Archive for category Cycling stories

2011 – Ride for the Roses

Jan 24

Posted by Daddy Lau in Biking for dummies 單車蠢才, Cycling stories, Daddy Robinson, Family Robinson, Mama Abby Robinson, Strijd tegen de kilos 2.0 | No Comments

Last year we took part in Lance Armstrong’s Ride for the Roses in the province of Zeeland, The Netherlands. This year we will be heading out again and do our share in the battle against cancer. Last year was 55km (30 miles), this time we’ll be going for 80km (50 miles).

去年我倆公婆參加了Lance Armstrong 所發起的Ride for the Roses，於荷蘭的海地省舉行。今年，我們將會再次參加，作出我們小小為癌症基金的貢獻，一起與癌症鬥戰到底！去年我們踏了55公里，今年將會踏80公里。

If you want to know more about the event, please search in our website for Ride for the Roses. And most importantly, your support will be very much appreciated. You can help us by sponsoring us. How do you do that? You can transfer to us any amount you wish through paypal/ credit card. Please also notify us that you’ve done so, so that we can keep track of it and thank you personally.

如果你想知道多些關於這個慈善單車行，請在我們的網頁上找找 Ride for the Roses的文章。而最重要不過是大家的支持！你們可以捐款給我們，作為我們的sponsor，所有善款會捐到荷蘭癌症基金。你們可以經以下Paypal/ credit card方式捐任何款項給我們及通知我們一聲，讓我們可以跟進及多謝你們。


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又到聖誕！Almost Christmas again!

Dec 18

Posted by BB in Biking for dummies 單車蠢才, Cycling stories, Family Robinson, Julian Robinson, Mama Abby Robinson | No Comments

不經不覺，已經踏入二零一零年尾聲了！時間過得很快，尤其是我們這家，平日我和老公就忙著上班，放班後就是照顧小Julian。最近，Julian除了在週末上中文班和游泳班外，逢星期三就跟Daddy上功夫班。現在，我老公平日和週末在上太極班和功夫班。他很想我跟他一起去，但不是每個中國人都是對武術有興趣！我真是沒興趣，他三番四次催我去試，我試了一堂去，否則他就不停說我未試過又怎會知不喜歡。

Time really passes by fast, and we are approaching towards the end of 2010. We are one hectic family. During the week, both my hubby and I are busy at work, and when we get off from work, we take care of Julian. Recently, not only does Julian go in the weekend to Chinese school and swimming lesson, but also every Wednesday he joins Daddy at a kung fu (wushu) class. Now my hubby goes during the week and on Saturday to Tai Qi and kung fu class. He wanted me to join, but it is just not my thing.

我反而就開始了去健身室和玩 Spinning。起初第一次上 Spinning堂，很擔心自己跟不上。但幸好教訓先給我詳細講解部單車的運作，又很有心機教我不同的姿勢，是想我姿勢正確。他說上他堂的都覺得他要求很高，有少少地獄教練，但就吩咐我要跟著自己的能力去做。上了第一堂後，我肌肉痛了差不多大半個星期！很久未試過這樣痛！但幸好，我仍堅持繼續上健身，上spinning。之後，就沒有再這樣肌肉痛了，反而愛上了上 Spinning。上完後出了一身汗，然後來個淋浴，有時間的話，還可以來個芬蘭浴或蒸氣浴。原來這樣獨自去做運動和去嘆嘆芬蘭浴是好一個鬆馳神經的方法！再者，還可以減肥！我已經成功減了兩三公斤呢！希望可以再減，反回以前未生BB時的磅數啦！

Instead, I joined the gym and started spinning. My first spinning class was a bit nerve racking, since I worried not being able to keep up. Luckily the instructor did give me a good explanation of how the stationary bike works, and showed me the 3 main positions on the bike. He said the positions are very important. Also, he said he is known to be giving tough classes, but asked me to just try keeping up while knowing where my boundaries are. After my first spinning class, I had soar muscles for just a bit less than a week. It’d been a long time since I had such soar muscles. Fortunately, I kept going to the gym doing fitness and the spinning class. I stopped having muscle pain, and I started loving spinning. After one hour of sweating followed by a nice shower, sometimes when I’ve enough time, I would even go for a sauna or steam bath. I found by going there doing sports alone, I really get to relax and forget about all the stress. Besides, I can loose some weight that I’ve been trying to get rid of. Now I’ve got 2-3 kgs off me, so hopefully I can get back into the shape I was before Julian was born.

最近，荷蘭的冬天來得早了和冷了！不止荷蘭，全歐洲都是！小朋友見到雪就興奮，但要駕車上班的大人就苦惱了！除了有某程度上危險外，就是塞車。我有次塞了三個小時才回到公司，跟平日的四十五分鐘車程差得遠！有次還是在老公出外工幹一星期時發生，當時，我公司還要月結，真的有些考驗我呢！

Recently the Dutch winter arrived a lot earlier, and got a lot colder. Not just Holland actually, but the whole Europe. Kids get all excited when they see snow, but those who have to go by car to work aren’t really enthusiastic about it. Not only it is dangerous but also the traffic jams are killing. I once got stuck for 3 hours to get into the office, while normally it would only take me some 45 mins. That happened in the week when my hubby had to be away for a week for work. It was also the week when I’d my month-end close reporting. Quite a challenge.

不過相信這個考驗都不夠 Julian要面對的考驗，就是上中文班。在外國上中文班，就如在香港或亞洲上外語班，如上英文班一樣。只靠週末上那幾個小時，真的不容易！況且，在外國不同在香港般，上無數的興趣班是正常的。所以，我更不想給 Julian太大壓力。要一個平日上荷蘭沒功課做的五歲小孩，在星期六一連上四小時中文班真是不容易！跟他做功課，因他對自己要求高，所以寫好一頁中文字需要不少時間、心機和耐性。起初還只是學寫一至十，現在快來臨的考試，要他懂得認以下字詞：醫生、護士、警察、消房員！這未免要求過高！老師問我想怎樣處理追不上的 Julian，我心想做老師的不是有教無類的嗎？我就回答老師：『我只期望他多聽多講，至於寫那方面盡了力就成。』老師說他幾次默書都不合格，怕明年要留班。我就跟她說留班我都沒所謂。其實，我覺得若然給小朋友那樣大壓力，他們只會感到楚敗感。我現在跟 Julian說，只要盡了力，媽媽已經開心！

Yet I don’t think this is anything comparing to the challenge Julian sometimes faces at the Chinese school. Studying Chinese in a western country is like studying foreign languages like English or French in Hong Kong or Asia. By just learning a language for a few hours in a week, that’s not easy. Plus here kids are not as fanatic in taking extra curriculum as those in Asia. I really don’t want to give Julian extra pressure. For a 5 year old child who doesn’t even have homework at his ordinary Dutch school, having to sit in a class for 4 hours on every Saturday isn’t that easy. I try helping him with his Chinese homework, but he is a perfectionist, so for him to finish one page of Chinese writing takes up really a lot of time, effort and patience. They started with writing 1-10 in Chinese, but the upcoming exam requires them to be able to recognize words like doctors, nurse, police, fireman, etc. I find that too demanding. The teacher asked me what I would like to do with Julian doing not so well there. I just think that if they take him as a student, then they have to keep teaching him as much as they can. So I told the teacher that I only expect him to listen and speak more Chinese. When it comes down to writing, I think as long as he has tried his best, that’s good enough for me. The teacher mentioned that he failed a couple dictations, and thought he might have to repeat this year. I told her also that I’m fine with that. After all, if you try to push kids too much, then they would only feel like they have failed. I always tell Julian now that he must always try his best, then Mommy is very pleased and proud of him.

最後在此祝大家一個愉快的聖誕和更進一步的新年！希望明年經濟復甦，人人生活更高興！

Last but not least, I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas, and a better and happier new year! Hopefully next year’s the economy will recover entirely!



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媽咪放監。Off-duty Mommy

Aug 16

Posted by BB in Biking for dummies 單車蠢才, Cycling stories, Family Robinson, Julian Robinson, Mama Abby Robinson | 1 Comment

這個星期，Julian放暑假最後一個星期，就去了嫲嫲家玩一星期。這個星期，我和老公就可以自由活動。也好的，況且過多一個星期，現在幫開我的褓母要做手術，會起碼有三個月幫不到我手。到時，我和老公就要吃力些！幸好，我找到Julian的同班同學媽咪幫我湊，只是或許不能像我之前的褓母那樣有彈性和合拍。

This week, Julian was having his last week of vacation, and so he spent it at Grandma’s (Daddy’s mom). This week, my husband and I got to have some “me” time, which was quite nice. After all, in a week time, the nanny that has been helping us will be having an operation, and won’t be able to work for about 3 months or so. By then, we will have to work extra hard ourselves. Luckily I did find a mother whose daughter is Julian’s class, to help me out. Probably she won’t be as flexible as our own nanny though.

荷蘭最近的天氣很怪，可以大風大雨，又可以很好天，所以一天內，同一地方可以見到以下情況：雪靴 vs 涼鞋

The Dutch weather has been a bit strange lately. It can be windy, rainy, and sunny. So in one day, you can see the following situation: snow boots vs sandals.

最近一連有幾位朋友結婚，他們亦很幸運地在下雨天之間得到太陽伯伯的關照，令結婚當日氣氛更好，又可以拍到不少美麗相片。

Recently a few friends of mine are getting married. The two who just got married had been very lucky with the weather, which made the days even nicer and they could take plenty of nice photos too.

這幅就是我們參加其中一位同事兼朋友的婚禮。證婚人是荷蘭人，她竟然花了不少心機，去學了不少中文字句，去恭喜新郎新娘和他們的親人。

Here is a photo of me and with some friends attending a friend plus colleague’s wedding. The wedding city hall clerk is a Dutch lady and made the effort speaking quite some Dutch phrases to congratulate the newly weds, their families and friends.

這次參加的婚禮除了有西式結婚蛋糕和香檳外，還有當作嫁女餅的中式餅。

This wedding didn’t only serve the western wedding cake and champagne but also Chinese cakes.

由於酒會是在日本餐廳舉行，所以還多了Miso Soup 和壽司。壽司很新鮮，每人一份，很美味。

Since the reception was held in a Japanese restaurant, they also served miso soup and a plate of sushi per person. It was very yummy!

在此再次祝賀這對新人，甜甜蜜蜜，白頭偕老！

Hereby I wish the newly weds to share endless happiness together.

之後，我們幾位女仕就算是因穿高跟鞋站得長時間而腿痛，我們仍會走去行街買衫，哈哈！我甚少有機會可以這樣自由的呢？行到店鋪都關門了（這兒平日是下午六時關門的），才坐下來看看吃甚麼好。最後，決定吃海鮮：蒸帶子和蒸魚，再來一個炒通菜。吃飽後，還有綠豆西米露和鮮橙送。每人不用二十歐羅，吃得心滿意足！

A few of us wearing high heels were having a hard time in standing quite a long time but we took a walk before we headed for the dinner. We had some seafood, including steamed scallops and steamed fish, plus some stir-fry vegetables. They even gave us dessert and fruits.

星期六，是我和老公的自由活動日。老公自己約了朋友，我就跟他說中午後我會自己出去。我先到一位住得較遠的朋友家，見見她剛生下來的小男孩。我抱著他，有點不想放下他。我不會再生小朋友，但不代表我不懷念抱著小小嬰孩，看著他甜甜地睡在我懷中的感覺是很滿足！況且又不用我湊，哈哈！她還有一位兩歲多的男孩，一陣子沒見面，又長大了！

On Saturday, my hubby and I both had our own plans. He had a friend over, and so I left home at around noon time to visit a friend who lives quite a bit farther away from our place. She just had her 2nd baby boy. When I held him, I almost didn’t want to let go. I won’t have a second child, but that doesn’t mean I don’t miss having a baby in my arms. Seeing how sweet he was in my arms dozing off to his dream land, I really enjoyed it. Besides, I won’t have to be the one taking care of him, hehe. My friend also has a boy of more than 2 years old. It had been a while since I last saw him, and he has grown quite a bit!

跟著很不好意思地又要趕著走了，因為還要去另一地方探另一位朋友。這位朋友正要幫手照顧她另一半的兩歲外孫，而我們還要急速地出去買東西，預備晚餐。幸好這位小孩不怕外人，都讓我抱他出出入入，連換片都沒所謂。我的朋友先來預備當晚的晚餐，我就煮了些免治肉豆豆軟飯給小朋友。跟著，我們還弄了自製雲吞。其實我與這位朋友已認識多年，所以就算一入門就站在㕑房內做個不停也沒所謂，這樣才開心呢！或許不是人人都可以明白明明一天自由身，為何那樣趕，那樣忙，做那樣多的事情，其實滿足感是很大的！

I then had to rush to leave, as I’d another appointment with another friend. She has her husband’s grandson over, and we had to rush to get some grocery shoppings still for preparing dinner. Fortunately, that child wasn’t shy at all, and let me hold him, taking him in and out of the car, or even changing his diapers. My friend prepared first the meal for everyone, while I made some Chinese minced meat with peas along with some rice for the little boy. We also made some homemade wantons too. I know this friend for quite a few years now, so I don’t really mind getting right into the kitchen once I arrived at her house. We had loads of fun. Probably not everyone would understand why I would go stressing myself out by running around on a day-off, but in fact, I really had a great time!

不過吃得多，自自然然都會有點兒內疚，所以就算星期天起來外面刮著大風，風速四至五級，我還是硬著頭皮在外邊踏了十七八公里單車。風大到有時我以為會被風吹走，或是在倒後退。

We did have quite some food, so I felt a bit guilty. So even though it was very windy on Sunday, like some wind force 4-5, I still went out for a bike ride of some 17-18 km. The wind was so strong that I thought I was being blown away, or was going reverse gear instead.

跟著，我們就去了接Julian回家，一個星期沒有見到他，很掛念他呢！原來他也很掛念我們，包括家中的貓貓！見到他，他就告訴我知他的百厭動作，包括晚上在房中偷偷地玩，和晚上在房內找到在褲袋內的糖，然後在偷吃糖糖。不過，起碼他都一五一十告訴我們知。

We ended the day by picking up Julian from Grandma’s. A whole week not seeing him, of course we missed him loads. And he also missed us a lot, including our cat at home. Once we saw him, he already was telling us his naughty things, e.g. his playing in his room while he was supposed to be sleeping, or he found some candies in the pocket of his pants, and went eating them in his room during bedtime. The good part was he did tell us what he did.

這幅相是我和他兩母子去行街街後，他揀了這件星球大戰T-shirt後拍下的。而下面那幅就是行街街時見到，拍下的。

This photo was taken after Julian went shopping with me. He picked this Darth Vader t-shirt from Star Wars. And the photo below was taken on the street when we saw the “podium”.

新單車，新開始。New bike, a new start

Aug 5

Posted by BB in Biking for dummies 單車蠢才, Cycling stories, Julian Robinson, Mama Abby Robinson | 3 Comments

買了新寵後，當然要試新車啦，不過，以我的水皮技術，又要好好重新習慣與練習平衡。Racing bikes比較輕，而因為handle bar與身子距離近了，所以每一動作，單車都即時有反應。

After I got this new “toy”, I wanted to get onto it, though with my poor cycling skills, I really have to get used to it again, and practice my balancing skills. Racing bikes are rather light, and with the handle bar being closer to your body, every move you make, you will feel the bike reacting to it right away.

另外，踏單車，坐了上去後，只可腳趾碰到地，不是像一些香港人般，雙腳貼地。這一點有時會令我緊緊一些，就像一個學游泳的人，雙腳碰不到池底一樣。  我在網上論壇登了一篇發問題，請教人家如何可以好好鑽研好自己的技術。之後，我亦得到不少人的見議和鼓勵。某人還提醒我，就算跌倒了，也要站起來，再來過。這個道理，其實人人都知，但時不時，有人提醒下，都是好事！

Also, over here, when sitting on the bike, you are only supposed to be able to tip-toe, and not like what some Chinese do, with both of their feet on the ground. I get a bit nervous at times, but I guess it’s like swimming. When learning how to swim, one would get nervous when having to swim somewhere deeper, where they can’t touch the bottom of the pool. I have also put out a thread on a forum over the internet, asking for some advices on how to improve and strengthen my confidence. I did get quite some replies with good advices. Someone even reminded me that after having fallen off, you should always get right back up and get going again. That’s something we all know but being reminded of helps to keep going.

上次出去，老公就踏這架，拖著後面載著Julian 的Burley單車拖車。他就坐得很舒服，吃東西，打DS遊戲機。除了載他外，還可以放到不少東西，不錯也！

Last time we went out together, and my hubby took this bike with a Burley bike trailer to carry Julian in it. He could just sit back, relax, eat, play with his DS. Besides that, we can also stuff quite a lot of things in it too.

其實自己出外踏單車除了是為了做運動外，對於減壓來說也有幫助。最近為了公司的事心煩了，在外邊踏單車，心境也寧靜些！

In a way, cycling is not only a sport but also means of relaxation. It helps to clear up your mind.

Julian 最近好像又長大了，我指的是他的思維方面。他亦開始要求我讓他請朋友仔回家玩，見到小小年紀的他已經有自己的社交圈子。不過，現在不時也會很多很好笑的對話。好像今天我才跟他說明天我們會去媽咪朋友的婚禮。他說甚麼是婚禮，我說到時會有個很美麗的女子，穿上很美麗的白色婚紗。說到這裡，他就說是不是穿上高跟鞋，戴著皇冠，與一位王子永遠住在一起。我想了一想，覺得這個說法也是對的。他後來還說，然後他們會有小朋友，跟著他想了一想就問我他是怎樣變成嬰兒。我就問他知不知道他怎樣從我肚子走出來，他說我的肚皮會自己打開，像自動門一樣。

Julian seems to have grown a bit lately, and I mean his social skills. He started asking if he could invite friends over to play with him. I just find it so amazing how a little boy already has his own social life. We still have moments though that we would have really amusing conversations with him. Like today I was explaining to him that we would be going to a wedding of mommy’s friend tomorrow. He asked what a wedding is. I told him he would get to see a very pretty lady in white dress. He already interrupted me and asked if she would be wearing high heels and having a crown on her head, and that she would be living with her prince forever. He was in a way right. He said also that they would be having kids, but after thinking for a second, he asked me how a baby is created. I asked him if he knew how he got out of my belly when he was a baby, he said my belly would open up like any automatic doors.

我最近經過一番考慮後，除了他現在星期日上游泳班外，我決定替他報讀中文班。雖然到時，每星期六(上課時間是星期六早上十一時至下午三時。午間時間有午餐小息)都要駕車一小時去鹿特丹送他上學，然後在外邊待他放學才回來買一星期的餸。基本上是應付得來，況且若再等再拖，我想他真的學不到中文。小時不學，大了就更難學。他的中文程度只能聽懂我跟他說的話，講就很少講。希望他多些接觸另一些中國小朋友會有些幫助。我不想將來因為自己懶惰而錯過了他學語言的最佳時機。

I recently gave it a thorough thought and decided that even though he has already got swimming lessons on Sunday, I enrolled him to the Chinese school which has classes on Saturday. Though by then, every Saturday (class starts at 11 am and ends at 3 pm, with a lunch break in between.) we would have to drive up and down to bring him to school in Rotterdam, and we would need to wait till he finishes class before we drive home to do our weekly groceries, I think we should still be able to manage. Plus the more we wait and postpone this, the less likely he will learn Chinese properly. He now can only understand Chinese but can hardly speak it. By being more exposed to the Chinese community, I hope he will pick it up a bit better. I just don’t want to regret not having done this, and that we would miss out the best time for him to learn Chinese.

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新單車。My first racing bike Bianchi Dama Bianca 44

Jul 31

Posted by BB in Biking for dummies 單車蠢才, Cycling stories, Mama Abby Robinson | No Comments

自從我參加過那個單車馬拉松和看過今年的Tour de France 後，我對單車的興趣又增加了！老公見我不會去off road 踏我的Mountain Bike (MTB)，就見議我試試踏 Racing bike 。在我未認識我老公前，我只試過學一次單車，但當我跌進草叢後，我就沒有再嘗試過，直至到我認識我老公。這已是十年多前的事，但到我真正去接觸以單車作運動都只是去年的事。

Ever since I took part of a bike ride recently and watching the Tour de France this year, my interest in cycling certainly grew. My hubby suggested me trying racing bike as I don’t plan to go off-road with my mountain bike (MTB). Before I met my hubby, I had only sat on a bike once, attempting to learn but ending up in the bushes, so I never tried again until I met my hubby. That was some 10 years ago, but to really go cycling as a sport only started last year.

去年買了部MTB，我仍很喜歡那部單車。但現在想試試 Racing bike，但原來找一部合符我的身高的 Racing bike是不大容易的事。本來想買二手，但很難找到部那樣細的，而新的也只有三兩個牌子才有我的尺碼。

Last year I got a MTB, and I still love this bike, but now I just want to try out racing bike, but to get one fitting my size turned out to be quite a challenge. Initially we thought of getting something 2nd hand, but it was just close to impossible to find anything that small and decent. And even getting new bikes, there are only a few brands that sell my size.

要知道自己的單車尺碼，就要把自己的腳內側量度，然後將所度厘米乘0.66 就是你所需的Frame size。

To know your frame size, you’ve to measure your inner leg length and take that measurement in centimeters, multiply it by 0.66, then you will get roughly your frame size.

老公將我們的情形放了上網上的單車網 Fiets Forum，不久有不少人給了一些寶貴意見，說我們都是去看看意大利牌子的 Bianchi。今早，我們一家三口就去三間單車店， 就找到它。

My hubby put our search on an internet biking forum (Fiets forum), and it didn’t take long before people gave quite some advices. One mentioned this Italian brand, Bianchi. So this morning, we went to 3 different bike stores, and found what we were looking for.

這單車店的老板比較沉默，但很友善，不會太 Hard sell，有那句就說那句。他給我調整了兩部單車去試那一部最合適。另一部是 Bianchi Via Nirone 7 C2C，尺碼一樣，但因單車結構不一樣，所以那部仍然是太大部。

This bike shop owner is quite a quiet guy, but friendly enough plus was not being pushy at all. He would tell you all the facts. He got two bikes adjusted for me to try on. The first one was a Bianchi Via Nirone 7 C2C, same size, but since the sloping of the frame is different, it was just too big for me.

最後的選擇就是這部 Bianchi Dama Bianca！

Final choice became this Bianchi Dama Bianca!

回家後，我說要把它留在廳內一晚，讓我好好欣賞它。我亦拿了它出去走一兩轉，但始終我怕連人帶車跌倒，怕自己控制不好，所以我花了一陣子去適應它。人家見到可能會大笑，但沒法子啦！我就是這樣的，學會了不要理人家怎看。MTB 跟 Racing bike 不同，因Racing bikes 單車中央點拉近了，所以每一舉動，部單車立時有反應。

After we got home, I said I wanted to keep the bike in the living room for a night, for me to enjoy looking at it. I also took it out for a ride, though I was afraid I would fall because of not balancing well, so it took me a while to get a good feel of the bike. People might have been wondering what the hell I was doing, but I couldn’t care less. I learnt to ignore that. MTB is quite different from racing bike, since the handle bar is closer to me, you can really feel the bike reacting to each move you make.

幸好，老公沒有取笑我，還提點我怎樣去平衡得好些，怎樣去剎掣得好些。這一切對於一般荷蘭青年人來說是小兒科，但對於來自香港，和來自一個在廿五六歲前未曾接觸過單車的我是一門不容易學的學問。

Fortunately, my hubby didn’t tease me, but helped me by giving me some tips on how to balance better, how to brake properly. All this seems to be a piece of cake for any ordinary Dutch youngster, but to someone coming from Hong Kong, and someone who had never sat on a bike until the age of 25, this is quite a lot to learn and practice on.

在此，我要多謝老公給我的支持、鼓勵、耐心教導！沒有你，我是不會進入單車世界！

I would like to thank my hubby here for his support, courage, and being so patient in teaching me. Without you, I would have never entered the world of cycling!

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