Velominatus: JC Belgium
Order: Level 4 Velominatus
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@JC Belgium's posts:
@Ron Meeusen already is in the penalty box: he is a witness – NOT a suspect, in an anti-doping investigation into a Belgian doctor, whom he visited a couple of times. No Worlds for him unfortunately (thanks to UCI), the conditions were looking good becau… »
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March 29, 2013 – April 8, 2013 // Lille, France // Event Details // Book Now
The Hardmen. They inspire us; we aspire to be one among them. They are the solitary voice among the thousands in our heads that tell us to keep pushing when all the others tell us to stop. Their long shadows look on in approval as we pull on our cold and wet weather gear and head out into the elements to ride.
Every serious Cyclist is a hard man or woman; it comes with the territory. But to be given the title of Hardman, one must be more than just tough. The Hardmen stand out among the rest as the ones who ride over the savage, jagged cobblestones of Northern Europe with a souplesse that is possessed only by those riders who thrive in the most torturous of road cycling’s domains: The Cobbled Classics of Northern Europe.
Velominati has partnered up with Pavé Cycling Classics, based in Northern France, to offer the chance to walk where Giants tread and pedal through the trench of Arenberg and up the devastating cobbled steeps of the Koppenberg and Kapelmuur. To pedal with the Pros during their reconnaissance of the Paris-Roubaix route.
As if that isn’t good enough, we offer the opportunity to do all this with Johan Museeuw, the last Lion of Flanders.
Velominati’s Keepers Tour: Cobbled Classics 2013 will be hosted and guided by the Velominati Keepers in partnership with Pavé Cycling Classics over nine days in April during the most sacred time of the season, the week when de Ronde van Vlaanderen and Paris Roubaix are held. The trip is all-inclusive and covers lodging, meals, energy drink, energy bars, and sag support. Bikes are available and included in the price should you wish not to bring your own.
The friendships forged over the 2012 edition of Keepers Tour with 9 days of riding the cobbles of Flanders and Northern France, drinking the best of Belgian beer, and eating the finest French cuisine leave an indelible mark on not only the Keepers, but all those who attend. Cycling has that ability to bring people together, and we count ourselves very blessed to have met such a great bunch of souls who we are proud to call our mates.
For 2013, we have trimmed the fat and added a bunch of amazing treats for you. Not only will we be riding the Pavé du Nord, the steeps of Liége and the Kasseien of Flanders, we will be doing it with a very special guest; The Lion of Flanders himself, Johan Museeuw. Last year we had the pleasure of an afternoon with Johan, riding some of the Gent-Wevelgem route and enjoying a few beers after. This time, you can witness firsthand how to float across the stones of Arenberg and charge up the Kapelmuur from the master… how many cyclists are able to say that?
Take this unique opportunity to be part of an experience that everyone attending will never forget, or regret.
Provisional Itinerary
- Friday : Pick up midday, travel to gite and get bikes setup
- Saturday : Paris-Roubaix with Johan Museeuw (last 150km)
- Sunday : Watch de Ronde van Vlaanderen at the Oude Kwaremont
- Monday: Visit the Roeselare National Bicycle Museum & go for an easy ride around Kemmel
- Tuesday: Liège-Bastogne- Liège with Johan Museeuw
- Wednesday: Track riding at the Eddy Merckx Velodrome in Gent then watch the GP Escault (Scheldeprijs) pro race
- Thursday: Paris Roubaix reconaissance ride with the Pros
- Friday: Brunehaut brewery visit and meet with Pro Team (Omega-Pharma Quickstep or AG2R)
- Saturday: Ronde Van Vlaanderen with Johan Museeuw (150km)
- Sunday: Watch Paris Roubaix at three secteurs (Valenciennes, Arenberg, l’Arbre); optional stay at gite on Sunday night
Price: 3990€, All inclusive price includes rides with Johan Museeuw, accommodation for 9 nights, breakfast, lunch, dinner, beer, wine, insurance coverage, sag support, Pavé’s custom Cyfac rental bikes (upon request), exclusive V-Lion V-Shirts, exclusive Keepers Tour V-Pint, exclusive V-Mussette, and Pavé Cycling Classics jersey. Plus swag from our sponsors.
At this time we are accepting reservations for the full Keepers Tour, and now we also include weekend and daily packages. Once the reservation is confirmed, we will collect a 20% deposit with the balance due upon arrival in Lille.
Attendees should be comfortable riding in groups and be able to ride 150km several times in a week at a 28-30kph pace; some groups may elect to go faster but these are non-competitive rides. There will be lots of cobbles, and lots of short, steep climbs – sometimes both at the same time, so prepare yourself accordingly. We will usually have sag support, and riders who are unable to keep up may be asked to climb in the car. Or to Survive on V.
Booking
There is a problem with our booking form; please email tours@velominati.com to register.
Bookings
Bookings are closed for this event.
Event Details
Loading Map....Date/Time
Date - March 29, 2013 - April 07, 2013
12:00 AM - 12:00 AMLocation
Gare de Lille FlandresCogal Details
Route Details
Ride Classification
@JC Belgium's posts:
Gilbert’s 2013 Bike http://www.nieuwsblad.be/sportwereld/cnt/DMF20130111_095?pid=2199293 I like the 2012 model more. the white accents on the 2013 frame make the bike look less faster, IMHO. http://www.hln.be/hln/nl/7988/sport/photoalbum/detail/1508541… »
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For people with a short-term memory: 2012 Cycling Season Compilation by Sporza (Flemish commentary and subtitles. Anyway, nice footage) part I http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVRigW3TESs Part II http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcbq6Csv_HE »
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@Buck Rogers bike swaps depend on the type of track; today’s koppenberg was ‘sticky mud’, next sunday’s Zonhoven is a sandy track, so probably less swaps or even none. most pro s have 4-5 bikes in the pit and 4 mechanics (actually, volunteers – father, un… »
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there is a solution to every problem… »
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VSP PICKS: 1. Gilbert 2. Nibali 3. Rodriguez 4. Uran 5. Van Avermaet »
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@JC Belgium's posts:
VSP PICKS: 1. Evans Cadel 2. Wiggins Bradley 3. Leipheimer Levi 4. Gesink Robert 5. Van den Broeck Jurgen »
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VSP PICKS: 1. Basso Ivan 2. Scarponi Michele 3. Hesjedal Ryder 4. Pozzovivo Domenico 5. Rodriguez Joaquim »
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thought through that is… overload t’s o’s u’s and h’s »
@ChrisO claiming they came out of nowhere, is not really thought trough. Vansummeren, Nuyens, Iglinsky, Rodriguez, Gasparotto… they were always there in their fields of racing. but not all are equally talented, clever, witty or lucky enough to win, espe… »
oh come on, really? doubting about the honesty of Gasparotto’s, Iglinskiy’s and Rodriguez’ victories and the general performance of the Katusha and Astana team and not even considering second thougts on Boonen’s and his team’s performance in the Flemish S… »
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VSP PICKS: 1. Vos Marianne 2. Cooke Nicole 3. Arndt Judith 4. Longo Borghini Lisa 5. Johansson Emma »
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VSP PICKS: 1. Rodriguez Joaquim 2. Gilbert Phil 3. Gasparotto Enrico 4. Vanendert Jelle 5. Mollema Bauke »
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@JC Belgium's posts:
VSP PICKS: 1. Valverde Alejandro 2. Rodriguez Joaquin 3. Vanendert Jelle 4. Freire Oscar 5. Sanchez Samuel »
@JC Belgium's posts:
@Steampunk my mate’s situation had popped into mind. his shoulder was soring too and he had to get wider bars. @oli and @tessar are right – a proper fitter can do miracles… »
@Nate Come on Bernie, leave Calimero alone… »
What you don’t see on TV… http://nos.nl/video/493569-de-achterkant-van-de-hel.html »