2014-05-09/11 Roubaix-Kortrijk-Oudenaarde-Geraardsbergen-Ypres

Another unforgettable weekend in Flanders..
Thank you Bernie and squad..

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We rode hard in Oudenaarde.

We rolled deeper to Ypres.

We ate steak in Kortrijk.

"Rolling in the Ypres"

The stop off at Roubaix for the tour of the 'drome was a masterstroke, Al. How are you ever going to top that?

Roubaix velodrome and shower block access was a stroke of genius, call it luck..
You do realise we spent over €800 in one restaurant over two nights..
consuming two cows, a cellar of biers and red wine. The Lion of Flanders was truly tamed this weekend ;)

I would say this pretty much sums things up.

^Only thing missing is a Duvel in one hand and a Karmeliet Tripel in the other

^ and lots and lots of rain...

remember squad, its not how wet you get on the outside..
its how wet you get* 'on the inside'*.. tomorrow lunchtime
im sitting on the roof of the wyndhams theatre enjoying
a bottle of Karmeliet Tripel with friends..

According to Strava Flyby, virtually no-one, not even the Belgians, were crazy and/or hardcore enough to go out for a ride in that rain on Saturday.

http://labs.strava.com/flyby/viewer/#139757316

Koppenberg wet and dry is all I'm saying.

Actually, in the interest of disclosure I should also mention chicken nuggets and that Saturday night when I tamed a wild mantiger with a wicker chair.

^ Lies

yes, we have video evidence of lion taming in kortrijk saturday, evening.. m'lord / your honour*

• dependent on whether we are addressing cycling nobility or court officials
  

i'm waiting for a free evening so i can upload the video footage! i loved the velodrome but was absolutely petrified going round it till youramericanlover showed us who's boss.

Garmin Routes if anyone is interested.

Roubaix to Kortrijk

Kortrijk to Geraardsbergen via the Koppenburg and the Muur

Kortrijk to Poperinge via Zantvoorde WW1 Cemetery

Day 1's permissions are set to private ^

I believe it is worth reminding ourselves of the glory of Belgium's well-maintained cycle routes once again

^Sorted.

Nice photos on FB

all im saying is

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25mph headwind on day 1!? I don't remember this.

Then again, I don't remember much...

Day 1's permissions are set to private ^

I believe it is worth reminding ourselves of the glory of Belgium's well-maintained cycle routes once again

It was certainly off road in places. We past a few cows in that field, probably thinking.....
'That's not something you see everyday' ..

25mph headwind on day 1!? I don't remember this.

Then again, I don't remember much...

It says WSW for that, so that would have been coming from left rear 3/4 for most of that ride. So nice wind assistance for most of it which is, I guess, one of the reasons it was such a cruise.

Also, 21 mph WSW on Sunday, pretty much directly behind us for last 13 miles or so. No wonder it was so nice.

I credit this for me legs actually feeling ok this week up until riding home yesterday. It was like a recovery ride. I've actually felt worse after 3 days commuting. Don't get me wrong, I was shattered from lack of sleep but legs were ok. They're glad for the rest today though.

WFH days FTW!

Oh, and for those that I bitched to about Evans being useless pricks unable to organise picking up the bike I bought from them (damaged and wrong spec), they've finally had it picked up today. More win!!!

A few photos here

edit: They don't appear to be in any sensible order. Apols.

Great pictures Vunugu.. Great memories...

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place, and in the sky,
The larks, still bravely singing, fly,
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead; short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe!
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high!
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

happy days in Roubaix..

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