I know I've done a lot of rides... But this one... Wow !!!!
Where on earth do i start.... I've spent the evening trying to work out why it was so fantastic.... I honestly didn't want it to end !
The best I can come up with is...
1. You don't get bored.... With all the climbs and the cobble sections throw in between (surprise !!) ... There's always something going on... You're always either in the middle of a short challenge or heading to one... It's very cool !
2. It's chaos !! (and I have a reputation for liking that) ... The route is half road, half bike path and half farm track (often cobbled)... Riders are jumping kerbs, some on the road most on the bike path... On the climbs riders are falling off everywhere... Riders are on the wrong side of the road and swinging back as a car passes..inches away....It's totally crazy... And I loved it !
3. The staggered start (over 3 hours for us) and the different distances meant that it had a very casual feel... People stopping for beers ..in fact at the top of the bosberg there was a whole party going on (including the fans already in position for tomorrow) ... Well... It was the final climb !
So... How did i go?? I have to say I'm extremely happy with my day... I rode the whole thing..except... Had to walk twice... The middle of the koppenberg was crazy and people feel off in front of me.. So that was game over ( and i believe I would have made it pretty well..if they hadn't) ...I'd say the crowd meant 98% of riders didn't ride up....(hint for other atemptees ... Start early so there's less people on the climbs) ... Also walked the end of the molenberg... Was a water stlop at the top... So it wasn't moving... Have to say once you get in the cobbled climb groove...the climbs weren't as impossible s i was expecting ... And i climbed the muur... No problemo !
So.. Here's some pics to show you....
- first pic is me...ready to go... With a crazed look on my face... It stayed there all day (and no..it's not out of focus...that was the jet lag !... I'm more in focus now after a day on the road !)
- second pic is the food from the second food stop... A waffle...and a different waffle ...how cool is that !!!
- 3rd pic ... The koppenberg queue...and the 4th... The koppenberg crowd "
- 5th ... At the top of each climb... They had signs like this to let you know the pain wasn't over... How's that for a scary sign !!!!!!
- 6th ... The muur !! TICK !!! - as you can see there were lots of supporters.. With about 20,000 riders... Thats a lot of friends and family.. On every climb...was very cool !!!
- 7th ... The finish straight for tomorrow ... Strangely I didn't think about it and was blown away when we rode in !
So... I think it took me about 8 hours ... But i wasn't really watching the time !.... If you get the chance... This is a must must must do !
That looks very cool. Well done to you. Did you have coke and twisties at the end or was it duval and waffles?
ReplyDeleteOMG - how fantastic....so excited for you!!! You look like a big happy cycling nut (what a surprise!)! Wish I'd been there with the hordes supporting you as you went past. Sooooooooooo happy for you my love.
ReplyDeleteThanks falc.... It was coke and paprika chips ....hope you cleaned em up in the criterium today !
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