![Dutch bike, Dutch weather: The Electrified S handles the dark, cold and wet conditions easily!](/blog/2017-12-02_commuting-by-bike/images/i_05_Dutch-bike-Dutch-weather-The-Electrified-S-handles-the-dark-cold-and-wet-conditions-easily_500px.jpg)
![My food and drink supply for this ride](/blog/2019-05-29_solo-around-the-markermeer-211km/images/i_01_My-food-and-drink-supply-for-this-ride_500px.jpg)
![Wearing the Giro Aeon helmet](/blog/2020-07-09_repairing-a-giro-aeon-bicycle-helmet/images/i_00_Wearing-the-Giro-Aeon-helmet_500px.jpg)
![This detailed astronaut photograph features two stratovolcanoes, Pico de Teide and Pico Viejo (taken from the International Space Station, public domain)](/blog/2018-08-21_space-travelling-from-el-teide/images/i_01_This-detailed-astronaut-photograph-features-two-stratovolcanoes-Pico-de-Teide-and-Pico-Viejo-taken-f_500px.jpg)
![El Palmar in the valley between Monte del Agua and the Teno mountains](/blog/2018-08-21_space-travelling-from-el-teide/images/i_17_El-Palmar-in-the-valley-between-Monte-del-Agua-and-the-Teno-mountains_500px.jpg)
![Supernova E3 Pro: bright, reliable, for years](/blog/2019-11-26_supernova-e3-pro-2-dynamo-powered-headlight/images/i_02_Supernova-E3-Pro-bright-reliable-for-years_500px.jpg)
![Rescue helicopter lifting persons out of the ocean, notice the volcanic black beach](/blog/2018-08-21_space-travelling-from-el-teide/images/i_19_Rescue-helicopter-lifting-persons-out-of-the-ocean-notice-the-volcanic-black-beach_500px.jpg)
![Gomadic portable Solar Charger - 15W - 330 x 305 x 38 mm](/blog/2018-04-30_off-the-grid-working-on-100-renewable-energy/images/i_00_Gomadic-portable-Solar-Charger-15W-330-x-305-x-38-mm_500px.jpg)
![Attaching the front wheels to the frame](/blog/2019-06-25_assembling-a-cargo-bike/images/i_10_Attaching-the-front-wheels-to-the-frame_500px.jpg)
![Tudor Oyster-Prince Submariner 7924 (from 1959) auctioned for $93,750 in 2016 (photo: Christie's )](/blog/2018-01-21_something-the-smartwatch-will-never-have-patina/images/i_00_Tudor-Oyster-Prince-Submariner-7924-from-1959-auctioned-for-93-750-in-2016-photo-Christie-s_500px.jpg)
![Tie wrapping the electric wire to the sturdier shifter cable](/blog/2019-11-26_supernova-e3-pro-2-dynamo-powered-headlight/images/i_11_Tie-wrapping-the-electric-wire-to-the-sturdier-shifter-cable_500px.jpg)
![Making new friends... the rural way!](/blog/2022-11-01_moving-to-the-countryside/images/i_07_Making-new-friends-the-rural-way_500px.jpg)
![Installing Debian involves answering questions like the desired language](/blog/2018-07-20_helping-people-with-free-software/images/i_09_Installing-Debian-involves-answering-questions-like-the-desired-language_500px.png)
![Supernova E3 PRO2 fitted to my bike](/blog/2019-11-26_supernova-e3-pro-2-dynamo-powered-headlight/images/i_12_Supernova-E3-PRO2-fitted-to-my-bike_500px.jpg)
![Twisty roads to the top of Teide, with remarkable geological formations visible](/blog/2018-08-21_space-travelling-from-el-teide/images/i_05_Twisty-roads-to-the-top-of-Teide-with-remarkable-geological-formations-visible_500px.jpg)
![Placing the solar panel is direct sunlight for optimal performance](/blog/2018-04-30_off-the-grid-working-on-100-renewable-energy/images/i_04_Placing-the-solar-panel-is-direct-sunlight-for-optimal-performance_500px.jpg)
![My Commuter bike in January 2021 - sharp eyes among you will spot the child's seating mount - as some things do change, ha!](/blog/2021-01-10_commuter-bike-checkup/images/i_00_My-Commuter-bike-in-January-2021-sharp-eyes-among-you-will-spot-the-child-s-seating-mount-as-some-th_500px.jpg)
![Shadow of a Martian... of sorts :-)](/blog/2018-08-21_space-travelling-from-el-teide/images/i_08_Shadow-of-a-Martian-of-sorts_500px.jpg)
This month marked "the big move": relocating my family from Amsterdam to Noord-Limburg's countryside. Motivated by my wife's longing for her roots and our desire for space, the timing felt right. As our oldest child neared four years and primary school, we considered embracing the countryside lifestyle. Would trading Amsterdam's bustle for a new pace be rewarding? Read on!
This week my trustworthy commuter bike started making strange squeaking noises when braking. It has been just over three years since I started cycling on it. People frequently ask me how the bike is performing and how the Gates Carbon CDX belt drive is doing? Time to have a look at the bike after 21.000KM!
This month my trustworthy Giro Aeon bicycle helmet broke down! Normally I wouldn't hesitate to invest in safety and thus buying a new one. But I like the Aeon helmet so much that I went through some extra trouble to fix it. Read along to see how I did it.
Earlier this month my dynamo powered headlight on my commuter bike needed replacing. One of the electrical connectors broke of, likely caused by intense daily use. I searched for the best possible light, one that would be extremely durable and bright. I found the Supernova E3 PRO 2 and decided to install it on my bike.
This month our Babboe Big cargo bike arrived, in boxes. The engineer in me thought it was a good idea to assemble the bike by hand. This way I would know exactly about all its parts and fittings, handy knowledge for maintenance. Read along for my experience and some practical tips.
This week I took my bike for a long distance (211KM) ride around the Dutch Markermeer, solo! Unlike participating in an organised event with service, support and company along the way, going solo requires a different preparation, mindset and planning. Read along for some practical tips for long distance cycling.
A year ago I tried to create the ultimate commuter bike, a modified Sensa Cintura with the Gates CDN/CDX carbon belt drive. I received lots of messages from cyclists and commuters from all over the world. From the Swiss alps, France, Italy, Germany, United States and even "down under", Australia! You all wanted to know: how does the upgraded bike hold up?
Earlier this month I drove around town for a week in an electric vehicle, a brand new Smart Electric Drive (EQ fortwo). I used it to commute, for my daily groceries and to visit family, friends and customers. What's it like to drive a fully electric car on a daily basis?
This summer holiday brought me to Tenerife, part of the Canary Islands, Spain. It's a popular destination because of the climate, but it's also the home of Teide, the world's second highest volcano (7500 m, measured from the sea floor). The incredible views reach way beyond earth, into outer space, the Milky Way and other distant galaxies.
This week a man brought his laptop to the community centre where I help people with computer problems as volunteer. The old laptop wouldn't start anymore and had to be reinstalled. Instead of Windows, I installed a free operating system. I think it is important to tell you how and why I did it.
For the past 10 days I have powered my personal electronic devices (phone, computer, wearables) using nothing but energy collected using a small solar panel. I disconnected all grid-connected chargers. I hoped that by going off the grid, even in such a small way, I would gain insights that enable me to save energy (and money).
A good friend of mine had an issue with his Apple Watch, the digital crown lost a rubber ring causing the watch to lose its water resistance. Apple made no problem of it and offered to replace his "device". While it solved his problem, it felt painful to my watch lover's ears. It made me realise the one thing a smartwatch will never have: patina.
About five months ago I got some take away food from our local Asian restaurant. They packaged the food and gave me a plastic bag to carry it home. On my way home I was thinking about the bag. Although it has some nice styling printed on it, it's designed for single use only. What a waste... making me wonder: how long would it last if you would use it on a daily basis?
For a few years now, I commute to work using a bicycle. I have lost more than 15KG since I stopped using my scooter. This week I tested a VanMoof Electrified S, an electric bike with an industrial, minimal design. Is it any good? How does it compare to a normal bike? Will an electric bike make you lazy? Read along to find out!
Right next to the house were I was born there was this chestnut tree, sadly it died one and a half year ago. When it was taken down, my brother saved me a slab of wood. I intended to create something from it, a nice "do it yourself" adventure, worthy of a blog post!
Last week me and my wife went to Sicily for a little summer holiday. It is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. It is an autonomous region of Italy, along with surrounding minor islands. It's home to Europe's largest active volcano: Mount Etna. We had a chance to visit this lava spurring monstrosity and it was quite the experience.