Final Flanders Few...

A few final images of Flanders (a couple of posts worth).

Just a little way to pay respect to the guys that ride their arses off for no glory other than a job well done.

British Champ...

[photo: Rob Walker]

RvV 2011.

Great photo of Geraint Thomas pinning it up the Muur. His showing in the Ronde and a week later in Roubaix makes you wonder if he could topple Flecha as the Sky cobble specialist. Here's hoping.

Great photo by Rob, apparently a lucky snapshot taken over his shoulder.

Lucky for me he sent it through to post.

Grind...

RvV 2011. Ian Stannard followed by Leif Hoste and Devolder.

Onward...

RvV 2011. Devolder. Belgium Champion.

Chase, Chase!...

Pozzato. RvV 2011.

Wait over!...

RvV 2011. The breakaway brought back. Cancellara and Chavanel come into view and are immediately joined by the pack of chasers.

Phil Gilbert in the background, readying himself for his Bosberg explosion.

Closer...

RvV 2011. Muur, Geraardsbergen. We can see the helicopters.

The tension is palpable.

Happiness is...

[Me | Paul | Flags - photo: Rob Walker]

...Getting a Vlaamse Leeuw flag from the lucky lucky flag man.

Geraardsbergen, Sunday morning. Can't believe how pissed off we look, it's so funny it hurts. We were enjoying ourselves, honest (you ought to see us when we're not).

Waiting...

We rode yesterday, they're racing today, we're waiting now.

Sunday Morning, Geraardsbergen RvV 2011.

Mapei...

Cool snippet of Musseuw up the Muur.

Riding the tourist RvV is a living, breathing museum of kits gone by. The Mapei one being a firm favourite. I even saw one old timer whose shorts had been worn and washed so many times the lycra's elasticity had completely failed. He was still wearing them with pride.

And will probably go on until they crumble to dust.

Bosberg...

Bridging across.

From the 10,000 strong chase group to the 10,000 strong breakaway.

Saturday Stroll...

Obligatory walking up the Koppenberg photo. Note to self, stop smiling and taking the piss...

...this is supposed to be serious!

Whatever. It isn't a race... although no one told the Italians that.

Monuments...

The best week in the cycling calendar. Flanders and Roubaix, there aren't two better races in the world, sorry if it upsets you, it's just the way it is around here.

Riding my first Tourist RVV was an amazing experience. The number of riders, the organisation, road closures, police care, motorbike outriders and feed stop provision is phenomenal. All this to allow us to experience a small part of pro's world. If you were thinking about doing it...go. You'll be glad you did, it's mind blowing.

The actual mechanics of riding were joyous. Temperatures around 25˚C, a light breeze on the flats, dry cobble and most of the Hellingen rideable even if busy. The Koppenberg played it's hand as a bus stop and had us all grinding to a halt , shoulder to shoulder, to gently walk to the top. Even so many pro's have had the same experience and it gives you a tingle to think this (Paul & Bruno managed to ride it arriving later in the day, fantastic).

The cobble is something else, giving it full gas across the flat stretches is adrenalin x 10. Loved it. Smashing it up the Muur gave me a serious bout of giddyness. If only I'd dropped it on the big ring..ah, next time maybe.

A final thanks to my traveling companions/care providers. Paul, Bruno, Rob, Rich, many thanks for putting up with me and allowing me to practise long forgotten social skills. Paul, thanks for instigating my adventure and Bruno, many thanks for your hospitality and great respect to your ride (260km with just a few km in your legs deserves it).

RVV 260km, see you some time soon.

Bloody Amazing...

The title pretty much sums it up, the Ronde van Vlaanderen 2011 has been an amazing adventure. I've got some words, some semi decent photos (we were on the way to epic fail on the photo front at one point) and a bag of dirty cycling kit to sort out.

I'll post some stuff throughout the week as I get chance to get my head around what we've just experienced... it's bloody amazing.

Pre-Ride...

They've just trained on cobble, I've just cobbled some designs together at work before I leave.

Flight time is only hours away and I'm ready to rock 'n' roll. Apparently the weather tomorrow is gonna be 22˚C and sunny, pretty wrong for Belgium but I'll take what I'm given.

Good luck to everyone riding both the RVV and RVOL tomorrow.

Ronde 4...

Blimey T minus 2.. or it might be 1 depending how you look at it. I fly out to Brussels tomorrow evening as my bike is already over there courtesy of Paul Errington of Shoestring Racing fame (if I have a bad patch on Saturday I'll blame him - it's been his crazy yet brilliant idea).

I'm expecting an April fool tomorrow with an email saying the bike's still in England. I won't believe it even if it were true.

So the bags packed, tickets ready and watches synchronised. I've pretty much missed a whole chunk of the previous weeks semi-classic pro racing as most of my time has been taken up putting the mileage in...then walking the dog...and trying to rescue my garden from a winter of neglect. Even so I've kept one eye on the whole pro circus and am completely stoked to be riding and watching this weekend. Cancellara, Gilbert, Boonen, Devolder, Flecha, Hushovd, the list is pretty much endless and it's gonna be a great bunfight. Good to see Hoste racing after smashing his face in earlier in the week, although I can't see a great result, good luck anyway.

So here's some slick video footage of Garmin-Cervelo racing in Belgium until I can get some poorly composed photos posted on my return.

Yep, it's gonna be nuts!

Ronde Three...

After committing myself to the prospect of riding Flanders, both in promises made and credit card unsheathed, I've had to reconcile myself to actually doing a little riding in preparation. I've managed a few Saturday rides in typical Manchester weather (rain, wind, wind & rain) with a bit of distance (around 120km) to give me the peace of mind that my chosen distance (the 150km) is going to be a journey that will be an experience rather than one to be survived.

I'm fortunate that I have a scattering of cobble climbs of varying gradients as well as a landscape that I can crisscross to give me a route peppered with smallish climbs as well as flat sections where wind can play it's dark hand. In combination to this I left the bike with a front 44/53 setup, part though laziness as much as anything as I was using it as a single speed before fitting new shifters at Christmas. It may only be a mind game but I'm pressing pretty well over the lumpy stuff with this gearing and will down gear for the real thing, hopefully gifting the legs a happier time.

I had no intention of spending on road kit either (as I had no intention of riding RVV, but hey) and that plans out the window too. Box fresh oversocks...white..check. Box fresh nano armwarmers...check. Box fresh team jersey...check. New tyres to be picked up this weekend - Conti GP4 season 28mm (Grazie P!)...check and Castelli Free Aero bibs to be put to the test this weekend - apparently the pad loves your bum. Check, check and what else can I buy, check.

Next step, more riding (up, down, more up, brickworks anyone) and bike fettling.

And, as if by magic, Phillippe Gilbert provides all the inspiration and anticipation I need.

Ronde Two...

GAME ON...

The detail's being worked on and will be sketched out over the next couple of weeks but the deeds been done.

I have my travel booked and paid for and I'm registered for the 150km.

I'm riding the Ronde Van Vlaanderen.

April 2nd.

Belgium.

COME ON!!

Tell me it isn't true...

Well looks like they've done it.

Canyon gives Gilbert's bike the Kasseiklassieker makeover.

So that's it then, Gilbert's hopes of a win scuppered by a bike that looks as heavy as the stones it's being ridden over and as welcoming as the chipped, stained, earthenware mug that you invariably find in the barren cupboards of holiday accommodation the world over (and have no choice but to drink from as coffee in cupped hands is a difficult proposition).

Apparently the bike will be auctioned after the race with Gilbert undoubtedly glad to see it go with the relief you also feel leaving the stained holiday crockery behind and returning to your much cherished drinking vessels.

More pics here. Surely it's a spoof, come on, tell me it isn't true.

Ronde Van Oost Lancashire

The Belgians Semi-classics have tantalised our tastebuds and we're getting pysched for the monuments.

Prior to it all, we're going riding. Brainchild of Alan 'Crossjunkie' Dorrington a pre-RVV loop to get you in the mood. Here's Crossjunkie's take on it all;

"...the feel and cobbles of a Spring Classic, with some beautiful North West countryside thrown in for good measure.

Come and join us on April 3rd - all are welcome. It is fair to point out that both routes are challenging and require a reasonable degree of fitness, though the Achtervolgers group will miss out some miles and a fair amount of extra climbing from the full route without foregoing the Flandrian feel. We are running it as a 'Gentleman's and Ladies' ride and will ride together and look after each other in time honoured fashion, though I suspect there may be some action on the climbs....

Further info here:

Cue sheet

Route desciption

Disclaimer: This is a social ride, not a competitive event. All riders participate entirely at their own risk and liability."

See you there then. Double bartape wrap optional.