L'enfer du Nord

This is the start of Paris-Roubaix in Compiegne. This was taken about 2 hours before the start of the race - the calm before the storm!

Compared to the start at Flanders, this was much smaller and much simpler. However, this allowed us to have a front-row seat near the sign-in and the start area. We had a great view, as we watched the buses and riders file in. Highlights included Roger Hammond riding up, unsolicited, to my girls and handing them his cycling cap. Then just minutes before the start, a Gendarme came over looked at my girls and asked whose autograph they would like to have. I made sure they requested Hincapie's. So the Gendarme walked over to George, got the autograph, and returned to my girls. Absolute class from all! Very cool. (Maybe Javert wasn't so bad afterall. :-)

Big George at sign-in.


Usually, this guy is on the other end of the lens. This is Graham Watson, arguably the most renowned cycling photographer of all-time. We actually called him over and to ask for an autograph. As he signed, I told him we really enjoyed his work and he graciously thanked us.


Sparticus!! What more can you say - grace, elegance, strength, and a killer instinct on the bike. Getting prepared for yet another week of exerting his dominance.


Boonen arrives. Will he get #4?


Well, no he won't, despite looking strong. Note to Tommeke -> in the future, don't taunt Sparticus. He evidently doesn't like it and he lets his legs do the talking.


Hoste! He epitomizes Belgium toughness on the bike!


Hammond lines up just seconds after his kind gesture. Notice he has no cap under his helmet. :-)


The riders line up just minutes before the start. George is in background, evidently reflecting on the battle that is about to ensue.


They're off!


After watching the start, we drove to the Arenberg. This is our spot and this was taken over an hour before the riders arrived. The center was slightly elevated and the sides were soft and slightly muddy. As you can see, the sides were also hazardous due to parts of the barricades sticking out.


This was a section of pave' about 15 feet from us. Notice the nice big hole in the middle. The pave' is every bit as harsh, if not harsher, than I ever imagined.


We were about 100 meters from the end of the Arenberg sector. This is where the TV helicopter settled. The helicopter at race is akin to the drummer boys during the civil war. When you hear them, you know the battle is near and will soon arrive. From a race spectating perspective, the adrenalin really starts flowing when the helicopters are in sight. This is also where the riders made a hard left off of this sector of pave'.


Pictures were actually hard to take given the speeds, crowds, and space. However, this is one of the few that I took that actually turned out. You can see the suffering on their faces. Very little talking among the riders in this section. About the only talking (shouting) I heard was some German coming out of a couple of guys from Columbia, as they sped past us. Most of the sounds were the bikes shaking, vibrating, and rattling. The fast guys took the middle. The slower guys took the muddy and softer sides. We didn't see any crashes, but quite a few near misses. A couple of guys got a little tangled up, but managed to stay upright, as they tried to pass a support car on the side. Absolutely crazy!!


Bis später!

Flanders

We visited Gent and Brugge with my in-laws this past weekend and, coincidentally, I came across this little bike race called Ronde van Vlaanderin. First of all, these two cities are beautiful and full of history. I highly recommend visiting these two places if you ever get a chance. As for Belgium as a whole and the race, they both lived up to all my expectations and then some. It rained off and on continuously during our two days there. On the drive to Brugge, we saw many cyclists (solo, teams, juniors, etc...) riding undeterred in the cold, rainy weather. Belgium in the Spring - what could be better!

After touring Brugge on Saturday, we spent the night in Gent and got up early to drive back to Brugge to watch the start of the race. It was about 48 degrees (F) and pouring down rain when we arrived. After watching the start, we drove out of the city and watched the race go by right after the first "Helling" called "Den Ast" right outside of Oudenaarde. Then we drove to Geraardsbergen to watch the race go up arguably the most famous of the Cobbled Classics' climbs - the Muur-Kapelmuur. Given its cobbled terrain (at times, almost as like Canton Ave. in terms of surface) and it's 19% grade at the end, it is Dirty Dozen worthy.

Here are a few pictures we snapped throughout the day.



Flemish Pride Abound


Big George...looking relaxed and in his element


Who is this old guy sporting a scruffy look and small gotee? He rode very well that day, actually.


Fabian...getting ready to add another legendary ride and win to his already legendary career. Despite not being Belgie, he was still a crowd favorite.


Here is where we watched the race right after the first Berg. It was a slight downhill and we were right at a corner where they made a hard right turn. The road and conditions were just as you would imagine. High winds and cold. It was a narrow road lined with cobbles on the side. As the peloton came toward us, the riders used every cm of this road and more. Riders were swinging on this small strip of cobbles and beyond at blazing speeds in an attempt to get near the front for a better line in the turn. The sounds of the riders yelling at/talking with one another in a flurry of different languages as they sped by in an instant is a scene that is etched in my memory.


A Random Shot of the Peloton


Mecca I'm coming...


We have arrived. This is where Belgium heroes are made. This is like Yankee Stadium to Belgium kids.


On the Muur. A few minutes before this was taken, an older Belgian guy was talking to me in his broken English. He said "Boonen and Cancellera are on a breakaway and they have 40 seconds". Then he names the those in the chase group - full of Belgies, and says their names with smiling pride. Then the helicopter comes overhead and the battle on the Muur has begun. The fans are going crazy for their hero Boonen. This picture was taken just seconds before Cancellera made his winning attack! If this scene doesn't send shivers up your back, then you aren't a cycling fan.


Big George leading the chase and looking strong. Unfortunately, the battle was already lost. Yet again, so close, but so far.


Next week...Roubaix!

Bis später