two left covers where they have to be one right and one left (I also forgot the details of this incident). I e-mailed the sender (in Utah, USA? I also forgot) and he found in his stock the corresponding two right or two left covers in a package. He aplogized for the mix-up done in the factory in China and sent me the missing ones. No harm done. It happens. I remember that he sent me two matching pieces so that I ended up having one more pair in the end (three pairs in total).

The more damaging testimony (two instances of testimony) is that back-up stand light function did not work at all. Those two guys found that stand light function failed on them. This is disturbing.

I guess mine (Rear light in color black) has been already in transfer. I might receive it Today or Tomorrow. I have to make sure as soon as I open the package whether the body color is correct, it is for the rear (red light) and the stand light function works.

I will see.

iPhone 4S locked or unlocked?

The seller responded to my questions but the answer is not definitive. The seller did not specify if the phone was really locked or unlocked. I think this person did not know the difference. This person said that it was purchased without a contract.

I asked if it was purchased from a mobile carrier or from Apple Store but the seller did not give an answer t this one. Maybe purchased from a second-hand reseller or a friend or what???

So I will have to ask the seller again and start mentioning the possibility of returning it and getting the refund.

I think it is SIM LOCKED.

In Japanese: 続きをどうぞ [Neo (by Reelight) - Kickstarter campaign products (a catastrophe?)]の続きを読む

テーマ:iPhone/iPad - ジャンル:携帯電話・PHS

1. 2016/08/23(火) 14:01:11|
2. Bikes and related things
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4. | コメント：0

iPhone 4S locked or unlocked?

I found a small parcel in my post box when I came home. It was the iPhone 4S that I bought on ebay from UK.

I opened it up and put the SIM in it in haste. It refused to be activated saying that the SIM is not good (not the actual message, as the actual message is really long).

I doubt it is really unlocked. It seems to be locked although the ebay item description told it was UNLOCKED.

I sent a message asking about this in haste. In this message I asked how the seller bought this iPhone 4S.

For example I bought my current iPhone 4 back in 2010 at the Apple Store (Louvre Museum) in Paris, France. At that time, Apple Store Luxembourg (online and no physical Apple Store in Luxembourg even now and Apple Store Luxembourg was just an operation under Apple Store Belgium at that time) did not sell UNLOCKED iPhone back then.

As you can see, I specifically and knowingly bought an unlocked iPhone 4. It was 100 % factory unlocked for sure.

So the question I asked the seller was, of course, how the seller acquired this iPhone 4S, like from a mobile phone carrier with 2-year contract or directly from an Apple Store? You know that if the former were the case, it is locked.

I just send the message and it will be answered hopefully on Tuesday ( I am writing this on Monday evening).

If this iPhone 4S turned (if) to be locked one, I had to ask for refund and also the shipping fee to send it back to the seller. And I have to give the seller low rating for the incorrect description. The description of the item was also incorrect about the cosmetic condition. I am not happy.

I am waiting.

Neo by Reelight arriving

Backers (who paid for theirs through Kickstarter campaign) are reporting the arrival. One guy reports that he got the wrong item in wrong color.

I haven't seen mine yet. I was one of the early backers.

In Japanese: 続きをどうぞ [Unlocked? Really? Neo arriving at some destinations]の続きを読む

テーマ:iPhone/iPad - ジャンル:携帯電話・PHS

1. 2016/08/22(月) 22:44:59|
2. iPad, iPhone and iPod touch
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A lot of bike races in one day

Peter Sagan did not win the Gold, Silver or Bronze medal. He was good in the first round of the circuit but then he began to lag and never came front. I enjoyed watching the race on the Belgian la deux channel.

I watched Vuelta a Espana an Hamburg Cyclassics on Eurosport 1 (Deutschland).

MacBook Late 2008 Aluminium

Successfully I upgraded the system to Snow Leopard (11.6.*) on it. I had to rely on some trick but in the end it was done. It will be picked up by the owner's hubby, who is a friend of mine Tomorrow.

The owner has to start it up and then set it up. After setting it up properly, she can easily upgrade the system to the latest OS X version, namely El Capitan version 10.11.6 for the moment.

Unfortunately, this MacBook can only be upgraded to El Capitan. The next generation of Mac OS X, which is macOS, namely Sierra version 10.12.*. It is the end of the road for this MacBook.


In Japanese: 続きをどうぞ [Olympic Games 2016, Vuelta a Espana and Hamburg Cyclassics ]の続きを読む

テーマ:自転車レース - ジャンル:スポーツ

1. 2016/08/21(日) 20:39:47|
2. Bike Races
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4. | コメント：0

Now I am watching the some events on TV. The channel is France 2. It is 17:30 here in Central Europe and it is 11:30 (and belatedly I realized that it is 23:30 in Japan).

I was looking for some coverage of MTB Cross-Country event. They showed about 1 minute? of the event. It was the moment that the race started. They are now showing the Bascket Ball game between France and Serbia. Remeber France 2 is a French channel. They were also showing female Triathlon event just around the bike to run transition before switching to basket ball.

Tomorrow, Sunday I have to watch the male cross-country event around this time. They will show the start and then switch to other events before eventually switching back to the bike event.

I don't know when the MTB event is scheduled to wrap up but I will stay alert before the TV set.

As soon as the basket ball game breaks in a pause, I see female triathletes run and bikers ride.

Are they doing the same Tomorrow? The same time, same events but only they are men's events?


I plan to ride Tomorrow. I have to do it in the morning or earlier in the afternoon so that I will be comfortably sitting in the chair after a shower when the time comes.


MacBook 13-inch Late 2008 Aluminium

I was asked if I could check what the deal was with this machine by a friend mine. It belongs to his wife. Yesterday, Friday, I briefly looked at it and understood the situation.

The unknown problem reported by him was that it would not update at all.

After logging in, I immediately went to the Apple menu and chose "About This Mac" to see the System version and the Model identification. It was on the Mac OS X 10.5.* and the Model was MacBook5.1. It had 2GB of RAM and about 150GB of HDD.

I told him to retreat all the personal date to another external USB connected HDD so that I can not make any damage updating its system. I also told him what the deal was on the spot.

I will work on it later next week.

I am no expert but I know something about Mac OS and Mac OS X.

It is on Leopard. Snow Leopard was kind of a turing point in the history of OS X. Unless your system is on Snow Leopard, your system won't upgrade to later system versions. This WAS the deal. This MacBook came with Leopard installed and got trapped in it.

It has only 2GB of RAM on board probably 2 pieces of 1GB RAM in it two slots. I would like to recommend the 4GB upgrade. For the moment used SO-DIMM 204-pin DDR3 PC3-8500 of 2GB x 2 pieces cost about 20 euro including the shipping from the GB. It won't be too much but this investment will make a difference.

How do I proceed? It is easy. I own a DVD set of Snow Leopard that came with my previously owned MacBook Pro Mid-2010. I never used it as by the time I got it, Mavericks was already out. Using these DVDs, I can easily update it to Snow Leopard. After this point, there's no more fuss at all.

Unfortunately, MacBook 13-inch Late 2008 aluminium is not qualified for the next update of Mac OS (or should I say macOS) X, Sierra. Current El Capitan will be the final destination.

MacBook Air details unknown

This one belongs to the husband of the owner of the MacBook above written about. He said that the battery was now not charging anymore. He wants a battery change. I don't have the exact model number but the battery change will be feasible. According to iFixit, the swapping procedures won't be difficult.

In Japanese: 続きをどうぞ [Olympic Games 2016 Saturday, 20 August]の続きを読む

テーマ:自転車レース - ジャンル:スポーツ

1. 2016/08/20(土) 18:53:14|
2. Bike Races
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LIMITS

I regularly check the site (www.indiegogo.com) for the update from Limits Technology. This morning I did so and found out that it was updated just 13 minutes before I did. Am I obsessed? Maybe.

The 87th update states that they are making progress on the improvement of the firmware and that they are getting positive results. They will continue testing and analyzing for the rest of the week and will give us another update on their progress. This seems to be the gist.

OK. I will wait for another week.

Yorkshire

The Tour de France saw Yorkshire host the Grand Départ and the following stages in 2014. I was there. I booked ferry rides (round tour) and also bought the Grand Départ ceremony ticket.

On my way there, at the port of Calais, there was a passport check although there was no stamping taking place. On the continental way, the traffic jam created in Dover (because of the TdF related vehicles) was so bad, just before I was going to reach the passport check points (there were about斜体文 20 cars before me, I think), they (authorities, customs police?) waived frantically at us to just go ahead. Yes, suddenly the passport check was abandoned and we were let straight go to the boarding point of the ferry.

That was in 2014. I read this article at cyclingnews.com that Yorkshire is bidding for the World Championship event in 2019.

Well, the timing is really precarious, I mean, the UK is leaving EU and it is speculated that the process will start imminently and may be done towards the end of 2019. The WC (World Championship event) takes place either the end of September or beginning of October which qualifies as towarsd the end of the year.

We will see. Am I going to go there? I will see.

Wacaco Minipresso

I am using it daily. I am now addicted to it.

In Japanese: 続きをどうぞ [Oh my LIMITS and Yorkshire's World Championship bid]の続きを読む

テーマ:自転車レース - ジャンル:スポーツ

1. 2016/08/18(木) 10:47:48|
2. Bike Races
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4. | コメント：0

Olympic Games 2016 Rio De Janeiro

I have seen mostly cycling events. Others did not interest me so much. Mountain bike races are on this weekend. I don't know when so I have to look for the time schedule. I found this. It is in English and the time is USA time? And if so which time, East Coast, Mountain, West Coast or Hawaii? Or is it just Brazil time? Anyway, the events are on Saturday and Sunday.



I have to assume by the way they (the event time) are presented that the time is in the local time. I hope one of the TV stations (French France 2 or 3 and Belgian la deux or une) will broadcast the events live (or should I say "en direct").

Peter Sagan will be the eye of the Typhoon although there is no typhoon in Brazil.

DCR time

I am curious that I haven’t received any words about the Wahoo KICKR that I was supposed to get by entering the “DCR August Wahoo KICKR Giveaway Time” yet. (www.dcrainmaker.com)

Hahaha, I know I did not win it and won’t receive any words from him. I is amazing that more than 7,000 people enter that giveaway events (more than 7,000 comments are left at the end of the blog entry). People are greedy and greed is good?

I have to repeat again that I am a supporter of this blog site. I paid my contribution.I hope other more than 7,000 of my giveaway competitors are also his supporters. This blog site is excellent in terms of user-side perspective reviews. It is very useful.


I am now between jobs. In other words, I am out of job. I am looking for a job and I think I am getting one soon. My old employers (co-owners of the business) agreed to take me back and now I am just waiting for the right time. Some of the former colleagues are either going on a vacation and there will be an empty space left soon. I will fill that spot, I think.

I am not worried about the money although I should be. I don’t spend too much. I can persevere and I will.


Philippe Gilbert to Etixx-QuickStep

It was widely announced and covered by the media that he had secured a contract for the coming season. Philippe Gilbert will ride for this team. Why does this matter to me? Because every year (almost every year) since 2009? I have had a friend come over from Japan who is a big fan of his.

She missed the Ardenne week in 2011 because she was hospitalized shortly shortly (this repeated adverb is meant to be so) before that April and had to abandon the trip. That year, 2011, I followed all of those so-called Ardenne Classics and saw him win them all. It was totally dejavu feeling all the week. I was at around 70 meters before the finish of Amstel Gold Race and saw him win. I was at the finish of la Flèche Wallonne and saw him emerge from the steep hill before everybody else did. I was also at the finish of Liege-Bastogne-Liege and saw him finish before my beloved Schleck brothers.

As you know he won any race that he participated that year.

So I am happy for her. She e-mailed me just moments after I also had found out about his contract renewal that the Youth Hostel in Liège was getting filled up for that weekend. That weekend means the weekend when Liege-Bastogne-Liege is held. Because there is an amateur race on Saturday (one day before the professional one) that takes place on the ‘almost’ identical route as the real one. If you stay at this Youth Hostel on Friday, the chances are majority of your roommates have their bicycles by their bedsides and start leaving the room around 06:00 or 07:00 of Saturday morning.

I was there this year and of 5 men including me 3 men had a bike (each) in the room. Normally the hostel management asks them to put the bike in the basement or other places but as they leave early and quickly Saturday morning, people are allowed to bring their bikes into the room. And everybody understands that.

This hostel is getting more and more popular among cyclists every year.

I have to decide if I should also book a bed for me soon.

Back in business or ?

Now it is confirmed that I have my old job back. I am relieved at least.

In Japanese: 続きをどうぞ [Olympic Games 2016 so far]の続きを読む

テーマ:自転車レース - ジャンル:スポーツ

1. 2016/08/17(水) 22:50:35|
2. Bike Races
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4. | コメント：0

Oooooops! I did not mean to win this auction on ebay.

Background:

I have been using an iPhone 4 (released way back in 2010) for the last 6 years. I bought it on Sunday, October 10 (it was Sunday when the Paris-Tours 2010 was held) at the Apple Store at the Louvre Museum in Paris.

It has served me well all these years except its home button had gone unresponsive after one year or so. I have been using the "virtual" home button since.

I love it although it is definitely showing its age. For example, it runs only up to iOS 7.1.2. Some software apps have abandoned iOS 7 long time ago. It is a bit slow. It does not have Bluetooth 4 capability. The battery inside has, I guess, less than 30 percent of its original capacity so it depletes itself rather drastically quick.

This lack of Bluetooth 4 capability is mildly a major issue when recent devices requires Bluetooth 4 (like bike power meters that communicate both in ANT+ and Bluetooth).

The biggest issue I have been experiencing is that Wahoo Fitness app won't run on my iPhone 4. It crashes after a few seconds.

I have a Wahoo bike case (with ANT+ adapter integrated). It fits 30-pin iPhone models like iPhone 3S, 4 and 4S.

Since my iPhone 4 refuses to run Wahoo Fitness, I had almost no use out of this Wahoo bike case. There are a few iPhone apps out there that utilises this ANT+ chip. I tried them but either they require payment or they are not so attractive.

How do I solve this plight? There are many possible ways. I don't want to spend too much to solve my problem.

Buying the latest iPhone is out of question since they are too expensive. Buying a cheaper Android smart phone (at least BLE capable) also costs too much.

Buying used iPhone was possibly an option. Which one? iPhone 4S! It is newer than iPhone 4 (meaning newer, faster and better). It is capable of handing BLE. It runs up to iOS 9 (latest but not iOS 10). It fits in the Wahoo bike case snugly.

How much does one cost? I have occasionally watched the ebay auction merchandises from Europe.

I have never really bid for one till this evening. As I was very sure some one would outbid me (I was comfortably quite confident), I made a bid for an iPhone 4S from GB. I won. Sh*******t! Oooooooops!

Since I had won it, I had no choice but to face the consequences. I paid for it immediately. Now I wait for it to come to me. Thank God that the GB is still in EU meaning that I don't have to pay any extra import tax on it when it does arrive.

It was not so expensive. Of course it was not as it is 5 years old.


In Japanese: 続きをどうぞ [My bad, ooooops. It was an accident (that I bid for an iPhone 4S).]の続きを読む

テーマ:iPhone/iPad - ジャンル:携帯電話・PHS

1. 2016/08/15(月) 20:43:16|
2. iPad, iPhone and iPod touch
3. | トラックバック：0
4. | コメント：0

From Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luxembourg#Geography)

The northern third of the country is known as the 'Oesling', and forms part of the Ardennes. It is dominated by hills and low mountains, including the Kneiff near Wilwerdange,[35] which is the highest point, at 560 metres (1,837 ft). Other mountains are the 'Buurgplaaz' at 559 metres near Huldange and the 'Napoléonsgaard' at 554 metres near Rambrouch. The region is sparsely populated, with only one town (Wiltz) with a population of more than four thousand people.

Tour de France 2017 rumors

Two well-known names, La Planche des Belles Filles and Col d'Izoard, have been keep popping up. I have been to this la Planche des Belles Filles at least two times. I don't remember being on top of Col d'Izoard but I could have been there before.

Col d'Izoard is a relatively high mountain pass with altitude 2,361 meters above sea level.

In Japanese: 続きをどうぞ [Gaining altitude is difficult in Luxembourg]の続きを読む

テーマ:自転車用品 - ジャンル:スポーツ

1. 2016/08/13(土) 23:14:29|
2. Bikes and related things
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4. | コメント：0

The local mail delivery man (Working for the Post - Luxembourg) rang at around his usual round time and gave the ordered goods (Wacaco Mimipresso NS and its case) after reveiving 11.42 euro from me.

The value of the goods has been already known to the customs (probably declared by the sender) office.

I eagerly opened the package and checked the contents. Everything was there and OK.

Before removing the wrapping material, I already had the small pan with water on the stove to make some hot water.

The "Deca Espresso" by the Belgian supermarket chain Delhaize was set inside the device and the hot water poured inside the cup as designated. Assembled and then flipped over. Began pressing the pump.

Voila! A cup of espresso with crema on top!

It is I think as tasty as it get when it is extracted in one of those electric Nespresso® compatible machines.

Am I happy? Yes I am.

It is definitely my favorite camping companion!

In Japanese: 続きをどうぞ [Wacaco Minipresso has landed!]の続きを読む

テーマ:ネットショップ・通販 - ジャンル:趣味・実用

1. 2016/08/12(金) 09:32:11|
2. Diary
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4. | コメント：0

Mondorf-les-Bains to host a start in 2017??

URL: http://velopeloton.com/2017-tour-de-france-route/

I found an interesting site. The speculated route for the Tour de France 2017 on this site includes the name of the city I know well, Mondorf-les-Bains.

As both Esch-sur-Alzette (despite the fact that Esch-sur-Alzette is the second most populated town in Luxembourg) and Mondorf-les-Bains are relatively small towns (Dorf means village in German so imagine) and can not accommodate thousands of people moving with the Tour, I can well imagine that ASO (if they should designate these cities as the finish or start) will try to grab hotels in nearby cities in France and Belgium.

I really like the idea of having the event here (where I live).

Many of those rumor site speculate that Verviers (Belgium) is the start of the stage, which ends in Esch-sur-Alzette. I don't know where they ride through (Belgian roads or Luxembourg roads) but it is exciting to have the Tour in Luxembourg. I guess they (ASO, Luxembourg) try not to come near the capital area, though.

Why? Since 75% of the whole working force in Luxembourg are taken by foreigners and half of them commute daily from France, Belgium and Germany. The traffic jams on the highway in the morning (toward the capital) and in the evening (reverse) are ridiculous without having to borrow the added traffic from the Tour.

Ironically both of them lie on the French border and unless they skilfully lay out the route, with in a few minutes the peloton will be riding in France.

In Japanese: 続きをどうぞ [More rumors and unconfirmed speculations]の続きを読む

テーマ:自転車レース - ジャンル:スポーツ

1. 2016/08/11(木) 13:13:45|
2. Tour de France
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Wacaco Minipresso progress

I ordered it on 27th of July (local time: Central Europe). As it was an online order, I paid it immediately by PalPay and the order confirmation came in a matter of seconds.

I received, by e-mail, a shipping notification on 1st of August.

The merchandise was handled by Swiss Post with a tracking service. It took another two days before the tracking information began to work. This delay is expected.

Since 3rd of August I could track the progress of the shipping. The tracking status said that the packet had been received and passed the Swiss border point as of August 3rd.

There were no change in the status until this morning (August 9th). The tracking information says now that the packet has entered Luxembourg early Yesterday morning. It is now handed to the customs office. Do I have to send some import tax on it?

I expect the delivery soon. Will it be relayed to the local Post or other transportation company? I have to find time to go to the local supermarket (Delhaize) to buy some Nespresso® compatible capsules this afternoon.

They are cheaper now. Delhaize carry a relatively big assortment of so-called Nespresso® compatible capsules. They (those goods) don't say that they are compatible on the package but everybody knows that they are. Cheaper ones (blend, in other words, no specific origin of the beans) cost around 2.2 euros and the package contains 14 capsules. Which translates that one capsule costs only 16 cents? Wow! I will do some tasting among those cheap ones and more expensive ones.

Neo by Reelight, a Kickstarter campaign

I have been looking at the kickstarter.com site for the updates from Reelight, their Neo campaign for some time. The last update was more than 1 month ago.

I was writing this entry when an e-mail arrived. Yes, it was the update notification from Kickstarter.

The latest update states that the first shipment has arrived in their office (Denmark). They will do the inspection before start sending them out.

In Japanese: 続きをどうぞ [Wacaco Minipresso has reached Luxembourg]の続きを読む

テーマ:自転車用品 - ジャンル:スポーツ

1. 2016/08/10(水) 11:11:57|
2. Camping in Europe
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If you Google for "tdf 2017 route" or similar words, you will find a lot of sites. There are forum sites discussing the projected routes for the Tour de France 2017. There are rumors and unconfirmed signs to indicate the ASO's activity regarding the route selection.

ASO generally is tight-lipped about the negotiations underway before its official presentation to the world but those manias collect relating information.

There are obvious signs.

First, the organizer has to book a huge number of hotel rooms in order to accommodate teams (more than 20 people per team), media people, other people working for the organizer and etc.

The local governing bodies have to vote if they approve the extra budget for hosting the start or finish of the stages. So small local papers or other media sources occasionally write about those activities.

Here in Luxembourg I regularly visit this site (www.wort.lu) as it has English edition along with German, French and Portuguese. It also carries words on the matter. According to it, Esch-sur-Alzette might host a finish (or at least the town is willing to host). It also speculates that the start of the next stage might be in Metz.

I looked into those projected routes and found that some of this claim (circulating in Luxembourg) is already integrated in some of the projected routes. It seem that it is almost certain that a stage that starts in Germany (Bonn, Koblenz among other candidates) finishes in Belgium (Liège or so) and then the next stage finishes in Luxembourg (Esch-sur-Alzette) or France (Metz?).

It does not make a big difference whether Esch-sur-Alzette is there or not.


Today I rode my bike in the afternoon about two and half hours. I rode about 30 km, I guess.


In Japanese: 続きをどうぞ [Tuesday, 9 September 2016]の続きを読む

テーマ:自転車レース - ジャンル:スポーツ

1. 2016/08/09(火) 20:32:54|
2. Tour de France
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On my way to Mondorf-les-Bains (known for Schleck clan and for its Casino) I took a small detour to check out what is going on at Andy Schleck Cycles. I saw a van, a Truck some other cars and the windows were open. There were some activities going on. Probably moving the bikes and other merchandise to other locations until the damages done to the shop is restored.

I checked the man on Garmin BaseCamp the previous day but I had to rely on the Garmin Edge 800 for directions. I got there safely and took a brief tour of the town and entered France (Mondorff with two f's) for some minutes. I have been to this town before many times but it was my first time on the bike.

I think I rode about 20 km to get to Mondorf-les-Bains including the detour and rode another 17 km on my way back home. So in total I rode only 37 km or so. Not much.

I took the magnesium tablets Today so I had no cramps. Of course 37 km is too short to have a muscle disfunction at all.

Tomorrow I will try to ride more but no specific goal town set. I will just ride here in Luxembourg city.

In Japanese: 続きをどうぞ

[Mondorf-les-Bains done and Andy Schleck Cycles]の続きを読む

テーマ:ヨーロッパ - ジャンル:海外情報

1. 2016/08/08(月) 20:07:52|
2. Info Luxembourg
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I was disappointed that women's bike road race turned out to be not broadcast on la deux (a Belgian TV station). So I decided to ride my bike outdoors. It was a sunny day, Sunday, 7 August 2016.

Where to (and then of course back home later)? I had a plan. I checked the bicycle route on Garmin BaseCamp the day before (Saturday).

I headed down South to Esch-sur-Alzette, a city on the French border and the second biggest (population-wise, I guess) city in Luxembourg. It was about 21 km one way. I chose this route because this was relatively quite (fewer passing cars). It connects small towns, towns and some fields (meadows and others).

I had my Garmin Edge 800 with me and I used it to guide me when fining the route was a bit difficult. I came back and rode about 10 km around my home area. I guess (as I did not have the Edge 800 take the log) I rode about 50 km in total. A good exercise.

It was a fun ride.

I will try to ride down South to Mondorf-les-Bains Tomorrow (Monday). It will be around only 17 km one way. It won't be difficult. I will try to connect towns and villages for a safer and quieter route.

I will concentrate on riding easy for a while. I haven't ridden my bike for a long time because of the that ill-fated work I have been engaged.

Now I am looking for a job and I think I will get my old job back in September (or a bit sooner perhaps), I will enjoy this jobless state.

In Japanese: 続きをどうぞ [No TV coverage of Women's bike road race on la deux]の続きを読む

テーマ:自転車レース - ジャンル:スポーツ

1. 2016/08/07(日) 18:12:30|
2. Bike Races
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I was expecting some coverage of this event on TV. I could not find any confirmation in advance so I almost gave up.

Eurosport 1 Deutschland (in other words, free to watch, in German language) seemed to have no broadcasting at all. EPG and its web site did not tell me anything about Olympics coverage.

My last resort was one of the Belgian TV stations. On my TV set (free cable connection), I can watch la une, la deux and la trois (the first, second and third in Belgian French). This cycling sport friendly country always broadcast some cycling events when other channels don't.

I was watching la deux (or maybe la une) in the morning and I saw the recorded opening ceremony. I tried the EPG (broadcast schedule in text) but it did not say anything at that time. I was patient but I almost gave up.

A Sunny day it was Today, so I decided go on a ride. I took a shower and changed into the gear. Just as I was to finish dressing (toward the end of the ceremony broadcasting above mentioned), there was an announcement on TV that they would broadcast the event.

So now I am sitting in a chair fully dressed for riding a bike and watching the men's road race on TV. OK, I will ride later in the evening. The broadcast is not continuous but rather segmented in three parts. They will show something other than cycling during the event.

In Japanese: 続きをどうぞ [Olympics 2016 event: Men's road bike race]の続きを読む

テーマ:自転車レース - ジャンル:スポーツ

1. 2016/08/06(土) 14:11:32|
2. Bike Races
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Fränk Schleck

Fränk Schleck announced his retirement from cycling sport as a rider at the end of the season. Currently he is either in Brazil (or on his way?) to compete there.

OMG. The time has come!

What I should do next year? One of the reasons (or maybe the biggest reason) that I have been following Team CSC, Saxobank (CSC-Saxobank), Leopard, Leopard-Trek, Trek Factory Racing and Trek-Segafredo was, of course, Schleck brothers were there and Fabian Cancellara was there. Now that I know that none of them will be there, I am a bit lost. Let's just hope that Beppu will re-sign with Trek-Segafredo.


Rumors on the transfers regarding Trek-Segafredo
El Pistolero is coming onboard, so the rumor says. John Degenkolb is replacing Cancellara, so the rumor says. Not so many re-signing has been announced. Will Trek-Segafredo be my main team n 2017? I think yes as I think many of the staff members will be there and I know them.


Shopping

I have not shopped in the capital (Luxembourg) area for some time. Almost 4 months? Simply I did not have time to go there for the last 4 months or so when shops were open.

Today I went to H&M to buy some pants, I mean jeans. I purchased two pairs of them. It took me less than 20 minutes including the try-on time and also including the time for the queue at the cashier. I am happy with them.

Unemployment, soon to be Employment

I contacted my former employer and got a definite maybe. I think I will be soon having my old job back. Thank you guy for some encouraging comments (actually none have I received but I would have received a lot of them if I had requested them).

I will be fine, soon. I will be working like a dog.


Limits power meter

This Indigogogo campaign posted its 85th update just hours ago. It is somehow different from other 84 updates as it has a sense of humbleness in it. What happened? I don't know but it is with a bit apologetic tone telling that their attitude will change.

I hope they will stick to their pledge.

New tires and the technical check

I went to the local tire shop and had two of the tires changed. They were Bridgestone tires. It (tires and the other work) cost me about 190 euro.

One more thing I have to do before going to the SNCT (Sociète Nationale de Contrôl Technique) and have my Ka checked is replacing the small light bulb that has been blown. The bulb that lights up the rear license plate. The appointment is set to September 10. This was almost the earliest slut available when I went to their site (www.snct.lu). I did not want to take evening slut on the 9.

The system (making an appointment for the check-up) has been up for about two years (or more?) and always been like this. You have to wait about one month. My current certificate expires after September 28 so it won't be a problem.

In Japanese: 続きをどうぞ [Diary and others]の続きを読む

テーマ:自転車レース - ジャンル:スポーツ

1. 2016/08/05(金) 20:10:19|
2. Bike Races
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As I have repeatedly written over the years, the Tour de France has been dwindling down. I am very sad.

There are signs and I have repeatedly reported over the years.

The number of participating parties in "Publicity Caravan" has been declining steadily. The participating vehicles (and of course people on them) have been diminishing. Those "Petits Cadeaux (small presents a.k.a. free giveaways)" have been getting scarce.

The show-up (people coming to Avenue des Champs Elysèes) has been also deplorably on the decline.

There were almost no national flags (or have I seen them at all?) there. I mean, when that American guy was present, we had Stars and Stripes all over the place along with other flags, namely, Norwegian, Australian, New Zealander, Danish, Luxembourgish and others.

Quiet and comfortable.



In Japanese: 続きをどうぞ [The Tour de France 2016: Champs Elysèes stage report]の続きを読む

テーマ:自転車レース - ジャンル:スポーツ

1. 2016/08/04(木) 15:41:44|
2. Tour de France
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Transfers

August 1st is the date when transfers of road bike riders could be made open. Most of the transfers were just confirmation of the rumors that had been circulating for some time.

Peter Sagan signed with Bora-Hansgrohe (Bora-Argon 18 reborn) with Specialized as its material (and money) supplier. His training partner and others close to him followed him from Tinkoff, of course.

Hansgrohe (pronounced Hans-Groh-eh) was totally known name to me before those rumors surfaced in July. German companies making a comeback to cycling sport is a welcome sign after seeing the situation surrounding the Tour de France (money is moving away from it).

Düsseldorf's hosting the Grande D&egrave:part in 2017 and subsequent comeback of the "Deutschland Tour" (or what it was once called and now it will called ??) are other signs that Germany's ready to take the center stage in the cycling scene here in Europe. Sports follow where the money is.

Peter Sagan secured three years in his contract (according to the news coverage) and that is as long as the commitment of both Bora and Hansgrohe goes.

I need a job, damn it!

I am looking for a job. I will be fine, I think. Living here in Europe is not too difficult but not too easy.

iPhones

I have a problem with my iPhone 4 (purchased in 2010 at the Louvre Museum Apple Store on my way from the Paris-Tours start near Paris). Wahoo Fitness does not run on it. The description of the software Wahoo Fitness says it runs on iOS 7 and later including iPhone 4 but it stopped running on it while ago. I believe version 5.6.0 was the last to be able to run on it.

Since them there were numerous updates but every single one failed. I hope I can use Wahoo Fitness on my iPhone 4. I want to use it.

iPhone 7 (not the official name but its sobriquet) is coming! In September it will be officially announced and here in Luxembourg it will be available in late October. Should I buy one?


I want a cat

I want it.


Limits update

Mr. DCR has updated his blog (https://www.dcrainmaker.com/limits-power-accuracy) telling us what the firmware update (imminent, we hope) would be like. According to him, they (Limits Technology) is listening to Mr. DCR. This is a good sign. They should have listened to him earlier!

I hope they are working on the firmware improvement now.

In Japanese: 続きをどうぞ [Transfers, Work for Food, iPhone 7 (or whatever it is called), a cat]の続きを読む

テーマ:自転車レース - ジャンル:スポーツ

1. 2016/08/01(月) 22:28:48|
2. Bikes and related things
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