Velominati Keepers Tour: Cobbled Classics 2012
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:
- Friday March 30th: arrival in Lille – lunch & introductions at the cottage in Gent.
- Saturday March 31th: Ride Paris-Roubaix course (at least 180km from St Quentin to Roubaix, full ride available to those who dare) – Visit of the Roubaix Vélodromes (both old and new).
- Sunday April 1st: Rest or short ride around the cottage in the Flanders area (morning) – Watch the Tour of Flanders in Oude Kwaremont and/or Paterberg.
- Monday April 2nd: Visit to Eddy Merckx factory to pay our respects to The Prophet, followed by a Brussells downtown visit (more detail to come).
- Tuesday April 3rd: Short ride around the cottage – visit to bicycle museum in Beveren (Roeselare) – 2 hours practice with a coach on the Eddy Merckx Velodrome in Gent (track bikes provided).
- Wednesday April 4th: Follow the Grand Prix de l’Escaut Pro Race (http://www.scheldeprijs.be/nl)
- Thursday April 5th: Ride with the Pros on their Paris Roubaix recon around Arenberg. Visit to the Brunehaut brewery in Belgium (where our Malteni beer is produced). Tour of downtown Lille.
- Friday April 6th: Ride Tour of Flanders course (150 and 200km routes available, full ride available to those who dare). Visit the Tour of Flanders museum in Oudenaarde.
- Saturday April 7th: Cyclo Fléche Brabançonne (http://www.flandersclassics.be/nl/cyclo/brabantse-pijl) or ride in Flanders area.
- Sunday April 8th: Follow the Paris-Roubaix race (taking in cobbled sectors around Valenciennes + Arenberg + L’Arbre). Depart.
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 [email protected] to register; serious enquiries only, please.
I’m just going to keep watching this video over and over and over and over until I’ve memorized the climb. Holy mother of Merckx, Museeuw was a badass.
@all
Update from Pavé Cycling Classics: the ride with Museeuw is confirmed, as is the visit to the Merckx factory.
I say again: TRIP OF A LIFEFIME. I’m actually feeling a little jittery about this.
Who’s going to be the first to attack the LoF?
@marko
I don’t know; Cyclops already said he can’t make it.
@Dr C
After 17 years… my wife knows full well it is my idea of a holiday.
I did test her out on the subject. I lost points simply for telling her I WASN’T thinking about it.
However I do have ‘in principle’ approval for an RdV weekend.
For anyone who hasn’t done a French or Belgium sportive and can’t do the full-fat tour for whatever reason I would encourage you to think about the RdV.
Although there will be a large number of people that is part of the fun.
The towns and villages en route are often decorated and have a festive feel, there are people along the course clapping and shouting encouragement and the whole thing is probably as close to feeling like a real pro as most of us will get.
A group of mates and I do one each year. Some are quite small events which are more like a local road race and where you could count the number of Anglais on two hands. But we’ve done larger ones like Tilff-Bastogne-Tilff (too much traffic to start in Liege) and L’Ardechoise and they are equally good. Having other riders around can be useful too, if the group splits up with mixed abilities.
The only reason we avoid things like l’Etape and the Marmotte is the hassle of doing something where you end up a long way from where you started, which means you have to rely on organised tour packages etc.
@frank
My deepest sympathies go out to his chain.
@frank
Wow. Why did the mechanics even fit a smaller ring on his rig?
Sure hope the organizers know what they are doing rearranging the course for next year.
@Nate
He’s got a Man’s Block on the back, too. If it’s a 23, I’m surprised, because it looks like a 21.
@frank@frank
Nice screen shot. Notice I said “smaller ring,” not small ring — looks like he’s running a 46 or so inner ring. In other words, he’s storming the Kappelmuur on his Roubaix rig. Have fun keeping up with that in April!
And his bidon appears to jump ship at the 30 sec mark, fearing for its life.
What an outstanding program, I’m sure you are going to have a fantastic success with this tour.
When I saw this article a couple of days ago the trip went to the top of the bucket list, however it has just been superseeded by what’s described below…number 1 with a bullet!
Cent Cols Challenge
Dam you Frank! This is too AWESOME – a Lamborghini full of Awesome!
I am loving some of the above schemes for getting there and unfortunately none of the ones running through my brain will work. Dam, dam, dam. There are slim possibilities that between the lottery, someone dying, or huge sudden success of my current 5 year plan I will be there!
I feel sorry for Museeuw’s bike. That could be a straight block on there – 7 speed 13 – 19?
@frank
He’s got a Man’s Block on the back, too. If it’s a 23, I’m surprised, because it looks like a 21.
You’ll be able to ask him yourself in 4 months…
@Mikael Liddy
that would certainly work as part of a weight loss program!
I love that Kapelmuur vid. Prize for the Velominati that makes it up in the big ring?
Schnikey, the wife is actually crunching the numbers to see about making this dream happen.
Although I’m sure I’m going to break all kinds of rules by riding my CX bike. It’s either that or a TT rig.
@Joe
Knee surgery?
@Buck Rogers
Yes, although I would likely have to find somewhere new to live upon my return as I would most likely miss the birth of our third child – definitely grounds for divorce proceedings, and not something I want to miss in any event. I would give up a lot to go on this trip, but being present at the birth of our third child is not on that list!
@Mikel Pearce
I hear you. I have five kiddos and would not miss something with them for the world! Just giving you crap.
For anyone wondering if Pavé Cycling Classics’ guides pass muster, I submit this. During a discussion today regarding the “must-do” rides for any cyclist, Alex submitted this:
That’s how we roll. We love those guys.
Hi guys! Thanks for your comments about this trip in the Hell of the North.
It’s a pleasure to organize this week for you.
William and me are really looking forward to these unforgettable days together.
Alex & William. Keepers of the cobbles!
this page is burning a hole in my screen, but I am leaving it open until the promised deets appear…..
(210km on a fixie…..yikes!! Hardass)
Frank, in case I’ve missed it somewhere, have you posted details of the slimmed-down options for weekend etc ?
I’d definitely be interested in that if the cost is reasonable.
@ChrisO
Yeah, we’ll be posting up an update – probably next Monday with a full booking system in place.
There is further detail available now on the Keepers Tour Event page in the Cogal Calendar, but here it is as a sneak peak:
Rates:
All-inclusive Tour, 9 days/9 nights package: 2250€
All-inclusive Weekend Tour with accommodation (pending availability)*: 500€
Weekend Tour without accommodation*: 250€
All-inclusive Daily Tour with accommodation (pending availability)*: 200€
Daily rate without accommodation*: 100€
The Cogal Event (to be scheduled) will be free of charge and welcomes everyone.
*Only those who participate in the 9 Day Keepers Tour will be eligible to attend the visit to The Prophet’s factory and for the ride with Johan Museeuw.
@frank
Holy Merckx, I have such a Tourbone looking at this
I feel like a kid in a sweet shop – will have to work out a points system to work out which bit to do – gagging to see RVV and P-R, yet want to do as much riding as possible on these famous courses, yayayaya…..Mmmmmmmm
I’m assuming there will be different hotels for different parts of the tour, so we might need some daily venue info to join in where it is going off??
You are a fucking star!
@frank
Fabulous… looks good for the weekend especially the first one.
I fancy doing Paris-Roubaix and it would let me use my London bike (a steel custom-build) whereas I would feel obliged to bring the Ridley from Abu Dhabi for the Ronde, which is more hassle.
Just had the decision taken out of my hands!
One of my partners at work, who nver takes holidays, (we have a rule that only one partner can be off at any time) has for some reason decided to take this frigging week off! B…..
Anyway, I can still do the first weekend, so will put all my eggs in that basket and start looking at flights tonight, praying for flight home on the sunday….
I’m in for the all-inclusive deal, including hire bike. Woo hoo!
This will be the cycling trip of my life so far. In addition to the pleasure of hanging out with like-minded cyclists for 9 days, I’m particularly looking forward to seeing Kiwis Roulston and Bauer getting a chance to strut their stuff on the paved Classics.
Now to spend the next 4 months searching out rough roads around Wellington to train on. @Brett – maybe we can train by designing the next Welli-Roubaix course before we go?
@Bianchi Denti
Awesome news mate! Yeah, we need a hardening up program for sure.
The Welli-Roubaix course will be much the same, but was thinking of adding more gravé at the Hutt end. And Fraser, an original WR rider, has pledged to run it to keep the tradition alive.
@Keepers
okay chaps, I’m in for weekend one – will fly to Brussels from Dublin lunchtime, train (30 mins) to Ghent/Lille or wherever, then home Sunday 9pm flight back to Dublin – beautiful!
Will likely bring my cycloX bike, or maybe we can hire for ease of mobility?
@Dr C
We’ll be staying in the same hotel the whole time. Belgium is fucking small, mate.
@ChrisO
FANTASTIC. It will be great to meet you all.
I have an article ready to go, but I might just have to post another Pavé porn article instead. Mighty excited over here.
I’m such a knob jockey – just thinking – my road bike is a Spesh Roubaix, and I am talking about taking my cycloX bike to ride the trench – what an unbelievable twat I am – I shall ride the Roubaix!!!
I am not going to read any more posts in this section. I am otherwise occupied that weekend, so each time I read a post from those attending my insides churn with envy and rage. I hate you all. Particularly you, Frank.
@Dr C, @G’phant
I will be there with my Roubaix also.
@Dr C@itburns
Now, the big question: what wheels are you riding?
@G’phant
Best. Trip. Ever.
@frank
Do you have your Ambrosios yet?
@frank
pending further research (knowledge/ experience/ suggestions-on-a-postcard-welcome), one on the front, one on the back – well at the start anyway
@G’phant
me too mate, it’s midnight here, and I’ve f…all chance of sleeping now too! (sensitivity coming to the fore as always)
Looks like I’m going to have to exercise the very best of my persuasive powers. I had approval in principle for a trip to the PR sportive but that was on the basis of taking Mrs Chris and the velomites. I’ve got a nice 160k sportive in Cheshire the weekend before as a warm up. I just need to come up with a convincing argument to leave the family at home and disappear cycling two weekends in a row.
At least I should be fit for it if I survive the training program my cycling sensei has me on.
@frank
Still have the bastard Fulcrums that came with the Roubaix – basically Fulcrum 5 hubs and Fulcrum 3 rims/spokes. The stock tires were “Roubaix” also but I found them too soft – they tended to pick up road debris easily. Have some Spesh Armadillo 25s currently.
@itburns
Nothing wrong with Fulcrums IMHO. I’ve got 5s on my Colnago Master and 3s as everyday wheels on my Ridley. As a heavier rider (which to wheelmakers appears to mean over 80kg) I find them pretty reliable.
If I bring the Roberts from London though I’ll be on bombproof Mavic Open Pros, as approved by Jobst Brandt.
@Chris
How about saying, “Mrs Chris, the weekend after my Sportive in wherever it is (she won’t care), I’m off to Belgium with some cycling mates to do ride the most famous stretch of cycling history, and then watch the RVV the next day, and then I’ll be home” – that ought to do it
I’ve never been convinced that asking for approval for these things advances anyone’s cause, as it looks like you are taking a liberty, which you aren’t
Now that is sorted, we’ll see you in Ghent
@itburns @Fronk
I’ll be on DT Swiss Axis 3.0’s, onto which I will squeeze the biggest most unburstable set of tyres I can fit, maybe 27s? – subsequently, for prosperity, I will make a frame out of the tyres to put around a picture of me riding the trench
@Dr C
You’re not wrong there, although for me I’d say that it tends to fall somewhere between the seeking approval and a notification of dates/events that I’ll be taking part in, more of a discussion.
That said, a doctors recommendation that the best treatment for my gouty knee would be to ride considerably further than I have done before, at a no doubt higher pace over cobbles before quaffing high octane ales would be just the ticket. You might also be so go as to put that into writing so that I can get my health insurance to cover the cost of the outing. They might also wish to spring for a new set of wheels as, having read everyone else’s comments, it would seem that my cheapo Alex RC24s might not be up to the job.
@frank
What’s included in the All-Inclusive Weekend Tour and how nay nights does it cover? And what of that is excluded in the Weekend Tour without accommodation?
@Chris
Great question. For all-inclusive weekends, everything is included: Food, drinks, support car with spare wheels, visits, Gent velodrome ride, Cyfac bicycle for the rides (limited sizes and quantities available, priority going to those joining for the whole trip), energy food, and insurance. The only thing you have left to do is find your way to Lille.
Without accomodation, you’re getting the guide service, support, and dinner/beer, but no hotel accommodation or breakfast. You’re looking after yourself at night and in the morning, and joining for the ride and dinner/beers.
You can still get pissed with us at night, which I’m assuming is your primary concern.
Also note we’re also planning a Cogal for one day which will be free. Date to be determined.