There is something about Northern Europe in general and Flanders in particular that exudes The V; you feel it in the air the moment you set foot into the region. Such terrible things have happened here for so long that living with hardship and suffering has not only become part of the culture of the region, but being tough has become a principle characteristic of the people who live there. To paraphrase Johnny Green’s words, the things that have happened here are like a torn curtain – it just kinda hangs there.
Roubaix may be the Queen of the Classics, but for me, the greatest one-day classic of the year is the Tour of Flanders. Cobblestones are one thing, cobblestones combined with mud and racing another, but cobblestones, mud, and 20% gradients are a different matter altogether. The Americanized name of the race obfuscates an important point: in Flemish, “Flanders” starts with the V – Vlaanderen. Coincidence? Perhaps, but it has a beautiful symmetry to it, and that’s good enough for me.
This race, more than any other on the calendar, represents the people who host it. The stones, the climbs, the weather, it almost seems as though the very spirits of those who have perished in these fields been drawn into the route. In their honor, I will be hosting a cobbled hill ride in Seattle on Sunday, April 3. For those of you who live in the area – and those of you close or crazy enough to make the last-minute trip into town, I will be leaving the parking lot of Speedy Reedy in Fremont at 10am sharp to embark on an honorary ride over the hills and cobbles of Queen Anne and surrounding areas (as well as several uncobbled climbs). Nothing compared to the challenge of de Ronde itself, but beggars can’t be choosers. This will be as easy a ride as possible, given the terrain we aim to cover and given my poor level of conditioning. Also be aware that I haven’t done the recon into the route that I should have, so there may be some route-finding involved.
Rain or shine, obviously. Kinda hoping for rain, actually.
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From the article: "Belgian police have revealed they have received information suggesting that the cobbles were stolen to order and may have already been spirited out of the country. They believe the cobbles are destined for the driveway of a fan of the Belgian Classics."
FRANK! How could you?
@Cobblestone
even if it wasn't one (and i did work it out in about 5 seconds), i still wouldn't mind if there was no koppenberg. RVV is bigger than one hill, and it'll always make me like an overexcited puppy on christmas who is getting a gigantic bone as a present.
I need to go and breathe into a paper bag
@cobblestone you riding in Velominati colours? Watch out for a fat middle aged bloke in the strip riding titanium... See you tomorrow
By coincidence the club ride tomorrow is up Rainbow lake Rd. A 9 mile climb on not to good pavement that ends in a 1/4 of 19%. This is a birthday celebration for one of the members who will be 79 and he will ride it and all the other 70 miles.
@Roadslave, @Cobblestone
You two can just go and fuck off with your fancy riding over there in Vlaanderen! Look for a Keepers Tour in Belgium for next year...
@j.king
Excellent write up. The cobbles look tidy and in much better condition than for P-R. What's your opinion?
@frank
+1
My guns are in pain and I'm doing the whole thing again tomorrow.
If you go on a casual recon ride with Frank, you had better bring a little V in your back pocket, just in case.
Sweet piss of Pantani, give me strength!
@Frank, @jeff in petrometro
Thank you for your kind words of support and encouragement
What a weekend... 19,999 other like minded souls; 258km of riding; 24 sections of (well maintained, much better than Roubaix apparently) cobbles; 18 Bergs; 2 days of sunshine; and 1 RVV... Not to mention 9.5% Belgian beer, a Belgian winner, and my own weight in frites and Mayo... I can't walk, have a hangover from hell, and no work got done today.
Good showing from GT too... Awesome race
@Roadslave
I.AM.SO.FUCKING.JEALOUS. If you took pictures, please post. And what a great reason to have a hangover.