Thursday 15 January 2015

MEN OF FLANDERS

Velo - its not just and ordinary  Cycling Club – it’s a growing community of crazy mad guys who all just love riding.  We are a modernist group who just love riding bikes and everything that goes with it!
It's winter - its cold but at the weekend I got smashed round 55 miles by the considerably faster fitter and leaner Andy Price - why - because classics season is approaching and this year a number of us have entered the Liege Sportive - Belgium 100 miles (more if you are mental) and some 8500 ft of climbing.
On a ride the other day I discovered a few other guys are going to Flanders this year and thought they might appreciate this little insight.
In 2014 I suggested we go and do the Tour of Flanders Sportive and 4 other pioneering guys agreed (Foolish). I have been riding to various degrees of mediocre for years but mostly the others are relative newbies.  When we talk about cycling they do so with the passion and expression I consider that the cave men must have displayed when they discovered fire !
So it was set - 4 guys, one people carrier laden with bikes, and a lot of banta and anticipation! 
Having suggested this trip, as I rode into the first sector of Pave and the bars came up to meet my hands, my thoughts were a combination of shit this is going to hurt and the guys are going to murder me!
Everyone got around thankfully and we had a great laugh – in particular partying on top of the Kwaremont with what seemed like the entire population of Belgium the following day was simply awesome!!  Its a great spot to watch the pro race as there is a square with a big screen food and naturally Beer ! In particular because the race goes up the Kwaremont 3 times you get to see more live action.
Put simply it is the best organised sportive I have ridden with police on every junction and excellent feed stations! 
So in April last year 5 Random guys bought together in a single weekend and all now Men of Flanders!
This year a pensions man, a sales man ,a retired teacher, a property man (me) 3 Police officers (security detail) and a traffic engineer will take on the famous Liege Baston Liege course - why - because we can ;-)


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