Riding on the Rhein: 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.