欧州自転車レース追っかけ日記

H&R tread spacers are back

Today I put the spacers back on my Mazda MX-5. It looks sharp again. The proper torque specification was not so clear but as far as I looked it should be around 100 to 130 Nm (Newton meter).

I decided to torque them (32 nuts 16 nuts for H&R spacer and 16 Mazda genuine nuts) to 120 Nm.



There is a wire tapped from the fuse box

I found a conspicuous red wire tapped from the fuse box leading to the rear. ???

I was checking the DC 12 to DC 5 V USB power supply converter that I installed 4 years ago. A week ago I found that my Garmin GPS device "Camper 660" did not respond well to the mini USB cable. It was coming from the converter.

This converter has two USB female outlets. One is connected to this mini USB cable for my Garmin and the other one is connected to a micro USB cable that powers the dashcam (VIOFO WR1). The dashcam works. I just swapped them but the dashcam worked. I have to try the GPS power feed cable to see if the Garmin works.

I opened the fuse box (or the plastic parts surrounding the fuse box lid) and found the expected tapped cable that I installed myself. I found another conspicuous cable leading to the back of the car. ??? I did not recognize it. It took me a while but I finally figured it out what it was or it could be or must be.

It must be a line leading to the trailer hitch power connecter. I did not know until I opened the fuse box.

Now I wonder if this tapped wire could be the cause of the draining battery problem. I have to check the fuse box diagram to see if this unknown cable is tapped into a slot where the power is provided even if the ignition is off.

I need to install the DDPai Mola N3 dashcam

I am planning to install this discounted "returned" dashcam that I purchased on Amazon Germany. I was a bit disappointed, puzzled and angry because it was not mentioned on Amazon (that it had been opened by someone and some parts are missing). A typical Amazon sales fashion?

It should work (at least its camera worked when I briefly tested it) but I am not sure its GPS function works or recording function works.

As it has a GPS module built in the mount, I think it should replace the VIOFO WR1 as the main front camera. My trusted VIOFO WR1 will go in the rear to record the rear view.

I will drive to a local DIY store to get some double-sided adhesive tape to relocate VIOFO WR1. I don't think the mount can take 90 degrees vertical bend installation so I will have to devise a way to mount it on a perpendicular clear acrylic wind deflector from MX5THINGS.

In Japanese: 続きをどうぞ [Preparing my MX-5 for the vacation trip]の続きを読む

テーマ:車関係なんでも - ジャンル:車・バイク

1. 2021/06/28(月) 21:07:00|
2. Mazda MX-5
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Compaq Presario CQ56 is very hot

I am typing this on my old (second hand freebie) Compaq Presario CQ56 (AMD single-core CPU model) and I can not put it on my lap as it is very hot. It is a hot model and the CPU cooling fan is blowing all the time. It is Summer (almost) and the CPU temperature is around 80 degrees Celsius according to CPU-X on Xubuntu.

It is too hot. I think the thermal paste between the CPU core and the heat sink has deteriorated into a crumbling clay or something and is not doing its work (heat transfer) at all maybe.

I had a plan to open it up and swap the CPUs. The factory original installed CPU is the single-core V160 but I bought a compatible dual-core N370.

The TDP (Thermal Design Power) of N370 is slightly or significantly bigger than that of V160 so I wonder this laptop (or notebook) can take the heat. I believe there are Presario CQ56 equipped with AMD N370 shipped around the world and I have not heard them burning or catching fire. So it can take the heat but I don't know how it can handle the heat.

Applying a fresh thermal paste won't drastically lower the CPU temperature as far as I know.

My Mazda MX-5 needs some work

Today (Monday, June 21) I was set to drive to a remote SNCT site. I wanted to use the Garmin GPS navigation device on my Mazda. I connected the USB mini plug into it but the Garmin Camper 660 went into a computer connection mode instead of the normal operation mode.

A moment later I realized that the power coming from the mini USB was too low to charge the device. It seems that the converter (DC 12 V from the car into DC 5 V USB) has gone broken.

I have to buy a new one and replace them before August when I go on a vacation trip.

In Japanese: 続きをどうぞ [Compaq Presario CQ56 is hot (temperatue-wise)]の続きを読む

テーマ:車関係なんでも - ジャンル:車・バイク

1. 2021/06/21(月) 18:42:04|
2. Mazda MX-5
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Car inspection passed

A lawfully required car inspection called "Controle Technique (French)" made me have a second appointment as I failed it the first time last week. This time my beloved Mada MX-5 passed it and I think I have another year before it expires.

The last time I was up there (a city called Marnach located in the middle of Luxembourg, it was a sunny and beautiful day to drive in a cabriolet.

Today it was kind of cloudy and slightly drizzling day. I think the last time I paid around 54 euros to have the normal inspection and for this additional test (as I failed it last time), I had to pay 31 euros.

At least I passed it.

a moment of YouTube opportunity missed!

I usually have a dashcam sitting on the back of windscreen on my aforementioned car. I removed it last week as I was on the way to the inspection site. Today (this morning when I left for there again) I thought of putting it back again but decided not to.

On my way back from the SNCT (Luxembourg version of DMV as in the USA) just a few miles from home, I witnessed a minor car accident. It would have been a perfect dashcam moment but I missed it as I had the dashcam not in place.

A stretch of highway ended and everybody was heading to a roundabout and the lanes were diminishing. The two vehicles involved in front of me (50 to 70 meters ahead of me) were a dump truck and a normal car. They were creeping ( as the traffic was heavy) alongside and the lanes were gradually merging into one. The hatchback (5-door) car was on the right side of the tall dump truck a.k.a. the blind spot. The hatchback driver was not a savvy driver as he/she had been a savvy driver, he/she should have been aware that the dump truck driver could have not noticed the presence of the car in its blind spot. The accident could have been avoided if the hatchback car driver honked for an attention.

They collided (dump truck's front tire or the bumper against the rear door area of the hatchback) slowly and rather silently. I was there to witness but my absent dashcam totally missed it!

In Japanese: 続きをどうぞ ["Controle Technique" aftermath and a missed opportunity]の続きを読む

テーマ:車関係なんでも - ジャンル:車・バイク

1. 2021/06/21(月) 09:29:17|
2. Mazda MX-5
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H&R Tread Extenders

I have been using these on my Mazda MX-5 (ND) since I got it in 2017. i had to have them removed (by me, myself) Today because they were said to be removed to pass to the "Controle Technique". Controle Technique is the term used here in Luxembourg that means the car technical inspection that all the vehicles are subjected to meet if one drives that vehicle legally on the road.

It took me around 45 minutes to have them removed. I will put them back as soon as possible after the inspection.

Finally Norway is welcoming travelers from EU/Schengen area

The update came on June 19 and effective in two steps, one from June 22nd and the other from July 5. Basically Norway is as open as Denmark has been for a while.

On the other hand, Sweden is not willing. As I had written in one of the last few entries somewhere, the evil dark power has been pressuring Sweden to stay closed as long as possible because initially (when this fake Corona pandemic started) Sweden resisted to lock itself down and stayed open as long as it could.

Now this dark evil force (the power behind this fake pandemic) is crucifixion Sweden. It is the punishment that this evil force gave Sweden.

Eventually Sweden will be as open as other countries before the real Summer begins.

On a related note, Germany is also opening its borders to (at least) EU/Schengen colleagues.

Now I have to start to make reservations for my trip to Scandinavian countries this Summer. I am assuming that Sweden will be open soon.

In Japanese: 続きをどうぞ [H&R Tread Extenders and Norway and Sweden Travel Restrictions]の続きを読む

テーマ:車関係なんでも - ジャンル:車・バイク

1. 2021/06/20(日) 23:12:54|
2. Mazda MX-5
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Denmark is welcoming tourists but others are not willing

Denmark is opening its borders but others are not so willing to.

According to this site (https://www.visitdenmark.com/), now Denmark is welcoming tourists from most of the countries that are also welcoming tourists. In other words, countries that are not welcoming tourists are not welcomed by Denmark.



Deutschland, a.k.a. Germany, has been in a state of self-quarantine since ?? March? I don't have any interest in visiting Germany in any time soon. The only problem that I have with Germany is that I am planning a car trip to Scandinavian countries this coming Summer.

Germany is in my way. I mean I am planning to drive through Germany to get to Denmark. If Germany is closed when I want to drive through it, my planned Summer vacation is in deep shit.

Norway and Sweden are, for some unknown reasons, not willing to open their borders to tourists. I hope the situation changes soon. My Summer vacation begins Mid-August but I have to book ferries, rooms and others way before the actual vacation begins.



In Japanese: 続きをどうぞ















[Denmark is opening its borders to tourists but others are not willing]の続きを読む

テーマ:北欧 - ジャンル:海外情報

1. 2021/06/14(月) 20:57:12|
2. Diary
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What to do in Bergen with Hannah?

I am still in the beginning phase of collecting information.

Simply searching with DuckDuckGo got me some ideas. Along the way, I learned that Bergen is a rainy city, a very much rainy city. Those pretty pictures found on many sites advertising the sightseeing opportunities are deceiving. Looks deceive!

It is possible that I can not take my bike out while in town due to rain. In that case I have to rely on my car for transportation and wear the poncho that I purchased recently. Hannah has to stay in the carry bag.

Some useful URLs:
Mount Fløyen (https://www.floyen.no/en/mountain-bike/)
Ulriken 643 (https://ulriken643.no/en/ulriksbanen/)
Grimen Camping (https://grimencamping.no/camping/)

Some possible destinations

1. Bryggen Hanseatic Wharf
2. Mount Fløyen (Fløyfjell)
3. Bergenhus Fortress
4. Market Square (Fish market)
5. Mount Ulriken (Ulriken 643)

1. Bryggen Hanseatic Wharf
Picturesque buildings facing the fjord sea. Those buildings seem to host small businesses. I think (if the weather permits) I can take Hannah on my bike to visit the area.

2. Mount Fløyen
Bergen itself is at the sea level and surrounded by rocky hills (or mountains if they prefer to call them) carved by the heavy sliding glaciers when the Earth was much colder.

One of the hill top is this Fløyen. There is a tiny railway car connection to the top. The site (URL above) suggests that one can climb by foot or bike. If the weather permits, I would like to climb up the hill by bike. There are gravel trails in the area and also possibly paved trails leading to the top.

The site also shows that mountain bike rental service is available. I wish it is sunny and dry when I am there. If not, I will take the cable car to the top with Hannah.

3. If the weather is fine and I have time, I may visit this place.

4. This market is located close to the center of the town. I know that the prices of food are high in Norway but I would like to try the local food.

5. This hill top can be reached by either hiking or by the cable car. The hill top seems to be 643 meters above the sea level. The site (hill top facilities) is currently under renovation and supposed to be ready for the summer of 2021.

I might visit it when I have time but it is unlikely to happen. I know I don't have much time there.

How much time do I have in Bergen? I don't know. Do I have time

Right to roam


(A screenshot clip from visitnorway.com)

The right to roam is a policy in Norway that guaranties the right to use the land for camping as long as the users stick to the basic rules. The rules (regulations) are very loose. It is like the rules (silent rules) that apply to the race course roadside during the Tour de France. Many people just park and sleep in their motorhomes and tents on the roadside waiting for the arrival of the race. I have never had a single problem in France.

In Japanese: 続きをどうぞ [Scandinavian Tour - Bergen, Norway]の続きを読む

テーマ:北欧 - ジャンル:海外情報

1. 2021/06/14(月) 20:56:22|
2. Diary
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May I, please?

Denmark has opened its border to visitors from foreign countries with less risks.

How about other two Scandinavian countries?

Norway is slowly opening its borders gradually.

Sweden is still reluctant. It has opened its border to other neighboring Scandinavian countries (Denmark, Norway, Finland and Iceland).

Germany's policy is unclear. I live in so-called "Yellow" area neighboring Germany. May I enter Germany without bringing a proof of a negative test result within 48 hours? What kind of document qualifies as a proof? It is not written. May I bring a test kit (easily obtained in the market) and test myself in front of the whoever stops me at the border and show the result there? Does it qualify as a proof?

I should wait a bit but I am anxious to book ferry rides, a spot in a camping ground or airbnb rooms.

From what I understood from various sites (visitnorway.com, visitsweden.com or such one of Germany), they don't want me to travel to these countries for the moment.

Hopefully they will eventually change their minds before July or so. They (respective government) would not leave those people in despair working in tourism sectors depending on the money that foreigners bring during the high season (especially Summer for those northern countries). Or do they really want to drive those people dry?

In Japanese: 続きをどうぞ [May I visit Norway and Sweden by way of Germany?]の続きを読む

テーマ:北欧 - ジャンル:海外情報

1. 2021/06/14(月) 19:01:34|
2. Diary
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I failed

I was not careful enough to do my homework beforehand and as a result, I failed.

Today, I woke up in the early in the morning to drive to a town in Luxembourg called Marnach. It is located in the middle of the country. In other words, in the rural area where there are lots of greens and hills.

Why? Because I had an appointment with SNCT (DMV like organization where you do the car registration or other things) for the first inspection since its purchase.

I am writing this after coming back from Marnach, 65 km apart from my residence. It was a sunny day and nice day to drive with the top down but this did not have anything to do with the failure that I had.

It (my Mazda MX-5) did not pass and it's my fault.

I drove straight to the dealer where I bought it and had a minor thing repaired and then came home to take an another appointment for re-inspection. A week from now. I will be there early in the morning just as I was Today and have it pass the inspection.

There were two minor things that I had to fix. One is already done by the dealer's mechanic (minor exterior repair) and the other will be done by me soon.

I have to remove the tread extenders myself.

I won't fail again.

In Japanese: 続きをどうぞ [I failed and the Summer vacation trip]の続きを読む

テーマ:車関係なんでも - ジャンル:車・バイク

1. 2021/06/14(月) 09:13:36|
2. Mazda MX-5
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Saturday, May 29 2021

It was sunny and warm. I noticed people in short trousers and T-shirts (or women in skirts) around the town walking, biking or doing whatever.

I left Luxembourg for Belgium in March and April for a total period of almost two weeks. Thus, I can not guaranty that there have been days in my absence sunny and warm enough for people to go around wearing Summer clothes. I am, though, guessing there had been none.

It was the first time this year that I felt it was proper for them to do so. This year, in my memory, has seen a chilly and wet year Spring

Sunday, May 30 2021

It was also a sunny and warm day. I did not take Hannah out for a walk in the forest as I was tired from the previous day's work. Sorry, Hannah!

Monday, May 31 2021

I picked up the package sent from AVP on the road and sent out a repaired rather tettered cardboard box from Amazon Germany at the local post office. This was the first time I had a package from Amazon returned due to any reason.

Let me explain. Immediately after the initiation of this return procedure, I ordered the exact same item from Wiggle (a UK bike online shop) and got it very swiftly before I sent the package back to a location in Luxembourg specified by the specified return document generated by the Amazon system.

So I could compare the two items and guess what transpired at the Amazon Germany warehouse located somewhere in Europe. The item is advertised with pictures including the wire basket and the adapter on the handlebar.

The name given by its manufacturer is "Topeak Basket Front with 3E Fixer". This does not contain any translation on my part. The original name is indeed in English. It is written on the tag attached on the basket by means of a black zip tie. The basket is loosely wrapped in a plastic (vinyl if I have to guess) bag but not sealed. On the bottom of the basket there is a peculiarly conspicuous whitish zip tie making a short loop (of the one I got from Amazon Germany).

As it turned out after receiving the one from Wiggle that this zip tie was (had been) the one tying the boxed adapter on to the basket maintaining the integrity of the whole package as an item.

So there was once a time my Amazon Germany purchase was whole but it lost the box containing the adapter for some reason.

It could have been a natural cause (the cardboard material wore off and the box dropped off the basket). It could have been a human error (mishandling by the Amazon Germany warehouse employee).

It could have been an intended malicious deed by a customer who got the item before me and took the adapter and then returned the item (only the basket) to get refund (a fraud). The item then got stocked back as a whole merchandise. Then I got it.

Whatever the reason for this mishap, I shouldn't be the one who gets punished for this purchase. I had to return it and get refund.

Here are some photos that visually help my case.

I am lazy and have not taken any photos so I upload this entry without photos.

Letting Hannah play in the forest nearby

It was a beautiful sunny warm day so I took her out. The trees, shrubs and other plants are greeny already and finally. Those leaves make it hard for me to wade through the unpathed part of the forest and when I want collect (or should I say, retrieve or extract) Hannah, I have to wait for the right timing or lure her by her favorite snack. When the leaves are gone I can run after her and extract Hannah easily.

She seems to be enjoying the freedom. She can hunt for some gerbils or just enjoy the view from atop some stubs or fallen trees.

Garmin Map Update 2021.30

When was the last time I updated the Garmin Map data on my devices (one MacBook Pro 13 Mid-2010, two Garmin GPS devices)? I guess it was around the beginning of this year (2021)?

A few days ago I noticed that the update was ready. My two current Garmin GPS devices are with Lifetime Map data and Traffic (basic traffic info). I can update the map on them as long as I use them.

It takes a long long time to update the old one (map data go on the micro-SD card and the writing process takes more than several hours) and I hate doing it. The new device (Camper 660) takes less time to update the map data on it because the data go on the internal memory.

I will update it later as I don't need it now. I am hoping that my deram tour (Scandinavian tour) will come true this Summer and the updated map data (actual route information and waypoints) will definitely help me find the way and facilities and also help me have a good time up there.

In Japanese: 続きをどうぞ [First real Summer day in Luxembourg?]の続きを読む

テーマ:車関係なんでも - ジャンル:車・バイク

1. 2021/06/07(月) 09:43:33|
2. Diary
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