Hi to all at PdC, Well I finally made it home about 12 hours ago, and thought i better start my first fanpost of my time at the Classics. I was wondering where to start, what to say and what to tell. So many things happened on this trip it was truly amazing. So i'll try to start from the beginning and end my last post with Amstel Gold.

Arrival in Belgium,

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Let's just say my welcoming committee in Belgium was truly the best start to the trip. Within 5 minutes of being at the hotel, after ordering my first Belgium Beer, Look who decided to join me: Ok, i'm looking pretty shabby, you would be too after 27hours of flying... But this made it all worth while.

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I knew from this my holiday fun was just about to start.

Next was getting the bike ready and to go for a warm up ride with the group. Our two Ex Pro riding buddies were, Eric Van Lanker and Eric De Clerc. These guys were great fun, and looking forward to catching up with them again in the future.

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So, 2nd day in Belgium and Tour of Flanders Cyclosportif, Holy crap, it was freezing and I now realised what the hell I had got myself into... I completed the 75km ride, and let me tell you "I hate Cobbles" I didn't know what to expect but shit, WoW, is all i can say. Apart from the cobbbles then came the hills, I remember being at the bottom of the Mur and went, Ha this thing has beat me already.. But i did make it up, but I was one of many who ended up walking up, let me tell you, not very safe in shoes and slippery cobbles.. I was amazed how some of the riders could do it with ease.. I will beat "The Mur" next time I get to Belgium.

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The next day my first Spring Classics, Tour of Flanders. This day was amazing, the weather great, Champagne at 10 in the morning started the day, and Beer and celebrating Devolders win finished the day. Here are a few pics:

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4th day of the cycling tour and an easy ride from Kortrijk to Gent along the river... Well so i thought, about 20km into the ride, turning around on some gravel, going no faster then 3km/h I reckon, I crashed..... Fell off bike, laughed, foot was all caught up, got up had a nice gravel rash on my leg, bit of blood all is good... Went to grab the bike, OUCH, felt like someone had stabbed me in the arm.. Anyway, got back on bike and finished the ride. When I arrived in Gent, I was in a lot of pain, ended up going to Doc,not Broken, but that was the end of my cycling tour for me.. I couldn't hold the bike up, brake and at times was lucky to move the Arm. It is better now, but will be seeing a doctor here in Australia tomorrow.

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Also, had a great visit to the Flanders Museum and had the opportunity to meet Peter Van Petegem.

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Next raceGent-Wevelgem. Woke up and thought can I go back to bed, the weather was crappy... ended up at the start of the race. Was lucky enough to chat to a few of my friends and other riders, and then we were off.. Saw the race in about 5 different places. Finished of in a VIP tent about 16km from the finish.. A few pics of the day:

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We followed the race for about 20 minutes, this was awesome...

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Next Couple of Posts

#2 The last couple of days with no riding & Paris- Roubaix.

#3 Scheldeprijs & Amstel Gold

#4 Maybe?? Cyclegirls Classics Hotittude (I'm thinking this may be next) I'm struggling not to put the pics up in these posts..

 Update on my (as Chris mentioned) Doodsmak -

After being x-rayed again by my doctor here in australia, looks like I have a floating bone chip in my elbow, aparently that isn't a broken elbow, but close... and ligament damage, waiting to see if operation is needed, hopefully not!!!