CycleGirls Spring Classics Thread #1
by CycleGirl on Apr 22, 2009 9:13 AM EDT
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PrintHi 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,
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
Also, had a great visit to the Flanders Museum and had the opportunity to meet Peter Van Petegem.
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:
We followed the race for about 20 minutes, this was awesome...
Next Couple of Posts
#2 The last couple of days with no riding & Paris- Roubaix.
#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!!!
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Great stuff
Those bruises and scrapes make for great souvenirs don’t they? You shouldn’t get home from a Belgian cycling tour without them.
Wow...
I am speechless. Mr Van P will be very jealous of you kissing his beloved PVP.
CQRanking.com, you complete me.
by Chris Fontecchio on Apr 22, 2009 10:47 AM EDT reply actions
Nice post
Sounds like you had a great time — even with the wipeout.
sorry about the crash ... ouch
fantastic photos …. the cars are excellent
formerly known as cyclingchallenge
Wow, great pictures....
what an experience! I’m ready to hear more! Bummer about your accident. That looks painful!
Maybe it's just me..
But in GW there were riders coming by/through/something else.. What do you do? Turn your back to them?!
But neverthless.. nice post
Crashdan: "Veni Vidi Vici beats Wing Kong Exchange... … and I’ll change my signature to a backwards smile for a month."
Franzoi wins Parijs-Roubaix and I win a date with the VDS of Team Txirrindulariak..
Thanks for the report and pictures!
Hope your arm feels better—that looks like a big ouchie.
You need to do this race two or three times before you can win, despite what Cunego showed us last year: winning in his first try--Frank Schleck, on Amstel Gold
You can't go to Belgium and not eat a little of their pavements
it just wouldn’t be polite. Even so, that bruise looks like something that could even impress Angel Gomez Gomez, and that takes some doing. Maybe a little less deference to your hosts next time.
And well done for daring to meet PVP in a bar. I wouldn’t, just in case I spilled his drink. Or was standing close enough to be a suspect.
You know...
this could be the first official Podium Cafe member doodsmak!
CQRanking.com, you complete me.
by Chris Fontecchio on Apr 22, 2009 1:47 PM EDT reply actions
It sounds like it deserves some sort of Podium Cafe stamp of approval
Holiday in Belgium. In April. Cobbles. Benna. Doodsmak. Chuck in a derny and a plate of pork belly with kimchi and it looks like the full set.
The look on Benna's face is the shock of "I can't believe I'm meeting the real CycleGirl in person!" ;-)
Glad your crash wasn’t more serious.
Awesome photos and report – looking forward to the rest!
CycleGirl, you have me singing, OK everyone join in now . . .
(sing this in tune to the “Spiderman” theme song, it just sprung into my head as an approprate post to your amazing story and pics CycleGirl) :
CycleGirl, CycleGirl,
Does whatever a Cycling Girl can
Spins a story, any size,
Catches pros just like flies
Look Out!
Here comes the CycleGirl!
verse #2
Is she strong?
Listen all,
she’s got clean blood maybe just some alcohol,
Can she swing from our posted threads
Take a look overhead
Hey, there
There goes the CycleGirl.
. . . verse #3 anyone ?
Peterfish, I so miss you. LOL!
Okay Cyclegirl, about those other threads…. when exactly do we get to see those again? Like how much longer already. :-P~~~~
"...if you're not going to pull through, I'm going to attack you." ~CVV (ToBC Stg 4)
I love to sing! But it's just not my thing.
My try:
When this chick meets the night
A curse of the cyclist,
pop up in the night
She arrived just in time
Cylegirl,Cyclegilr, Cyclegirl,
Doing all she can, Why?
Because she’s a cyclegirl!
For the3 people who also doesn’t know the song
Crashdan: "Veni Vidi Vici beats Wing Kong Exchange... … and I’ll change my signature to a backwards smile for a month."
Franzoi wins Parijs-Roubaix and I win a date with the VDS of Team Txirrindulariak..
I finished at 1.35..
Crashdan: "Veni Vidi Vici beats Wing Kong Exchange... … and I’ll change my signature to a backwards smile for a month."
Franzoi wins Parijs-Roubaix and I win a date with the VDS of Team Txirrindulariak..
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