Impressions from an almost drowned cyclist...

Karel still having fun in the rain

Chronicle of a Storm foretold... Although everybody expected the bad weather,  I defied the fate by leaving the office much too late. The initial rainshower degenerated in a real thunderstorm. I wasn't all too confident in the situation and Karel's words (bikepooling colleague) couldn't reassure me.

Bikerstunnel transformed in a
swimming pool

During this memorable ride I witnessed how disastrous situations reveal sometimes the best in human beings: cardrivers gave me prioity where they shouldn't and colleague cyclists were remarkably attent for each other.

5 cm mud where there should be
a nice clean cycling path

Only when I arrived save and sound (but wet) at home, I realized by hearing the news that I experienced an exceptional situation. Next time I will take into account the forecast.

Bikepooling

Bikepooling is a teambuildig activity by excellence.


Bikepooling to the office...



Colleagues using the same route go together by bike to the office and the pace is the one of the slowest.

It's a very nice way of coming to the office: time flies and you have the opportunity to discover other sides than the ones you are confronted with in your daily job.


...and the rain gives it an
extra dimension



Bikepooling enlarges your network and is in that sense an important enrichment of your social and professional activities.

The route from Leuven to Evere is a very popular route with many active bikepoolers. Why wouldn't you follow the example of many? Just try it out!

BikeTaboo

People would like to try it out, but they don't dare. What if the others discover that I can't bike? What if the others see that I can't follow? What if the others notice that I am scared? Yes, there is a taboo to be broken.

Some adults learn their child to cycle,
but aren't able to accompany them
on a family trip, because they lack the
skills themselves.



There are cyclists in all measures and weights. Some like sweating, other hate it. Some like to rush, others like to observe and enjoy the route.  Diversity is also on the bicycle an embellishing riches.

Those who answer to the cycling appeal, discover a whole other world, a new freedom, the same kind that you experienced when you just obtained your driving license.

Another colleague is experiencing this freedom: she learned to bike! She is now the 3d  cycling teammember who never biked before.

Bicycle Repair Workshop: tires

Who comes by bike to the office, might be confronted with bicycle problems. Most of the problems can be repaired quickly, but one needs to know how to do it.


Some theory...

 Michael Peeters, who is in his "other" life an experienced mechanic, learned us in a first workshop how to repair a flat tire. After a short theoretical introduction unveiling the secrets of a tire, it was "hands on" for the participating teammembers.





 Seen the succes of this first workshop a second workshop might be organized somewhere in july (focus on more advanced material such as broken chain, spokes, pinion). This is however to be confirmed! Michael's presentation can be found on the  Bicycle Repair page.



hands on!



each participant received a repair kit



ICE Bike To Work Breakfast

On 9 June the Mobistar cycllists met each other during a solid Bikers Breakfast. The Cyclists got the breakfast for free. Non-cyclists contributed only 3 euro to the ICE project Mobicents and were able to take knowledge from all the advantages when you bike to the office.

Michael collected the contribution for Mobicents

Peter districbuted vouchers to cyclists

Plenty of bananas...bio or fairtrade...

A friendly cosy breakfast!

Some happy visitors...

It was a success and certainly something that should be repeated. It was nice to chat about cycling with the colleagues. In total 70 guests were received and 120€ went to Mobicents.

Thank you ICE for this opportunity by sponsoring this breakfast!

4 Mobistar cycling teams...

4 teams (2 more than past year!) will defend the Mobistar colours on the national Bike To Work contest.


Team 2 Going for the 75% challenge



2 teams took up the 75% challenge (= come to the office by bike 3 days on 4), the 2 other teams go for the 50% challenge (2 biking days on 4).

The contest goes from May 30 to June 23.

 The participating MobiStars are: 


Women Team (Sybille joined later)

 

Women Team (50%)

Erika Dreesen

Aline Gevaert

Cathleen Rau

Sybille Vande Perren

Team 1 (75%)

Johan Baes

Peter Cserba

Marc Huygh

Wouter Meeusen

Team 2 (75%)

Karel Cocquyt

Koen Van Mol

An Van Rie

Christophe Vervaet

Philippe Ysebaert

Team 3 (50%)

Olivier Baeten

Pedro Costa

Vincent De Waele

Marc Huygh

Jan Leonard

Good luck, have fun and above all let the sun "lighten" your road!