Ronde!

First off, a HUGE thanks to Team Katusha, QBP and Lazer Helmets for setting up the VIP access all day. This was certainly an unforgettable experience.

Rather than give a play by play of the day's events I thought it would be better to just say this; top level pros are incredibly fast! Seeing these guys race an event like the Tour of Flanders makes our Tour of California look like tea at grandma's house. It's' just a different level of racing. I've seen plenty of pro races here in the US and they simply do not compare. If you have a chance, go to Europe and experience it for yourself, you will never forget it.

Cycling fans in Belgium are not all like you might expect. They are not necessarily out riding on the weekends like we do. Cycling fans in the US tend to be the outcasts. Cycling is what identifies most of us, it sets us apart. The difference is that in most of Europe, everyone rides a bike almost every day. Something to learn there by the way. They are also incredibly proud of their athletes and the history of their sport. I like Belgians, they love cycling and they love beer just like me.

So here are a few pics.


The Katusha team bus





Riders getting swallowed up



Repairs at 30mph +


The first group that got away. They were arguing. Then they got caught too.


The Muur is far steeper than it looks. No photo can do it justice.

Sparticus leading the charge up the Muur! I was pretty excited and subsequently the majority of my photos in this section were terrible. I definitely have more to learn about photographing things moving fast.


The suffering masses.


These guys have a pretty good gig.

Tied and soldered. Why? Because it's Europe and it's old school. It is a very use specific wheel building method that builds a stiffer wheel and reduces the risk of spokes detensioning on the cobbled roads.



Some notes on the course. Sometimes when you're riding that hard, you forget where on the course you are and it helps to know when the cobbled sections are coming.


Yes, it's on the way folks! Campy electric groups that look pretty much finished.


Some custom paint for the Ronde.


Thor!


And now for some history.There is a great place in Gent called Plum. It's a very old bike shop/factory with a small museum in the basement.


Smoke 'em if you got 'em


Suicide front derialleur.


Original suspension, more proof that most of our modern bicycle technology is recycled from much older designs.


Like long reach calipers. Note how nice head badges used to be.



Eddy Merckx train station in Brussels.


Eddy's bike in the train station.


Flanders cycling museum in Oudenaarde where I met Freddy Maertens.


Belgian beer! We toured the Cantillon brewery...again. It's a 4th generation family business making beer using most traditional methods.


The Kulminator, Antwerp's best beer bar.


Lunch in Bremen.


A Chouffe and a Mort Subite in Brussels.


Lots of Deus served here. Deus is a beer that is finished in the same way champagne is. The sediment is purged the same way prior to final corkage. It is amazing to say the least.


Charles Quint, very strong and very good. Very much a Gent beer.


Note the price and then go buy some here at home. The tears are coming!


Gent.



Some much more to post, endless. In the end, most people associate Italy, France and Spain as destinations for cyclists. Belgium and Germany have a lot to offer and the people are as open and generous as anywhere. I will continue to visit both countries as often as possible. High end shops are almost non existent but don't let that stop you. High end shops in France have been hard to find in my experience as well. Maybe Bespoke's second location could be across the pond one day!

This trip has once again shown how valuable travel is. Every time I visit a new place or even somewhere I've been before, I'm reminded that people are pretty much the same everywhere. Yes, we have different cultures, traditions and languages but deep down, we all want and need the same things. We all want to enjoy our lives and if we're lucky, we learn how to do it. We are privileged enough to live in an area where we have an abundance of lifestyles and culture in general. Our little corner of the world is just exactly that, a small corner in a big world. The other thing this trip has reminded me is that the bike industry is pretty cool. I've been doing this for a really long time and I'm happy to say I'm still finding new ways to enjoy it.