Audax rides

I need to step it up a notch, clearly. If I had space for a cargo bike...

I'd maybe try my larry vs harry cargo bike, but it is e-assist and you need the battery installed to run the di2.

Great choice of beer in the down tube holster.

Kingston Wheelers report from 2016 seems to suggest cans of Jupiler available at the controls.
How very Euro

There was a control at Houyet (452km) and whilst I picked up a can of Jupiler and had my brevet card stamped Gavin went in a futile search for coffee.

Jupiler

That ain't gonna cut it. I'll be keeping an eye out for nachtwinkels..

"Chimay at the Habay control too" from yacf

Amazing.

I've heard of French sportives where they have shots of pastis available on the trestle table amongst the boxes of gels, but this sounds next level

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6YzBdpmi-k

Is it wrong I'm more excited about this

than this

:D

No, anything else would have had us seriously worried about you. :)

Skip the jupiler, go for tripel lefort!

I'll be rooting for you guys.

https://www.omervanderghinste.be/en/onze-bieren/tripel-lefort

Not sure I've ever had that.

Nope, just checked untappd. Looks like I have a new mission during this ride.

Hah, extra miles aren't that bad when it's for beer. I think "Blauw" is also from the same brewery. Same percentage as Jupiler (regular 'pintje') and refreshing. Might be better if you still need to bike 999 km.

It's been a while since I've used untappd. Papegaei is also very good if you're into blond beers. I could go on but this is just making me thirsty and I'm still at work :(

I'm sure I've had Omer before but I can't find any pics of it.

I just had breakfast... so of course it's the perfect time to ease into a blonde.

Yea, Blauw / Export is the same brewery, only comes in 33cl, so prefer that one over Jupiler's 25 :)
The Le Fort is quite new, they brewed it after having massive success with Omer.

If you want a proper cycling beer though, try Kwaremont from Bockor/Omer VDG's arch enemies (Bavik/ De Brabandere). Named after the infamous berg, with the alcohol content matching the hill's average incline of 6.6%.

What would you compare Kwaremont with? I've always skipped it in the shop as I thought it would be more gimmicky over being decent beer

Yeah I had some Kwaremont at the finish of RATN. I'd love one of their big bottles for home :)

It's wrong that, when they decided to do a TCR going East to West, they didn't finish it in Geraardsbergen

It's Bavik's reply to Omer, so basically Omer with a lower alcohol percentage (8 vs 6.6) with the added gimmick ofc.

Standard Belgian blonde beer - Tasty :)

Yeah, I like that town. I might've been able to make the finish if it was there rather than FR too. Nevermind.

Not gimmicky imho. Top notch.
From Mechelen I love the Carolus range from the Anker brewery. Handily they do rooms 🥳🥳

Carolus

Top choice. Had a lot of their stuff over the years. Gouden Carolus is another of my go tos.

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/1534/6947/ for xmas

Anyone else on the boat ride on Sunday?

Entered my first few audax. 300, 600 & 1000... What does anyone do about bike locks? Any recommendations?

KRYPTONITE KRYPTOFLEX R2 RETRACTOR POCKET COMBO CABLE LOCK

Or something more substantial in your support vehicle

https://hiplok.com/product/zlok1/

(For quick stops)

I've never brought one and it's always been fine. There's always likely to be people around the controls and I normally stop at bigger supermarkets and will bring the bike inside.