Degrees of Endeavor

This post was going to be a deep thinking, somewhat personal look at the concept of suffering and resultant glory found at the end of the wheel and road combined ordeal. The only trouble is I can't consolidate my thoughts enough to contribute to the discussion. Not yet anyway.

This post was instigated as a response to this this piece by Crossjunkie.

Which is interesting that the next piece I read is this by The Everyday Athlete, which definitely has Heidi's perspective to hardship.

I then read this on Fyxomatosis, as a direct challenge to the theory that hard fought effort gives the greatest reward. Look at these people, riding cobble having a great time!

So I now have to go away and have a real good think about this. I have a feeling my theories will have Captain Scott in there somewhere.

To the post hungry amonst you I'm working on a couple more Roubaix bits, some Classics artwork and some Classics bits and bobs, now the Pro Peleton has moved on to riding day after day. After day.

And we think riding on cobble is hard (more interesting though isn't it?).

Pilgrims & Perspectives: Time Trial

"Regrets I've had a few, but then agian.........."

We caught the race twice and were heading to the velodrome and I missed the exit for the motorway. A quick detour and we're back on course. We see the woodland surrounding the Arenberg and through the trees the cars and campers parked almost on top of each other. We know they're through this sector as we saw them just before they went in.

A few KM later and the Motorway traffic slows to a crawl. Cars start to pull into the hard shoulder, a police motorbike ambles down the inside lane paying little attention. Doors open, passengers leap out, daughter helps gran hitch up her skirt to climb over the roadside barrier.

We falter, look at each other, and decide to push on. We want to see them come into the velodrome.

They shimmy down a small embankment and are immediately on the Beuvry-la-Forêt secteur. A few minutes later the race thunders through.

We make it to Roubaix, drink a coffee and walk to the Velodrome, yet wonder if we could have made an unscheduled motorway pit stop.

Maybe next time. Maybe.

Torque Wrench

Focus your attention on the riders, no not the bicycles, the two up Mavic support bike. Then lets consider pressure.

The roads your about to ride are tight, littered with street furniture, transition from cobble/kassien/pave to tarmac to dirt runoff from tractor usage.They alternate from spectator lined to spectator deluged. The weather also plays its hand. Sun creates choking dust storms, rain delivers a surface that must be treated with respect and a reduced lean angle.

Imagine being closed down by a breakaway group and having to pin the throttle as you round a tight Amstel Gold corner (where upon being confronted by a concrete planter full of flowers). Imagine being at the front of the main group in the Arenberg as the hammer goes down and the tempo rockets, while you're caught by the barriers. Pressure.

Of course some of the motorbike cavalcade have been riding these routes for years, but imagine being the new boy. Pressure.

Notice the pillion on the bike has no gloves and holds a wheel in each hand. The photo was shot in glorious sunshine but the temperature was arctic. Imagine travelling 259km, at speed, holding bare metal with no gloves. Either this guy has skin made of leather or is tough as. Or both.

Pressure: With the Classics drawing to a close, time is running out for the stars of the field to return a result. Will the Cunego/Valverde/Evans/Schlek's of the peleton consider their seasons floundering if they don't record a victory.

Pressure: Will the team owners and sponsors be eyeing their team lists if positive results aren't forthcoming.

Pressure: If results aren't forthcoming for the big hitters is the focus (and stress) placed on the Giro & Tour

Pilgrims & Perspectives: The Trench

Velopix once again has simple snapshot photos that satisfy the Roubaix pilgrim. Interesting commentary on riding the trench too.


Paris-Roubaix - The Arenberg from CycleTo on Vimeo.

Pilgrims & Prespectives: A Day at the Races

We've frequented this corner for a few years now. It's at the top of the first sector, the riders barrel down a slight slope, cross the road (a split second respite) and climb the gentle slope. I have a feeling this is where De Vlaeminck put the hammer down in 'Sunday in Hell' but don't quote me as my memory is hazy and the priority of buying the DVD over a new pair of shorts is a non starter. I digress. At the top of the rise they turn left, add a couple of hundred yards later and they've passed the first test of 28.

As it's been our regular starting point, you get to see the same faces. Not the hordes of crazed, rider name clad supporters. No, these regulars are the local village inhabitants, people who once a year wander from their houses into the centre of the adjoining field and witness an event we consider one of the greatest bicycle races.
It makes me wonder what they're thinking, what's their perspective?

Take the couple in the foreground to the left of the picture. A robust woman in a heavily brocaded dress and the man with the sleeveless t-shirt. Her handmade dress has (probably incorrectly) a gypsy feel and the gives the impression she put on her Sunday best in order to walk to the corner. He's freshly shaven with hair slicked back with pomade, yet in contrast he's wearing his house slippers.

"I'm walking to the corner, it's no big deal, no need to put shoes on".

I've even seen an old timer with what looked like his pajamas on, although he did have his jacket on over the top. It is Sunday after all.

The race passes and they head for home.

I wonder if they rush to their TV sets to watch the race unfold.

Do they shrug their shoulders, comment that the riders look younger every year and return home to take a glass of wine, caring little who wins.

Or do they go home and argue about De Vlaeminck being able to beat them all?

Paris-Roubaix: Pilgrims & Perspectives

So what's probably the best race of the cycling year has been and gone and it didn't fail to deliver. My desire for process-vs-outcome was repayed on both accounts. Truly eventful closing stages, nail biting chase, followed by a deserved winner. Classic, absolute vintage.

The race may have finished in France but it's still being replayed as I eat my breakfast each morning.

Inspirational, truly inspirational.

Pilgrims & perspectives: A few posts, drawn from our previous Roubaix experiences, before the dust finally settles or the rain washes it away.

Rain? Oh no don't start that again.

April Showers

I think a decent proportion of the online community wanted it to rain tomorrow.

I'm guessing but I think we all want a diversion from the current trend of hyper-speed dust bowl races. A return to gladiatorial battles, man, machine and the unforgiving elements. To the pro Peleton I apologise for praying for rain, but as Sean Kelly put it,

"A Paris-Roubaix without rain is not a true Paris-Roubaix. Throw in a little snow as well, it's not serious."

So if it good enough for Sean it's good enough for me.

Fortunately/unfortunately (depending on your perspective) it looks like it'll be dry tomorrow, the only showers the riders will see will be concrete.

Sunday Respect

The task must be daunting for some, exhilarating for others.

52.9 km of pavé.

You may be the best in your town, city, region or country, but when it comes to the cobbles they show little interest, or respect for your previous riding achievements. Neither do your fellow competitors who've been here before and are willing to put you to the sword to achieve a final desperate victory in the velodrome.

They came barrelling down hill towards us. To call it a hill is a misnomer, a gentle gradient more like, this race is big gear from start to finish, a drag race over a surface used by tractors. Their drivetrains had now a covering of dust that made even the best maintained chain sound like a Wheezing old man. There was a tangible sense of fear as they flew past us, eyes wide, stressful expressions from exertion and concentration. Riders on the fringes of the peleton try to seek the thin dirt trail to the side of the pave, hoping not to have to avoid an unseen obstacle at great speed. Bidons are jostled from their places of safety, some flying harmlessly to the side , whilst others explode upon impact. I'm covered in water from one such explosion, at one time in history this would have been blood.

BMC have a team of riders fresh to the Secteurs. I feel theirs will be a rude awakening.

This race is hard and this clip is an ultimate example of it's brutality.

Watch it with the sound turned on.

Respect Sunday.

All Gent wrong

Gent - Wevelgem. I tried for hours to tap into a live feed and failed by the process of geo-restriction, finally ending the race following a live ticker - which doesn't quite have the same cache anymore.

Boasson Hagen, a young talent's moment of glory ruined by a horrendous kit design.

Apparently doesn't know much about cycling history, which I find shocking as I've been a student of every sport I've participated in. Or is it because our rose tinted view of cycling past gives us something to romanticise about?

Anyone for Sunday in Hell?

Seconds out Ronde Two

As promised earlier a belated post Ronde post (enjoyed that phrase so much I used it twice).

So what can I add to the post race critique. Just a few notes.

What's happening at Lotto. The management must be spitting feathers at Quicksteps dominance.Was Hoste's participation in the early break planned to advance a team members cause, ie. Gilbert , or did he completely fluff it? Luckily Gilbert saved their grace to a degree with his third place.

Exercise in futility. Flecha bursting from the field on the Muur to chase down no-one to be closed down by everyone. Save your energy for another day.

Puncheur award. Boonen without a doubt. Tried hard on every berg. Great to watch powering along the Kassien (I should know I've watched it twice now).

Camera angle. The camera shot from above the Koppenberg actually portrayed the angle and severity and the effect the berg had on the momentum of the field.

Stijn Devolder. Power, Power, Power. Bridged, countered and left em for dead; Supported by a current super power of Spring Classics teams.

The embarrassment I would have felt, posting artwork with the victor's name misspelled. Argh, Did I say that out loud?

Ronde & Recuperation

I had a post Ronde post planned for last night.
Which turned into this morning.
Which turned into this evening as I noticed a glaring error on the artwork I'd produced.

As a sidenote.

Have I been riding. No.

Have I been ill. Yes.

Have I lost any form. Hope not.

Ironic, considering it's the most inspiring time in the cycling calendar (apart from the cross season) and I've been patiently sitting around trying to get my energy back - you don't realise how much you need until you've lost it, well... misplaced for a short while.

Process vs Outcome

Ronde tomorrow. Who will win. Don't know. Don't care.

An inflammatory statement certainly and one I only partially agree with.

I make no guesses as to the victor and in a sense I don't actually mind who wins. What I am interested in is the process of reaching the final outcome. I hope for a an edgy race, full of happening and intrigue. Attack, counter attack, a breakaway brought back, team tactics gone awry, a suspense thriller caught on your favourite sports channel on a sunny spring afternoon.

Process vs Outcome. A desire for a hard racing spectacle, rather than rooting for a particular rider to win.

Don't care. Not true, the excitement I'm getting about tomorrow tells me something else.

Applause for the supporting cast

We tend to focus all our attention on the Muur possibly due to it's photogenic nature, yet without the other cobble climbs (each proclaiming it's own importance in the unfolding drama), the Ronde & Muur would provide little challenge for the professional.

So here's a toast to the Kassien of the Ronde Van Vlaanderen.