Devolder the Destroyer part Deux
What a beautiful day for a bike race. Earlier in the year I anticipated the beauty of today, but only because last year’s race was a weather disaster. Today’s crowds were enormous and the atmosphere was contagious.
Congratulations to Stijn Devolder for another magnificent performance in the Ronde Van Vlaanderen or Tour of Flanders.
We arrived at the Kapelmuur in Geraardsbergen at about 1145 and took up a nice cozy spot diagonally across from the chapelle right on the corner as the Muur crests. We managed a spot right on the fence, a perfect location as all of the riders the crested the hill were within arm’s reach as they passed. Apparently the Kapelmuur is now a haven for tourists and non-Belgians as nearly all of the crowd specific to my cornered location were either Italian, British, American, or Spanish.
Watching the race on Belgian TV is fun, but it certainly isn’t as much fun as waiting for four hours to get a glimpse of the break, the chase, the peleton, and the trail. There was plenty of excitement to be had before the Elite men crossed my gaze, as several groups managed to punish (or sometime humiliate) themselves up the Kapelmuur. It started at right about noon as a combined randonnee of children and adults wound their way through downtown Geraardsbergen and focused their efforts in climbing out of Geraardsbergen towards the Muur.
I’m completely certain that Belgium has the market when it comes to training children to be elite cyclists. I saw no less than fifty 7 – 9 year olds climb their way up the Muur as the crowd enthusiastically cheered them on. Unfortunately all of the children were not successful as I personally witnessed a saddened girl cry because she had to get off of her bike and push up the 19.8% grade. Kid, you did well.
Following the youngsters were bunches of 12-15 year olds on Princes, Look 595s, Trek Madones, and Steel lugged classics hammering up and over the Muur like they were late for Christmas.
Following the teens were the Elite women, and yes they were elite. I’ve ridden the Muur twice and felt I was successful both times having cleared it on a 39x18 and a 39x21. These women used the same gearing, but they were as fast as hoodlums chasing a beer truck. I couldn’t believe how fast and determined they were, it was utterly nuts. And, for some reason I constantly watched them as they rode away instead of when they were approaching, I don’t get it.
The pre-race highlight was certainly seeing Eddy Merckx crest the Muur, twice. Not only did he crest the Muur he did it on a steel lugged beauty while dressed old school. Eddy still is the “Cannibal” but today he ate the cobbles and the sincere appreciation of all of the fans. It was an absolutely thrilling experience, second only to nearly being run over by Alejandro Valverde after the Paris finish of last year’s TdF.
Quick Step was on fire today, five of the top 20 over the Muur were Quick Step riders. When Devolder cleared the Muur there was a resounding “Looks like he’ll win again,” even with Boonen in 4th and Quinziato in 2nd. My hope for the day was Big George. He was about 15 riders back after the Muur and was the 2nd Columbia rider to crest. The determination in their eyes, the salt stained jerseys, the hardened steel that is their legs, and the dancing that is their feet on the pedals, it’s an endless ice cream sundae.
See all of the photos at flickr
I’m headed to Gent-Wevelgem on Wednesday and Paris-Roubaix next Sunday. I’ll blog a short report and add pictures you wouldn’t likely see on cyclingnews.com.
Check out my flickr account here – www.flickr.com/photos/37081268@N08/ follow my race within a race at twitter – www.twitter.com/cyclopathic
Oh, 7 weeks after major back surgery I’ve been given the clear to put in some road miles. It’s looking more and more like I’ll make the Etape on Mont Ventoux for this year’s TdF.
Until Wednesday,
Kris
Showing posts with label biking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label biking. Show all posts
April 5, 2009
October 17, 2008
Belgiumlicious
Greetings from the Cycling Classics Capital,
Not to beat a dead horse, but I too am a new rider to the 53x11 scene and will hopefully contribute a unique perspective to the randomness that is this blog.
Hailing all the way from Los Angeles, California, he's a zero time world champion and winner of exactly no gold medals, he weighs in at a lean mean 90 kilos and a lanky 195.6cms, please welcome the newest European (American) member of 53x11...ME!
Yes, I'm happily blogging from the other side of the planet in what is commonly referred to as Belgium or as cyclists call it...heaven. I'd like to thank Evan and Owen for the badassness that is 53x11 coffee and for openly suggesting that I'm the type of cyclist they're looking for, one that can stay upright on a two-wheeled bike without a motor. Now, I'm a blissfully over-caffeinated crank turning machine that can hammer up cobblestoned climbs in an amount of time that shall not be discussed here.
Clearly I've lost the attention of everyone so I write for the sake of writing. I'm an avid cyclist of 20 years, I'm 35, having cut my racing teeth on a full rigid aqua-green Peugeot mountain bike that I bought at a garage sale from my Dad for $50 (he gave me the family discount). For the most part I've been an MTBer for those years only riding into the road genre over the last three. Fortunately business has brought me across the pond and placed me in Belgium for at least 6 years. I've been priviledged enough to be racing the local road scene for the last two years gaining the Amateur Euro experience to take back to the States to whoop all you old Cat 5 guys. I'm living the dream folks, great cycling, great beer, and more podium girls than that convention I went too...ahhh, but never mind that. I could go on for minutes about the coolness of living in Belgium, but you've all heard it before so I'll just cut right to last weekend's escapades.
Last Saturday a buddy and myself attended one of the bigger season ending Randonnees (Rando or a fully supported club/individual ride that costs about $3 to do) and had a blast doing it. The ride was only 126kms, but was one of the funnest rides I've done since the last rando that started and ended at a brewery. Skipping to the good parts, about 20miles in on relatively flat Belgian roads someone decided it would be funny to throw a 600 foot climb with a max grade of 22% right in my way. At my size most folks mistake me for someone who doesn't give a damn about climbing, but rest assured as Eric and Paul can attest too, I can drop those skinny fellas like a college kid drops a shotgunned beer can while reaching for another.
At the 45 mile marker I had the pleasure off turning 3 laps on the Paris-Roubaix Velodrome in Roubaix. HOLY CRAP, if you've never ridden a velodrome you need to back your butt away from this blog and do it, go ahead, go, now, you won't regret it. If you've ever had the opportunity or the ability to ride sideways on a wall you've ridden a velodrome, just not the one in Roubaix.
Later in the day...I had been skipping from group to group when I finally caught one doing 35-38kmph in a tight little red and white french speaking group (Belgians don't speak Belgian) and was lucky enough to be witness to one club pedaling right through another to get out in front while on a three bike wide canal road. I'd never seen anything like it until I saw some sort of Contador-Armstrong power struggle between riders at the front of the group. So, I did what any smart rider would do I pushed my way to the front, by riding the sidewalk past the cluster of red, white, black, and blue that was the mess of carbon and spokes. Fortunately no one was physically injured, although Egos were clearly damaged, as we all ended up riding to the finish in one small 44kmph (the last three downhill kms) group.
Then we drank beer.
Although your boredom has almost caused you to surf elsewhere, you'll be happy to know that the hysterics that are my measly life will continue to grow in a made for TV movie and you'll be one of the founding members of my fan club. That is, as long as you can prove to me you can pedal a bike uphill at 75 MILES per hour after gulping a piping hot, sans warning label, cup of coffee made from the sweet beans that are the addiction subtly known as 53x11.
My cycling legacy will not carry on forever, sadly. So for my sake and yours drink some 53x11 coffee, it'll make you much much cooler, but not cooler than me (except you Paul).
Check it out Yo, http://www.53x11coffee.com/
Peace and Precisely Ground 53x11 Coffee Grease
(Get it, peace and grease rhyme)
Not to beat a dead horse, but I too am a new rider to the 53x11 scene and will hopefully contribute a unique perspective to the randomness that is this blog.
Hailing all the way from Los Angeles, California, he's a zero time world champion and winner of exactly no gold medals, he weighs in at a lean mean 90 kilos and a lanky 195.6cms, please welcome the newest European (American) member of 53x11...ME!
Yes, I'm happily blogging from the other side of the planet in what is commonly referred to as Belgium or as cyclists call it...heaven. I'd like to thank Evan and Owen for the badassness that is 53x11 coffee and for openly suggesting that I'm the type of cyclist they're looking for, one that can stay upright on a two-wheeled bike without a motor. Now, I'm a blissfully over-caffeinated crank turning machine that can hammer up cobblestoned climbs in an amount of time that shall not be discussed here.
Clearly I've lost the attention of everyone so I write for the sake of writing. I'm an avid cyclist of 20 years, I'm 35, having cut my racing teeth on a full rigid aqua-green Peugeot mountain bike that I bought at a garage sale from my Dad for $50 (he gave me the family discount). For the most part I've been an MTBer for those years only riding into the road genre over the last three. Fortunately business has brought me across the pond and placed me in Belgium for at least 6 years. I've been priviledged enough to be racing the local road scene for the last two years gaining the Amateur Euro experience to take back to the States to whoop all you old Cat 5 guys. I'm living the dream folks, great cycling, great beer, and more podium girls than that convention I went too...ahhh, but never mind that. I could go on for minutes about the coolness of living in Belgium, but you've all heard it before so I'll just cut right to last weekend's escapades.
Last Saturday a buddy and myself attended one of the bigger season ending Randonnees (Rando or a fully supported club/individual ride that costs about $3 to do) and had a blast doing it. The ride was only 126kms, but was one of the funnest rides I've done since the last rando that started and ended at a brewery. Skipping to the good parts, about 20miles in on relatively flat Belgian roads someone decided it would be funny to throw a 600 foot climb with a max grade of 22% right in my way. At my size most folks mistake me for someone who doesn't give a damn about climbing, but rest assured as Eric and Paul can attest too, I can drop those skinny fellas like a college kid drops a shotgunned beer can while reaching for another.
At the 45 mile marker I had the pleasure off turning 3 laps on the Paris-Roubaix Velodrome in Roubaix. HOLY CRAP, if you've never ridden a velodrome you need to back your butt away from this blog and do it, go ahead, go, now, you won't regret it. If you've ever had the opportunity or the ability to ride sideways on a wall you've ridden a velodrome, just not the one in Roubaix.
Later in the day...I had been skipping from group to group when I finally caught one doing 35-38kmph in a tight little red and white french speaking group (Belgians don't speak Belgian) and was lucky enough to be witness to one club pedaling right through another to get out in front while on a three bike wide canal road. I'd never seen anything like it until I saw some sort of Contador-Armstrong power struggle between riders at the front of the group. So, I did what any smart rider would do I pushed my way to the front, by riding the sidewalk past the cluster of red, white, black, and blue that was the mess of carbon and spokes. Fortunately no one was physically injured, although Egos were clearly damaged, as we all ended up riding to the finish in one small 44kmph (the last three downhill kms) group.
Then we drank beer.
Although your boredom has almost caused you to surf elsewhere, you'll be happy to know that the hysterics that are my measly life will continue to grow in a made for TV movie and you'll be one of the founding members of my fan club. That is, as long as you can prove to me you can pedal a bike uphill at 75 MILES per hour after gulping a piping hot, sans warning label, cup of coffee made from the sweet beans that are the addiction subtly known as 53x11.
My cycling legacy will not carry on forever, sadly. So for my sake and yours drink some 53x11 coffee, it'll make you much much cooler, but not cooler than me (except you Paul).
Check it out Yo, http://www.53x11coffee.com/
Peace and Precisely Ground 53x11 Coffee Grease
(Get it, peace and grease rhyme)
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