Stepping over the Brienenoord

Whoever rents a fitness machine from Ridderkerk has to bring it back as well. About Google Maps, the Brienenoord Bridge and my longest round on the Me-Mover so far.

The month in which I rented the Me-Mover, came to an end yesterday. I said goodbye with mixed feelings: yes, it's a superfine device, but now that I train more with walking, I won't use it as much. Suppose I train on it 1 or 2 times a week, then the purchase price of 1,699 euros (excluding accessories such as helmet, lock, bag) is hard to justify. Considering my commuting distance (25 km) more often is out of the question, unless I am temporarily injured and have more training time. Renting is then the better option, so the Me-Mover had to go back to Ridderkerk.

I was lucky when I rented it: because I went with Tom and Brigitte, the Me-Mover could be put in the car. But going back was more difficult. There is no tram or metro to Ridderkerk, but by now I had more confidence in my skills to do the 20-25 km journey on foot. A good last training for the marathon.

The route was quickly made. Google Maps had several options for the bike. But along Weena and Pompenburg I was not quite ready: a lot of traffic and a lot of attention, then you really need to be more experienced. Fortunately, the pedestrian option offered a solution. It did not go through the centre of Rotterdam, but in a small curve around it on quiet roads. Headphones on, voice signalling on and off we went.

While driving, you discover that a navigation set up for pedestrians is not always very handy. The speed (without traffic lights and bridges, 17 to 18 km/hour is quite acceptable) is a lot higher on the Me-Mover, so that sometimes the exit is announced a little too late. Then you get messages like: walk in south-western direction and then go to the Prins Clausweg. There was no sign, and in which direction… So, this gave rise to the necessary corrections along the way. A phone holder on the handlebar can of course help.

I'd have to come up here with a ladder…

The ride was easier than expected. I have to say that you stand out so much that drivers stop and don't easily overlook you. Of course, there were also some more difficult moments. For instance, there was a bit where after a very steep descent, suddenly a couple of hairpin bends appeared, which were only visible at a late stage. I could just brake. Also the traffic light just after a high bridge was a bit tricky (hint: the cyclists behind you don't like it when you start braking early). Or the Fascinatioboulevard… doable for a walker, but not dragging the Me-Mover up the stairs.

I am especially proud of the Brienenoordbrug, which is well known to (bridge) runners. And I climbed it without stopping on the steepest side. Small steps; sprinting. Power. Descending I found just too exciting. On the steepest part of the descent I walked. Tried the rest with the brake technique. That worked out pretty well: I managed to slow down to 10 km/hr, which is perhaps a bit too slow, but gives confidence in the possibility.

The hardest part of the journey was the last one: right through a couple of residential areas, with blind spots and children playing. That's where you really notice how nice it is to be able to walk through the countryside. But luckily, from home I'm mainly in the countryside.

After some 26 km (almost 4 more than it should have been), the Quooker factory looms. Not much later, I'm drinking coffee on the couch at Wilma's place. Unfortunately I had to leave the Me-Mover behind, but I expect to see it again. All I have to do is save up.

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