A trance through ancient rhythms and digital wonderlands: didgeridoo drones meet toy piano lullabies in this earthy, synthetic dreamscape.
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Sequoia has hit 100,000 km on April 26! To celebrate, Nadia planned the perfect route leading to one of best spot in the country, surrounded by the most beautiful sheep when it hit exactly that distance. She even baked an excellent carrot cake for the occasion.
We spent a fantastic time together in the Mullerthal area. The scenery was lovely, and the company was even better. The only downside was the rain towards the end, but the darkening clouds were a warning.
Sequoia had a brief panic before I left: its rack lost a screw but I was able to replace it. Next step: 131,072 km?
Here’s the cake she made:
View all the photos of the day here.
The company of the sheep:
Listen to Sequoia’s Spring soundtrack, or download it:
And the ride video is available for download here.
No time or courage to read? Check out the pictures and videos here!
Vëlosummer is a summer event in Luxembourg that promotes cycling by creating temporary, marked bike routes. The first edition launched in 2020, as many people rediscovered the joys of cycling, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis.
In 2024, we celebrated the fifth edition, featuring 13 routes and introducing a fun challenge! Participants could check in at various points of interest using the VisitLuxembourg mobile app. Those who checked in at all points had a chance to win a beautiful Yellow Vëlosummer Jersey!
If I had to share three memorable rides during the events, I would highlight those:
Here’s a summary of my rides that followed at least a part of the Vëlosummer routes while they were open:
Not in any particular order of time or importance:
I didn’t come across any major issues during the Vëlosummer edition, just a few minor technical hiccups, like a traffic light sensor in Bascharage that seemed to miss detecting bicycles.
Some people expressed frustration over the inadequate bicycle space in trains during events, but it’s important to recognise that train arrangements are complex, especially given the multiple lines. However, the CFL staff (Luxembourg railway operator) were helpful and accommodating to the crowd of cyclists seeking to board at once, while they could have just refused them on board. I had a smooth experience on my later train rides.
Some variants of the “Dräi Däller-Tour” are now part of a regional bike route network through collaboration with ProVelo, facilitating access to other villages and bicycle routes in the area. In 2020, one of the Vëlosummer routes was also converted into a permanent bike route.
As a nature lover, I prefer to avoid the noise and fumes of motorised traffic. Numerous high-quality trails and quiet roads offer fantastic routes, combined with some highlights, and the rising popularity of Gravel Riding presents an opportunity to attract international visitors with limited disturbance to motorists. Additionally, there is significant potential for pop-up mountain bike routes.
I had the opportunity to attend the “Ardéchoise” cycling event once, and it showed me how we could do something similar to attract active tourists. I think it could be a great opportunity for the Greater Region —Ardennes, Eifel, Hunsrück, High Fens, and Vosges—especially considering the many valleys, hills, and unique cultures that are so close yet distinct, with everything from old industrial sites to extinct volcanoes, along with some lovely nature reserves.
I must say, the people behind Vëlosummer are incredibly friendly and enthusiastic!
The exchanged friendly smiles turned into some conversations. That was the highlight of the ceremony. I felt proud and grateful to be part of such a passionate cycling community. It was also a great moment to share with the ministers of infrastructure and economy, who were just as excited about cycling as we were. It was a bit surreal to receive our Vëlosummer jerseys so far from the summer, but it made the occasion even more special.
The ceremony also gave me a chance to reflect on the unique spirit of Vëlosummer and how much it has brought people together over the years. From the roads to the jerseys, it’s clear that this event is more than just about cycling; it’s about building a community and sharing the joy of riding. It was a great way to wrap up an unforgettable experience!
Short on time for reading? Dive into the pictures instead!
GoGoVELO is a cycling campaign initiative brought to you by ProVelo and Climate Alliance Luxembourg, which takes over from MVOS (Mam Vëlo op d’Schaff/Schoul) and Tour du Duerf with the support of the Ministry of Mobility and Public Works. The first campaign ran from September 20 to October 31 under the theme “Around the world in 42 days“, intending to encourage everyone to “use the bike as often as possible as a means of transport in daily life.” To join in, install the “Radbonus II” app and you could win some great prizes! Fun moment: I happened to be visiting ProVelo when they registered the domain name gogovelo.lu.
I didn’t end up winning anything during the challenge, even though I came in at number 2 out of 562 (I’ve heard some buzz that number one is diving into some intensive training to prepare for the famous Race Across America!). Kind of reminds me of The Transcontinental Race where the winner only walks away with a handshake! Still, some friends who cycled a bit less than me and managed to win something surprised me with some lovely gifts 🎁😍.
This week, they shared a heatmap showing where the challengers went cycling, but it seems my traces barely made a mark — looks like I’m the only one who enjoyed playing in the mud over in the Ardennes! 🐷
I put together a media gallery featuring photos and videos from the campaign, along with its map. Just a quick note: the distance shown on the map doesn’t match the statistics below since it includes walks but leaves out tunnels (no GPS signal there). Just click or tap on any picture below to get there.
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I found the app’s FAQ a bit misleading when it suggests connecting to Google Fit, as that feature isn’t actually implemented. Just as a side note, I noticed that Google Fit only managed to capture about 5% of my Strava activities, so I ended up moving away from it altogether.
It can be tricky to remember to start the app alongside the GPS and speed sensor (which is right in front of you) when kicking off a ride—I often recall it after riding for a few kilometres!
The Radbonus II app’s internal logging seems to use algorithms that smooth out poor GPS signals, which is why the distance recorded is typically less than what my Garmin shows (averaging about 5 km less each day). The discrepancy in my distance readings decreased a bit since it recorded some walks I forgot to stop, but that didn’t quite close the gap between Radbonus (3054 km) and Garmin (3111 km).
While the iPhone app can sync to Health for activity tracking, the Android version doesn’t have that feature. I’ve noticed that the Android logs less distance than the iPhone via Health, which feels a bit unfair for users with a Garmin on an Android phone compared to those using Apple, who can sync their data seamlessly through Apple Health. It would have been great to directly upload a FIT file from a GPS device to the platform, even better for me with a web API call so I could automate the upload when doing the processing of my daily photos.
It would have been great to have some social events where people could come together to share their experiences and enjoy the scenery, allowing avid participants to connect. Promoting dedicated hashtags on social networks could also have helped build a sense of community. I know that’s easier said than done, especially since ProVelo and Climate Action Luxembourg are small teams, but perhaps companies, public administrations, and local communes could have played a role in initiating the social aspect. Optional small giveaway gifts to promote the action are also a great idea, just like MVOS did. An alternative could be to host a gathering of like-minded individuals; for instance, I would welcome the opportunity to connect with some of my “competitors“.