Fighting the Cobbles - My trip to Belgium in 2018, Part 29 - Leaving Wavre

This blog continues the previous Part 28,
https://gerdiwanninger.blogspot.com/2018/10/fighting-cobbles-my-trip-to-belgium-in_17.html

Thursday, June 28, 2018

   

'People who wander are nicer to be with. Movement militates against hoarding possessions and against bigotry, because you are constantly moving across boundaries and having to negotiate with people.'

Robyn Davidson, Australian writer

   Most historical towns in Europe are designed in a very similar fashion; the oldest part is an island, governments protect the building, on the outside nothing can be remodeled in a different way than the previous version. Unlike the USA this let European towns stay the way they were even some several hundred years ago. In Germany some cities even rebuilt the city centers as they have been before being bombed thru the II. Word War. Wavre in Belgium is no exception to this rule. Once leaving the historical town center I was faced with the modern amenity: the car. I left the quiet and peaceful town behind me and had to cross a very busy road right in front of me.

   The road I chose was the Chaussée de Namur. The wide road was leading me uphill, between some houses I slowly passed the first companies. One interesting was Vanesse Moto Kawasaki Wavre, a dealer of motorcycles. 

   The 1970s was the pinnacle of the superbikes; when the Japanese big four manufacturers tried to topple each other with bigger & faster machines. The Honda CB 750 four started it all, later followed by the Kawasaki Z1, the original Honda Gold Wing, Suzuki GS 1000 etc. In the window of this dealer was a brand new Kawasaki Z 900 RS Cafe Racer, a homage to the original Z1 in the 1970s when this motorcycle was a dream in design and performance. 

Window of a Kawaski Candy Dealer with the Shadow of a Tourist watching...

   I continued to follow the Chaussée without motorcycle but on my trusted feet without pollution out of a pipe. The road became a much and therefore a much easier one to follow. The houses beside the road stopped and only some dried grass with wild yellow colored flowers became my companions until I crossed a bridge over the Belgian Highway A4.

Highway A4 near Wavre

   After this bridge I came to a fire station. When I stopped for a moment to take a photo from the outside of the building a window was opened and two guys invited me in to take some photos inside the building.  

   I followed their invitation and walked with my sports bag on wheel in the fire station and took some photos of the fire trucks and equipment. As I walked outside the 'chief' opened a glass window and talked to me while other firefighters had some fun in the background. 

   As a clearly identified tourist the fire chief asked where I come from. He told me that he went to Stuttgart several times for training and handover of new fire trucks. Some of their trucks are based on Mercedes Benz vehicles but made by a company called Ziegler, a German manufacturer specialized in firetrucks and equipment. He told me that they are not very busy fighting fires but worried about the dry weather and the heat - a great source of field fires. After a photo and some laughs it was time to continue. 

Wavre Fire Station - 

My Salute to those Men and Women risking their Life protecting and saving Others!

   After I left the fire station I came to a forest. Just when I arrived it at the intersection I've noticed a group of bike riders with two real police men riding on bicycles in the front of a group. They led a class of students on a bike tour.

   Passing the forest I came to the industrial area in a distance but still a part of the city of Wavre. The road was lined with different companies like plumbers and, not surprisingly, lined with some car dealers. One of them was a Ferrari Dealer, Francorchamps Motors Brussels. I crossed the road and checked it out. I was surprised to see so many Italian sports car lined under the open sky without any protection except yellow flags with the 'Prancing Horse' over large 'FERRARI' letters waving over them. I was also surprised that, while I was checking out the cars, no one came out, no one tried to hinder me or did something I would associate with an 'attack of arrogant behavior' which is very common in the the Far East.

   Once I wanted to open the door of a limited edition of a AMG C-Class in a Mercedes Benz car dealership in Taipei/Taiwan. It was locked and the sales man hurried over just to tell me that it could be opened for 'serious' buyers!

   It looks like in Belgium even Ferrari dealers are humans, a good news for tourists like me. One salesman even waved behind his office chair towards me while I took pictures of his beloved cars. I am convinced he would invite me for an Italian Espresso if I would dare to ask... 

‘Open’ Ferrari Dealership with a Tourist in a Window South-West of Wavre

(to be continued@
https://gerdiwanninger.blogspot.com/2018/11/fighting-cobbles-my-trip-to-belgium-in.html)

Disclaimer: I traveled Belgium by myself, I am not sponsored by anyone. Interested subscribers and/or followers in traveling an in this small but beautiful country are more than welcome! 
If not convenient to subscribe on Blogger.com, I've started my own homepage @ https://gerhardwanninger.wixsite.com/travel

My Road Bike Tires experiences: Continental Ultra Sport II and Panaracer Race A & L Evo 3 (Part 1)

I have to admit, I am a bike addict. 

   From small I enjoyed the freedom of riding a bike, it represented the cut of the cord or great escapes from a very troubled family of an alcoholic father and a Nazi mother.

   Later I worked for a Volkswagen, and Porsche car dealer ship. Even I could get worker discount for cars I did not buy a car but rode some motorcycles, from a Hercules 50 cc (2.7hp) I progressed to a Yamaha XS360 (27hp) and later moved to a Suzuki GS550 Katana, enjoying the wind blowing into my face, feeling the sunshine and freedom but also often faced relentless German rain and cold weather; later I would call my home country not 'good old' but rather 'good cold' Germany!

   I moved around and to Taiwan, got married and became a father. In this Far Eastern country the environment for riding bikes was terrible in the beginning of the 1990s. Not only the pollution was unbearable but also the motor scooters, cars and trucks transferred the road into the Wild, Wild West with seemingly no regards to traffic rules and traffic lights. It all changed after the government implemented stricter pollution laws, serious enforcement of traffic rules and, last but not least, investments into safe bike lanes.

   As the environment for riding bicycles improved and more and more riders hit the road the ‘bike bug’ bit me again and I had to have one! I went to a shop but was shocked by the prices of better quality bikes. I purchased the necessary parts on-line and put my 1^st bike together. Not much of a handyman myself but it worked out very well despite some problems adjusting the front and the rear derailleur. But somehow I managed it and ‘hit the road again’! Even a ‘breathless’ first ride I felt right at home, the bike worked well and I could feel the sun in my face and on my shoulder.

   From the mountain bike I progressed to a road bike, purchased the necessary roadie parts (frame, fork, wheels etc) but also tried to use some parts from my old bike like handlebar, stem, bar end shifters, rear derailleur and the chain. Of course you cannot compare the efficiency on the road of both bikes; they are designed for different purposes…

   While I enjoy the higher speed and are satisfied with the overall feeling of my road bike I still try to figure out the right tire for me. Following are some experiences of bike tires I tried in the last two years: 

1. Continental Ultra Sport II, 700 x 25c folding tires 

As a German my first tire choice felt on Continental tires, a German brand of bike tires. I did not want to invest my hard earned money into their top of the line tires so I bought the Ultra Sport II tires, in my case I believe 'made in India' and/or 'made in Thailand'. Advertised as a 'trusty training companion' by Continental the tire was on the heavier side for a folding tire with around 300 grams/tire. 
- Price

It was my cheapest road tire at around NT$450/€12.70/US$14.50 per tire to date.

- Mounting

Was easier than expected but it the tire had to be pushed it its proper place on the rim. Due to the punctures and excessive wear I had to mount each tire several times over its lifespan!
- Ride Quality

In dry and wet conditions the ride quality was all right; I never slipped even on road markings in corners during rain.

Very Rainy Maple Leaf Bike Challenge 2017 in Taiwan, the Tires performed flawlessly

The suggested tire pressure is 95-120 psi; the 'right' pressure for me was around 110 psi. Below the tire felt heavy, above the tire felt wooden and very hard. I even could 'feel' the white road markings which shook me seriously up from time to time.
- Wear & Puncture Protection 

For a training tire wear and puncture protection was out my world. The tires could not hold more than 2,000 km until the thread of the casting could be seen (see photo), a sign for me that the tire should be changed. Once my wife wondered: "Did you not just buy tires a few weeks ago?" Actually three months have passed since...I had this excessive wear on both front and rear tires despite Continental's claim that the 'PureGrip' compound provides for 'long lasting and durable tires'.
In its lifetimes these four different tires had 9 (!) punctures. On one day I had two flats! Fortunately I carry always two spare tubes with me (on each ride!) and could finish the bike tour. 
- Origin  

On continental-tires.com is the reference that Continental tires 'using the PureGrip compound are 'exclusively manufactured in the factory in Hefei (Asia)'. Further research revealed that Hefei is the capital and largest city of Anhui Province in Mainland China, which is, of course, in Asia. No product 'made in Germany' would be branded 'made in Europe', or would it?

- Verdict  

I rode four different Continental Ultra Sport II tires both on the front and on rear wheel. Because of the wear, the poor puncture protection and it's current origin I would not buy these tires again.

Clear Abrasion after not even 2,000 km (front & rear tire)

- Conclusion

Each tire has a different characteristic like every rider has a different nature. Bicycle tries are an important safety equipment, nothing else connects us with the road. 
1. After mounting the tires should be checked regularly visually for defects. In case of doubts a local bike mechanic should be asked for advice.
2. The tire pressure should be checked regularly. The manufacturer places the recommended air pressure on the tire wall. Inner tubes might loose some air over time but too low pressure within in a short time might be an indication of a defected inner tube.

I am not endorsed by anyone and paid for these tires like every regular customer! 

A Word of Caution
   Always ride with a helmet and in a way that you are in control of the bike not the other way around. It is senseless to gain some seconds but spend weeks to recover in a hospital and at home! 
   Ride responsible, defensively and safe! You, your body, your parents, your family and friends will surely appreciate your precautions during a bike ride.

Take care, Gerhard

part 2: https://gerdiwanninger.blogspot.com/2018/11/my-vittoria-corsa-competition-700-x-25c.html.

Fighting the Cobbles - My trip to Belgium in 2018, Part 28 - In and Around Wavre

This blog continues the previous Part 27,
https://gerdiwanninger.blogspot.com/2018/10/fighting-cobbles-my-trip-to-belgium-in_11.html

Thursday, June 28, 2018

   

'If you're walking down the right path and you're willing to keep walking, eventually you'll make progress'

Barack Obama

   I woke up truly refreshed after a nice night in a comfy bed. In this early hour I've checked my phone and camera if they were charged and then walked over to my clothes which have been dry. I felt like an early bird, happy but with a grumbling stomach!

   The breakfast room was easily to find and as empty as it was had the choice of all free tables. The two tones of the wall matched the colors of the decoration nicely; the soft light of the morning sun submerged the whole room into a very warm light. It was a kind of touching, the room itself seemed to be an invitation to a great breakfast... 

Romantic Morning Atmosphere in the Breakfast Room...

   Not to be carried too much away I occupied a table in front of a corner opposite from the windows. It was the only place which let some sunlight in. I went to the buffet, grabbed a plate, the flatware and put bread, cheese and sausage on it and went, not without a cup of coffee, to my place. I enjoyed a very nice and maybe too rich breakfast by myself, neither a guest nor someone from the hotel showed up.

Rich Breakfast for a great Start into the Day...

   Finally every breakfast comes to an end and before I finished two men sat down on one of the free tables not far away from me and obviously discussed business matters. 

   I went back to my room, packed my things and tried to keep the system where I could find my things when I needed them easily. At least I packed my camera and phone into the messenger bag and said farewell to my room. The elderly lady behind the reception desk checked me out and I hauled my luggage down from the 2nd to the 1st floor over some stairs because the hotel did not have a lift. Through a glass door I've stepped out of the hotel into the sunlight.

   Form yesterday's tour through the heart of Wavre I still remembered the way to the city center which is here in the form of the City Hall. It was built in the 18th century and originally housed a church from the Roman Catholic religious order of the Carmelites or, in formal, the 'Order of the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin of Mount Carmel'.

City Hall of Wavre, built in the 18th Century

   The attraction of Wavre is not only the city hall by itself. On the left side of the picture, covered by a plant and a road sign, there is a famous bronze statue of the small boy named Maca who once tried to climb the wall of the city hall. Because of this incident, Wavre is also called the 'City of Maca'. Tradition holds that touching his buttocks would bring a year of luck. As with all bronze statues the touches leave the parts shiny and stand in contrast to the rest of the statue. I followed the tradition, hopefully nothing seriously would happen during my trip. This statue shows actually the obvious Belgian humor often articulated in the different comics from this country.

Bronze Statue of the naughty Boy Maca, who climbed the Walls of the City Hall of Wavre

   Walking around the City Hall I've noticed some workers decorating a shop during this early morning hours. Staying with the theme 'buttock' and 'naughty action' I thought I should wait for the right moment and pushed the button of my camera in the moment when the elder gentlemen touched the female part of the commercial for underwear...

Two Men decorating the Window of a Shop…

   Not far way from the City Hall is the Gothic Church of St. John the Baptist which was built in 1475. The dominant tower houses a 50-bell carillon, a musical instrument that is typically housed in the bell tower of a church. When I arrived there were preparations for a fair going on, so I had to cut the photo. I could not avoid the two workers, sorry or good for them...

Church of St. John the Baptist

   With the crossing over a beautiful river my time in the old city of Wavre came to an end. On a big road crossing I could decide to continue on a flat road towards a highway or up a steady hill to the industrial area. I've decided to take the 2nd route...Bye bye Wavre!

(to be continued@
https://gerdiwanninger.blogspot.com/2018/10/fighting-cobbles-my-trip-to-belgium-in_29.html)

Disclaimer: I traveled Belgium by myself, I am not sponsored by anyone. Interested subscribers and/or followers in traveling an in this small but beautiful country are more than welcome! 
If not convenient to subscribe on Blogger.com, I've started my own homepage @ https://gerhardwanninger.wixsite.com/travel

Fighting the Cobbles - My trip to Belgium in 2018, Part 27 - Arrival in Wavre

This blog continues the previous Part 26,
https://gerdiwanninger.blogspot.com/2018/10/fighting-cobbles-my-trip-to-belgium-in_8.html

Wednesday, June 27, 2018

   

'The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes,

but in having new eyes'

Marcel Proust

   After nearly one day walking from Duisburg (Belgium, not Germany) I arrived in the province of Wavre, named after its capital. As the mother tongue is French, the citizens are called 'Wavriens' and 'Wavriennes'.

   Following some smooth hills i finally arrived at the first houses of the city of Wavre, with over 34,000 citizens some of the larger urban areas I would passed on my trekking part during my trip in Belgium. 

Reaching Wavre City Limits...

   Historically a Roman villa has been found in an area close to the city but it was first officially mentioned as a dependency of the County of Leuven in 1050. Located conveniently on the crossroads of Brussel-Namur and Nivelles-Leuven a town grew in this place which have been granted its city charter by the Duke Henry I. of Brabant, "The Courageous" (1165-1235) in 1222. 

   Between the 16th and 18th century the city suffered from many disasters like retaliations, wars and two major fires. Wavre had its share of the 'Battle of Waterloo' (June 18, 1815) during which the French General and self-proclaimed Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte was defeated by the British-led Allied army under the command of the Duke of Wellington and a Prussian army under the command of Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher. The outcome of this battle ended the reign of Napoleon in Europe and changed the political situation in the old continent.

   I did neither come to invade nor start a war but rather came in the peaceful mission of a tourist looking around, breathing its air and try to learn something about this town. After walking from 9:30 in the morning to the late afternoon (5:30 pm) my first priority was to look for a hotel. I did not want to sleep in my tent which is not very convenient in a city. My friend Rene told me about a church in which I could stay but checking out the map beside the Town Hall it seemed too far for me to handle today.

Town Hall of Wavre 

   I walked thru the sometimes narrow streets and found a hotel and asked for the price. Before deciding I found a chain hotel a little outside beside a freeway which was priced higher and already fully booked. I left but discovered an industrial area with a large supermarket across the street. I went inside, bought my dinner and something for the road tomorrow. I returned to the first hotel and checked in, the price included a breakfast. The hotel had a distinctive Middle Eastern flavor, a surprise for me and a sign of the international openness of Belgium.

My cozy Bed for the Night 

   The first I did is to plug in my phone and camera to charge the batteries. Then I washed my clothes, underwear and socks which would be dry the next morning. I took my first extensive shower within two days. After all was done I made myself comfortable on the bed to have my dinner while I was watching TV, a time I enjoyed tremendously.

   The bed was great and, needless to say, together with the room, much more spacious than my one-man tent. I was glad that I decided to take off some time of my 'adventure' part of the journey... At around 10:00 I went to bed and, after some minutes, I longed for the fresh Belgium air. I closed the air condition and opened the window wide; afterwards I felt much better and had indeed a good night's sleep. 

(to be continued@
https://gerdiwanninger.blogspot.com/2018/10/fighting-cobbles-my-trip-to-belgium-in_17.html)

Disclaimer: I traveled Belgium by myself, I am not sponsored by anyone. Interested subscribers and/or followers in traveling an in this small but beautiful country are more than welcome! 
If not convenient to subscribe on Blogger.com, I've started my own homepage @ https://gerhardwanninger.wixsite.com/travel

Fighting the Cobbles - My trip to Belgium in 2018, Part 26 - Towards and in Ottenburg

This blog continues the previous Part 25,
https://gerdiwanninger.blogspot.com/2018/10/fighting-cobbles-my-trip-to-belgium-in.html

Wednesday, June 27, 2018

    I took my luggage and pulled it along two horses standing under a tree; the whole body covered with a cloth and a net over their eyes. I’ve never seen such strange masquerades before and would not believe they were Zorro's horses. After I've discovered the many insects bothering these animals I suppose the flies and their relatives could be the reason for the outfit…

Zorro’s Horse?

   Following another lonely road I reached the outskirts of Ottenburg, still a part of Huldenberg. On both sides of the road there were several fields and I was happy that the  way led me to a dense forest with trees giving me some shadows and relief from the burning sun. After leaving the refreshing forest I came to a small house with a Mary statue carrying Jesus on her arms protecting and blessing the fields around her. There were small benches around it and I took some rest in the shadows.

'Take 5'

   While I was taking my obligatory selfie on a tripod I noticed a young woman passing the scene. After I put the camera with the tripod in my bags I've decided to followed her direction. Not as a stalker but as she was dressed up I thought that she might go into the city and would lead me to the right path. She was walking well in front of me as we passed a field with grazing and resting cows. On a blue banner I've noticed the Dutch words for 'I keep it clean here. Do you too?' Living in Taiwan I know how great it is not only make hygienic standards but also to watch keep them and encourage people to follow. Especially in the wake of the infamous 'Mad Cow Disease' or Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) the European Union changed some rules keeping domestic animals.

'I keep it clean here. Do you too?'

   Passing other clean and happy cows I followed the young girl until she lead me to the main road, she turned right and sat down at a bus stop. When I arrived at the same intersection I looked left and turned to the town of Ottenburg. The road was lined with farm houses between private houses. I've discovered a supermarket and went inside not only for the air condition but also also for some food and drinks. I was the only customer and therefore tried to understand how a supermarket can survive in this location...

   Leaving the supermarket I continued into the town center but there was, as expected, not much to discover in the countryside. I ran into a worker and asked him about the direction to Wavre, my final destination of the day. He suggested me that I should return and follow the same road from which I just came. I listen to his advice and on the way I took a photo from the supermarket I have visited only a few minutes ago.  

'Temperature showing 27 degrees Celsius

   Looking at the photo people will realized that the town of Ottenburg is very clean and tidy with safe walkways on both sides of the road. But people will also discover that the temperature reached 27 degrees (!) in the afternoon, a very high temperature for June. Later I will learn that the summer of 2018 will be one of hottest in the whole modern history of Europe!

(to be continued@

https://gerdiwanninger.blogspot.com/2018/10/fighting-cobbles-my-trip-to-belgium-in.html)

Disclaimer: I traveled Belgium by myself, I am not sponsored by anyone. Interested subscribers and/or followers in traveling an in this small but beautiful country are more than welcome! 
If not convenient to subscribe on Blogger.com, I've started my own homepage @ https://gerhardwanninger.wixsite.com/travel

Fighting the Cobbles - My trip to Belgium in 2018, Part 25 - From Huldenberg to Terlanen

This blog continues the previous Part 24,
https://gerdiwanninger.blogspot.com/2018/09/fighting-cobbles-my-trip-to-belgium-in_25.html

Wednesday, June 27, 2018

   Even the most enjoyable lunch ends at one point so I packed my stuff and continued my way. I still had to finish the steep hill in Huldenberg but after the rest and with a full stomach it was a 'piece of cake'. The road became flat and there were many newer houses beside the road decorated with fresh flowers and bushes in their front garden. Not far away from these buildings I've noticed the sign indicating the end of the town.

   After a short walk I've discovered a big tree across a main road passing me from left to right (or the other way). I've watched some bikers passing me from the left and turning left riding down a hill. Crossing the road and noticing that the field behind it was freshly harvested I'v decided to take a short nap under the shadow of this beautiful tree. I took my sweater as a blanket and indeed slept for a few moments...After I woke up I cleaned up everything and double checked as a gesture of thanks to the owner and the tree, seemingly grown there for me...Thank you! 

Shadow spending tree

   I followed the previous bikers down the road and passed a small but very thick forest. Passing the trees the environment become very rural, only a few farm houses but some horses many cows greeting me beside the road. I felt like a free country boy roaming the streets I just missed some country music. There were big machines working in the fields, one caused some traffic jam while moving on the main road from one field to another.

   Not much later I arrived to a farm town Terlanen; it is so small that even the internet does not reveal a lot of information about it. On the left side I've discovered the dominant Catholic Sint-Michieliskerk (Saint Michelis Church), with a statue of Jesus on the cross nailed right on a wall for everyone to see.

Catholic Cross

   The general difference between a Catholic and the Reformed or Christian Church is the depiction of the cross. The Catholic emphasize a suffering Jesus on the cross with a hurting face and bleeding wounds all over his body. Especially in the Middle Ages the 'suffering' took on absurd forms in Europe. People believed that they should accept and endure the same sufferings and sacrifices as Jesus did and decided to beat and torture themselves for the forgiveness of their sins. The Catholic Church itself set good examples to follow by burning witches, encouraged everyone 'to root out and purge the Christian civilized world of heresy and crimes against God'. They sent Templar knights to kill the Muslims for the ‘forgiveness of sin’ and sold indulgences as compensation for sins ‘left by too much good deeds from Saints’.

   The Reformed Christians do not show Jesus on the cross; the cross is empty because 'He is not here; he has risen, just as He said (Matthew 28:6).' Jesus is alive, 'A new command I give you: Love one another.' (John 13:34). But the most important question asked the teachers who were against Jesus Christ: 'Who can forgive sins but God alone (Mark 2:7)?'
   The road led me to the center of the small town. I passed a seemingly empty tavern with a tin beer commercial. In front of a kindergarten building, I suppose, I ran into the 'Little Free Library', two small book cases with many books behind glass doors for everyone to open. A great idea... 

Little free Library

   From the road I was walking there is a left junction with the direction showing 'Ottenburg', my next goal of the day. I trekked along and crossed a picturesque river beside a non working mill. I leaned my luggage on the brick made railing and took my picture. 

Suddenly a group of elder people with one guide pushed themselves in front of me. Everyone was looking town to the river while the guild explained something in Dutch. After they were finished an elderly lady asked: 'Who's luggage is this?" In this moment I stepped forward and said "This is mine!" and everyone looked a kind of strange and surprised to me,  obviously noticing me for the first time!

Elderly curious Citizens...

   Looking at the photo I noticed that the men carry messenger bags like me on this tour and the women carry backpacks. By the way, the man with the green messenger bag is covering my sports bags on wheels, the red zipper can be seen between his legs...

(to be continued@
https://gerdiwanninger.blogspot.com/2018/10/fighting-cobbles-my-trip-to-belgium-in_8.html)

Disclaimer: I traveled Belgium by myself, I am not sponsored by anyone. Interested subscribers and/or followers in traveling an in this small but beautiful country are more than welcome! 
If not convenient to subscribe on Blogger.com, I've started my own homepage @ https://gerhardwanninger.wixsite.com/travel