The Hardmen. They inspire us; we aspire to be one among them. They drive us to be better cyclists. 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 Professional 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. Grand Tour champions are not given this title, nor are the winners of World Titles or King of the Mountains competitions. The Hardmen stand out among the rest as the ones who ride over the savage, jagged cobblestones of Northern Europe with a supplesse 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 Velominati a chance to walk where Giants tread and pedal through the trench of Arenberg and up the devastating steeps of the Kapelmuur. To pedal with the Pros during their reconnaissance of the Paris-Roubaix route. To visit the Merckx factory, and to spend an afternoon riding with Johan Museeuw, the last Lion of Flanders.
We have arranged for 9 days of Cycling in Glorious Hell, hosted by the Founding Keepers, Frank and Brett, and organized by Pavé Cycling Classics. We will be staying in a Bed & Breakfast Cottage in Gent, and all services are included in the package. *Hangovers and massages for your aching guns and back sold separately.
Alex and William at Pavé Cycling Classics really know the Classics, and have put together an itinerary befitting a Velominatus, including rides on the Ronde van Vlaanderen and Roubaix routes, as well as visits to the Prophet’s factory, and a ride with Johan Museeuw (pending confirmation of scheduling confirmed). It’s the trip of a lifetime for anyone who has ever dreamt about Springtime on the stones.
Here is the Preliminary Itinerary:
All participants will be greeted with a Velominati Musette stuffed with a commemorative V-Pint and V-Shirt. Given the abundance of Belgian beer, the V-Pint will be well used. We will also have a Velominati Flag to wave at the races. As a final note, a Cogal welcoming all riders will also be arranged, details pending finalization of the itinerary.
Everything is included in this 9 days/9 nights package. Food, drinks, support car with spare wheels, visits, Gent velodrome ride, Cyfac bicycle for the rides (limited sizes and quantities available), energy food, and insurance. The only thing you have left to do is find your way to Lille. All-inclusive price for this trip of a lifetime is 2250€.
There is very limited availability for this program; reserve your seat at the table by signing up below. Priority is given in a first-come, first-served basis. Email tours@velominati.com to register; serious enquiries only, please.
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oh and i would definitely be there for a Cogal if that is allowed
I'm wrecked cause I know I can't make it. But wow, any one who does make have a damn good time for the rest of us.
This is a great deal, in my opinion. All lodging, food, rides, possibly riding with the Lion of Flanders, etc included.
Man, if this becomes an annual thing, or a semi-annual, I'll be in for the next one.
I just know that the VMH would NOT be down with me taking this trip when we are trying to set up a two week trip to Northern France for the late June time frame for the whole family that is costing a small fortune!
So unbelievably jealous of those going, though. Truly the trip of a lifetime!
Also just double checked the dates. I'm going to be in Honduras on a medical mission throguh the 31st of March.
Doubly out of this one.
Guess I'm with ChrisO in that I do not even need to mention this one and possibly invoke the wrath of the VMH for even dreaming of it this year! :)
It's a good thing I just bought that 9mm because I'll have to off the missus and collect insurance money to make it. Seriously though, that is one unbelievably cool deal. The Keepers have truly outdone themselves. Thanks Frank (and Brett).
I think I posted this in the first Cogal write up but don't remember any responses.
Any Velominati have recommendations on travel bike cases? If I can swing this trip, it would be a shame not to ride my Roubaix on Paris-Roubaix.
Not to sidetrack the infinite awesomeness of this thing but I've always thought a "fantasy training camp" type deal would go over big time. Maybe the Keepers could use their connections (or maybe I'll talk to my good buddy Max Testa) to get the Velominati in on a training ride with a U.S. based ProTour team like BMC or something.
@itburns
I've got a soft one like this. I've only used it a couple of times but it seemed to work fine and held up to the baggage handlers although I did put a foam style gym mat around the bike to give it a bit of extra protection. The only things you need to unbolt are the handlebars, rear derailleur and take the QRs out of the wheels.
The slots allow you to pop the whole lot onto a boot mounted bike rack without getting the bike out or just strap the whole lot to the roof although I wouldn't recommend that for long journeys at high speed and your rental car co might not approve (The lad who we handed the car back to in Spain thought it was cool but he was a mountain biker/surfer. I can imagine there are probably many more jobsworths out there who'd get very worked up at the idea).
If I was travelling with my bike more than a couple of times each year, I would splash out on a rigid case but the down side to that type is that you can't stuff much other stuff in as all the spare space is taken up with padding. I'd also always carry my helmet with me, experience has taught me that they're the most delicate thing in a bike bag!
@itburns
I use this one and have had absolutely ZERO damage. Highly recommended.
http://www.excelsports.com/main.asp?page=8&description=Ironcase+Lockable+Bike+Case&vendorCode=TRICO&major=9&minor=1
@all
There will be a Cogal open to everyone, details coming pending confirmation of the schedule. And, of course, we'll also let everyone know where on the routes we'll be.
Wow! I'm going to to pretend I didn't even see this. I can't make it, can't pay for it.
Well, maybe next year. This gives me motivation to finish my degree, get a job, get some loot!