Once again, I’ve kept myself busy over the past year. As a woman of a certain age, I’m also navigating the effects of menopause. Staying active not only supports my mental well-being but also helps minimize the side effects of this “transition.” Of course, I also just love being outdoors and enjoying nature. If I can’t be among the wealthiest 1%, I’ll happily settle for the top 1% on Strava 😅

I’m always thrilled when Tycho releases new music. Just a few days ago, the multifaceted artist dropped a brand-new EP titled Where You Are. True to form, it’s a vibrant journey brimming with uplifting energy and a rich palette of sounds.

His music always puts me in a mindset where the spark of inspiration feels truly within reach. The star track of this EP is a new rework of the album centrepiece and title track, “Infinite Health”, featuring vocals by NY-based artist Cautious Clay. Scott felt it deserved its own spotlight through a separate release, which became the foundation for the Where You Are EP. The EP also features two new instrumental tracks alongside two previously released album pieces, creating a capsule collection that offers a vibrant and refreshing take on the Infinite Health chapter.

Music has a unique ability to heal and help people with things they are going through. It’s always been my goal when I consume music to find a meditation or a healing property in it. And I only hope that my music can do that for people.

I’m even more excited about all this now, as Scott Hansen will be performing in Ghent next year—and I’ll be there! I can’t wait for this concert in such a stunning setting (Club Wintercircus). You can find all Scott's tour dates here.

The total peatland area across all EU Member States (EU27) spans 268.000 km², with 51% classified as natural. Also known as mires, peatlands are unique ecosystems that support numerous rare, specialized, and endangered species found nowhere else. Globally, they are vital for climate regulation, serving as significant carbon storage. On a regional scale, peatlands play a key role in managing hydrology, reducing flood risks, and acting as natural pollution filters. Around 33.000 km² of peatlands are protected under the EU Habitats Directive (Annex I).

I had no idea how important peat is, to be honest. I only learned about it recently because of an area 10min from where I live called the ‘De Zeverbeek Vallei’. Researchers conducted drilling there, reaching depths of up to 6 meters, where they discovered intact seeds dating back around 10,000 years to the early beginnings of the ecosystem. That’s the last ice age!

How does it work?

When plants die, they fall into the water, where the lack of oxygen prevents decomposition. This process traps the carbon contained in the plants—about half of their composition is carbon. Over time, the dead plants accumulate in layers, forming what we call peat. If you prefer an explanation by an actual scientist, I recommend watching this video of the Natural History Museum.

• 33% of the world's carbon is stored in peatlands.
• 3% of the world surface consists of peat.
• 1 mm per year: this much peat is added in optimal conditions.
  That is 1 m per 1000 years.
• 10 cm per year: that much peat can disappear in an extremely dry year. That means 100 years of peat building lost in 1 year. In a normal year, 1 to 2 cm disappears when the area is drained.
• 5000 years of peat building have already been lost In Belgium.
• 40% of the permitted emissions under the Paris climate agreement will come from peat areas if we do not protect our peat properly.

Carbon Sponge

Considering the recent flooding in Spain, the devastating water-bomb in July 2021—one of the worst floods in Belgium in the past century—and the more recent floods last November in East and West Flanders, it’s clear we need to better protect what remains of our natural flood defences and expand them wherever possible.

We usually lose 1 to 2 cm per year in Belgium, which is 20 years of peat build-up. But in extremely dry years you can sometimes lose as much as 10 cm - so 100 years. On the other hand, if it is very dry for a long time, a wet peat area is a good water reservoir. Nature has the best solutions as some of these peat mosses can absorb twenty times their dry weight in water. That’s amazing!

When peat areas are drained (for example for agriculture or forestry or peat extraction), the stored CO₂ is released into the atmosphere as a greenhouse gas. So we really need to keep our peatlands wet. In fact to reach climate neutrality by 2050, virtually all drained peatlands should be restored. With that in mind, it seems unwise for the Flemish government to allocate less funding to the Blue Deal. Given the increasing frequency of floods around us, you’d expect them to take the issue more seriously. Ignorance truly is bliss!

High Fens image by Herbert Aust

I never thought I’d grow so fond of my own language. Honestly, I’ve never been a huge fan of ‘Hollands’—yes, it’s Dutch, but it’s quite different from the way we speak it. There’s a world of difference in how it sounds. Yet, now I’ve got Dutch songs in my playlist, thanks mostly to two fantastic women: Merol and Eefje de Visser. Eefje, though, has a bit of a Belgian link, as she lives in Ghent with her husband and child.

Bitterzoet

It’s hard to believe it’s already been four years since she wowed the world with her incredible album “Bitterzoet,” which translates to “bittersweet” in English. This album skyrocketed her to the top of the Dutch indie pop scene. I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve listened to it. You can check out the music video for the title track below.

The challenge of creating something amazing is that it sets sky-high expectations for whatever comes next. Her new album “Heimwee” has been out since September 13. It’s her fifth studio album. The initial spark for what would become a new musical chapter started with the English lyrics “homesick in my hometown.” This set the stage for a fresh creative journey, one that promises to be just as captivating as her previous work, rich in depth and nuance. No one captures and uncovers emotions quite like Eefje de Visser.

I believe she is unique with her distinctive cryptic manner of writing song lyrics. The production quality is impressive, with producer and husband Pieterjan Coppejans showcasing his skill in artfully blending sounds. He flawlessly intertwines the vocals with the instruments, especially evident when you listen with headphones that allow you to immerse yourself in her world. This is a highly recommend listen!

It’s incredible what one person can achieve, and Boyan Slat is a prime example. A Dutch inventor and entrepreneur, his story begins at the age of 16 while on vacation in Greece. During a scuba diving excursion, he encountered more plastic bags than fish in the sea. This shocking sight ignited the spark that launched his remarkable journey.

Studied Aerospace Engineering, becomes a Cleaner

With just €300 of saved-up pocket money, Boyan Slat dropped out of his Aerospace Engineering degree at Delft University of Technology to develop his plan, initially facing numerous challenges. However, a few months later, everything changed when his TEDx presentation went viral after being picked up by various news blogs. This surge in publicity enabled Boyan to gather an initial team of volunteers and launch a crowdfunding campaign, which financed a year-long feasibility study—the first concrete step toward realizing his technological solutions. This marked the beginning of The Ocean Cleanup.

When people say something is impossible, the sheer absoluteness of that statement should be a motivation to investigate further.

Since then, much progress has been made. In the first eight years of The Ocean Cleanup, 314,000 kg of trash was collected. Now, they are removing the same amount every 4.5 days. As of July, they have surpassed a total of 15,000,000 kg of trash removed from oceans and rivers worldwide. I highly recommend watching this video below.

You would think that in this day and age, birds could live their lives peacefully. I was quite shocked when I recently saw these figures from Bird Protection Flanders about illegal bird trapping. Several cases have even made it to court.

Facts and Figures

Here are some notable facts and figures about the lawsuits: These cases often involve persistent behavior by perpetrators who have been engaging in this activity for generations and show no awareness of guilt. In one case involving the trade of frozen starlings, the defendant was found to have captured and traded a total of 65,399 starlings between 2001 and 2023. During inspections by the Nature Inspectorate, the following were discovered in various cases:

• 427 live birds: including finches, goldfinches, bruisers, redpolls, siskins, starlings, greenfinches, crossbills and 'black' pheasants (bred pheasants for illegal restocking)
• 8,384 dead birds (found when caught red-handed by the Nature Inspectorate or traded in the past as shown by the accounting records found)
• at least 344 traps.
• large sums of cash: € 103,035 in cash was found in 1 case. The man is said to have traded 10,000 starlings, 400 snipes, 400 hares and 20 deer in 2022.
• in several cases also poison, live decoys and/or weapons

The penalties vary from case to case. Effective prison sentences of 6 months were demanded on several occasions and requested fines amounted to €8,000.

Vinkenzetting

I’m not sure if this tradition exists in other countries, but in Flanders, Belgium, there’s a practice called “Vinkenzetting,” or “Finch sitting.” This tradition dates back to Flemish merchants in 1596 and is considered part of traditional Flemish culture. Participants gather on a closed-off street, each with a numbered box containing a male finch. It is a competitive sport where the male common chaffinches compete to make the highest number of bird calls in an hour. The proximity of the cages increases the number of calls, as the birds sing for mates and to establish territory. 

There has to be silence in that street. When I’m on my bicycle, I always ignore those closed-off streets and ride through, enjoying all the angry looks. No one has said anything so far, but if they did, my only response would be, “Stick yourself in a box and sing for an hour, and see how much you like it.” 

Various studies show that the starling population has been declining since the late 1970s. At the European level, the population of the species decreased by 52% between 1980 and 2011. In Flanders, the evolution of the starling population is also described as problematic by the Institute for Nature and Forest Research (INBO). Between 2007 and 2018, a 36% decline was recorded in Flanders. These illegal traps aren't exactly helping. 

Photo Finch sitting By Donarreiskoffer - Own work, CC BY 3.0. 

Photo Starling by ArWeltAtty Attila.

When searching for an aesthetically pleasing electric bicycle, there are numerous options to consider. For example, the Belgian Cowboy and the Amsterdam-based VanMoof. VanMoof, which filed for bankruptcy on July 17, 2023, is now owned by e-scooter brand Lavoie. They have relaunched the brand, retaining its original name. Another noteworthy option is from Light Electric Micro Mobility (LEMMO), a company I recently discovered after their bike won a Red Dot Award in the "Best of the Best" category.

Lemmo OneMk2

The bicycle, called the Lemmo One, is described as an "All Urban Terrain E+Bike." A few clever features immediately caught my eye in its design. The first noteworthy feature is that the front light is removable, allowing it to double as a pocket lamp. The front light also charges when in bike mode. That's not all;

Smartpac

The Lemmo One is a lightweight bicycle, weighing just 15kg without the battery pack. The battery pack, known as the “Smartpac” weighs 3kg and boasts 531Wh. It offers 65W USB A&C output charging and takes 3.5 hours to fully charge. The Smartpac integrates the battery, IoT motor controller, and can also function as a power bank for your devices. With built-in GPS, 4G, Bluetooth, and support for "Apple Find My”, it enhances connectivity. LEMMO also implies that the Smartpac has “upgradable smart tech” so this means over-the-air updates are possible. According to LEMMO, the detachable Smartpac is environmentally beneficial, as the bike itself can last 10 to 15 years while the technology evolves every 5 years. However, this consideration only partly applies to the Smartpac, as the rear wheel's Dual Mode Hub is still integral to the bike. There’s also a ‘Smartpac E-lock’ so that it can’t be stolen. The removable protective cloth cover that holds it can be colour customized to suit your style.

Phone Holder

The second clever part is integrated so well that you wouldn't notice if you don’t know that it is there. The universal phone holder is neatly and seamlessly integrated into the stem. There is no special phone case required and it is compatible with most phones.

Dual Mode Hub

Maybe the most clever aspect of this bicycle is the fact that you can make it a regular bicycle with just a pull and turn of the Patented dual-clutch structure. If you do that you get resistance free pedalling. The motor itself is 250W and is apparently very silent with 40Nm of peak torque. There’s also intuitive power boost thanks to the torque sensor. Apparently there's now also an upgraded version of the motor that delivers 56Nm of peak torque. To prevent theft the rear hub motor comes with a hub E-lock that blocks the wheel from turning.

Turbo Trekker

The upgraded motor is featured in a robust version of the Lemmo, known as the "Turbo Trekker." This motor can be adjusted to the US speed standard of 32 km/h. In addition to the upgraded motor, the Turbo Trekker is equipped with a gravel fork suspension from SRAM, the "RockShox XPLR," which offers 40mm of travel, a full range of adjustments, and a solid lockout. It also includes a reinforced rear rack designed for bike packing, capable of carrying 2x 12kg loads. This bike features a stealth suspension seat system, contributing to its increased weight. Without the Smartpack, it weighs 18.5kg, and with the battery, it comes at 21.5kg—still relatively lightweight. The tires are 45mm Continental Terra Trail.

The regular version of the LEMMO One has a range of approximately ±100 km. I would expect the range to be a bit less with the heavier Turbo Trekker, though I haven't tested it.

Drive Train

Both versions of the LEMMO One have two options for the drive train. When opt to ride on diverse terrain you go for the Shimano Deore 10-speed derailleur (11-42T) with single front crankset (38T). When you only need a single gear you opt for the Gates’ Top series ‘CDX’ carbon fiber belt drive.

Hydraulic Disc brakes

Both versions have a hydraulic braking powerful 4-piston hydraulic front and rear brake with 160 mm brake discs guarantee maximum safety both in all types of riding. Didn’t find a brand for this.

Display and App

Like any modern bicycle, the LEMMO comes with a companion app. This app provides riders with bike information, function adjustments, GPS tracking, customer service, and online shopping. Screenshots show a 'Map Navigation' feature, but it's unclear whether you can map out a route or import routes from RidewithGPS or Strava to follow on the display.

The bicycle is reportedly available in Belgium, and I find the gravel-oriented Turbo Trekker particularly appealing. I can't comment on how it feels to ride since I haven't tested it yet. To give a proper review and decide whether to recommend it, I would need to take it on some of my gravel routes.

It's also worth noting that this isn't a 'Speed Pedelec' but is limited to the European standard speed of 25 km/h. Additionally, I couldn't find any information on whether the wheels are tubeless or tubeless-ready.

Every year, I eagerly anticipate the (Belgian) classics, yet they seem to pass by in the blink of an eye. Here are a few images I've chosen from E3 Harelbeke, Gent-Wevelgem, De Ronde van Vlaanderen, and Paris-Roubaix, captured by the exceptional visual storytellers Jered and Ashley Gruber.

Tour of Flanders

Well, yesterday didn’t really go as we would have liked personally, but despite everything that didn’t go to plan, I enjoyed myself.

Mathieu van der Poel attacked on the Koppenberg in the rain to avoid the mayhem that followed. What happened next was like a scene from the wayback machine with riders on foot trying to get to the top. In the women's edition I'm so glad that Katarzyna Niewiadoma had a second place. That girl's fighting spirit will reward her with a first place in the future, I'm sure!

These photos are filled with stories, capturing the emotions and hardships experienced within them. However, this year will be remembered for some personal misfortune, as Jered torched his ACL and MCL, requiring surgery and a recovery journey similar to those of the athletes he captures so masterfully. I'm confident he will emerge stronger, just like those professionals! 

E3 Saxo Classic

Gent-Wevelgem

Paris-Roubaix

The thrilling final of the women's edition of Paris-Roubaix will stay with me for a long time. Everything felt like it was game-over but Lotte Kopecky appeared from what looked like a lost position and worked her way to the front with that devastating final sprint.  

Photos by Jered and Ashley Gruber

If you've been keeping up with me for a while, you're aware of my fondness for wood. This post-modern duplex penthouse in Brussels, Belgium incorporates plenty of it. Its airy atmosphere and a touch of tropical modernism make it a prime contender for being featured here on my sidenotes.

Post-modern Architecture

The reconversion of two duplex apartments into a penthouse was done by Altu, founded by architect Veerle Van de Walle and engineer-architect Francesca Bonne in 2018. The owners wanted to include a yoga studio in one portion of the first floor. Within the private residence, all components, including the central wall, were removed to declutter, enlarge, and highlight the structural features of the post-modern architecture. The vaulted roof and ceiling, which provide a view of downtown Brussels, now serve as key elements in shaping the redesigned interior and circulation plan.

Sculptural Staircase

In the space formerly occupied by the dividing wall between the two duplexes, they introduced the standout feature of the project: a grand, curved sculptural staircase. This striking design was likely influenced by the tropical modernist aesthetic of César Manrique, the Spanish artist, sculptor, and environmentalist renowned for his transformative work in Lanzarote.

On one side of the staircase lies a void, functioning as a central atrium, allowing natural light to flow freely throughout the entire living space spanning both floors. The top floor features a fireplace, and numerous large planters have been seamlessly incorporated into the staircase, emphasising its intricate design and substantial presence. These tropical houseplants bring nature inside, a sharp contrast with the urban jungle outside.

Strong Concept

The complete interior design, along with the bespoke wooden furniture, was conceptualised by Altu, who also provided guidance on selecting additional furniture pieces and items such as vintage lamps and artworks. One of these are the beautiful wood veneer lamps. This one is called '1003 Hans Pendant'. The warm glow of light filtering through pine veneer combined with an unexpectedly graphic and elemental form is the enduring appeal of this iconic design by Hans-Agne Jakobsson. 

Postmodernism isn't typically associated with qualities like tastefulness, coziness, or homeliness. However, it's precisely this unconventional nature that presented us with the challenge of creating something contemporary with it.

The customisation is full of details that you do not immediately notice. Subtle details like the pattern of the wooden screens that is mirrored in the kitchen's cupboard doors, complemented by an 80s-style countertop and porphyry backsplash. Another excellent eye piece would be the custom design of the bed.

With its blue-tiled décor, the bathroom could easily be mistaken for a luxurious retreat at a high-end vacation destination. I admire that they didn’t remove all those typical 80s and 90s elements, like those striking pillars or that typical roof vault. They accepted it and put their own spin on it. Beautiful design work!

A compact electric car that has generated significant anticipation since its concept debut in 2021 is the new Renault 5. It embodies what I believe the Honda E should have been. Both cars have captured my attention with their impressive designs, eliciting excitement upon first glance. Luckily, they remained faithful to the original concept without significant alterations.

Creative!

The body shape not only mirrors that of its predecessors but also integrates several design features that refer to its past. For instance, the daytime running lights draw inspiration from the fog lights of the Renault 5 Turbo, while a charging indicator is situated on the hood, a nod to the location where cold air was once drawn in by a fuel engine in the classic car—a necessity rendered obsolete in modern times.

There are 5 colors to choose from:

• Yellow Pop
• Green Pop
• Starry Black
• Pearl White
• Night Blue

Aside from the above you also can choose from a range of options such as two-tone paint, roofline color variations, front roof, and side decorative strips, along with two wheel designs, to tailor the Renault 5 to your preferences. With 200 potential combinations available, you can create a customized look that reflects your individual taste.

Small is Beautiful

The Renault 5 may be compact on the outside, but it still accommodates up to five passengers. With the assistance of parking aids, manoeuvring and parking become effortless tasks. It's the perfect city car for everyday use. The length of the car is 3.92m and it has a boot capacity of 326L. Just what we need, an affordable alternative to the continuously growing large SUVs. Also equally important is its weight, just 1.450kg (3,196 lbs) making it as light as some comparable internal combustion engine cars. Reduced weight signifies a lower energy requirement to get moving, which is advantageous for overall consumption rates.

The seat design draws inspiration from the flame-spewing R5 Turbo, while the fabric used for covering them is crafted entirely from recycled materials. Additionally, certain trims feature dashboards and door panels constructed from recycled plastic. The roofline looks like felt and probably will do wonders for its acoustics. In my honest opinion, a quiet interior is a crucial aspect of an EV that I genuinely appreciate—it can make or break the overall experience.

Technical Details

Upon its autumn market debut, the model will initially be exclusively equipped with the larger 52 kWh battery (net) and the most robust engine, boasting 110 kW. All electric R5s will have an 11 kW AC onboard charger as standard. DC charging up to 100 kW is supported. The fast charging window spans approximately 30 minutes, enabling a charge level increase from 15% to 80% (SoC). Later there also be a variant with a 40 kWh battery, both batteries contain prismatic NMC (Nickel-Manganese-Cobalt) cells from Renault’s battery partner AESC. This all new Renault 5 sits on the so-called AmpR Small platform, intended for B-segment EVs and it will also be the foundation for the upcoming Renault 4.

Inside you’ll also find two 10” screens, one that features the driving cluster and the other one takes on the role of a digital instrument cluster. The operating system is called openR link and has Google built-in: voice assistant, real-time navigation and more than 30 apps. They also launched an avatar called ‘Reno’ which supposedly interacts with the driver and passengers, both inside and outside the car. Because it integrates with the artificial intelligence chatbot ChatGPT, it can reply to questions using basically the whole internet as its source of information.

V2L and V2G

What excites me the most is that this price range (25.000 to 30.000 Euro)  car will also come standard with a new AC bidirectional charger compatible with V2L (vehicle-to-load) and V2G (vehicle-to-grid) technologies. I'm pretty convinced that this pioneering system is set to become widely used. Most cars are sitting idle 90% of the time, making them quite useless. Now this technology will finally give the vehicle an actual purpose. Now it can become a real player in the energy ecosystem through the services of Mobilize, feeding electricity back into the grid when the price is right. As a result, users will enjoy significant savings on their electricity bills. The maximum power output is 3.7 kW.

Thanks to Mobilize V2G, cars become an energy reserve.

Unfortunately, there is a drawback: this feature won't be available in all of Europe at launch. Initially, Renault 5 owners will only have access to this feature in France and Germany this year, with availability in the United Kingdom scheduled for 2025. I have no idea about Belgium or the rest of Europe.

Made in Europe

The Renault 5 will be built in a factory in Douai (France), with the help of European suppliers less than 300 km away. This car isn't afraid to hide its origin, especially when you'll see the optional baguette holder (made by French basket-maker Marguerite Herlant).