Moto Guzzi V7 III Limited - Presentation (1 of 5), Moto Guzzi V7 III Limited, Moto Guzzi History, Moto Guzzi Racing

“Reminiscent of the purest Classic World”

Moto Guzzi V7 III Limited

Moto Guzzi V7 III Limited from www.motoguzzi.com

   This shiny beauty ‘combines the classic and elegant chromium look with refined hi-tech materials such as carbon fiber and aluminum’. But as an exclusive limited edition version of just 500 numbered units it might be possible that you are too late to grab one...

   The name 'V7' has for Moto Guzzi a very significant meaning. At the end of the 1960s the manufacturer represented its first 90° V-twin with the engine's transverse cylinder heads projecting prominently on either side of the bike - the trademark of Moto Guzzi motorcycles until today. The air-cooled 703.3 cc V-twin delivered its 40 hp over a longitudinal crankshaft to the rear wheel. The whole motorcycle was designed to win a competition sponsored by the Italian government for a new motorcycle for Italy's Highway Police.  

Current Moto Guzzi V7 III (left) and original Moto Guzzi V7 from the 1970s (right)

from www.motoguzzi.lv

   Not many people know that the Moto Guzzi wings span already over a period of nearly 100 years and is the oldest European manufacturer in continuous motorcycle production. The company "Società Anonima Moto Guzzi" was constitued for "the fabrication and sale of motorcycles, and all other activities pertinent or correlated to the metalworking and mechanical engineering industries" on 15 march 1921. The partners were the renowned Genoese ship owner Emanuele Vittorio Parodi, his son Giorgio and his friend Carlo Guzzi. Guzzi was a former comrade of Parodi in the Italia Air Corps. So was another friend, Giovanni Ravelli, an aviator who died during a test flight on 11 August 1919. In memory of this friend the spread-winged eagle motif in the Moto Guzzi badge was chosen.

   The company's first motorcycle was the legendary 8 HP Normale, a 500 cc single- cylinder with 8 HP in 1921 (www.firstversions.com). This was followed by successful models such as the 1928 Guzzi G.T., dubbed “Norge” to commemorate the expedition to the Polar Arctic Circle, and the Airone 250 (1939), which remained Italy's best selling medium capacity motorcycle for over 15 years.

   In the meanwhile, the marque also notched up numerous racing successes. The first was in the prestigious Targa Florio in 1921, which marked the beginning of an impressive succession of victories: up until its withdrawal from motorsports in 1957, Moto Guzzi accumulated an enviable collection of accolades including, among other titles, an astonishing 14 world GP championships and 11 Tourist Trophies. 

   The peak development during Moto Guzzi's racing era was obvious the Moto Guzzi V8 or the Otto ('8' in Italian) motorcycle. This unique and historically significant engineering milestone had a liquid cooled 4-stroke DOHC V8 (!) engine with 499 cc, fed by 8 (!) Dell'Orto 20mm carburetors. The engine weighted only 45 kg by a total weigh of 148 kg for the whole motorcycle. The 78 hp at 12000 rpm were so powerful that the tires, brake and suspension technology lagged behind. The riding of this beast was so very dangerous that many professional riders crashed. For the 1957 season no one was willing to ride this bike before further developments and changes were made...

Moto Guzzi V8 with its characteristic fairing (photo from Wikipedia)

(to be continued @:

https://gerdiwanninger.blogspot.com/2018/11/moto-guzzi-v7-iii-limited-presentation-2.html)... 

disclaimer: all material based on Moto Guzzi's homepage, otherwise specified! I am not endorsed by anyone, subscribers or followers are more than welcome! If not convenient to subscribe here I've started my own homepage @ https://gerhardwanninger.wixsite.com.

MV Agusta Superveloce 800 - Presentation (2)

this is a follow-up of my first part: https://gerdiwanninger.blogspot.com/2018/11/mv-agusta-superveloce-800-presentation-1.html


"History is a reflection of time, formed by memories" 

MV Agusta Superveloce 800

MV Agusta Superveloce 800, Photo from MV Agusta's homepage

The MV Agusta Superveloce 800, in concept form, made its debut at the EICMA Milano Motorcycle Show 2018 and will be produced in the 2nd half of 2019.

Engine and Chassis Specifications:

MV Agusta did not release many technical details but from the pictures there are, of course, some clues. The engine, as the name 800 suggests, will be based on the MV Agusta's F3 800 3 cylinder, 798 cc, 148 HP in Euro 4 engine and will be controlled by a 'Ride by Wire' throttle and have a wet, multi-disc slipper clutch.

The frame will feature the same the ALS Steel tubular trellis type, a Marzocchi ‘Upside Down’ telescopic hydraulic fork in the front and a single progressive Sachs shock absorber in the rear.

Photo from MV Agusta's homepage

Design features based on MV Agusta's own release

The color scheme is in traditional red and as a contrast a lower fairing in silver. But looking closer the red has a distinguished 'metallic' contents which gives it a noble touch.   

The carbon fiber (!) fairing envelopes the sleek and functional forms of the engine and frame like a second skin. The upper fairing, with its classic cut lines, makes tribute to the nineteen-seventies, highlighted by the yellow color of the Plexiglas windscreen and the headlight unit. The latter is a technologically advanced twin-function full LED poly- ellipsoidal.

The lower silver fairing has from the front a clear hint to 'aerodynamic' fairings popular with current MotoGP motorcycles.  

The daylight running light, LED, is built into the cover of the new instrument cluster. 

The elusive, lightweight and minimalist tail fairing rests on a new sub-frame allowing the user to transform the bike from a single seat to a dual seat version. One of the defining details is the new circular LED tail light unit, elegant, and distinctive.
The only thing which I don't like is the leather strap on the tank. It looks like a 'forced' effort to connect the 'old' with the 'new'. As the whole motorcycle is not the final production model it might be possible that the leather strap does not make it into the final bike.  

Photo from MV Agusta's homepage

Some thoughts:
   I think the Superveloce 800 (veloce: played at a fast tempo) is a bold and beautiful move from a small manufacturer like MV Agusta. Only with history the company could not sell motorcycles but would be out of business long time ago. But with new and bold interpretations of their own rich history, the right quality and a reasonable price this kind of motorcycles could push this marquee into a very bright future.

   
The Future of MV Augusta:
   Another attest to a positive outlook of MV Agusta's potential is the F4Z, a project commissioned by a Japanese client from the designers Zagato based on the iconic MV Agusta F4.

F4Z, Photo from MV Agusta's homepage

   I wish the Italian manufacturer well; a good direction is embodied in the Superveloce 800. Count Domenico Agusta would be very proud indeed...

disclaimer: all material based on MV Agusta's homepage, otherwise specified! I am not endorsed by anyone, subscribers or followers more than welcome! If not convenient to subscribe here I've started my own homepage @ https://gerhardwanninger.wixsite.com.

MV Agusta Superveloce 800 - Presentation (1)

   

   Surfing the internet I came across the new motorcycles for 2019. Among the machines one particular motorcycle from Italia in an astonishing traditional red and silver paint shop immediately caught my eyes – the MV Agusta Superveloce 800.

MV Agusta Superveloce 800 from MV Agusta's Official Homepage

   Nearly every motorcycle manufacturer has a modern ‘retro’ bike in its portfolio, if it is Triumph with their Modern Classics Street Twins (7 different models!), BMW R nine T variations, Kawasaki Z 900 RS and Cafe models; the list seems to be endless.
   Strange, like the 1970s, they heyday of the super-bikes, some characteristics in these classics remain even after all these years: the design philosophy. While one of MV Agusta's obvious competitor, the BMW R nineT Racer, which also has fairing, remains very coarse (rough) compared to the new Superveloce 800. From the design the Agusta seems sleeker and much more refined. 

   A bike like the MV Agusta I would place on a turntable in my living room not only to be shown to my dear friends but also to discuss the design clues found on this bike. Or enjoying a fine glass of wine while admiring the 'art of motorcycle design'.

BMW R nineT Racer from BMW's Official Homepage

   It might be possible that younger readers are not familiar with the Italian brand MV Agusta, therefore I would like to introduce the company.    
   MV Agusta, originally Meccanica (Mechanics), Verghera (a small town, where the first MVs were made, in the municipality of Samarate, in the province of Varese, region Lombardia) Agusta, was formed as an offshoot of the Agusta aviation company formed by Count Giovanni Agusta on February 1923 near Milan in Cascina Costa, Italy. The Count died in 1927 and left the company in the hand of his wife and his sons.

   To save the jobs of the employees and the obvious need for cheap transportation in Italy the Count Vincenzo and his brother Domenico formed MV Agusta after World War II. 

MV 98, MV Agusta's first Motorcycle in 1945 (from MV Agusta's Official Homepage)

   Both of them were passionate about racing and in 1948 entered the Italian Grand Prix on a 125 cc two-stroke engine. Franco Bertoni won in Monza and put the manufacturer on the map. Other races were won and finally in 1952 the Britain Cecil Sandford made the dream of the 1st world championship on a MV Agusta 125 Bialbero come true. The winning streak continued with world championships in all four GP classes: 125 cc, 250 cc, 350 cc and 500 cc. 
   The secret was that Count Domenico Agusta had a sense for hiring the best engineers like Arturo Magni (1925-2015) who was fundamental in developing the brand's 350 and 500 cc three cylinder GP engines and, the pinnacle of MV engineering, the four cylinder engines, which led the marque to 17 (!) consecutive 500 cc world championships (1958-1974). Racers like Phil Read, Giacomo Agostini, Mike Hailwood, John Surtees were world champions on MVs.

Giacomo Agostini (shown in a photo from 1965) won 311 races, incl. 125 World Championship events, 10 Isle of Man's TTs, 13 World Championships and 18 Italian Titles.

(from MV Agusta's Official Homepage)

   Unfortunately, like many other Italian manufacturers, with the death of Count Domenico Agusta (28 Feb. 1907 - 2 Feb 1971) the company lost its heart and soul. At the end of the 1976 season the company unfolded its racing department after 270 Grand Prix Motorcycle races, 38 World Riders' Championships and 37 World Constructors' Championships.

   MV Agusta was forced to look for financial partners; EFIM (Ente Partecipazioni e Finanziamento Industria Manifatturiera) demanded that the company has to sell off the ir motorcycle business to be consolidated.

   What followed could be described as a voyage of the marquee between different owners. In 1991 Cagiva, another Italian motorcycle manufacturer, purchased the MV Agusta name and trademark and introduced the 1st MV Agusta motorcycle in 1997. 1999 the Cagiva group was restructured with MV Agusta as the main division comprising Cagiva and Husqvarna, a Swedish off-road motorcycle manufacturer. Heavily in debt, the company was bought by the Malaysian car maker Proton in 2004 which sold MV Agusta to GEVI spa, a Genoa based financing company in 2005. Husqvarna was sold to BMW. On 08 Aug 2008 Harley Davidson announced 'the completion of the privately-held Italian motorcycle maker MV Agusta. The company has acquired 100%..." On 06 Aug 2010 'Harley Davidson, Inc. has concluded the sale of its subsidiary, MV Agusta, to Claudio Castiglioni and his wholly owned holding company, MV Agusta Motor Holding, S.r.l., effective today.'

   The owner Claudio Castiglioni announced a long term partnership with the brand and the acquisition of a 25% stake with Mercedes-AMG on 31 Oct. 2014.

   Hopefully the company will not be sold to investors from the Mainland China who stick Italian brand names (Benelli, Moto Morini) on their bikes. I hope MV Agusta keeps innovating exciting Italian products to consolidate their business. 

MV Agusta Brutale 1000 Serie Oro, voted 'Most Beautiful Motorcycle of EICMA 2018'

(continued @ https://gerdiwanninger.blogspot.com/2018/11/mv-agusta-superveloce-800-presentation-2.html)

Disclaimer: all material based on MV Agusta's homepage, otherwise specified! I am not endorsed by anyone, subscribers or followers more than welcome! If not convenient to subscribe here I've started my own homepage @ https://gerhardwanninger.wixsite.com.

Fighting the Cobbles - My trip to Belgium in 2018, Part 31 - In Louvain-la-Neuve - Musée Hergé

This blog continues the previous Part 30,
https://gerdiwanninger.blogspot.com/2018/11/fighting-cobbles-my-trip-to-belgium-in.html

Thursday, June 28, 2018

   

“by believing in his dreams, man turns them into reality”

Hergé, Belgian Cartoonist

   Standing in front of the Musée Hergé, or Hergé Museum, let me realized that this building contained one of the dreams why I came to Belgium at the first place. 

   Coming from a broken family cartoons have been a very important part of my life from a young age. My father was a trucker and one of his jobs was to be courier for printing houses in Germany. All international cartoon publishers had their character licensed to the German-speaking countries (Germany, Austria and Switzerland) and many companies were based in the largest market of them, at that time called 'West Germany'. From some tours my father brought all kind of magazines with different contents from gossip to literature, from children, youth and adult entertainment and everything in between. I was a time before the internet and smart phones and people bought magazines and dime novels on newspaper stands for entertainment.

   When I was small my father told us that these magazines and 'Mickey Mouse booklets', how non-English speaking Germans called comics in general, were "gifts from customers". Unfortunately during some of my trips during boring summer holidays with him I've discovered that these were 'forced' gifts, 'stuffed under the jacket' during a visit of the warehouse and I was pressed 'to cooperate' as a child! 

   We children would read the comics in our rooms and later, due to high quantity, stored them in the basement. Some of these cartoons were for very small children, some just plain fantasies but some represented actually art by itself. Marvel was from the visual point of view a 'must' but I was also very much interested in historically based comics (like Asterix) or general in the 'foreign' world, something my parents as good Nazis never quite understood.

   Comics were a way of 'small escape' from my world dominated by an alcoholic male Nazi and a very restrict female Nazi, both of them created a very violent family atmosphere.

Inside the Musée Hergé

   When I went through the main gate of the Hergé Museum (inaugurated in 2009) I stepped into a big bright hall, or ‘Atrium’, as the museum calls it, with a reception desk in its center. The employees were very friendly; one of them had recently visited Berlin and was enthusiastically telling me about the 'kind' Germans. It was nice to hear that and quite a difference from the very disturbing German Neo-Nazi news on TV. The ticket of Euro 9.50 included a free Audio-Guide which I used extensively.

    First I had to lock my trusted ‘sports bag on wheels’ in a large locker, the money was returned to me later. First I went to the very clean toilet and was ready to explore!

   Hergé was actually born as Georges Prosper Remi (22 May 1907- 3 March 1983) but adapted later his pen name. He was a Belgian cartoonist best known for creating the ‘Adventures of Tintin’, a series of comics with are considered one of the most popular in the 20th century.

   The museum has three levels; the real visit begins at the top level by taking an elevator and enjoyed the clear layout of the atrium. There are rooms explaining Hergé’s family background, his education, his career, his working environment and many details about his works beside ‘Tintin’ I was fascinating to see some of his private and working material, from his own Leica with his private photo album to his office desk.

Cabinet with Leica and Private Photo Album

   There were many details of his research to the different comic stories, the many places he visited and the news inspired the ‘Adventures of Tintin’. Hergé wanted to be a reporter; the dream came true in his creation. “Tintin is me wanting to be heroic and perfect…” “Tintin is me… my eyes, my feelings, my lungs, my guts!... I believe I am the only person able to animate him, the only person able to give him a soul.” (Hergé)
   Back to the 1st Level there are also temporary exhibitions, a bookshop with memorabilia, which I visited, and a restaurant. 
   Everything great comes to an end one time and I was surprised that I spent over two hours (!) in this museum on my own! I felt a little sad to leave this place. I returned my Audio guide, visited again the free and very clean toilet, and took my luggage and some last pictures from me and Tintin from the outside of the glass door.

Byebye, Tintin!

(to be continued@
https://gerdiwanninger.blogspot.com/2018/12/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

Continental Grand Prix 5000 clincher and Grand Prix 5000 TL (tubeless) Bike Tires - Presentation

   Checking 🚲 tires on the internet I came across the ♨ new Continental road tires, the clincher Grand Prix 5000 and the tubeless Grand Prix (GP) 5000 TL. 
   The new racing tires are a development based on the tried and true GP 4000 S II (clincher) and the GP S II tubular racing tires. On its peak there was a Grand Prix 4000 RS as a 'Special Tour Limited Edition' which was 'faster than the GP 4000 S II model due to a lighter thread construction.' The 4000 series, introduced 14 years (!) ago will be discontinued because of this successor meaning there are many deals on stocks of these 'old' tires. Old is always relative to the new but this does not diminish its qualities shown in numerous wins in comparisons with other tires and the number of races won on these tires. 

The Continental Grand Prix 5000 is 'the best all-rounder in the field brought to a whole new performance level' thanks to the following technologies:
- BlackChili Compound 
produced only in Germany as an answer to the 'eternal question of the best balance of grip and rolling resistance for cycling'.
- Active Comfort Technology
'embedded in the tire construction this technology absorbs vibrations and smoothens the ride'. 
- Lazer Grip
The lazered micro profile structure expands over the tire's shoulder and provides outstanding cornering.
- Vectran™ 
is a synthetically manufactured high-tech fibre from a natural model. Like spider silk, Vectran™ is a liquid-crystalline polymer (LCP).
These techniques combined decreased the rolling resistance by 12%, the puncture protection increased by 20% and the tires are sightly lighter than the previous generation.

The clinchers are availabe in the sizes: 700x23c, 700x25c, 700x28c, 700x32c, the weight between 205g and 290g depending on sizes.

   The Continental Grand Prix 5000 TL, the 'tubeless option of the regular GP 5000 model' offers the same BlackChili Compound, Lazer Grip & Vectran™ technolgy. There are only 3 sizes, 700x25c, 700x28c and 700x32c, the weight between 300 and 380g.

- Prices

   Both the clincher and tubeless version are so new that prices have yet to be announced. Check also with your reliable local brick and mortar store, their existence might be important for your safe riding experience and helpful if your bike shows problems.

   I did neither use nor own these tire but from it's very successful heritage, the GP 4000 S II,  and the development effort which went inside there is nothing less to be expected than a great tire. I am sure I will check them in the future. 

All information incl. the pictures of the Grand Prix 5000 & 5000 TL come straight from the homepage of Continental tires and no, I am not endorsed by anyone...

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

Disclaimer: I bought and used the tires by myself, I am not sponsored by anyone. Interested subscribers and/or followers are more than welcome! If not convenient to subscribe here I've started my own homepage @ https://gerhardwanninger.wixsite.com/cycling

My Vittoria Corsa Competition 700 x 25c foldable tire - unpacking, mounting & riding

Hello everyone!

   After sharing my experiences with the Continental Ultra Sport II and Panaracer Race A & D Evo 3 road bike tires (part 1 @ https://gerdiwanninger.blogspot.com/2018/10/my-road-bike-tires-experiences.html) I will introduce my current Vittoria Corsa Competition 700 x 25 c folding tire.
   'Since 1953 Vittoria Industries Ltd. has built highly reputable partnerships within in the cycling industry and created a unique brand image. Today’s Vittoria Industries Ltd. is the world’s leading manufacturer of bicycle tires, with an annual production of more than 7 million tires and 900.000 famous tubulars and cotton tires.'

   The price of the Vittoria tire was the most expensive tire I used up to date; from my previous experiences I wanted to find out if it is true that 'you pay what you get' for bike tires. I choose this particular tire because it has '4 separate Graphene compounds' which Vittoria claims makes the tire 'superior in speed (rolling resistance), grip, durability and wear resistance'.

   The 'magic word' for me is Graphene. It a semi-metal with small overlap between the valence and the conduction bands (zero band-gap material). It is an allotrope (form) of carbon consisting of a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice (wikipedia). More about Graphene in the following video:

   I rode to my favorite dealer and got one in an original packing for a fair price. I mounted it the same day by using only two tire levers. Since around 200 km the tire performed very well and showed obviously no time of wear. 

Vittoria Corsa Competition 700 x 25c foldable tire

- Price

The were around 100% more expensive than my first Continental Ultra Sport II tires @ NT$1.050/€30.00/US$34.10 per tire.

- Mounting

Easier than expected. There is no direction indicator on the tire and I used only two (!) tire levers, the Corsa Competition felt right into its proper place on an instant on the rim, neither pushing nor squeezing was necessary for the proper fit.
- Ride Quality

In dry conditions the ride quality is outstanding; it smooths out small imperfections and street markings on the road and remains very stable a higher speed. Once I had to brake sharp in a tight hairpin while cornering at higher speed; the tire performed outstanding and saved my day! These tires inspire a lot of confidence; I corner much faster & lower than all of my previous tires but please don't tell my wife!

- Wear & Puncture Protection 

Nothing to report on puncture protection due to only 200 km. But in any case I always carry two spare tubes with me (on each ride!).
- Origin  

My Vittoria tires have been made in Thailand, as mentioned on the packing. The Italian company says on its homepage that it 'has its own production facilities' there. There is no indication on the tire wall.
- Verdict  

I rode the Vittoria Corsa Competition tires for only around 200 km and they felt outstanding, a lot of confidence increased my speed. The cornering become even faster, I discovered myself to ride more aggressively (don't tell my wife!). The mounting was not to hard and was only performed once. The wear is unnoticeable, I had not puncture.
- Conclusion

For such a short distance there will be a conclusion in the future. But I surely like this tire and will write an update later.

Carton Packing with Manual (!) and the Vittoria Corsa Competition Tire

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

Disclaimer: all technical details are based on Vittoria's own homepage, otherwise specified! I bought and used the tires by myself, I am not sponsored by anyone. Interested subscribers and/or followers are more than welcome! If not convenient to subscribe here I've started my own homepage @ https://gerhardwanninger.wixsite.com/cycling.

My Road Bike Tires experiences: Continental Ultra Sport II and Panaracer Race A & L Evo 3 (Part 2)

This review is a follow up of my Continental Ultra Sport II tires: 

https://gerdiwanninger.blogspot.com/2018/10/my-road-bike-tires-experiences.html

   
   After reviewing my somehow disappointing experience with my Continental Ultra Sport II tires I was looking for a better replacement. During the search I came to Panaracer tires which I never heard of. According to the homepage they are made in Japan, for me an indication of quality.
   According to the homepage Panaracer makes three different foldable tubed tires, 
1. Race D Evo 3, 250g/tire
2. Race A Evo 3, 240g/tire
3. Race L Evo 3, 200g/tire
all based on the size 700x25c. The rubber compound is the same, the weight difference results from ProTite Belt, the Panaracer's name of their puncture protection. Due to availability I bought two different tires, the Race A on the rear and the Race L on the front. Both tires performed so similar that I test them together.

Panaracer Race A & Race L Evo 3, foldable tire, 700x25c

- Price

The were around 50% more expensive than my first Continental Ultra Sport II tires @ around NT$799/€20.05/US$22.75 per tire.

- Mounting

More difficult than expected, I used three (!) tire levers. But the tire felt in its proper place on an instant on the rim, no pushing or squeezing to have the right fit. There is no direction indicator on the tire. 
- Ride Quality

In dry and wet conditions the ride quality was great! I never slipped on wet surface, neither on road marking nor on manhole covers; it was smoother but very stable a high speed. These tires gave me a lot of confidence; I cornered much faster & rode lower than on my previous tires.

- Wear & Puncture Protection 

I had only one puncture during the 3.000 km lifetime and replaced them after the inner webbing could be been. For exchanging the inner tube I had to use three tire levers, the same as I dismounted the tire for replacing them.
The wear was o.k. with 3.000 km. Near the end of its lifetime the grip felt a little 'soapy', not dangerous but during downhill clearly noticeable. 
- Origin  

My Panaracer tires have been made in Japan as mentioned on the tire wall and on the homepage.
- Verdict  

I rode the Panaracer A and Panaracer L for only around 3.000 km on different surfaces, road and weather condition and they felt great, gave me a lot of confidence. The cornering speed improved, I discovered myself to ride more aggressively (don't tell my wife!). The mounting was hard but had to be performed not often. The wear is noticeable, as seen on the picture. 

Panaracer Tires after 3.000km, time to be replaced!

- Conclusion

It's a great tire and I would buy them again.

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

Disclaimer: I bought and used the tires by myself, I am not sponsored by anyone. Interested subscribers and/or followers are more than welcome! If not convenient to subscribe here I've started my own homepage @ https://gerhardwanninger.wixsite.com/cycling

Fighting the Cobbles - My trip to Belgium in 2018, Part 30 - From Wavre to Louvain-la-Neuve

This blog continues the previous Part 29,
https://gerdiwanninger.blogspot.com/2018/10/fighting-cobbles-my-trip-to-belgium-in_29.html

Thursday, June 28, 2018

   

“Traveling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.”

 Ibn Battuta, Maroccan Muslim Scholar and Traveller

   Leaving the Ferrari dealer I passed a boring Volkswagen dealer until I came to a roundabout, an obviously very popular road design in Belgium. After it the Chaussée de Namur merges with the N25 (National Road 25), a wide road built similar to a highway and both names appear on the official map. 

   Again I have to praise the Belgians for their road design. I was walking beside the right lane on the road with separated four lanes, two in every direction. On my side the walkway did not stop but lead me to a pedestrian and cyclist tunnel which lead me to the left side of the road! Here I passed some houses and walked through to a small forest which separated me and the busy car traffic. But not much later I returned to the road and walked directly beside it on a nice path. After a while I passed a young hitchhiker who tried to stop a car for the opposite direction. He was so friendly to pose for a 'bit shaken photo'.

Young Hitchhiker

    Step after step I came closer to the city of Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve, with a population of around 30.000 citizens a large city by Belgian standards. For me, as a foreigner, the French name is not only complicated but also difficult to pronounce. One reason for this might be that this municipality consists of the following sub-municipalities: Ottignies, Louvain-la-Neuve, Céroux-Mousty and Limelette.

   The city features the Louvain-la-Neuve Science Park which was the first of its kind in Belgium. It was created in 1971 and covers 231 hectares (570 acres) of land.

   When I approached another roundabout I've noticed many road signs giving directions to many different destinations. I did not come to Belgium to visit Science Parks but choose to turn right onto the Boulevard de Wallonie direction Louvain-la-Neuve (or 'LLN'). This town was developed from 1968 to provide a home for the Université Catholique de Louvain (Catholic University of Louvain). It is the largest French-speaking University in Belgium and has its roots in 1425 when the Duke of Brabant created the 'University of Louva'.

   This road seemed endless and only sometimes appeared the black letters on white ground of the road sign to my actual destination, the Hergé Museum. Georges Prosper Remi, or better known under his pen name Hergé ([ɛʁʒe]), was a Belgian cartoonist best known for creating 'The Adventures of Tintin', a series of popular European comics in the 20th century.

   
      Finally I turned left and entered almost immediately the grounds of the Université Catholique de Louvain which seems to be sized like a town by itself and the reason for this long road I just traveled. It educates more than 27,000 students (!) from 127 nationalities in all areas on its different campuses. The university has educated large part of Belgium's elite and is still considered excellent in many fields.

Impressions of the Université Catholique de Louvain

   Because of its huge grounds, I have to admit that I got lost. But a kind person gave me a minute and tried to listen to my explanation that I was looking for the museum. Of course I pronounced the French name of the cartoonist wrong but he corrected and taught me, understood and explained the way with a generous smile. 

   After leaving the campus I turned right, followed a small road, passed a kindergarten and stood in front of the museum. All the pictures I have seen of the museum showed the signature part very clearly but since then some plants grew and gave me only a partial view...

Musee Hergé or Hergé Museum

(to be continued@https://gerdiwanninger.blogspot.com/2018/11/fighting-cobbles-my-trip-to-belgium-in_19.html)

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