2013 - 5 - 25 & 26: Retro Ronde van Vlaanderen, Oudenaarde, Belgium

I can't embed properly but here's the teaser video for the Retro Ronde 2013!

Always a great atmosphere in cycling's beautiful & holy Flandersland, great food/drink stops, who's going?

http://www.retroronde.be/en/145-home

Koffie en ijsbar Matagalpa.

would love to go...dam, maybe next year

Some brilliant images on the retroronde website..
We're heading to the Ardennes in May to do LBL
Maybe next year though looks fab.

La Cycliste and I are going. We're both doing the 100km route on the Sunday, and I've signed up for the crit race on the Saturday as well in an excess of enthusiasm/machismo.

After our trip last year I marked a map with great places to stop and unknown sights to see while near Oudenaarde. Maybe take with you for reference?

La Cycliste and I are going. We're both doing the 100km route on the Sunday, and I've signed up for the crit race on the Saturday as well in an excess of enthusiasm/machismo.

I think I'm doing the crit on the Saturday and the retro on the Sunday.

I've just noticed on the crit website that they give you a jersey and shorts to wear. Are we all going to be matching?!

I'll be there with a couple of other chaps, 100km and kermesse - hopefully the weather will be a bit milder than for the Ronde proper.

Gave the bike a quick spin earlier and everything is working as it should (i.e. single pivot calipers are rubbish) which seems as good reason as any for an unnecessary photo or two.

Two queries:

• the website refers to Oude Kwaremint and the Taaienberg. There are obviously a load more climbs but any 'named' ones?
  
• from photos of previous events I take it helmets are not required?
  

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100 km:

• Tiegemberg
  
• Oude Kwaremont
  
• Rampe
  
• Kuithol
  
• Taaienberg
  
• Heidje
  

• Eikenberg

• some cobblestone sections and a bit of gravel road

I have ridden 2 editions without helmet, most wear just a cap or a leather 'hairnet' helmet

p.s. very nice bike :-)

Excellent, didn't fancy grinding to a halt on the Koppenberg, straps done up tight.

Thanks also for comment on the bike - the stem is stuck fast but at least that's one thing that won't get shaken loose. What are you riding?

Taaienberg is not easy either, better not pull them too tight

As my current classic bike project probably won't be finished in time I'll ride the Gazelle, it's been hanging on the wall since last year's L'Eroica
:-/

Nice Champion Mondial Peter (I've got a Champion Mondial A frame), I'll look out for it - for the Gios it's probably as recognisable by size as anything as I suspect there aren't many 64cm frames about.

The Taaienberg certainly isn't easy but it doesn't fill me with quite as much dread as the Koppenberg or Paterberg, the former is particularly daunting.

You'll probably see the back of the gazelle as Peter flies up the climbs past you.....I did!
I'm going to try to get there for next year, but my rota is so shite......

To pass me on the climbs I'd need to be in front and I don't think that's very likely although to be fair my frame (bike and body) does form quite an effective shield from the wind.

Peter, roughly how many people took part in the two editions you've ridden?

I'm not sure but I would guess about 300-400 riders max, it's not as big as L'Eroica - although it deserves to be because the atmosphere and event organisation is just as great. The rice cakes are superb, as are the ice creams, fresh strawberries, ham on toast and Wortegem's liquor; the past 2 years there were 5 rest stops with food & drink in 70 km ;-)

Thanks Peter, good to know that a winter of eating and drinking has prepared me well!

Liking the sound of modest numbers too as prefer to suffer in silence rather than be surrounded by plenty of cheery fellows having a smashing time.

I'm riding this on Sunday then coming straight back to London for a late shift. Might struggle to stay awake after a nice ride in the sun, some cake and liquer (and the crit the day before).

I hope it stays small.... I've got a feeling that L'eroica this year will be a monster.
I will arrange my annual leave around retroronde next year.

I've just looked and could 'possibly' make it..... I don't know if I can fly it under the wife's radar though....'just popping out hon, see you in a couple of days'

I've just looked and could 'possibly' make it..... I don't know if I can fly it under the wife's radar though....'just popping out hon, see you in a couple of days'

Sometimes you just have to dare to be great....

This is my ride... Retro top ordered as well! Eurotunnel booked, as has two night in Kortrijk and a night in Bruges. Belgium fills my heart with joy - must be beer, frites and fields that smell of cow shit....

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wow, a Union! lovely bike. and room.

hi, havent been on here in a while, but im riding the Retro Ronde on Sunday, has anyone ridden it fixed before ?

https://twitter.com/sparkes/status/338311452442116097