HOLLAND
Upgrading Schimmelchen
26th September - 29th September | 2022
I left early in the morning Heinsberg to get to TFX-suspension (www.tfxsuspension.com) in Holland. I got a nice welcome from Denis, who took care of Schimmelchen and the rear suspension with one of his colleagues. Later on, came Hans-Dieter, one of the owners, and we had really nice conversations about the business, global inflation, travelling, etc. Also, at some point, were we all working on the bike to get the top part of the rear shock back in, which was not very easy.
As Schimmelchen got measured with a full load and without anything, they adapted now the shock pre-load, and now my bike is about 5mm higher. I will notice later on, especially when I am without luggage! Steffi, watch out, where you stop in future ;-)
As I only can get my new luggage system from Turkana (www.turkanagear.com) at the Bartang shop (www.bartang.eu) on Wednesday, I booked a hotel close to Giethoorn, the Venice of Holland. It got really cold now, average 10C during the day, and currently raining - so no fun at all!! Arrived at the hotel, I had to put the air conditioning on full blast heat, to get myself warm again.
The next day I took it easy and went only around lunchtime to Giethoorn. It was a nice ride as most of the time I passed all sorts of canals. After a cafe in Giethoorn, I made a canal boat tour. As I entered the boat in my biking gear including the helmet, I was immediately in conversation with the other guests on the boat ;-)
The next morning it was time to go back south again, to get my new luggage system :-D
Peter, one of the founders of Turkana gear, and I fitted together the side pannier racks and then he showed me the correct mounting of the Hippo bags. Then it was time to find a new space (and system) for my luggage. I then went towards s´Hertogenbosch for the night, as now the direction is Normandy in France.
At least, the rain has stopped and the sun is back, but still cold though - and I got a cold! Being in a big apartment (got an upgrade from the owner) with only a tiny heater! So I was in bed pretty early and I had a lie-in til late in the morning!
During breakfast, I made my first booking via Airbnb in Lille, France. After I did the booking I realised the place has no parking at the house, but a washing machine (it is about time!). Let’s hope, I will find something around because France is known to be not the safest place!
As during the last days in Holland, I again went all the way on the motorway, as it is the fastest option. If I would have gone not the motorway it would have been the same kilometres, but 3 (!) hours more. So the first thing was to fill up the tank before the motorway, as in this area of Europe the petrol on motorways is about plus 20-25 cents! Whilst I had there my morning cafe, I guy approached me. When we were talking about my upcoming route, he spontaneously invited me to their home in Normandy as they will be there also next week! Wow, how nice is that?
He also suggested meeting Hans from Motoport den Bosch, which is just a 5mins drive.
For some reason I did it and it took Hans and me a while until we got into a serious conversation, as I turned up for no commercial reason in his shop. However, he supports the dutch world traveller Paul van Hooff (his famous book is called "Man in het Zadel", www.motoravonturist.nl) and like that we got talking about travelling. After some pictures, I carried on towards Lille.
As I said, it was my first time booking with Airbnb, so I was surprised when opening the door, and entering the living room with a couple sitting and watching TV. For a second I felt like I am in the wrong house ;-) The couple was really nice and helped me with the luggage as they were worried about my motorbike parked in the street. They said I need secure parking for it as not safe at all on the street! Great!
When I was just getting on my bike to find secure parking, a guy in a car stopped next to me and after a short conversation (he wanted to invite me for tea, right, sure!) he directed me to the parking lot of a supermarket close by. He thought, as they will close the gate at night, that this would be safe enough! I was not really convinced about that.
I tried some random private places around the block of the apartment, and the one it would be possible, he will go on holiday during the night! Finally, I found secure parking at the train station for €1.60/hr! However, better that than a naked, or even worse, no bike the next morning! Inshallah, it is really safe!
But the good news is, I got my laundry done - fresh socks tomorrow :-D
As you have to wait now a bit longer for the next blog, have some Frittes and a beer ;-) I will be back with news about my trip through France next week!
Places | Cities:
HOLLAND:
Weert, Zwolle, Giethoorn, Harskamp, s´Hertogenbosch.
BELGIUM:
Just driving through on motorway: Antwerpen, Gent.
FRANCE:
Lille.
Driven km | Trip:
Total | Steffi: 28175 km
Maintenance | Breakdown:
Servicing of rear shock at www.tfxsuspension.com
Health issues:
Stuffed nose (cold)
Special thanks to:
Hans-Dieter from TFX-suspension for setting up the service at his premises.
Peter from www.bartang.eu for getting me the pannier rack and the Turkana-luggage (www.turkanagear.com)
Hans from Motoport den Bosch (IG: Motoport Den Bosch) for the good conversation and the Rockstraps :-D