tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28751087514433779642024-03-01T06:39:22.458+01:00Cycling is good for youDifferent views on cycling in Europeannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989947994626570874noreply@blogger.comBlogger234125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2875108751443377964.post-60529493298862934622011-03-17T21:00:00.000+01:002011-03-18T09:36:51.174+01:00On a fine October afternoon......a while ago now, there were two people who had a ride to the beach. The sun was shining and the weather was excellent. The autumn breeze was refreshing as they rode down the cycling lane next to Paral·lel Avenue in Barcelona. Then, at the end of the avenue, they turned right and there they were, the end of Les Rambles with its Columbus statue pretending to signal America but signalling...France? Italy?<br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />They turned left and cycled next to the sea, bordering Port Vell' ('Old Dock'). The white boats and the sun reflecting on the water were a delightful sight. It was impossible not to take a picture.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEhPoN0Mffz7oBWCsKYqt42SDW0FkcLKQ69NfS1mt8Co__Q58ZLIR4-6klTO9hEYkvZPRrDckvbhQv9z9GCE3fMxPNiR4uA4VnEe27M1XPh9Tsw9V6u3Xq7E01d-iyPzEDDAsy1tGl4H0/s1600/portvell_panoramica.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 132px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEhPoN0Mffz7oBWCsKYqt42SDW0FkcLKQ69NfS1mt8Co__Q58ZLIR4-6klTO9hEYkvZPRrDckvbhQv9z9GCE3fMxPNiR4uA4VnEe27M1XPh9Tsw9V6u3Xq7E01d-iyPzEDDAsy1tGl4H0/s320/portvell_panoramica.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585148017887259714" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix28LBGJuHlYU0OOExy3w7PhqNYgRydm2EPMjcXqSbYQi4uANuIO-UGT8NC0_EBIB9u1gyvfocziyFkL2BFaS6K74xVOEAju7TcbAIMa1b0aemijGzFtyR4Zh_37crF7pQeA5-vDA2XVc/s1600/veler_portVell.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix28LBGJuHlYU0OOExy3w7PhqNYgRydm2EPMjcXqSbYQi4uANuIO-UGT8NC0_EBIB9u1gyvfocziyFkL2BFaS6K74xVOEAju7TcbAIMa1b0aemijGzFtyR4Zh_37crF7pQeA5-vDA2XVc/s320/veler_portVell.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585148007766815458" border="0" /></a><br /><br />After a few shots, the riding continued. People walked, talked and lingered calmy on the seaside, enjoying their time. Finally they got to La Barceloneta and left the bike. It was time to walk for a while now, accompanied by the fading lights of the sunset.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaCTnWy3gIh_qmNA60R7K5TkpHaKSG3DT5wdQloRa4bl3awoIZlb9ZYNOAWRmWYHjUjgBy18PRmHEoXg-Ty30-zdpfhfTKX3PBCkxvsF-QqLSR9wpnxviQ6l-petYJMPYkaAwnBeir1tk/s1600/bikes+on+the+sand.jpg"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipLZk5FcYGm6Tkmvm6bWjDrxTrrWDgKSAFhU8Dcvis9MxcWsgk60woWGQsua4-VDV6OUiEN56CqrvFvRfHTQHOt2FWkMSDwhOmAgGn0jn0gMU6Qxt3w_hZzetP0QVHWpyqDfTvJlv9KDM/s1600/Anna_in_LaBarceloneta.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipLZk5FcYGm6Tkmvm6bWjDrxTrrWDgKSAFhU8Dcvis9MxcWsgk60woWGQsua4-VDV6OUiEN56CqrvFvRfHTQHOt2FWkMSDwhOmAgGn0jn0gMU6Qxt3w_hZzetP0QVHWpyqDfTvJlv9KDM/s320/Anna_in_LaBarceloneta.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585149471641098594" border="0" /></a><br />A wonderful Sunday afternoon.<br /></div>Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08288216469730298652noreply@blogger.com129tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2875108751443377964.post-44648254589332643102010-12-01T19:30:00.000+01:002010-12-01T19:30:54.894+01:00Some white stuff from above<div style="text-align: justify;">Last weekend, just before I headed off to Innsbruck, it started to snow in Vienna. It also did when I returned on Sunday evening, and it still does!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Now that's quite some snow for Vienna.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/5224353096/" title="white snow by cycling is good for you, on Flickr"><img alt="white snow" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4152/5224353096_427aff557f.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a name='more'></a>And as every year, they have trouble clearing the roads properly. So the streets look more grehish, and are pretty wet.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/5223755751/" title="ieeh by cycling is good for you, on Flickr"><img ="" alt="ieeh" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5081/5223755751_cab146d182.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">By careful when cycling. Take it easy, <b>don't rush!</b> (see our full <a href="http://cyclingisgoodforyou.blogspot.com/search/label/winter%20cycling%20guide">winter cycling guide</a> for more tipps)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">It's not necessary to leave your bikes at home though... But if you don't wanna ride, take your bikes in. Otherwise there will only be a piece of rust left after the winter...</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/5223757407/" title="snowcapped bikes by cycling is good for you, on Flickr"><img alt="snowcapped bikes" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5121/5223757407_4cd03882f1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989947994626570874noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2875108751443377964.post-7307396544062408802010-11-20T15:06:00.002+01:002010-11-20T19:15:43.307+01:00Gray with colors<div style="text-align: justify;">Winter in Vienna generally means <b>gray</b>. A lot of gray sky. It's cloudy and foggy. If at least it would snow! But it very rarely does. What to do?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I survive this time of the year by wearing some<b> colorful clothes</b>. An additional benefit of this brightening up is that it also increases visibility. Today I set off with Paula for a short gift shopping trip. Since it's cold one has to wear proper protection anyhow. My choice of the day was a blue and red woolen combination. Feels much warmer already, doesn't it? What are you favorite winter cycling clothes?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
Ready ...</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/5192087674/" title="ready to go by cycling is good for you, on Flickr"><img alt="ready to go" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4085/5192087674_ffca49ac51.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">... and go! <br />
<a name='more'></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/5192086884/" title="setting off by cycling is good for you, on Flickr"><img alt="setting off" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4086/5192086884_fa55b0c89e.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">First I had to cycle on some narrow bike lanes. I get by by cycling on the outer edge of it, otherwise I'm too close to parked cars.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/5192092050/" title="narrow bike lane by cycling is good for you, on Flickr"><img alt="narrow bike lane" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4085/5192092050_98b58f95e4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
Before getting to the ring, I can ride in the opponent direction of a one-way street. That's a really nice treat for cyclists heading towards the center.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/5192090728/" title="cycling allowed by cycling is good for you, on Flickr"><img alt="cycling allowed" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4153/5192090728_3c63131846.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Next I could ride a long stretch along the <b>ring</b> bike path. It's incredibly beautiful in autumn when there are a lot of yellow leaves everywhere, but rather bare-branched in November. I passed a few <i>Christmas markets</i>. Well, not really my piece of cake, certainly not yet. Too much consumerism and drunk people everywhere. Christmas seems to start earlier and earlier each year. And each year we have less Christkind and more imported Santa Claus.<br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I was heading towards Mariahilferstraße, generally a hopelessly crowded shopping street. Although it was not so bad on the stretch that I visited, I still could not find <b>bike parking</b> and had to attach Paula to a traffic sign post.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/5192090344/" title="limited bike parking at mariahilferstraße by cycling is good for you, on Flickr"><img alt="limited bike parking at mariahilferstraße" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4090/5192090344_e755be446f.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The shop I went to was crowded but at least they don't play Christmas songs. I found some nice birthday present for my mum, and that was all in needed. Great that I could combine with a relaxed bike ride through town on a Saturday morning :-).</div>annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989947994626570874noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2875108751443377964.post-3778316149511761782010-11-13T22:54:00.001+01:002010-11-17T17:46:18.743+01:00A short stop in Dresden<div style="text-align: justify;">It's already a few months back that I visited <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dresden">Dresden</a>, capital of Saxony in the East of Germany. I arrived by an overnight train, pretty early and the place was still sleepy. Still, quite a few people were already up and bright on their way on bike everywhere.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Of course, one of the first things I noticed were <b>rental bikes</b> and out came my camera.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/5172935502/" title="rent a bike by cycling is good for you, on Flickr"><img alt="rent a bike" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4126/5172935502_cc78e833a7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<a name='more'></a>The texts speak for themselves, for example:</div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>With me you are never stuck in a traffic jam.</li>
<li>With me you can park anywhere.</li>
<li>With me you burn at least 300 kcal an hour.</li>
<li>With me you get without "respirative dust badge" through town.</li>
</ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/5172935502/" title="rent a bike by cycling is good for you, on Flickr"></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/5172937222/" title="rent a bike by cycling is good for you, on Flickr"><img alt="rent a bike" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4085/5172937222_330e5050a1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
To rent and bring back a bike one simply has to call a phone number and tell the number of the bike. Preregistration (with the mobile phone number) is therefore necessary. For more details see the <a href="http://www.nextbike.de/dresden.html?&L=en">nextbike webpage</a>. Their "Rent a Bike" system is used in many cities throughout Germany. Quite interesting concept, because it works without the usual "stations" (but for so-called non-official locations one is charged more).<br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Also noticeable were the elegant (but way too many) German traffic signals near the center and the enjoyable beautiful Baroque architecture.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/5172334645/" title="the red man by cycling is good for you, on Flickr"><img alt="the red man" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4130/5172334645_f8eb707f96.jpg" width="193" /></a></td><td> </td><td><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/5172947326/" title="detail by cycling is good for you, on Flickr"><img alt="detail" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4124/5172947326_c1d2fc0b20.jpg" width="193" /></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/5172966816/" title="elbe by cycling is good for you, on Flickr"><img ="" alt="elbe" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4087/5172966816_403fc604e3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/5172334645/" title="the red man by cycling is good for you, on Flickr"> </a></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Funnily though the place is also filled with street maps showing the <b>car parks</b> around the center. There is even an access to a parking right in the middle of the otherwise beautiful main square with the Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady).<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/5172344513/" title="iiih! by cycling is good for you, on Flickr"><img alt="iiih!" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4133/5172344513_b2abe75f0d.jpg" width="300" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Typical is also the use of <b>bikes for commercial advertising </b><b></b>by shops and restaurants. Seems to work well.<br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/5172333309/" title="red bike for wax & go by cycling is good for you, on Flickr"><img ="" alt="red bike for wax & go" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4091/5172333309_acdb9e19e3.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/5172955358/" title="old rickshaw in front of a restaurant by cycling is good for you, on Flickr"><img alt="old rickshaw in front of a restaurant" height="375" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4103/5172955358_cfd0608c92.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Moreover, there is also a large number of <b>bike racks</b> around most shops. A lot of them also carry ads for shops, pharmacies etc. Not as charming as the bikes in the pictures above, but still useful for cyclists looking for suitable parking.<br />
<br />
And last but not least, a few shots of <b>cyclists</b> in Dresden. Enjoy!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/5172348143/" title="cyclist in dresden by cycling is good for you, on Flickr"><img alt="cyclist in dresden" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4107/5172348143_8f1f436468.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/5172348797/" title="bike taxi by cycling is good for you, on Flickr"><img alt="bike taxi" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4132/5172348797_f568b18420.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/5172340921/" title="cyclist waiting for green by cycling is good for you, on Flickr"><img alt="cyclist waiting for green" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4090/5172340921_230e4e2f5b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/5172946480/" title="cyclists waiting for green by cycling is good for you, on Flickr"><img alt="cyclists waiting for green" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4092/5172946480_a682aacbf3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div>annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989947994626570874noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2875108751443377964.post-29744923001293184442010-10-31T18:38:00.003+01:002010-10-31T18:42:02.807+01:00Learning how to ride a bike<div style="text-align: justify;">In <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mussoorie">Mussoorie</a> -- a small town in the foothills of the Himalaya ranges -- I had the pleasure of watching a little boy taking the first steps towards becoming a cyclist. He was on a pink-and-yellow bike that was actually too small for him. Attached to the rear wheel there seemed to be a construction for <i>training wheels</i>, but the wheels were missing. His<i> father</i> walked beside him and gently held on to the seat/backrest.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/5132570376/" title="easy cycling by cycling is good for you, on Flickr"><img alt="easy cycling" height="400" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1259/5132570376_66f949913e.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><a name='more'></a>When they went uphill, the father pushed a little more from behind. On the downhill parts the father, in addition, secured him by holding on to the handlebar. Though the young fellow already did a good job himself. By now he certainly already masters his bike.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/5132571896/" title="uphill by cycling is good for you, on Flickr"><img alt="uphill" height="195" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1435/5132571896_1fa1e5e9b8_m.jpg" width="195" /></a></td><td> </td><td><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/5132572600/" title="downhill by cycling is good for you, on Flickr"><img alt="downhill" height="195" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4031/5132572600_460145b787.jpg" width="195" /></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Can you still remember how you learned to cycle?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">My first bike was a <i>pink Barbie bike</i> which I got at the age of three. Back then we still lived in a city, and I was only allowed to ride it (with training wheels) in the flat and at a trail along the river. Shortly after we moved to the west -- and countryside. My grandparents had a house, and I practised cycling on the small drive in the front. I learned to cycle without training wheels just like the Indian boy did. Someone was holding on to the seat and let go after a while. Turns where the hardest part, but well, eventually I got it.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">These days special <i>learner bikes</i> are state-of-the-art for children that want to learn cycling in Austria. Does anybody have experience with them?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://www.puky.at/pics/produktbilder/400x300/4036.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A <span id="goog_76434642"></span><span id="goog_76434646"></span><a href="http://www.puky.net/"><span id="goog_76434649"></span>Puky learner bike<span id="goog_76434647"></span><span id="goog_76434643"></span></a><span id="goog_76434650"></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.puky.net/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span id="goog_76434634"><span id="goog_76434637"></span></span><span id="goog_76434638"></span><span id="goog_76434635"></span></a></div>annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989947994626570874noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2875108751443377964.post-21384764101017036872010-10-24T13:58:00.003+02:002010-10-24T14:01:02.346+02:00When it rains in Uttrakhand<div style="text-align: justify;">In India there are essentially three seasons -- the hot, <b>the wet</b> and the cool. In September I was again in India, partly still during the Monsoon. There were major floods in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uttarakhand">Uttrakhand</a>. It was amazing to see how people got on with the amount of water.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Many tourists wrapped themselves up in cheap <b>single-use raincoats</b> in bright colors. They were available for 10 Rupees only. The footbridges (actually also used by cyclists, motorbikers and monkeys :-)) were full of such crowds.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/5109793583/" title="raincoats by cycling is good for you, on Flickr"><img alt="raincoats" height="500" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1179/5109793583_9bfab4af62.jpg" width="375" /></a> </div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><a name='more'></a>Cyclists and even motorbikers protected themselves from the rain by carrying <b>umbrellas</b>. I was impressed with their ability of driving with one hand, particularly when the road conditions got bad and potholes etc. could not be seen anymore because the water level on the streets was too high.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/5109798193/" title="cyclist with umbrella by cycling is good for you, on Flickr"><img alt="cyclist with umbrella" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1412/5109798193_e2bdd1f161.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The rain continued, but we had already planned to travel <i>from Rishikesh to Mussoorie</i>. Even though we went in a car<i></i>, I was sometimes worried that we would make it through rapid streams flowing over some low bridges or through flooded underpasses -- something that I would personally only risk with a four-wheel drive, but in India even overloaded motorbikes did. Well, we had to get through the water because there was simply no other option. Unfortunately, after a few such adventures, the <b>horn</b> didn't work anymore. If you know how important blowing the horn in India is, than this is a rather frightening experience (earlier I wrote more about general <a href="http://cyclingisgoodforyou.blogspot.com/2010/03/traffic-in-india.html">traffic in India</a> if you're interested to know more). Moreover, there was constantly water condensing on the windshields which drastically decreased the visibility...<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/5109798201/" title="flooded roads by cycling is good for you, on Flickr"><img alt="flooded roads" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1238/5109798201_d31a09f959.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Along the way we also saw trucks sunk in the rivers, fallen trees blocking the streets, and more and more streets that turned into rivers creating a lot of (at that time invisible) potholes.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Well, we made it to Mussoorie alright. And since this was a hill station, we were not worried about the rain so much. However, due to flooding and landslides the phone lines were blocked for quite a while, and for a few days also the highway and railway connection to Delhi was closed...<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/5109798213/" title="monkeys hiding from the rain by cycling is good for you, on Flickr"><img alt="monkeys hiding from the rain" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1128/5109798213_18a40af3f6.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div></div>annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989947994626570874noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2875108751443377964.post-72285818698329450602010-10-14T20:29:00.006+02:002010-10-16T19:04:24.787+02:00Cycling the campus<div style="text-align: justify;">Long time since I wrote last, I must apologize. I was off on holiday in India, and then got pretty sick for a while. But now me and Paula are back!</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/5081150947/" title="paula by cycling is good for you, on Flickr"><img ="" alt="paula" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4133/5081150947_fde0169d51.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><a name='more'></a>This semester I attend my first Hindi course which takes place at the Institute for South Asian Studies at the <b>Altes AKH</b>. The Altes AKH is a very special place in Vienna. It is a former hospital (hence AKH = Allgemeines Krankenhaus) in the 9th district. These days most of the humanities of the University of Vienna are located there. It has a lot of green an peaceful courtyards with restaurants, shops, bookstores etc. There are also a lot of benches and trees there to quietly read a book...</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/5081151019/" title="walking and cycling at altes akh by cycling is good for you, on Flickr"><img alt="walking and cycling at altes akh" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4040/5081151019_c6d728c645.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">The Altes AKH campus is <i>carfree</i> (apart from delivery), but cycling is allowed. There are also plenty of bike racks all over the plot, much different to other university sites. It was possible to park Paula directly at the entrance of the Institute for South Asian Studies, nice. Cycling should always feel so easy and comfortable :-).</div>annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989947994626570874noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2875108751443377964.post-77087379790257700802010-09-22T15:29:00.000+02:002010-09-22T15:29:00.730+02:00Pasta bicicletta<div style="text-align: justify;">A great thing about living in central Europe is that one can easily reach many different neighboring countries and enjoy their unique langages and cultures. From his last visit to Italy my father brought me some very special pasta. The noodles are bicycles in six distinct colors. What a sweet idea! (although I fear that I'm already considered a nerd among my family)</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/4982246571/" title="six bicycles by cycling is good for you, on Flickr"><img alt="six bicycles" height="227" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4150/4982246571_1224a5fa0b.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><a name='more'></a>I have to mention though that actually cooking them without destroying their shape was not that easy.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/4982246591/" title="bicycles cooking by cycling is good for you, on Flickr"><img alt="bicycles cooking" height="375" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4147/4982246591_344b141e81.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">But some bicycles still survived. Buon appetito!</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/4982246605/" title="bicycles with tomato sauce by cycling is good for you, on Flickr"><img alt="bicycles with tomato sauce" height="375" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4151/4982246605_4fed3fd50e.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989947994626570874noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2875108751443377964.post-66987700920162262322010-09-17T08:09:00.008+02:002010-10-14T11:19:18.627+02:00A trip to the central cemetery<div style="text-align: justify;">robably it's not to everybodies taste to spend her/his weekends on a graveyard, but I like to visit the Zentralfriedhof in Vienna from time to time. The Zentralfriedhof is the biggest cemetry in Vienna. It is located in the <b>outskirts</b><i> </i>of the city (in Simmering) and can easily be reached by bike. There are also various connections by public transport (e.g. trams 6 and 71).</div><br />
I set off in the morning at the <b>Donaukanal bike path</b> ...<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/4982457669/" title="donaukanal bike path by cycling is good for you, on Flickr"><img alt="donaukanal bike path" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4105/4982457669_12c767e082.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/4982458213/" title="another panda by cycling is good for you, on Flickr"><img alt="another panda" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4146/4982458213_bf1067da55.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><a name='more'></a>... and continued along some more narrow paths. However, it's always interesting to discover new parts of the town. I can't even remember where that church was, but it looked so fancy that I took a picture.</div><br />
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<tr><td><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/4982459709/" title="narrow two-way bike path by cycling is good for you, on
Flickr"><img alt="narrow two-way bike path" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4145/4982459709_5a64913f44_m.jpg" width="180" /></a></td><td> </td><td><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/4983061250/" title="some church by cycling is good for you, on Flickr"><img alt="some church" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4084/4983061250_f5d8c66ac7_m.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">The Zentralfriedhof is a nice place for a <b>walk</b> -- or even <b>bike</b> ride. Because it's prefectly fine to cycle there. The central cemetry is pretty big, so a bicycle is a convenient way to move around. But there's also a <b>bus</b> system operating there, and one can also get special permissions for cars (handy for old and disabled people). Still, I left the bicycle at the door and just strolled around.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/4983064178/" title="alley by cycling is good for you, on Flickr"><img alt="alley" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4127/4983064178_e3ac3b98ae.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Pretty much in the center of the cemetery is the Karl-Borromäus-Kirche, a quite big and facinating <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art_Nouveau">Art Nouveau</a> <b>church</b> (build in 1908-10 by Max Hegele, a student of Otto Wagner).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/4982470529/" title="roof by cycling is good for you, on Flickr"><img alt="roof" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4088/4982470529_75497d1aed.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
There are also some <b>macabre</b> discoveries one can make. For example, don't be shocked when you find an <i>"Abort"</i> sign. That just is an old expression for toilets. At another toilet I saw some really cute pun, but for some reason I just cannot remember what it was exactly (if you want to find it out yourself: enter at the main entrance, turn left and pick the first toilet that crosses your way).</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/4982468823/" title="toilet by cycling is good for you, on Flickr"><img alt="toilet" height="400" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4084/4982468823_b60744f1dd.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Some of the graves are pretty old. I particularly like the old jewish section. Among tourists, the memorials to famous composers and musicians (Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Strauss, Brahms, Falco, Joe Zawinul -- you name them), writers and all kinds of other <b>important people</b> are very popular. <br />
<br />
According to my late grandma, one of her brothers was buried at the Zentralfriedhof in World War II. I don't know where that could be though, and maybe it's just a name written at some memorial. But I don't even remember his name. Still, gives the whole trip also a vague personal touch.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/4982471069/" title="bike lane by cycling is good for you, on Flickr"><img alt="bike lane" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4109/4982471069_5db275f2ee.jpg" width="400" /></a> <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">I enjoyed the stroll and the bike rides there and back. Do you usually head off for recreational rides on weekends? Been to a cemetry recently?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Further information on the Zentralfriedhof Wien</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zentralfriedhof">Wikipedia Zentralfriedhof</a> (in English) </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.viennatouristguide.at/Friedhoefe/Zentralfriedhof/Z_Startseite/z_start.htm">Der Wiener Zentralfriedhof</a> (in German, very detailled information) </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.friedhoefewien.at/">Friedhöfe Wien</a> (in German)</div></div>annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989947994626570874noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2875108751443377964.post-14639859437903110612010-09-12T14:44:00.005+02:002010-09-13T16:47:46.853+02:00Triomphe de l'Auto?<div style="text-align: justify;">Generally I found Paris to be a very bicycle friendly city. However, the (probably) biggest road in Paris, the Avenue des<b> Champs-Élysées</b> is still invested by cars. They are loud, stinky and the come in large numbers. I walked along the whole 2 km stretch, from the Place de la Concorde to the Place Charles de Gaulle (with the famous <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arc_de_Triomphe">Arc de Triomphe</a>).</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/4982578360/" title="champs-élysées by cycling is good for you, on Flickr"><img alt="champs-élysées" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4145/4982578360_8dfb49ff4f.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><a name='more'></a>The sidewalks were <i>crowded</i>, and I did not see a bike path or anything of that sort. Apparently the Champs-Élysées is famous for it's cafés and shops. I don't see how anyone could enjoy a coffee outside at a stressful street like this though. There must be times when the traffic is not so bad.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/4982577894/" title="sidepass on champs-élysées by cycling is good for you, on Flickr"><img alt="sidepass on champs-élysées" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4109/4982577894_47ef848b5a.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/4982579402/" title="wedding by cycling is good for you, on Flickr"><img alt="wedding" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4130/4982579402_74c23a3c73.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/4982581654/" title="police on horses by cycling is good for you, on Flickr"><img alt="police on horses" height="400" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4088/4982581654_86524d6e63.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">I saw <i>very few cyclists</i> who dared to cycle in the heavy traffic. I bet it's not very enjoyable. The only time when the Champs-Élysées is in the hand of cyclists is at the final of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tour_de_france">Tour de France</a>.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/4982581322/" title="champs-élysées by cycling is good for you, on Flickr"><img alt="champs-élysées" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4084/4982581322_0675e7e2f6.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/4981978421/" title="champs-élysées by cycling is good for you, on Flickr"><img alt="champs-élysées" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4104/4981978421_6f70be46e1.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/4982582522/" title="rickshaw by cycling is good for you, on Flickr"><img alt="rickshaw" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4104/4982582522_50a51d1e90.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Finally I reached the end of the Champs-Élysées. I alone because along the way I lost my Japanese companion. To get to the Arc de Triomphe as a pedestrian, one has to use an <i>underpass</i> to avoid the huge motorised roundabout. Pretty grim.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/4982582292/" title="arc de triomphe from afar by cycling is good for you, on Flickr"><img alt="arc de triomphe from afar" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4149/4982582292_806a7cdd02.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/4982582912/" title="underpass by cycling is good for you, on Flickr"><img alt="underpass" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4112/4982582912_cd86e935c1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">So at the end, one stands on this island surrounded by cars and no way to go.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/4982578720/" title="champs-élysées by cycling is good for you, on Flickr"><img alt="champs-élysées" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4127/4982578720_1491c73660.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">A young fellow on a Vélib' -- after taking some advice from policemen -- dissapeared in the pool of cars encircling the arc. After all, it can't be that bad. Probably just takes some getting used to in order to comfortably cycle on the Champs-Élysées and about?</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/4982583494/" title="cyclist at arc de triomphe by cycling is good for you, on Flickr"><img alt="cyclist at arc de triomphe" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4130/4982583494_bd9ca7b908.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/4981981469/" title="cyclist in roundabout by cycling is good for you, on Flickr"><img alt="cyclist in roundabout" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4145/4981981469_e111896fd2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989947994626570874noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2875108751443377964.post-50759222855060146142010-09-08T21:28:00.004+02:002010-09-09T11:05:51.948+02:00Paris is more beautiful on a Vélib'<div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Vélib'</b> is the popular bike share program in Paris, France. Vélib stands for <i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">"vélo liberté" </span></i>(bicycle freedom) and <i>"la ville est plus belle à vélo"</i> (cycling makes the city beautiful) is their welcoming slogan. End of August I stayed in Paris for two weeks, and luckily I also had the time for a spin on a Vélib'. Here are some of my impressions...</div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/4926462259/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="me cycling off on a velib bike in paris by cycling is good for you, on Flickr"><img alt="me cycling off on a velib bike in paris" height="400" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4120/4926462259_3e8a8fc247.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me on a Vélib' near Paris 6 University</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><a name='more'></a>Vélib' was launched in 2007 and is run by the<i> </i>outdoor advertising company JCDecaux. Surprisingly there are still <i>no ads</i> on the bicycles (as compared to the Vienna Citybikes, which are run by Gewista, in fact a part of JCDecaux).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<b>Bicycles</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The bikes are grey, and come with a <i>cockpit-like view</i> (with some instructions explaining how to deal with dead angles of trucks etc.). They are equipped with <i>all necessities</i> -- dressguard, chainguard, a very stable basket in the front, lights, cable lock etc. What I particularly like is the<i> </i>very stable<i> double kickstand</i>. The bikes have three gears and two handbrakes. Personally I am a bit bored by the <i>grey</i> color, and I would prefer a coaster brake. But that's about all, the bikes are comfy and easy to ride.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/4942461821/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="velib bikes by cycling is good for you, on Flickr"><img alt="velib bikes" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4080/4942461821_d5db4beea5.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Vélib' -- simple and sweet</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Stations</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Awesome!!! I have never seen such a huge density of stations of a bike share program. There is a Vélib' station <i>every 300m</i>, and not just in the center but throughout the town. Comparing the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/18732494@N00/2423524540/">station maps</a> of the Viennese and Parisian bike share system is an eyeopener to why Vélib' is so much more successful (and a real alternative to other means of transport).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/4917486920/" title="velib by cycling is good for you, on Flickr"><img alt="velib" height="300" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4120/4917486920_76f48787d9.jpg" /></a></td><td> </td><td><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/4943024284/" title="velib station near eiffel tower by cycling is good for you, on Flickr"><img alt="velib station near eiffel tower" height="300" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4074/4943024284_384726d608.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" colspan="3" style="text-align: center;">Vélib' stations in Montmatre and near the Tour Eiffel</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">The bike can be picked by the user, so it's advisable to check the functionality of it first (this is not possible at the BiCiNg system, for example). For regular users, there is a <i>quick release</i> option directly at the bike stand. After the journey, a receipt can be printed. By the way, the menu at the screen is available in <i>many languages</i>. Thumbs up for functionality!</div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/4943054306/" title="velib station by cycling is good for you, on Flickr"><img alt="velib station" height="220" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4097/4943054306_65a75ae809_m.jpg" /></a></td><td> </td><td><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/4942463881/" title="connection by cycling is good for you, on Flickr"><img alt="connection" height="220" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4080/4942463881_faaef81ff7.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" colspan="3" style="text-align: center;">Vélib station and quick release</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<b>Availability and costs</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">There basically two different ways to get to ride a Vélib' -- you need a <i>1 year Vélib' card</i> or a <i>1 day </i>or<i> 7 day pass</i> which can be purchased at the stations (with a bank/credit card). Signing up costs 29, 1 and 5 €, respectively.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The <i>first 1/2 hour</i> of every ride is <i>for free</i>, then the rate increases starting with 1 € for the second half hour etc. I think 1/2 hour is quite sufficient, I have never even used a shared bike for so long (although there, the complete first hour is for free).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/4926466999/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="velib card and receipt by cycling is good for you, on Flickr"><img alt="velib card and receipt" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4141/4926466999_b509287f53.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vélib' card of my landlady, with receipt of my ride</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><br />
<b>Cycling in Paris</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Despite Paris being a huge and busy metropolis, cycling (and walking) there is extremely<i> relaxing</i>. People are very laid-back and don't take all the traffic rules so seriously (apart from when they drive a car, which is good). Although I made a few mistakes when I had to choose my lane before junctions etc., nobody ever honked or shouted at me. What a pleasant surprise! It's great to not feel "in the way" while cycling.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/4927074818/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="wide road with no bike lane by cycling is good for you, on Flickr"><img alt="wide road with no bike lane" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4079/4927074818_7a9c3b4240.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cycling on a busy wide road</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<i>Bike lanes</i> are not always easy to find (or even access) and it's not always clear where they continue. However, they are clearly marked and I felt really safe on them. No riding in door zones or bike lanes built on sidewalks or anything of that sort. Great, I enjoyed it a lot.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/4926471635/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="passing a velib station at the seine by cycling is good for you, on Flickr"><img alt="passing a velib station at the seine" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4079/4926471635_6d97005c63.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On a segregated bike path</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Resume</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Having tried the <a href="http://cyclingisgoodforyou.blogspot.com/2009/04/long-tradition-of-shared-citybikes-in.html">Vienna Citybikes</a>, the <a href="http://cyclingisgoodforyou.blogspot.com/2009/03/bicing-or-cycling-boom-in-barcelona.html">Barcelona's BiCiNg</a> and now Vélib' in Paris, what can I say? Well, my perfect bike share system has the <i>density</i> of the Vélib' stations, the lovely <i>red</i> BiCiNg cycles and the ease of <i>access</i> (and costs) of the Citybikes in Vienna :-).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">What are your experiences with shared bikes? Have you used Vélib' in Paris yourself?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Further information</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.velib.paris.fr/%20">Vélib' official website</a> (in French, here are summaries in <a href="http://www.velib.paris.fr/content/download/3122/27013/version/3/file/V%C3%A9lib%27+-+English.pdf">English</a> and <a href="http://www.velib.paris.fr/content/download/3123/27018/version/1/file/V%C3%A9lib%27+-+espanol.pdf">Spanish</a>)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velib">Wikipedia about Vélib'</a> (in English)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">an-Architecture blog: <a href="http://www.an-architecture.com/2008/04/urban-bicycle-schemes-in-vienna-and.html">"Urban bicycle schemes in Vienna and Paris"</a> (great comparative study of Vélib' and Vienna Citybikes, in English) </div><div style="text-align: justify;">e2 Video: <a href="http://www.pbs.org/e2/episodes/308_paris_velo_liberte_excerpt.html">"Vélo liberté"</a> (explaining the design, the success and other positive effects of Vélib', in French and English)</div>annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989947994626570874noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2875108751443377964.post-44812989199039443342010-09-04T17:18:00.013+02:002010-09-08T21:32:00.881+02:00Compartida, la vida es más<div style="text-align: justify;">This title is a tag line from a TV mobile network company ad broadcasted in Spain during this spring (Spanish readers, correct me if I'm wrong ;)). It means <span style="font-weight: bold;">"Shared, life is more". </span>As a linguist, I am still pondering over the sense of grammatical unfinishedness of the tag line, but bear with me, "professional defect", I put a great dose to control myself but am not always successful...But that's another matter.<br />
<br />
There were different ads (you can see them in <a href="http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=compartida+la+vida+es+mas&aq=f">Youtube</a>) with the motto, but if I had to choose I would take this one:<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/3YJRmp40QCQ?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/3YJRmp40QCQ?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
Until the end of the ad, you are not sure what it is about...then you see the motto and start noticing some details...which ones do you get? Do you think the motto is appropriate? And, last but not least, do you like the ad?<br />
<br />
The more I watch it, the more I am amazed on how well it was orchestrated!</div>Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08288216469730298652noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2875108751443377964.post-64446250403628195862010-08-31T09:31:00.002+02:002010-09-04T20:44:26.336+02:00Travel diary - Day 4<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">On my latest post we arrived at <b>Korppoo</b> on Monday night. It is a small town that has less than 1000 year-round inhabitants but a lot more in the summer. For Tuesday, we had only 30 kilometers’ ride left, which was substantially less than the 150 kilometers we had travelled that day.</div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhu5Jqs1IsDzeOV2a0PIu4CYZU6hFNB6o4aRfr9vp11JFRq7y6im9OjaO8_P-oAQhSCjwJpWMRltZGfc-7G9mQ7XiFu2e08wOIIf3JsmYjfxAUyw1io25NhvbDKnDl_DOt2YKZkB4ASgM/s1600/SDC11686.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhu5Jqs1IsDzeOV2a0PIu4CYZU6hFNB6o4aRfr9vp11JFRq7y6im9OjaO8_P-oAQhSCjwJpWMRltZGfc-7G9mQ7XiFu2e08wOIIf3JsmYjfxAUyw1io25NhvbDKnDl_DOt2YKZkB4ASgM/s320/SDC11686.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Röda huset</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><a name='more'></a>So, in Korppoo we stayed at an inn called Röda huset (The Red House). In the morning, when I was walking in the garden of the inn, I found this.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1pv9Bpnv4hPdiakY7CF1JZbaXKwaeazVfYJgaZuLc-9VK5VpIl8Q5rgPiqxRco4DvFLP5G7bAAVPn6LUuxWhPvZqHfX32mfxS0jT6mGpGCy6HL4mDZv8QROsZZROwnh72ZN_ng2Mlzks/s1600/SDC11691.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1pv9Bpnv4hPdiakY7CF1JZbaXKwaeazVfYJgaZuLc-9VK5VpIl8Q5rgPiqxRco4DvFLP5G7bAAVPn6LUuxWhPvZqHfX32mfxS0jT6mGpGCy6HL4mDZv8QROsZZROwnh72ZN_ng2Mlzks/s320/SDC11691.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">What is missing there? Can you see it? The bike is not locked, in fact, there’s no lock at all. When we were heading out on the road again later in the morning in front of the local grocery store this sight was repeated: there were five <b>unlocked bikes</b> in the bike racks at the store. People don’t seem to lock their bikes in Korppoo. Do you have any theories about this that you would like to share? People do lock their bikes generally in Finland, and there’s a lot of traffic and tourists in the archipelago, which is otherwise sparsely populated and mainly rural.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">The weather on Tuesday was sunny and warm, and we were in no hurry to reach a ferry. The road was interesting too, so we pedaled of a good pace and enjoyed the ride. Soon it was time to take the last rope ferry and return to the island of Nauvo, which is where we started the whole journey.</div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWSVEV7RQh_1mWPH4FgufYzJDealwH_SUgGEwPKrfB-RaxwrZA3dmOOdC5IqEabwJgcPl6XbbpWTGGU3U3b2ePzKHTGgHe9U-JTMXqZ8pLXhWolwl_bnHf5L0YHo9-Yd_UURjMELdWlas/s1600/SDC11692.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWSVEV7RQh_1mWPH4FgufYzJDealwH_SUgGEwPKrfB-RaxwrZA3dmOOdC5IqEabwJgcPl6XbbpWTGGU3U3b2ePzKHTGgHe9U-JTMXqZ8pLXhWolwl_bnHf5L0YHo9-Yd_UURjMELdWlas/s320/SDC11692.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ring road is connected by these yellow rope ferries.<br />
They go across straits constantly without fixed<br />
schedule until the ring road is closed in the fall.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">So, the ride of the day took only a couple of hours, and we arrived at <b>Nauvo </b>well in time. We went to the <b>beach</b> which is located right next to the guest port and sunbathed a bit. I took the first swim of the year (in August, well in time) and had tiny little fish bite my toes.</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJu51qHpXePKoPHzWspQQu6BLPl-S8QNvmXkHbtRse0k3GIFoycB7NJtjdhP-aceWB5lxpIBlgBoQPwJENOiCNQt3Pk0tzS2jKAOTfP9rajtQ8u24gqcZoAYZ3nNh53yOb6fdkkW4dg-4/s1600/SDC11699.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJu51qHpXePKoPHzWspQQu6BLPl-S8QNvmXkHbtRse0k3GIFoycB7NJtjdhP-aceWB5lxpIBlgBoQPwJENOiCNQt3Pk0tzS2jKAOTfP9rajtQ8u24gqcZoAYZ3nNh53yOb6fdkkW4dg-4/s320/SDC11699.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the beach</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">It was quite sad to return the bikes to the <a href="http://www.nagu.net/vastergard/pyoraily/">Västergård</a> and leave the holiday behind, but still, one’s own bed is the best one.<br />
<br />
BTW, there is something important that I need to tell you about the archipelago just in case that anyone goes there. There are <b>ticks</b> in the archipelago, and they can be dangerous because they <b>spread diseases.</b> One disease is <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lyme_disease">lyme borreliosis</a>, which can lead to paralysis but can easily be treated by antibiotics in the early phase. The other disease they spread is <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Encephalitis">brain inflammation </a>which can lead to coma or death. So, if you ever go to the archipelago, take measures to prevent tick bites and check for bites every night. You don’t want to be hospitalized for life just over a stupid tick bite.</div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUfLBPNLOjfg5vfGUTqXH5AjU6aQKbVlw1HGejo-QvQHCH4o7HbjPzWBNONvox6GkEvcY0yLJNwAGYmuFoB14nc9xSwINgBTbhzHgB4DnohYXTkFHW-hYLOQNJLiI9t2ud6heTGBlU_o4/s1600/Ixodes.ricinus.searching.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUfLBPNLOjfg5vfGUTqXH5AjU6aQKbVlw1HGejo-QvQHCH4o7HbjPzWBNONvox6GkEvcY0yLJNwAGYmuFoB14nc9xSwINgBTbhzHgB4DnohYXTkFHW-hYLOQNJLiI9t2ud6heTGBlU_o4/s320/Ixodes.ricinus.searching.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A tick. Small but potentially deadly.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">That’s it then! I would have much more pics and stuff to tell, but you’ve probably have had enough by now ;)</div><br />
Links:<br />
<a href="http://cyclingisgoodforyou.blogspot.com/2010/08/travel-diary-day-1-morning.html">Day 1 (morning)</a><br />
<a href="http://cyclingisgoodforyou.blogspot.com/2010/08/travel-diary-day-1-afternoon.html">Day 1 (afternoon)</a><br />
<a href="http://cyclingisgoodforyou.blogspot.com/2010/08/day-2.html">Day 2</a><br />
<a href="http://cyclingisgoodforyou.blogspot.com/2010/08/travel-diary-day-3.html">Day 3</a>Sonjahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11435872171118321239noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2875108751443377964.post-18473149363983723202010-08-26T22:53:00.006+02:002010-08-30T20:19:46.382+02:00Travel diary - Day 3<div style="text-align: justify;">The last post ended with me and my sister staying overnight in Laupunen, which is pretty much on the half-way on our journey through the Southwestern archipelago. We are at the northeastern point of the route, and today I shall tell you about the southwards heading road. The day's journey <i>of </i>150 km (much of it by ferries)<i> </i><span style="font-style: normal;">was</span> probably the most interesting and anticipated one out of all four days, because it is the furthest away from the continent and we entered <span style="font-weight: bold;">the outer archipelago</span>. That is where ships and rope ferries replace bridges and islands get small and distances between them get longer.</div><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">The third day, Monday, began with saying goodbyes with our kind hosts. After a couple of kilometers ride it was already time time for the first ferry crossing. It was a big ship called <span style="font-weight: bold;">Aurora</span>, and it was the second and the last ferry that cost money on the ring road. The day was half cloudy and rather warm, but the wind in the archipelago is very strong, so we got the chills as soon as we embarked on the ferry. So, if one goes to the archipelago, I recommend to take some warm clothes with them even in the middle of a heat wave.</div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBeWVyoMQMYT0UJ_GQMrgrHHy9-qg96tTOZpq4sN0agSDHqlrHclq2Mlh1q0d3yE2t4O8p9xCZUIP3SarOjFYCQ9hglRSSX7xJ-e2CY5HwxNPGoXpsgUN8fb2IqadYGK1fANogjyhG1RA/s1600/SDC11638.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507111006837377570" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBeWVyoMQMYT0UJ_GQMrgrHHy9-qg96tTOZpq4sN0agSDHqlrHclq2Mlh1q0d3yE2t4O8p9xCZUIP3SarOjFYCQ9hglRSSX7xJ-e2CY5HwxNPGoXpsgUN8fb2IqadYGK1fANogjyhG1RA/s320/SDC11638.JPG" style="display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sea view from the ferry Aurora</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><a name='more'></a>We weren't without <span style="font-weight: bold;">company</span> that day either. While waiting for the first ferry, we saw a group of four cyclists that were taking the same route with us that day. Those people were almost on every ferry and raft that we used that day (total six of them). One of the cyclists rode this funny couch bike.</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyRdDhA3UncNlPSiScElOiJJhyphenhyphenPZK1MKMhhBQ-zkc0SqX6YmIkxEjb5u-JjO8jpPur-XiCQCHAeKAzpmdT_X0gegfPIiHC-kGJP1mMq_xtiRzBXA0p3zEaVXCmvBR3BptYb9CRjmIgAi4/s1600/SDC11645.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507111001988440386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyRdDhA3UncNlPSiScElOiJJhyphenhyphenPZK1MKMhhBQ-zkc0SqX6YmIkxEjb5u-JjO8jpPur-XiCQCHAeKAzpmdT_X0gegfPIiHC-kGJP1mMq_xtiRzBXA0p3zEaVXCmvBR3BptYb9CRjmIgAi4/s320/SDC11645.JPG" style="display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A more comfy way to ride a bike</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpNl6rjlK6-H1cfY-74ldDTb6xY0RQYP6e0rA0EXIluIq-tMnW3OVJwlOdh9-vLNj7wnoN48DZuhtzuzcdirPx-htVgnV5D264zpMppKwMVo6djpZSiByvRZ87oB53t3mvWZTMMvXA5sk/s1600/SDC11648.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507111000295989986" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpNl6rjlK6-H1cfY-74ldDTb6xY0RQYP6e0rA0EXIluIq-tMnW3OVJwlOdh9-vLNj7wnoN48DZuhtzuzcdirPx-htVgnV5D264zpMppKwMVo6djpZSiByvRZ87oB53t3mvWZTMMvXA5sk/s320/SDC11648.JPG" style="display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Norrby nature trail</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">On Monday's route there were many sights to choose from, and the first place we decided to go to was the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Norrby nature trail</span>. It goes through several different environments that are typical to the archipelago, and on the way one can pick blueberries, wonder lichen species or admire the view. The whole experience peaked at the highest point of the island, on the Kasberget, which is a great lookout. There was a lookout tower and a map to which one could compare the amazing scenery of water and forested islands that opens up below the feet. After this not-too-difficult climb and having bellies full of blueberries in Norrby we continued the ride towards the town and visited the church. Now, a good thing about rural places is that one never knows what kind of wild life comes across to your path. Right after the visit to the local 300 years old church we sighted an eagle flying proud above the village on its territory. Only 30 years ago <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White-tailed_Eagle" style="font-weight: bold;">white-tailed eagle</a> were almost extinct from Finland mainly because environmental pollution caused the eggs to crack. When there were only a few of them left, they were widely protected and provided for clean food during the winter, and nowadays there are several thousands of white-tailed eagles in Finland and some hundreds of new ones are born every year. Even though eagles are nowadays common, it still gives you the goosebumps to see the flight of this big and beautiful bird.</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_WvMljQS9OYLLboIs8dl8YsXKAf6gfOVjrTxdXjljQnuZGTH9M0hDZzHq1KL9VqwIXMyx3Z7HvyLA-1oxMHTvhr70UZRN9a7FAG7M9ZJddDtulr2AnEDIeRamlIrXKWJUUF2b9M2b3qI/s1600/SDC11669.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507110390094675826" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_WvMljQS9OYLLboIs8dl8YsXKAf6gfOVjrTxdXjljQnuZGTH9M0hDZzHq1KL9VqwIXMyx3Z7HvyLA-1oxMHTvhr70UZRN9a7FAG7M9ZJddDtulr2AnEDIeRamlIrXKWJUUF2b9M2b3qI/s320/SDC11669.JPG" style="display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iniö town church</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">As you can see, the other bike has fallen in front of the church because of a failing stand. While we were waiting for the next ferry, we met the group of four cyclists again. My sister, who is tall and blond and generally thought as pretty, greeted the group and gave them a little smile and a complaint of a bike that would fall on the ferry. Obviously, once my sister turned her charm on, they had no other choice but to <span style="font-weight: bold;">fix the stand</span> for us. Sometimes it is useful to have a pretty twin sister ;)</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpPZqKFlV4Rz3XLjGaFtSTU3uXiR3pLwi5X7QTjfhechnoBb5YNcmZi7TyVzw_q4K3fV8erN6WcTN1cHIvE37pKcST7_8DjHKWUJQvmn5G04lneJQHYua8mE_pr4r2Mz5L-tJS3L13uBM/s1600/SDC11672.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507110370951352402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpPZqKFlV4Rz3XLjGaFtSTU3uXiR3pLwi5X7QTjfhechnoBb5YNcmZi7TyVzw_q4K3fV8erN6WcTN1cHIvE37pKcST7_8DjHKWUJQvmn5G04lneJQHYua8mE_pr4r2Mz5L-tJS3L13uBM/s320/SDC11672.JPG" style="display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Romance on the Dalen -Mossala ferry</td></tr>
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<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">By the time we arrived at <span style="font-weight: bold;">Houtskär</span> we were rather hungry, and decided to have lunch some time soon. The day's ride had been quite enjoyable and effortless, so we had postponed lunch a bit, and got a recommendation of a place that is known of having the <span style="font-weight: bold;">best burgers in the archipelago</span>. We couldn't resist the lure of that. Unfortunately, the guest port of Näsby, where the restaurant was located in, was not easy to find. However, the burgers, even my veggie burger, were really good.</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-kjIzJRI0VU8smYDp-hRsC1P3GGogFhXf-4Apc1Bxun9HcAfmt7cHs0Wr8o97ZZsjLjt8hmTtPyszNWqHCQ6ue0a42jvyVGihQeB7hKrk_uiLlsGeMtepoEq5iBNhjdMhgdDs0E5yrNo/s1600/SDC11680.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507110365148368738" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-kjIzJRI0VU8smYDp-hRsC1P3GGogFhXf-4Apc1Bxun9HcAfmt7cHs0Wr8o97ZZsjLjt8hmTtPyszNWqHCQ6ue0a42jvyVGihQeB7hKrk_uiLlsGeMtepoEq5iBNhjdMhgdDs0E5yrNo/s320/SDC11680.JPG" style="display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A rope ferry crossing at Houtskär</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6sBX7c4jcVqzgFSObFHkA9K8LkEsryWtBrZPevxjL-KnNKMo9Y7la30sp2T6vV5H7D9wBJOl-6tweGD8TZQQ0zqNuKzrd5bEE0PSm8tQGDySgsEnsEYopzzuLeA96FQmjjYB3eouonLs/s1600/SDC11681.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507110364380754450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6sBX7c4jcVqzgFSObFHkA9K8LkEsryWtBrZPevxjL-KnNKMo9Y7la30sp2T6vV5H7D9wBJOl-6tweGD8TZQQ0zqNuKzrd5bEE0PSm8tQGDySgsEnsEYopzzuLeA96FQmjjYB3eouonLs/s320/SDC11681.JPG" style="display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boat sheds</td></tr>
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<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">After lunch we continued the ride heading east towards the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Kittuis port</span>, where the next, and the last, car ferry on our journey was to leave. The route was interesting, forested, and had hills of varying sizes. Unfortunately the weather was turning worse and I could feel a drop falling on the skin every now and then. We arrived at Kittuis just in time to see the ferry disappear behind a nearby island, what a luck! We were 5 minutes late. There we stood in the rain having smokes and wondering what to do next, and we found out that the next ferry leaves in 2,5 hours. There was a little shop/bar nearby, and we decided to go there to wait. We spent couple of hours drinking coffee, gossiping with the bartender and catching up with three days of missed news, and made it in time for the next ferry. BTW, Kittuis port is right next to an <span style="font-weight: bold;">international ship route</span>, so if you stop there for a coffee, you might see a passenger ship going to Maarianhamina and then to Stockholm, Sweden. Those ships are basically floating combined malls, hotels and bars, so it's a 24 hour party there.</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVpz1OFglF6oKjTQSVw79qzEa4q8keCw5OZAw9teajUcUZmO-kwOb5ux8IJj6c2VQTcepTwxPy0yfKi68s1EKlBzk2qJQl0p1iRL4qdYb9HlHDVdat-TXh-mb7SM5C1T4kE4O6EQwwTnM/s1600/SDC11684.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507110360535588034" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVpz1OFglF6oKjTQSVw79qzEa4q8keCw5OZAw9teajUcUZmO-kwOb5ux8IJj6c2VQTcepTwxPy0yfKi68s1EKlBzk2qJQl0p1iRL4qdYb9HlHDVdat-TXh-mb7SM5C1T4kE4O6EQwwTnM/s320/SDC11684.JPG" style="display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Passenger ship on its way to Åland</td></tr>
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<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">In rainy <span style="font-weight: bold;">Korppoo</span> we had only a few kilometers left to ride before the town and our accommodation. The next time I'll tell you more about the town and a funny little thing with their bikes that you will find surprising and maybe even stupid. See you later again!</div><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Links:</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><a href="http://cyclingisgoodforyou.blogspot.com/2010/08/travel-diary-day-1-morning.html">Day 1 (morning)</a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><a href="http://cyclingisgoodforyou.blogspot.com/2010/08/travel-diary-day-1-afternoon.html">Day 1 (afternoon)</a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><a href="http://cyclingisgoodforyou.blogspot.com/2010/08/day-2.html">Day 2</a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Day 4</div>Sonjahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11435872171118321239noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2875108751443377964.post-51699926540194093372010-08-21T23:11:00.005+02:002010-08-22T21:58:37.154+02:00Painted-on bike symbols in Paris<div style="text-align: justify;">I've only been in Paris for a week, but gathered more impressions than I can deal with. It's even harder to sum it all up. Paris is many things I love -- stunning, green, multicultural, open, relaxing and (within the last days) also sunny. Despite its size, I walk most of the time or use the metro. Throughout the week I work, but I try to catch hold of some special features that Paris offers. Well, among many other things, Paris is famous for the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mona_lisa" target="_blank">Mona Lisa</a> in the Louvre. Let's have a look at some other paintings today...</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">What I particularly like are the<b> cycle paths</b><i> </i>and <b>bike lanes</b> throughout the town. They are really wide and clearly marked. Some of the bike symbols are boxed in <i>green</i>. Can anybody tell me the meaning of that?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/4913374651/" title="segregated bike lane by cycling is good for you, on Flickr"><img alt="segregated bike lane" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4140/4913374651_abe7f1dbdd.jpg" width="190" /></a></td><td> </td><td><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/4913374579/" title="bike lane on the road by cycling is good for you, on Flickr"><img alt="bike lane on the road" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4095/4913374579_d0bc9dd5ff.jpg" width="190" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" colspan="3" style="text-align: center;">Segregated two-way cycle path and bike lane in Paris</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a name='more'></a>Cycling is generally allowed on <b>bus lanes</b>, which offer a huge area for cyclists to cycle more safely on the road. In Vienna, the Wiener Linien try hard to avoid something like that from happening (but a few bus lanes are already open for cyclists, too).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/4913374589/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="combined bus and bike lane by cycling is good for you, on Flickr"><img alt="combined bus and bike lane" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4121/4913374589_5b11d61d53.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bus lanes can be also used by cyclists</td></tr>
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In some places one can find a special version of so-called <b>bike boxes</b> in front of traffic lights. Such bike boxes are easy to implement (in fact, just a little bit of paint is required), but are a great safety feature for cyclists cause motorists <i>see</i> them. It would be great to have more of those in Vienna, too. So far I only know of one such construction near Mariahilferstraße, but the IG Fahrrad is already working on changing that (read more about <a href="http://lobby.ig-fahrrad.org/pole-position-fuers-fahrrad-eine-aktion-fuer-ampel-halteflaechen/" target="_blank">their last protest</a>).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/4914007634/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="advanced stop lines for cyclists by cycling is good for you, on Flickr"><img alt="advanced stop lines for cyclists" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4095/4914007634_b2fbb18f91.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cyclists can wait in the front at traffic lights</td></tr>
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Last but not least, one of the greatest bike paintings I have ever seen: <b>bike crossings</b>. In Paris, they are really well marked, with <i>painted-on arrows and bicycles</i>. For cyclists it's obvious where bike lanes continue after the junction, and for people in/on other vehicles it is clear where cyclists are to be expected and where to watch out for them.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/4914003340/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="where to cross by cycling is good for you, on Flickr"><img alt="where to cross" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4074/4914003340_482da73704.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Navigating was never that easy</td></tr>
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Paintings are so simple, but yet so efficient.</b> Let Parisian painters rule the roads!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">No cyclists in Paris? By no means! There are hundreds and thousands of them, everywhere and very chic. But be patient, I slowly have to sort out my pictures :-).</div>annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989947994626570874noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2875108751443377964.post-42608865871027974492010-08-19T09:33:00.007+02:002010-08-30T20:12:18.508+02:00To Paris by train<div style="text-align: justify;">Since beginning of this week I'm in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris">Paris</a>, France. Not for a holiday, but that doesn't matter. I still intend to enjoy it as much as possible :).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I was traveling <b>by train</b> all the way from Vienna, which took me about 12 hours (including a stopover in Frankfurt, Germany). Some might say that this is too long for a train ride and prefer to fly. I love train rides. According to my grandma I already enjoyed my first big train ride without parents at the age of 3 (we moved houses between two towns in Austria). My granny feared that I would start to cry because I would miss my close family, but instead I happily looked outside the window, pointed at sheep and giggled.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/4901371313/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="ic by cycling is good for you, on Flickr"><img ="" alt="ic" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4138/4901371313_41fbefcc87.jpg" width="450" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">IC (Intercity) train of the German railway company DB at Frankfurt train station</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/4901369651/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="features of frankfurt train station by cycling is good for you, on Flickr"><img alt="features of frankfurt train station" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4142/4901369651_d661994723.jpg" width="450" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Features of the train station Frankfurt am Main [click on the picture for an explanation]</td></tr>
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Many happy train rides in my early <i>childhood</i> followed, and my grandparents were many times part of it. My grandpa -- although already retired at the time -- had once worked for the ÖBB, the Austrian railway company. Thus my grandparents traveled a lot by train, and took us kids along. Very often we visited Bregenz, the capital of Vorarlberg, went on a boat trip on the Bodensee and left a poem on my dads windshield (my grandma and me always made up some rhymes on the way).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I had a great time back then. And I still have. I can travel in trains for hours without getting bored. I just <i>look outside the window</i>, watch the landscape, the people at the stations and so on. I love to see the changes in all these things rather than getting in a plane on one side and getting off at a completely different place. The part in between is just missing, don't you think?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/4901372091/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="crowds by cycling is good for you, on Flickr"><img ="" alt="crowds" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4099/4901372091_0df380297c.jpg" width="450" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crowds at Frankfurt (my stopover)</td></tr>
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;">My longest train rides were from Vienna to <i>Macedonia</i> (more than 26 hours) and from near <i>Barcelona</i> to Vienna (almost 24 hours). Compared to that, the train ride to Paris is peanuts. I love that Europe has such a <b>well-established railway system</b> and that it is so comfortable and fast to travel by train.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/4901962182/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="bikes at frankfurt train station by cycling is good for you, on Flickr"><img ="" alt="bikes at frankfurt train station" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4080/4901962182_68e589147d.jpg" width="450" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Few bicycles at Frankfurt main station</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Ok, there are also many things that should be improved. Letting the regional problems aside, the transeuropean connections have the problem that one cannot buy<i> one</i> ticket online (or, for that matter, even find out how much a ticket would cost), but has to go to the train station. When I went to Barcelona last year, the ÖBB travel agent itself offered me a flight rather then a train ticket (how sad!). Another problem is the the basically non-existent <b>international bicycle transport</b>. These days bicycles are not allowed on high-speed trains, and I could not even send a bicycle (as a paket) by train. Ok, in Paris there is the <b>bike share system</b> <a href="http://www.velib.paris.fr/">Velib'</a>, but such systems don't exist everywhere. On the other hand, one can easily carry a bike on a plane, and transport a bloody car on a train. When are these railway companies ever going to implement existent <a href="http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/transport/rail_transport/l24003_en.htm">European rail passengers' rights</a>?</div><blockquote><i>"The railway companies are obliged to enable passengers to bring their <span class="highlightedSearchTerm">bicycle</span>s onto any train, if they are easy to handle, if it does not adversely affect the specific rail service, and if the rolling-stock so permits."</i></blockquote><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
What I liked about the French railway system <a href="http://www.sncf.com/">SNCF</a> so far? The retro conductors (they even still wear these fancy hats!). And that the <a href="http://www.tgv.com/">TGV</a> (<span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Train à Grande Vitesse)</span> are pretty goddamn fast.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">More about Paris and Velib' coming soon...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/4901965570/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="arrival in paris est by cycling is good for you, on Flickr"><img alt="arrival in paris est" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4102/4901965570_cc3093b0fd.jpg" width="450" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arrival in Paris Est</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div>annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989947994626570874noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2875108751443377964.post-40521358789220505992010-08-16T14:59:00.011+02:002010-08-30T20:20:22.712+02:00Travel diary - Day 2<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">A week ago I wrote about the beginning of the bicycle journey to the Southwestern Archipelago, and today we shall continue where we left, at the farm of the Taattinens. </div><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">After a well slept night, breakfast and some goodbyes me and my twin continued the journey along the northern section of the ring road. The weather was really nice, the sun was shining and it wasn't too hot. We had a quick stop at <span style="font-weight: bold;">Merimasku</span>, where we visited a local church. It was old, maybe from the 1700's, but in my opinion it was not quite as awesome as the Seili church. Nearby the church there was a parked German tourist bus that had a carrier for the bikes. Later on we sighted the bus and the Germans often because they followed the same route for the day.</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVG5BLWdCGxO3o5ipvS2SDs0r4KfwcD53ajpTwGQRWfGL_K6usFd1K7FB8abuhPEZacQS_PVbQA-A6S6G6JLMqMapugJPTf2f_MxrvPKBaURZY8l_T8sz6Wz2z_qv2aVA9XYF31VZ79no/s1600/SDC11628.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505992656483285682" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVG5BLWdCGxO3o5ipvS2SDs0r4KfwcD53ajpTwGQRWfGL_K6usFd1K7FB8abuhPEZacQS_PVbQA-A6S6G6JLMqMapugJPTf2f_MxrvPKBaURZY8l_T8sz6Wz2z_qv2aVA9XYF31VZ79no/s320/SDC11628.JPG" style="display: block; height: 203px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On a scenic bridge</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><a name='more'></a>After Merimasku the road changed: bike lanes disappeared and we had to ride among the cars. Fortunately the worst tourist season was over and there wasn't too much traffic. The good news was that the terrain changed and there were fewer big hills on the way, although many smaller ones. In my opinion, also the views changed for better, because there were many scenic bridges, agricultural landscapes and even oak forests to be admired. We rode the first 20 kilometers to Velkua a rather good pace and sighted the German tourists every now and then. Unfortunately we started to have some problems with the bikes: the other one's stand started to fail as did the gears in the other one. Apparently our bad luck hadn't abandoned us quite yet ;)</div><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">After a couple of hours cycling in a nice weather we arrived at the Velkua port. There was a couple of hours left until our ferry, Kivimo, would leave to the Hakkeenpää port, so we parked our bikes and had lunch there. Velkua port has excellent services: there are restaurants, a guest port, beach nearby and even a shop and a man selling blueberries and smoked fish. Actually, I had forgotten it, but this was not the first time that I had been there. A few years back my friend took me and two guys for a double date in a deserted island nearby. It was great: skinny dipping in the moonlight and barbequing with friends in a natural beach. I didn't quite fancy my blind date, but he bought me a dinner in the restaurant were I was eating now once again, only with my sister.</div><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxIdPeyk_euHOli4CkRlTShmaZFLOUzV63-vAWDCtdHQx6pjGxtaVtnaINJ9zNAoq1XdbMai4Wx2CtUDbshIjvTj-n0B1fLyZ4dKdBmh1yNs-oGpQvACKbCkQpSzs0d9dMmfwl3Sa8naw/s1600/SDC11609.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505992648963293682" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxIdPeyk_euHOli4CkRlTShmaZFLOUzV63-vAWDCtdHQx6pjGxtaVtnaINJ9zNAoq1XdbMai4Wx2CtUDbshIjvTj-n0B1fLyZ4dKdBmh1yNs-oGpQvACKbCkQpSzs0d9dMmfwl3Sa8naw/s320/SDC11609.JPG" style="display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Susku at the Velkua port restaurant</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">After the dinner the port started to fill with travelers, including the German tourists. They couldn't fit the bus into the small ferry, so the tourists came with their bikes and the bus took another route by land to the Hakkeenpää port. The ferry Kivimo was full of our German friends and their bikes. Once again it was time to sit back and enjoy the marine scenery in a beautiful day.</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLGD-O63ZJvjKuZptSJIMFVMXZN8LArzMwkXzNfvJIhN3Yr3-UFvklKPqZKdQvBrk2pDnuscUaeRTLbZP_lGmvGVXZ-Hy_MOaYIMForol6KaF2x_F_dE8_9yW4-wy0OyPakCUsfA8itcU/s1600/SDC11613.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505992641405408530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLGD-O63ZJvjKuZptSJIMFVMXZN8LArzMwkXzNfvJIhN3Yr3-UFvklKPqZKdQvBrk2pDnuscUaeRTLbZP_lGmvGVXZ-Hy_MOaYIMForol6KaF2x_F_dE8_9yW4-wy0OyPakCUsfA8itcU/s320/SDC11613.JPG" style="display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bikes on Kivimo</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidryVgUnNs6-bArSlfXcvjEXSsmdq3I6K0x69IiEiJy46ajdQF4Eczgo8O94c6GtHqIsXDXALyAC7a16hNwVVQ5tB0RdyZNCGXiPqTV7SCIMcbpSMm9HkyzcbznLiRR7KRxwuAiTwaaNA/s1600/SDC11617.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505992637753878754" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidryVgUnNs6-bArSlfXcvjEXSsmdq3I6K0x69IiEiJy46ajdQF4Eczgo8O94c6GtHqIsXDXALyAC7a16hNwVVQ5tB0RdyZNCGXiPqTV7SCIMcbpSMm9HkyzcbznLiRR7KRxwuAiTwaaNA/s320/SDC11617.JPG" style="display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A sunday at the sea</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">After we set off to the second 20 km of the day's ride, the weather in the afternoon started to get too hot in my taste. We had to stop ofter for a drink, but there were plenty of beautiful places and bridges to have a break at. This was a rather pleasant piece of the journey, although I was already really looking forward to the next day, when we would enter the outer archipelago. The difference is that the inner archipelago is mainly connected by bridges but the outer by ferries. Also, the landscape changes and becomes more marine in nature. </div><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">A couple of kilometers before our next overnight place we were stopped by four Russian cyclists. They inquired if we knew where their overnight was supposed to be, and surprise surprise, it was the same place where we were going. We guided them to our hosts, but they didn't know English so we had to do a little bit of translating before settling down ourselves. Our accommodation was in a small cottage by Tamminiemen lomamökit. There was no running water, but there was an old fashioned and clean wood-heated sauna. But the dry toilets were 200 meters away, so we just went into the bush.</div><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Before bed time, we had spared plenty of time to do some exploring in the environment. The cottage was located in Laupunen, which has a guest port and a couple of nice stops with shopping possibilities. The other one sells handicrafts and has farm animals and the other one has a design store and a fancy restaurant. We went to dine in the fancy restaurant at the guest port in Laupunen, and I have to say that the food was excellent, creative, and worth of every cent that it cost. Mmmm... goat cheese, greens, and berry sauce on a bread, slurp! After the dinner it was already time to heat the sauna and wash up. I was quite happy with good food in the belly and sore muscles softened by the sauna. In the night we decided to go for a little night row in a boat. The boat wasn't too good, but the night was beautiful, take a look.</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUok_Wt0sIZky5ZN_CasfrpRlkWJp2Q4vZXOlpa2S5xvG71CCQFx-4XQTWNLBQRqBGKOEEHtHLriQIL15shST995EcCQOiTn4tdFrtJ0gf9xQKXOCu3gBhgrXnwq41IaAP8PCfODq0HFg/s1600/SDC11630.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505992632940810306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUok_Wt0sIZky5ZN_CasfrpRlkWJp2Q4vZXOlpa2S5xvG71CCQFx-4XQTWNLBQRqBGKOEEHtHLriQIL15shST995EcCQOiTn4tdFrtJ0gf9xQKXOCu3gBhgrXnwq41IaAP8PCfODq0HFg/s320/SDC11630.JPG" style="display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summer night</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">The next time we shall continue with the 3<sup>rd</sup> day on the road. Bye 'til then!</div><br />
Links:<br />
<a href="http://cyclingisgoodforyou.blogspot.com/2010/08/travel-diary-day-1-morning.html">Day 1 (morning)</a><br />
<a href="http://cyclingisgoodforyou.blogspot.com/2010/08/travel-diary-day-1-afternoon.html">Day 1 (afternoon)</a><br />
<a href="http://cyclingisgoodforyou.blogspot.com/2010/08/travel-diary-day-3.html">Day 3</a><br />
Day 4Sonjahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11435872171118321239noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2875108751443377964.post-55833154801961262082010-08-11T12:45:00.007+02:002010-08-30T20:20:56.174+02:00Travel diary - Day 1 (afternoon)<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">On the last post I told you about the first day's morning. So, we were traveling by the bad luck ship Linta, and that's where we'll continue today.</div><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Linta makes a stop at the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Island of Seili</span> before it continues to its destination to Hanka port. Susanna was eager to see the island, so we took a couple of hours stop there. I have been on Seili before: it has been the location of a marine research center of my university since the 60's. I was there once for a field course, so I knew my way around. The island has a controversial history as an island of no return and for its booze-colored history. There has been people living and agricultural activity since the 1500's, and in the 1600's it became a <span style="font-weight: bold;">hospital island for the leprosy patients</span>. Basically, if you went in, you never got out again. In Seili the <span style="font-weight: bold;">patients made moonshine</span> to get some extra income, for the living conditions weren't exactly comparable to modern hospitals. In 1785 the last leprosy patient on the island died of old age (!). In the same year an asylum was founded on the island, and in 1889 it became an <span style="font-weight: bold;">asylum for women</span> only. That's why the grave yard of the island has only tombstones with women's names on them. The asylum functioned until the 60's when the island became a university island. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibcd50tfPesc7uR-_EmIbuk2BfFK-V5fQo2S69hHeBNlQX70qhOuTZNd6XS18-TCFvowbzY8PeZFy5UzmMhKOCx56GV3kOP30b1P-XaPdWYyqmygT2-_V4SocghzA_i8kdRBgKkNTHrXw/s1600/SDC11558.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502619362920074850" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibcd50tfPesc7uR-_EmIbuk2BfFK-V5fQo2S69hHeBNlQX70qhOuTZNd6XS18-TCFvowbzY8PeZFy5UzmMhKOCx56GV3kOP30b1P-XaPdWYyqmygT2-_V4SocghzA_i8kdRBgKkNTHrXw/s320/SDC11558.JPG" style="display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seili, the island of no return</td></tr>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><a name='more'></a>When we arrived at this infamous island, at first we went to see the <span style="font-weight: bold;">wooden church</span>. There we payed for a guide to tell us about Seili and the church, and it definitely was worth every cent. She told us about the ill and the crazy, and also about the geological history of the island. You see, the whole archipelago is slowly rising up from the sea. Actually, Seili used to be a group of islands, and in the leprosy hospital days the church point used to be an island where the patients were living separate from the mainland. The contemporary church was built in 1733. The strange feature in almost all of the archipelago churches is that they have models of <span style="font-weight: bold;">ships</span> hanging from the ceiling. </div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWdf-7SYyolpRK13-_rsZeFvu6dZll7pwnPZ0XwMpfVJMousGxiIAfGU0X0ZYCL3gRI8DlyGspGfGacgek56JOwkD_iXiwHn1-kG1trokMhupjlZgU1bjKNp5-P3ABSV9ibdzj_n1hRzo/s1600/SDC11547.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502618654681407538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWdf-7SYyolpRK13-_rsZeFvu6dZll7pwnPZ0XwMpfVJMousGxiIAfGU0X0ZYCL3gRI8DlyGspGfGacgek56JOwkD_iXiwHn1-kG1trokMhupjlZgU1bjKNp5-P3ABSV9ibdzj_n1hRzo/s320/SDC11547.JPG" style="display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The church of Seili. The church ship is named Agent.</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">After the guiding me and my sister Susanna decided to go explore Kirkkoniemi (the church point) that has an amazing but unknown <span style="font-weight: bold;">natural lookout</span>. Take a look: </div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-aO69xEsJgC2peCdEdDDUQpWm8zDE-ssjhEqRAL8gaydSx3kUDYJ4hzIz2wZ8UrUx2dBH8LH-TOojDCs8UV3IZyaKa7gd9BFtxGw2F04V3l2CvsIfteTjrt1CT3rDSmLmyPBFKan7rCs/s1600/SDC11518.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502618647894793122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-aO69xEsJgC2peCdEdDDUQpWm8zDE-ssjhEqRAL8gaydSx3kUDYJ4hzIz2wZ8UrUx2dBH8LH-TOojDCs8UV3IZyaKa7gd9BFtxGw2F04V3l2CvsIfteTjrt1CT3rDSmLmyPBFKan7rCs/s320/SDC11518.JPG" style="display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the lookout</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Nowadays Seili has only one or two all-year inhabitants, and about a dozen summer inhabitants and researchers, so its quite peaceful there, despite of the occasional tourist groups. Actually, a couple of weeks back the Russian president Medvedev and the Finnish president Halonen took a trip together to Seili, so it definitely is a destination good enough for some fancier people too.</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-FIPgNP3bWLKtYlxltCn_adqvPYfWHWyA3j8XR-OCAFEutYBepZURylDH8XHi9dChkg-P3RcZyXpK-39SCbNm0HMvWdnAT4XyHJycI3R_ihq4ZW4YfcSnmWEPBJuvMAtGY0CBCM0a78Y/s1600/SDC11537.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502618644728111698" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-FIPgNP3bWLKtYlxltCn_adqvPYfWHWyA3j8XR-OCAFEutYBepZURylDH8XHi9dChkg-P3RcZyXpK-39SCbNm0HMvWdnAT4XyHJycI3R_ihq4ZW4YfcSnmWEPBJuvMAtGY0CBCM0a78Y/s320/SDC11537.JPG" style="display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The church and its graveyard, inhabited by unfortunate women.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">After a couple of hours exploring, we took the next ferry to the Hanka port. There we stepped on our bikes and took off to the ride of the day towards our overnight at Merimasku. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Rymättylä</span> was a very challenging piece of journey because the island has lots of huge hills. I have to say that I found it pretty rough but my sister did better because she is bigger and stronger than me. This was the most difficult day when it comes to riding bikes, about 25—30 km of conquering big hills. </div><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">In the end of the ride the friendly hosts were expecting us with a room prepared in a house at the <span style="font-weight: bold;">farm Taattinen</span>. Now, this was not the room that we had booked, and there had been some problems with the reservation too. However, we got a hot shower, hot meal and lots of mosquito bites. Despite of a few shortcomings, the farm was a very nice place to stay overnight. There was a bar downstairs in the main house, above which there was a restaurant and on top of the whole thing a room for weddings and stuff. In fact, there was a wedding reception while we arrived, and the bride was just about to be stolen. In the night, when we had some time to explore, we found a horse, sheep, a tiny little lamb, and lots of cats and dogs to make friends with. The <span style="font-weight: bold;">farm animals</span> were free to wander in the yard as they wished, and all of them were very friendly and enjoyed petting. There were also variety of different types of swings, a pool, and a trampoline. That place must be like an amusement park for kids, and I have to say, being adult, that I also enjoyed it quite a bit. BTW, the farm has bikes that visitors can borrow.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">My next post will be about the second day.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
Links:<br />
<a href="http://cyclingisgoodforyou.blogspot.com/2010/08/travel-diary-day-1-morning.html">Day 1 (morning)</a><br />
<a href="http://cyclingisgoodforyou.blogspot.com/2010/08/day-2.html">Day 2</a><br />
<a href="http://cyclingisgoodforyou.blogspot.com/2010/08/travel-diary-day-3.html">Day 3</a><br />
Day 4<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJgoftfOo_OraxLbZS4-SlrNrD5PLhIP1cQFgmPTOBT_WTGExSeCUuumCkLmNGfDWovev0c-g-J1qOn4P5GoU0H-SsGZhlXS8Fzz8jLS2IXwuGjpY685vp9OUSYVYFBRcluXiG5ZM0P7U/s1600/SDC11575.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502618078789682498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJgoftfOo_OraxLbZS4-SlrNrD5PLhIP1cQFgmPTOBT_WTGExSeCUuumCkLmNGfDWovev0c-g-J1qOn4P5GoU0H-SsGZhlXS8Fzz8jLS2IXwuGjpY685vp9OUSYVYFBRcluXiG5ZM0P7U/s320/SDC11575.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 240px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Animals at Taattisten tila (farm Taattinen)</span></span></div><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYmZi6l9Zh8vonhG5AEdPI2YYAHjAmD2Dfd-1G-iVc9W3vlK5PT8NzLaceuUP8lj88BUvHlM7N654jkf2kcgluvMkiBrOE4Z12J5rcy__w4rQwzEW9eRhU67p7ffZxEnt8xewERm7b8OA/s1600/SDC11562.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502618086068756562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYmZi6l9Zh8vonhG5AEdPI2YYAHjAmD2Dfd-1G-iVc9W3vlK5PT8NzLaceuUP8lj88BUvHlM7N654jkf2kcgluvMkiBrOE4Z12J5rcy__w4rQwzEW9eRhU67p7ffZxEnt8xewERm7b8OA/s320/SDC11562.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 240px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxqIZpnryFgrVWIt84MR69a8_7VCGlEcstoFN52yhJqAvHK-vGKro2N90o4_Uw-X7sjw9tS1zqoOzWXm7kUlMAQXkRz27xLFlHYXLzFzNm0QSx6uCoKhehpq0OXob7vi-U9dZlSmjr2zw/s1600/SDC11580.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502617773433578802" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxqIZpnryFgrVWIt84MR69a8_7VCGlEcstoFN52yhJqAvHK-vGKro2N90o4_Uw-X7sjw9tS1zqoOzWXm7kUlMAQXkRz27xLFlHYXLzFzNm0QSx6uCoKhehpq0OXob7vi-U9dZlSmjr2zw/s320/SDC11580.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 320px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 240px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqZI6dtrEClSoLSVsqm0tjFD8-dl1rnMPlWoSfgoJFp5bafjW0pTHkGEBMJ-Hheri5zCGGpHsEaZVD7WC0KPrkyDT2mEyVYcZFoXK9KEX28caAc0GvYNbWJUpOLgAIpCwErqSGr10pnIw/s1600/SDC11579.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502617775230901970" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqZI6dtrEClSoLSVsqm0tjFD8-dl1rnMPlWoSfgoJFp5bafjW0pTHkGEBMJ-Hheri5zCGGpHsEaZVD7WC0KPrkyDT2mEyVYcZFoXK9KEX28caAc0GvYNbWJUpOLgAIpCwErqSGr10pnIw/s320/SDC11579.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 240px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 320px;" /></a></div></div>Sonjahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11435872171118321239noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2875108751443377964.post-55208880008526257622010-08-08T10:14:00.045+02:002010-08-30T20:14:50.935+02:00Travel diary - Day 1 (morning)<div style="text-align: justify;"><style type="text/css">
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</style>As you may remember, I've been dreaming of taking a <span style="font-weight: bold;">cycling holiday in the Southwestern Archipelago</span> for a while now. I asked my <span style="font-weight: bold;">twin sister, Susanna</span>, to come with me. Actually, she was very eager to come, and she enjoys organizing things, so she made the travel time table and reserved accommodation and bikes. We decided to have a 4-day holiday with 3 overnights and make it as cheap as possible without being uncomfortable or losing essential parts of the experience. Altogether, the nights, bikes and ferries cost us 175 euros each.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502579151343861650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX-is_wx7yDASgvTVwo9d-8mRijRJfdqEdFDaYzsot1QLOGerMZ8XiPaMTDQAX8tnOz5jIaQ2dKZV-2cd0tV_1A1TyMMse2IM2jd21CDQvqaiHlS9BmgG74Ev5KjQaZeq9NYaNScFmV5U/s320/SDC11477.JPG" style="display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My twin, Susanna.</td></tr>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><a name='more'></a>The Southwestern Archipelago is a part of Finland, but Swedish is spoken there widely. There are even more islands in the archipelago than there are lakes on the continental Finland, and it is very old area of human habitation. There are many many natural and cultural sights, so if you are into nature or culture, you can enjoy this tour. If you combine this with cycling, you get some exercise for you body too, not only for the mind. A road goes through the archipelago, and it is connected by numerous ferries and bridges. This road is called the ring road, and there are signs marking it so that travelers wouldn't get lost.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.saaristo.org/files/saaristokartta.gif" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502582231991127762" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs52w63ebOCVKgCNOMvMZjFiKZrWoDib4Ef3Ae0Lljc4PULLB031-WK6SxEtHh3JMyAhuabKw-flvBSBhJypBWKe-2D3Pb0W-7wQgfH9YTeNEO93HyxOm4aRePAtoCTWVNMi3O7quw3cM/s400/saaristokartta.gif" style="display: block; height: 345px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Map of the ring road. Click for a better version.<br />
Our route was Nauvo-Rzmättylä-Kustavi-Iniö-Korppoo-Nauvo. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr7yCSWhQgxnGjn7e2_dNNY9pf9AyHwF9GwUiX1UljlH_IY1gP9NuelGi6D3t6-uNqQhk5T4sooeMOosGaKGWDDPhe-RTku1QNZzE-yIvC640hHC7xkw1VnB-D9s6mOMvT2l2yVD-BFyU/s1600/SDC11683.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502579158778776962" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr7yCSWhQgxnGjn7e2_dNNY9pf9AyHwF9GwUiX1UljlH_IY1gP9NuelGi6D3t6-uNqQhk5T4sooeMOosGaKGWDDPhe-RTku1QNZzE-yIvC640hHC7xkw1VnB-D9s6mOMvT2l2yVD-BFyU/s320/SDC11683.JPG" style="display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ring road signs. Follow the logo, and you'll be all right.</td></tr>
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</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">During the next couple of weeks I'm gonna publish here a sort of a travel diary about our trip in several parts, and here's the first part. I hope you enjoy!</div><br />
<div style="font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Day 1</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Susanna and me woke up early in the morning to make it to the first ferry in time. Unfortunately things didn't go quite as we planned: first, we didn't get our stuff together in time, and we had to leave later than planned. Also, the trip to Nauvo port took longer than we had expected, a bit more than an hour by car. Finally, there was a really really sad sight on the road. A fox had been ran over by a car, and his friend was wandering around on the road all confused. As we both are animal lovers, we couldn't just leave the poor thing there and picked it beside the road so that the friend of the killed fox wouldn't be hit by a car too. Also, the roadkill could have caused accidents to other motorists. Well, that sealed the fact that we wouldn't make it in time to the first ferry. </div><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">When we finally arrived at Nauvo, the place where we were supposed to pick up our r<span style="font-weight: bold;">ental bikes</span>, was closed, so we waited for an hour and went to check the port in the me<a href="http://www.nagu.net/vastergard/pyoraily/" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502584098594913810" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPlvyOIN6eIK4wy5W0PdoLm-NEtSE0dqsB8Ow_qtrXZDyp07YfUDBIQi9pmgm_7DtinyAVGB6KhHQ5QecWObW4gl1WBV4alQSrmJXjTj3KBw-CwGwSG3xfxWSX30EyKZG7DxzGj66XVcc/s200/vastergardlogo.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 85px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 150px;" /></a>anwhile. We got our bikes at 10 in the morning from the local tourist info. Our bikes were Finnish Tunturis, 7-geared road bikes. Helmets and a pump were included, but we also rented bike bags, which turned out to be very useful during the trip. The bikes are ridden in a forward-leaning position, which took a bit of time to get used to because I normally ride in an upright position. However, after a little while the bikes felt really nice and comfy. The local company that rented the bikes, <a href="http://www.nagu.net/vastergard/pyoraily/">Västergård,</a> was kind enough to deliver them to the center of Nauvo for us. The website says, that they can actually deliver bikes anywhere you want on the ring road route.</div><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Well, we were left with a couple of hours before the next ferry would go, so we took a little test ride in Nauvo. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Nauvo</span> is a really idyllic little village in the middle of nowhere, but it is probably the biggest town that one faces during the ring road trip. There is a fishermen's market, market, and a pharmacy in the town. At the port there are several cafés and restaurants and also little shops that sell tourist stuff and clothes.</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcpBsm05MYo6vDj-xnlmtUO9MnUYbZ_FH-dBrcyK4XZQKRBtdXJdSvP2mHp-BGYofjZuMijiHuafEEe4YMPb3aBKYutYL_fsYfvEbgN2USaUxAHjlEFGDVsRpuM2BVgFcbj8gy0uPb9Ao/s1600/SDC11487.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502579147121590978" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcpBsm05MYo6vDj-xnlmtUO9MnUYbZ_FH-dBrcyK4XZQKRBtdXJdSvP2mHp-BGYofjZuMijiHuafEEe4YMPb3aBKYutYL_fsYfvEbgN2USaUxAHjlEFGDVsRpuM2BVgFcbj8gy0uPb9Ao/s320/SDC11487.JPG" style="display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nauvo port shopping area</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqXoFzDRKTUIVp8qLzI1drhJNdlxB5PTC9PNhk1A8FE2D4KJK_nwZZQTgnLo1lHlaHZZjweXFVX8SKZieLP6ox7EPMhi-hQ1QeCk-AoHIXzytO6ru3P5E3B-LFmzeEOAGzC4D4i25Rp6s/s1600/SDC11482.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502579142417027746" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqXoFzDRKTUIVp8qLzI1drhJNdlxB5PTC9PNhk1A8FE2D4KJK_nwZZQTgnLo1lHlaHZZjweXFVX8SKZieLP6ox7EPMhi-hQ1QeCk-AoHIXzytO6ru3P5E3B-LFmzeEOAGzC4D4i25Rp6s/s320/SDC11482.JPG" style="display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My sweet Linta ;)</td></tr>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">This is <span style="font-weight: bold;">Linta</span>, the first ferry on our trip. The student fee for a traveller and a bike is 5 euros, I think that for a non-student it was 8 or something. Before we continue the story, I have to tell you something about my earlier encounter with Linta, a flashback, one might say. Three years back I was on a field course on Seili, the island that we were heading at this time too. Me and my co-students had spent a full week on Seili, and it was our last day on the island. We had been spending the day at sea on a research boat, and when we arrived at the Seili port, we faced a sight that one does not easily forget: Linta was drifting away from the port platform and was colliding to the coastal rocks. The engine was broken, and we were supposed to leave the island that evening (I had a flight to Prague the next morning). There's no other way out of the island, so we were quite worried whether we would be able to get back to civilization. After a few phone calls we found out that Linta is being towed to another port to be fixed. Actually, the engine that was broken was a spare engine to replace one that had been broken earlier in the summer. Fortunately, someone had managed to dig out a spare engine of the spare engine, and the next time Linta came and the front bridge opened, there was a huge antique device puffing smoke and making lotsa noise on the deck. I have to say, that all the sight was missing, was Arnold Schwartzenegger with a machine gun on his one hand and a hot blond on the other. Anyways, we got out of the island, a little late, but still back to the civilization.</div><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Now, let us return to the year 2010, 8/31. When we embarked on Linta, and the ferry went off to its journey, an alarm noise started howling at the engine room. Of course, the ferry had to go back to the port, and a ship mechanics was called on. What a bad luck ferry! Fortunately, the ship captain or the officer came to the deck and announced that we would get going in half an hour and that all could help themselves to the free coffee in the upstairs restaurant. Well, that kept at least me and my sister happy enough, and we climbed onto the upper deck with our coffees.</div><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">So, what should we learn from the experiences of the first morning? Make sure that you have <span style="font-weight: bold;">lotsa time and not-so-serious attitude</span>, because as some infamous Murphy said, everything that can go wrong, will ;)</div><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Well, I think that here's enough text for the day. So many things happened during the first day, that I'll tell you the rest in the next post.</div><br />
Links:<br />
<a href="http://cyclingisgoodforyou.blogspot.com/2010/08/travel-diary-day-1-afternoon.html">Day 1 (afternoon)</a><br />
<a href="http://cyclingisgoodforyou.blogspot.com/2010/08/day-2.html">Day 2</a><br />
<a href="http://cyclingisgoodforyou.blogspot.com/2010/08/travel-diary-day-3.html">Day 3</a><br />
Day 4Sonjahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11435872171118321239noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2875108751443377964.post-79243327320189925082010-08-06T11:43:00.004+02:002010-08-10T10:47:52.253+02:00Minor differences<div style="text-align: justify;">I found this comic today, and well, I think there is some truth to it.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.amazonaws.com/theoatmeal-img/comics/minor_differences/motorists.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://s3.amazonaws.com/theoatmeal-img/comics/minor_differences/motorists.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<a name='more'></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.amazonaws.com/theoatmeal-img/comics/minor_differences/pedestrians.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://s3.amazonaws.com/theoatmeal-img/comics/minor_differences/pedestrians.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
But why? And are cyclists somewhere in the middle? Any traffic psychologists out there?<br />
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Personally I think a similar behavior has got to do with speed. More precisely, with the fact that we are made believe that cars are <i>fast </i>(if not perfect, in every possible situation). And when they are not, we freak out.annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989947994626570874noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2875108751443377964.post-71121063527029244072010-08-03T10:00:00.002+02:002010-08-06T10:05:28.974+02:00Florence-Tortosa: a trip on a bike prototype<div style="text-align: justify;">Two weekends ago I was in the wonderful <a href="http://www.festadelrenaixement.org/" target="_blank">Renaissance fair of Tortosa</a>. During the 16th century, this city in the South of Catalonia was a flourishing city as it was located in a strategic place in the Aragonese crown, just on the way of the three important cities at the time: Barcelona, Valencia and Zaragoza.<br />
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During this Renaissance fair, many activities related to this time are held. One of these activities is always an open air exhibition about some topic related to Medieval and Renaissance times. This year it was related to Leonardo's prototypes and surely, there was this:</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdfX-bUwzJ6rIjEwWRUGKZXXmyLQEOKaK87uInFHNmcyW30GAc1JDpGIQ300Bxw04bQLWv-xxpE3eR619xUBJsReTvfc_Vj46pXGb7rd2H6BFtfj15O-9_CRvHlR9DpeYlBBIhpmezDfA/s1600/leonardos_bike.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500178020191834274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdfX-bUwzJ6rIjEwWRUGKZXXmyLQEOKaK87uInFHNmcyW30GAc1JDpGIQ300Bxw04bQLWv-xxpE3eR619xUBJsReTvfc_Vj46pXGb7rd2H6BFtfj15O-9_CRvHlR9DpeYlBBIhpmezDfA/s320/leonardos_bike.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" target="_blank" /></a><br />
<a name='more'></a>It made me think about Anna and the <a href="http://cyclingisgoodforyou.blogspot.com/2010/02/cooking-and-cycling.html" target="_blank">apron</a> I brought her from Florence and I thought I had to definitely take a picture of it :).<br />
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Next to this wonderful prototype there was this explanation:</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Iq9EzBR2ZWEXi9WeBpD64TfKVOtcJxokr_Ew8jp6ZkDpDw8yAFCsuuEsIRpJ_0R6PPrZ36GOxrNacxje2HWovRzwhD6GH82wqTmP05MwJ2i0_Eq-C2twfTgFG7ww9AV9LX1U4RAOxCY/s1600/37692_1567035575259_1216510587_1602865_8088439_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500178025455632098" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Iq9EzBR2ZWEXi9WeBpD64TfKVOtcJxokr_Ew8jp6ZkDpDw8yAFCsuuEsIRpJ_0R6PPrZ36GOxrNacxje2HWovRzwhD6GH82wqTmP05MwJ2i0_Eq-C2twfTgFG7ww9AV9LX1U4RAOxCY/s320/37692_1567035575259_1216510587_1602865_8088439_n.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" target="_blank" /></a><br />
After reading this text and the specialized article, <span style="font-style: italic;">The Leonardo da Vinci Bicycle Hoax</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">, </span>Anna mentioned I don't know what to think about the sketch that originated the prototype. Is it really a forgery? To the general audience it doesn't, as the divulgative text next to the prototype I saw shows, but specialists doubt. What to think then? Go with the flow or be skeptical? Be genuine or a forgery, both cases may have its merit. If it is by Leonardo, we will reaffirm our belief that the man was a genius; if it is a forgery, we may praise the forger for his/her cunning thoughts, because we all have believed the sketch to be genuine.</div>Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08288216469730298652noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2875108751443377964.post-8965041968567283562010-07-29T17:52:00.003+02:002010-08-02T08:21:58.924+02:00The bicycle, a status symbol?<div style="text-align: justify;">We all know that cars are status symbols. But what about bicycles? I think they are too. It's not so much about expensive bicycles though, more about <i>style</i>.<br />
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Still, <b>over-priced bicycles</b> are on their way. I finally got the message when I strolled through the posh center of Vienna last night. A bicycle in a shop window at the Graben.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/4840538959/" target="_blank" title="close-up by cycling is good for you, on Flickr"><img alt="close-up" height="400" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4112/4840538959_201011105e.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a name='more'></a>Well, nothing special as such. I've seen bicycles advertising clothes many times, and so has Sonja (see "<a href="http://cyclingisgoodforyou.blogspot.com/2010/06/bikes-in-commercial-use.html" target="_blank">Bikes in commercial use"</a>). But this time, the bicycle itself was actually for sale in a <i>boutique</i>. And for what it is it was by no means cheap:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/4840538955/" target="_blank" title="bike for sale by cycling is good for you, on Flickr"><img alt="bike for sale" height="300" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4103/4840538955_2eff040714.jpg" /></a></td><td> </td><td><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/4840538979/" target="_blank" title="price tag by cycling is good for you, on Flickr"><img alt="price tag" height="300" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4130/4840538979_fc070e12a6.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" colspan="3" style="text-align: center;">3400 € (= 4443 $) for <i>that</i> bicycle?!</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Ok, the ride looks neat. But who pays <i>that </i>much for such a bicycle?<br />
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(Probably those who pay that much for a shirt etc.)</div>annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989947994626570874noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2875108751443377964.post-3938005669332876742010-07-25T06:12:00.008+02:002010-07-29T17:54:38.099+02:00Mystery of the abandoned bicycle<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is just a little peculiar story that took place last Friday in Turku, Finland, and that was covered by several national newspapers and tabloids. Here's a loose translation of the version in <a href="http://www.hs.fi/kotimaa/artikkeli/TS+Kadonnutta+miest%C3%A4+etsittiin+Aurajoesta+%E2%80%93+l%C3%B6ytyi+putkasta/1135258791709">Turun Sanomat</a>.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOak3Y6PLjkg3T4N3PLuZt_DG0XxRj1clixnT2tiE8ul4ZleC5TPbhz41WylK20WIopDN-hgdJBkvR1BAS3PvuJlylGSF7gX-CWJHIQDKukM_sVD7FKPTAx6Q_d9KNm5CMrGeKhq4idxc/s1600/abandoned.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497694400543043730" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOak3Y6PLjkg3T4N3PLuZt_DG0XxRj1clixnT2tiE8ul4ZleC5TPbhz41WylK20WIopDN-hgdJBkvR1BAS3PvuJlylGSF7gX-CWJHIQDKukM_sVD7FKPTAx6Q_d9KNm5CMrGeKhq4idxc/s320/abandoned.jpg" style="display: block; height: 214px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The abandoned bike. Image published in Turun Sanomat.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: 78%;"> <br />
</span></span></div></div><span style="font-size: small;"><a name='more'></a>On Friday morning this sight on the river bank promenade made people wonder what had happened to the bike's owner. It seemed like a traveller had been mugged because bags and camping stuff was lying around in a random pile, and some of it was tied on the bike. There were rumours about four suspected owners: a drunken German tourist, a thief, a man wearing a uniform cap, and a portuguese lifestyle traveller.<br />
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The police suspected that the owner had fallen into the river Aura, so they called on the emergency services and divers and launched a huge search operation. The situation was extrodinary because nobody had actually seen the poor guy falling into the river. However, they found no body and the mystery wasn't solved.<br />
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Later in the evening they found the man they were looking for nowhere else but in safe police custody. The man had talked so unclearly that the policemen didn't know which language he was speaking. When they finally could communicate with the hero of the day, they found out that he was the owner of the mystery bike, and that most of the rumours had a hint of truth: he was a Portuguese lifestyle traveller that was wearing an uniform cap and had been arrested outside of a restaurant, although the story doesn't clearly tell if he was drunk or not. </span><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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What can I say, life is a sarcastic bitch (just like Lacey on Rock of Love). In the end, all is well and nobody drowned. Apperently not even the bike was stolen. The police suffered a blow on their credibility, and the policemen of Turku are a laughing stock of the country, but that's not really news, is it?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">P.S. A week from now I'll be on a cycling holiday in the archipelago, so my next post will be about that. I promise to bring you lotsa nice holiday pictures!</span></div>Sonjahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11435872171118321239noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2875108751443377964.post-82474551700430662742010-07-23T09:04:00.005+02:002010-07-26T09:44:27.260+02:00About fairnessA few days back I got this <b>fairness flyer</b> on the Donaukanal bike path:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/4818750582/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank" title="flyer - fairness zone donaukanal (front) by cycling is good for you, on Flickr"><img alt="flyer - fairness zone donaukanal (front)" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4139/4818750582_783f13c518.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"fair cyclists" flyer -- to read the back <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/4818750594" target="_blank">click here</a> (in German)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<a name='more'></a><div style="text-align: justify;">It is obviously a flyer dedicated to cyclists. A lovely and really positive <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/4818750582/" target="_blank">sketch in the front</a>, certainly. A not so promising <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/4818750594/" target="_blank">text on the back</a>. It starts with "Already <i>cycle</i>d<i> fair</i> today?", and tells us about some major problems of the Donaukanal bike path: it's crowded and there are a lot of <b>conflicts</b> between cyclists, pedestrians and playing children. It aims to educate people to ride slowly and carefully.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Why, you ask, is this necessary? Isn't it a bike path? No, it isn't. It's one of these horrible constructions that are typical for Vienna -- a <b>combined foot and bike path</b> with no separation of foot and bike traffic at all. No separation, because in most places it's also way <i>too narrow.</i> All this is pretty bad on a nice day, because it gets <i>really crowed</i> -- with cyclists, pedestrians, playing children, joggers, dogs, pub crawlers etc. Unfortunately, though, this is a <i>major connection</i> for cyclists traveling from North to South. It's used in many different ways. There are people cycling to work, road cyclists, recreational seekers, and even bike tourists. And it is a foot path and a playground. It's like cycling through a busy park (generally not allowed in Vienna). Well, have a guess. This just cannot work out.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">What does the city do? Hand out flyers to cyclists and tell them to slow down. Fair enough, but that's obvious. It would be much <i>fairer</i>, if they -- in addition -- say something like "Ok, we know this design needs improvement, but bear with us. We are going to rebuild this stretch to create a real fast bike connection and comfy recreational area for your convenience. Simply because we appreciate you cyclists/pedestrians/joggers/children and want to provide you an adequate infrastructure. No more, no less."</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">PS: It would be great if the city wouldn't just bother about the Donaukanal bike path in the summer, but also clear it properly in the winter (really, snow and ice isn't so much fun to cycle on). Cheers!</div>annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989947994626570874noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2875108751443377964.post-50145685613971422252010-07-18T23:31:00.009+02:002010-07-22T19:42:57.268+02:00Self-made Sunday: trailers<div style="text-align: justify;">Always wanted to own a bicycle trailer but never had the money to buy one? Here are some ideas to get you started on building one yourself. If you have succeeded, let us know!</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">The first time I thought about a post about self-made trailers when I came across this beauty on the WNBR in June. It's simply a<b> lowered </b><b>shopping cart</b> with a welded on frame that connects it to the wheels and the bicycle. Smart idea!</div><br />
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/4714097316/" title="self-made trailer by cycling is good for you, on Flickr"><img alt="self-made trailer" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4067/4714097316_b8860190ea.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<a name='more'></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclingisgoodforyou/4714097320/" title="self-made hanger by cycling is good for you, on Flickr"><img alt="self-made hanger" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4069/4714097320_4e6062f241.jpg" width="400" /></a></center><br />
If would like to build your own cargo trailer, I recommend to have a look at:<br />
<a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Build-a-Bicycle-Cargo-Trailer" target="_blank">How to Build a Bicycle Cargo Trailer 1</a> (on wikihow.com, including many pictures)<br />
<a href="http://www.ehow.com/how_2238948_build-bicycle-cargo-trailer.html" target="_blank">How to Build a Bicycle Cargo Trailer 2</a> (on ehow.com)<br />
<a href="http://www.instructables.com/id/bicycle-trailer./" target="_blank">Bicycle Trailer</a> (from a plastic box) <br />
<a href="http://www.motherearthnews.com/Do-It-Yourself/1981-07-01/Dime-on-the-Dollar-Bicycle-Trailer.aspx" target="_blank">Build a Bicycle Trailer</a> (more of a text instruction) <br />
<a href="http://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/%7Earmb/cycling/trailer.html" target="_blank">Building a bicycle trailer</a> (lot of links to DIY trailers, and load carrying alternatives)<br />
<a href="http://www.carryfreedom.com/bamboo.html" target="_blank">Bamboo Bicycle Trailer</a> (free plans)<br />
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There are many ways to build a bicycle trailer. Find your own style!annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14989947994626570874noreply@blogger.com5