Le Tour - Stage 1

Stage 1 in Rotterdam. What a way to spend a 4th of July! Accordingly, we sported the Stars and Stripes at the start. The crowds were massive at the startline, so we found a spot a few KMs away that wasn't too crowded.


Race was still neutralized when it went by us. Lot's of smiles and talking by the riders, as they went by.


After the start, we drove south and caught the race in Antwerp. While waiting for the race to arrive, I looked up and saw this sign in the window in an apartment complex across the street. Even though it was quite a distance from where we were standing, these 2 saw me taking the picture and were actually waving at me, even though you can't tell in this picture.


Here is McEwen and others going by us in Antwerp. Fairly relaxed pace actually. Nonetheless, what we found remarkable was the riders' trust in the fans. The racers use absolutely every available inch of the road and as a spectator, you have to get out of there way or you will get hit. You often find yourself jumping back from the road at the last minute. From a fans perspective, cycling is very unique in that you, as a fan, are generally not confined from the racers arena and for a split second, you are part of their world and actually part of the race. You feel the wind coming off of the peloton and you hear the sounds of the bikes and the riders talking. It's a phenomenal scene!

Bis später

Le Tour - Rotterdam

July 3rd finally arrived - The Prologue. Took the family to the Düsseldorf airport to pick up a jet-lagged Chuck and Kelly and drove straight to Rotterdam. Now I must admit, as excited as I was to finally get a chance to attend Le Tour in person, I did not have a lot of high expectations about watching the Prologue. While for some masochistic reason I actually enjoy time-trialing, watching them does not really stoke my race spectating flame. Nonetheless, this was the start of Le Tour and being only a 2.5 hr drive from where I live, there was no question about whether to attend or not.



As we arrived a couple of hours prior to the start, we found all prime spectating spots taken and the crowds were very large. Given there was only 8k of viewing opportunities, the best spots were reserved for VIPs, which unfortunately, we were not. So large crowds coupled with being underdressed for cool temps, lots of wind, and rain (it was sunny, warm, and calm when we left) made the 2 hour wait for the start a little difficult. We did find a decent spot on the Willemsbrug (bridge), but by the time race officially started we were cold, wet, and hungry. We watched about the first 10 or so go by us, then we decided the hotel seemed like a better option for watching the remaining 2+ hours. So that is what we did and without regrets.

After the race, the hotel was a flurry of activity with various race participants from the pre-race caravan in attendance. Most notably was the PMU group - sponsors of the Green Jersey. Our hotel was filled with college-age, 20 somethings whose Tour was also just starting. This was the first of 20 more days whereby they would be in the Tour Caravan (which generally precedes the riders by 1 hour or so) pelting fans with PMU swag for 4+ hours a day.















In fact, after few adult sodas, Chuck and I decided to inspect the race caravan vehicles in the hotel parking lot. Here is Chuck, making sure the hood of the Vittel car was structurally sound for the next day's festivities.














Bis später

LBL

Well, it's been a while since my last post. Even though we have 'settled-in' here, it's been quite busy and there doesn't seem to be enough free time to keep up with everything and everyone. That said, I hope to get caught up one post at a time.

So...my Spring Classic spectating ended with Liege-Bastogne-Liege, although not at the actual race. The Icelandic Volcanic Asche delayed a business trip to India by 1 week, so I had to fly out the actual day of the race. Therefore, we decided to drive to Liege the Saturday before the race to see the team intro ceremonies. Let's just say it was a smorgaspord of autographs and a chance to be right next to the racers. In brief, we collected 48 autographs and got to rub shoulders (literally in some instances) with all of the teams. It was a very fan friendly event. Here are a few pics.

Cadel...wasn't sure whether he was going to slap me or sign.

Vino attacks the pen and signs. He had a pretty good race the next day, needless to say.



Horner and Vandevelde. As this is the French speaking (Wallogne) area of Belgium, both seemed surprised when I thanked them and wished them luck in American english. Both cool guys, as I got big smiles and 'Thanks man' from both of them.



Speaking of only hearing French, here are Klödi and Jensy...I attempted a little bad German with them (mostly, 'Morgen vielen glück'). They seemed appreciative of the attempted German, as I got big smiles and a friendly 'danke' from both of them, as well.


Gilbert. Local cycling rags are saying 'move over Boonen, here is the new king of Belgium'. They may be right. This was one week after a dominating and impressive Amstel victory.


Andy Schleck. Local favorite and this race is practically in his back yard.


Wiggo.



Contador and Sastre. How many times do you get to see 2 Tour de France winners up close and personal?


Speaking of Tour de France winners, here is 5 time winner Bernard Hinault. As you can see, champagne in hand, life is good for the Badger.


Cosette and Cara after a hard day's work getting autographs for their dad! They were the biggest stars of the day.

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!

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Never be without a Rubber...Tire

Get your mind out of the gutter...This is something I have never seen in the U.S. It's a vending machine for bicycle tubes located just a block from my apartment. Offers both presta and schrader valves, along with an assortment of sizes (you can double-click the photo to better see the details). However, nothing for 700x23 or 700x32 tires, so it likely won't see my business. Plus, at 6€/tube it's a bit pricy. Nonetheless, I like the idea and it gives one an indication of how much cycling is used as actual transportation around here.

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What now, dear parents?

Who says Germans don't have a sense of humor? This photo with the slogan "Was nun, liebe Eltern?" (roughly translated as "What now, dear parents?") is ubiquitous in the area.

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"Royale with Cheese"

Remember the following John Travolta line from the movie Pulp Fiction: "...but you know the funniest thing about Europe is...It's the little differences. I mean they got the same sh*t over there that they got here but just there it's a little different..."

While I feel strange referencing a quote from that particular movie, it's actually quite accurate. Take the ordinary act of washing clothes for instance. Please take a look at our new washing machine. On the surface it looks pretty typical. One would think a "washing machine" is a "Waschmachine" oder? Well, the answer to this question is "Jaein".

Pros:
- Whites turn out unbelievably white
- Environmentally friendly
- Does wash clothes

Cons:
- Whites turn out unbelievably dark - do NOT put anything dark in with whites
- Holds half as much clothing as typical American washing machine
- Typical Cycle lasts 3-4 hours (sic)
- Once cycle has started, absolutely no chance for opening and inserting the piece of clothing you forgot
- Sounds as though you are sitting on a plane right next to the wing with a Pratt Whitney jet engine running at full throttle during take-off
- Once finished, keeps on beeping periodically just to let you know that the cycle has ended after its 4 hour run. Won't stop this periodic beeping until you physically turn off the machine.

Oh, and by the way, there is no "Quarter Pounder" at the local McDonalds. It is called a "Royale with Cheese". :-)

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Karnival - Part Zwei

I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.





















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