The home ground of Manchester United Football Club, Old Trafford, is colloquially known around the world as the Theatre of Dreams. It holds a revered place in the hearts of the club’s supporters, and even those of other teams; it’s an icon of football, and sport in general. Millions have gone there to watch their heroes play, but how many can claim to have set foot on the hallowed turf, let alone have a kick around or slide studs up into a tackle a’la Roy Keane?
That’s why Cycling is such a unique and special sport; we can ride our bikes on the very same roads that our own heroes have raced upon, where the very greatest racers have conducted battles in the very greatest races for decades. We can recreate winning moves in the exact spots that they actually happened; want to smash it over the Carrefour like Faboo or Tom? Got a hankering to climb the Muur in the big dog like Museeuw? Maybe give it some berries on La Redoute like The Badger? You don’t need an entry fee or a permit or to jump a fence; the roads are ours to ride, anytime.
This is something I love the most about the Keepers Tours, besides hanging out with mates both old and new of course. Every day there is an iconic road to be ridden, an anecdote related by William, Alex, or even the Lion himself. “This is where I attacked to win my second Ronde” is something I’ll never forget hearing as I climbed alongside Johan on the Tenbosse, the small crowd lining the climb to catch the Espoirs Ronde double-taking as they recognised the legend out for a ride with some nobodies on a chilly Flemish afternoon. How many Man U fans will ever get to hear Eric Cantona say “this is where I blasted one through the wall and made Seaman look like a park goalie” as he slots a pass for you?
Football fans can dream. Cycling fans can live them.
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KT2013 on the Carrefour l’Arbre
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@slatanic
Fuck yes!
@Harminator THAT is a million buck picture...chapeau!
Living the dream........... Pretending to be Pantani on Ventoux. Scoring the winner in the world cup final wouldn't compare.
@slatanic
Looks like the EPO has caused the blood in your right arm to congeal quite badly.
Awesome photo, looking very pro. It's definitely on my list of climbs that I need to lose anther 10kg for.
Its not even just being on the same roads as the greats, you can get to feel the pain & experience a taste of what it must have been like on the big day (Without the charged crowd)........ Having giving a lifetime reading & watching these famous roads from rural Ireland, to be there & attack them (More of a slow retreat :)) was indescribable. These are magic places. Whatever it takes get there.......... Next spring hope to attack the Arenberg like Kelly & destroy myself in the process :)
This is on one of my local loops in leafy Surrey - last week the Tour of Britain came rolling up this road. I'm sure I was up there in the breakaway this lunchtime..........
@Teocalli Where is that, as leafy surrey is my manor too? All our leafy lanes can look the same after a while.
@Mike_P
Yeah they do don't they! It's Thursley Road going out of Elstead towards Hindhead with Thursley Common on the left just short of Prides Farm Shop (their meat is great).
Nice one! I'd love to ride some of the mtn. and berg roads but the really cool thing is that I also dream of riding routes I haven't ridden in a few weeks, or some that I haven't ridden in a few years after moving to a different place. That's fun to dream about as well.
Popularity is a very tricky thing. I follow NHL ice hockey, European football, and most keenly, PRO cycling. When I was young I was called a "soccer fag" for years on end for playing that sport. Not fringe, but definitely not mainstream and seeing a game on t.v.? Good luck. Now it's not uncommon (not England, by any means) to see football jerseys at the bar, on the street, etc. And now the Premier League is on a major t.v. network. And using mainstream actors/comedians to advertise. I wonder what might happen to the NHL as it gains popularity and cycling as well. I honestly think cycling is secure in the U.S. because a) it is fucking hard to do, the whole suffering aspect thing... and b) car culture rules in the U.S. and cyclists are going to continue getting run over by distracted, aggressive drivers. I think this'll keep most to the golf course. (cross might have an interesting effect; most cross riders around here drive to ride, most roadies cycle to cycle, and most mtn. drive to ride)
I think teams like Man. U. have totally fucked the competitiveness of the sport. And I also think that stadium nickname is oh, a wee bit pretentious.
Who is the fellow Calgarian sporting the Bow Cycle gilet in photo #5 form the Keepers tour series?