I’m late to comment on this, because the FP has become virtually unusable on mobile.

For me there are two things that hold me back. Maybe three, but the first two - money and time are pretty connected.

A wahoo and a hokie enjoy time together in Germany? Amazing.

+1 for self-converting bikes to electricity. The smart ebike we bought because we got a serious discount on it never could hold a candle to the one we electrified ourselves with a Chinese kit. That thing still GOES, while the smart POC sits in a corner waiting for someone stupid enough to shell out 700 Euros for…

Agreed. Traveling internationally is great. A big change in culture, language, food, nature, architecture and general mindset is inspirational. It gives you perspective about life. And does not tend to be more expensive than traveling nationally, except for fuel/airline ticket money. Important is to do what the…

You probably drove right past us, we live in Mainz. Had I known I’d have invited you over to come and try to loosen some bolts or grind some rust off of old Saab, you’d have felt right at home!

Spent a day in Belgium around 1992. I recall the people were nice and the pastries I purchased from the local bakery were outstanding. I had extra local money. Walked into a bakery and handed her an unknown amount of money. I ended up with a large bag of fresh baked goods. Shared it with everyone on the tour bus. …

Buying a car sight unseen on another continent is a huge risk. In addition to the $600 I dropped on the glorious 1994 Chrysler Voyager turbodiesel, I also spent $500 on a flight to Germany and a bunch of cash on Airbnb lodging. Add to that the price of all the replacement parts, plus vehicle inspection fees, car…

You watch there’s probably a CE standard they have to meet. Like maximum size and string length to minimize visual impairment (may be colour dependant), max allowable density to prevent them becoming a projectile in a crash, fire retardant materials and of course number placement must match the correct format for…

Funny how if you fix what is wrong with an old car, it actually will drive pretty decently.

So we see the foreshadowing thing here -- how long till he’s moving to the fatherland?

I’m pretty sure I drank a Westvleteren 12 at that same bar, David.

The Dulle Griet?

I can’t believe you thought Belgian beer was terrible!

Oh, it’s in the Atlantic alright.. just not how you’re picturing it. 

You forgot one critical detail

I’m really enjoying this series, but I’m starting to get a sinking feeling that it will end with the van being left behind, like that poor Lada a few years ago. I want to believe it’s on a container ship somewhere in the Atlantic right now, but somehow I doubt it...

Wanted to say, I live in the middle of a city without space to wrench, so restoring abused guitars has become my “project cars”

I can’t actually imagine those fuzzy dice are actually legal in Germany, they seem like the type of thing that would be frowned upon.

Very different, you can’t really compare Belgian beer with anything else. And for lager, I’d prefer Czech to German

Good read I was a little worry about the lack of Tracy-ness of the site but now I’m relief

Funny how if you fix what is wrong with an old car, it actually will drive pretty decently.