Countdown to the Cobbles: Dateline Gent!
by Chris Fontecchio on Mar 25, 2010 8:50 AM EDT
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I'll be brief for now, no countdowns in this countdown... after all, how much insight can you expect from a zombified traveler who's been in country for five hours? Anyway, the Podium Cafe Flanders Headquarters is up and running, with ample internet from our spacious quarters a stone's throw from the Gravensteen, two canals, five massive old churches, and one kick-ass bell tower. Pics here and on Twitter shortly. I also spent my first hour or so in Belgium talking with a young American racer coming over to try his luck on the amateur scene, Kermesses and road races. Cycling is everywhere here, and it runs a lot deeper than the Pro Tour level. A LOT deeper. Link of the day: Wielerbond Vlaanderen, headquarters of all race info down to the lower amateur levels. I am not foolish enough to try to find a race to actually take part in -- the last two weeks have been training non-events -- but I definitely plan to check out a few kermesses. OK, frites time.
Update! Toerist pickx on the flip!
Happy hour on Thursday starts at like 2pm.
My new best friend.
Hard to picture from this, but up close it's clear why the lamb is "mystic" -- it is rather stoically squirting blood from a chest wound into a small chalice. I don't think he spilled a drop. Can you imagine how hard that is?
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Chris is currently curled up with his snuggie
preparing for the 10 o’clock show.
"Woof, woof, woof! That's my other dog imitation."
is that 10 o'clock there or here?
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
I have no idea. None!
"The only pain I got time for is the pain I put on fools who don't know what time it is." Edvald Boasson Hagen
by Chris Fontecchio on Mar 25, 2010 11:12 AM EDT up reply actions
Can't wait to read more!!!
Already sounds like you are having a great time!!
Back home…there will be some serious domestic racing here in Redlands…and oh by the way…crashdan has fans to meet this weekend (grin)
by steph- on Mar 25, 2010 10:20 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
video! video! video!
"Awesome! is more about what gets fans excited than what’s harder to do." - Chris...
by ZoeRochelle on Mar 25, 2010 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions
Y'all sure about that?
This is Dan we’re talking about.
"Woof, woof, woof! That's my other dog imitation."
and best it stays there
" sprints like a climber, and climbs like a sprinter" - internet forum person
He was wondering if you could stop by and
give him notes.
"Italians often mock me for not enjoying tighter clothing" - willj
Looking forward to more "boots on the ground" updates
from the PdC Flanders HQ. Have fun!
by Spot of Bother on Mar 25, 2010 10:28 AM EDT reply actions
Have some frites for me!
Of course, I hate you. Have fun, and report lots!
1974 is so long ago. Nearly thirty years.--Mark Cavendish
Its so exciting! Very much looking forward to your "on the scene" reporting
my advice: keep a diary so you can write some memoirs for us after you have recuperated and caught up on home/work responsibilities. OK, maybe that’s more of a selfish request but what the heck.
"Awesome! is more about what gets fans excited than what’s harder to do." - Chris...
If the Eurostar is too difficult
You can always pedal over the Channel
Age and treachery will overcome youth and skill (F. Coppi)
just get Freddie Flintoff to help
although he might drop off when he gets tired
I believe you would call it
Friday week.
"The only pain I got time for is the pain I put on fools who don't know what time it is." Edvald Boasson Hagen
by Chris Fontecchio on Mar 25, 2010 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions
I land in Paris on Friday, will be in Oudenaarde on Saturday
No phone for me, I’ll have to think of some way to contact you all.
Age and treachery will overcome youth and skill (F. Coppi)
Depends on how I can access the internet over there.
Until next Thursday, no problem. After that, who knows. Anyway, I’ll only have to look for a bright orange PdC banner, right?
Age and treachery will overcome youth and skill (F. Coppi)
Hm
Without looking, I would guess the Cafe Koppenberg will suit our needs. Confirmation pending. Contact me offline and I’ll give you my more precise whereabouts.
"The only pain I got time for is the pain I put on fools who don't know what time it is." Edvald Boasson Hagen
by Chris Fontecchio on Mar 25, 2010 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions
Will do
Tonight. After work. And after I go for a small ride while I still can. Bah the -12 the weather forecasts for tomorrow.
Age and treachery will overcome youth and skill (F. Coppi)
Apparently Mathieu will be riding on Neptune tomorrow
The upside is the gravity is almost the same as earth.
"Woof, woof, woof! That's my other dog imitation."
-12 celsius
With the wind factor, -20.
And it was +13 this afternoon.
Only in Montreal…
Age and treachery will overcome youth and skill (F. Coppi)
Yeah me too...I'll let you know where I'm staying.
You’re going to the Scheldeprijs too right? Would be good to head up there with someone!
Yes and no... it's complicated.
I have a mobile phone provided by my job, it’s supposed to be for when I’m on the road (which I never am for more than half a day at a time). Anyway, it’s old, it’s a smartphone and I’m not even sure how it would work overseas… In the best conditions, it would only be good to make a simple phone call and there are public phones for that, so that’s why it stays home.
And if the phone stays home, work can’t contact me :-)
Age and treachery will overcome youth and skill (F. Coppi)
it's NOT a smartphone
how a single missing word can change things…
Age and treachery will overcome youth and skill (F. Coppi)
In the land of Nokia,
everyone has a mobile phone, l can’t even remember the time before them.
You can usually rent a phone in EU and buy a card, then you don’t have to rely on the public phones.
Can I quickly repost
that Barbie should be racing again at the weekend. Apparently starting both the E3 and the Ghent-Wevelgem.
hm
with what kind of form?
"The only pain I got time for is the pain I put on fools who don't know what time it is." Edvald Boasson Hagen
by Chris Fontecchio on Mar 25, 2010 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions
I don't know.
Couldn’t expect him to be in the same form. Never know though- he rode to second in the Omloop while already experiencing knee pain.
Outdated startlists
cyclingfever has him out for both and so does cyclingstartlists. Lazy race organizers, hire Ted for god’s sake.
Proud member of Thuggetz nation.
wow dude that's awesome!
by the way goes Gravensteen mean “gravestone”?
Also, get the hell out there and race, ya lazy sod!
I'm feverished, or the way you want to spell it
In this case,
graven is plural for graaf (count) not graf (grave). It’s an old fort: http://www.visitgent.be/smartsite.dws?ch=VGG&id=3280&vg_lang=EN
ah cool, thanks!
I'm feverished, or the way you want to spell it
by plinytheelder on Mar 25, 2010 6:20 PM EDT up reply actions
I will race tomorrow
against time. IOW, riding. Got the bike put together at least. Weather kinda sucks… [I know, HTFU]
"The only pain I got time for is the pain I put on fools who don't know what time it is." Edvald Boasson Hagen
by Chris Fontecchio on Mar 25, 2010 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions
More like STFU
It’s like I don’t even know you anymore.
"Woof, woof, woof! That's my other dog imitation."
The sun
made a brief appearance over coffee. Actually, it kind of hurt.
"The only pain I got time for is the pain I put on fools who don't know what time it is." Edvald Boasson Hagen
by Chris Fontecchio on Mar 25, 2010 1:01 PM EDT up reply actions
ah the sacrifices one makes.
We appreciate you enduring the pain and taking one for the team Chris.
"Italians often mock me for not enjoying tighter clothing" - willj
p.s. Ted
I now understand what you mean about the cycling maps. One per district, EUR 6 each, drip drip drip…
"The only pain I got time for is the pain I put on fools who don't know what time it is." Edvald Boasson Hagen
by Chris Fontecchio on Mar 25, 2010 12:42 PM EDT reply actions
Better weather, and he still gets to watch Tommeke race.
Could be worse.
1974 is so long ago. Nearly thirty years.--Mark Cavendish
Fuck you
It was sunny and 60. Much better than home (rainy and 30).
Plus, I’m planning an Ardennes pilgrimage in a couple years and have to save my points for that. You can buy me beers then.
"Woof, woof, woof! That's my other dog imitation."
Yeah--but then there was Band of Brothers.
Pop culture eats itself.
I maybe don't always realize just how big some races are--Edvald Boasson Hagen, still fucking with the journalists
yum, i do like a good text in the afternoon
goes well with espresso. crunch crunch crunch.
stoopid liberal arts degree.
oh it's on
That would be the “samourai” sauce, supposedly “very spicy”. Bah!
"The only pain I got time for is the pain I put on fools who don't know what time it is." Edvald Boasson Hagen
by Chris Fontecchio on Mar 25, 2010 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions
I knew they were gussying them up too much here in Indy:
1974 is so long ago. Nearly thirty years.--Mark Cavendish
still
can you complain?
"The only pain I got time for is the pain I put on fools who don't know what time it is." Edvald Boasson Hagen
by Chris Fontecchio on Mar 25, 2010 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Idiot Hoosiers.
But their beer is pretty good.
1974 is so long ago. Nearly thirty years.--Mark Cavendish
hmmm, roasted garlic aioli....
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
Your new best friend is mildly inappropriate
He should at least put on some pants.
Staring at the swim team gets you killed by a gang of dancing ninja men who know how to twirl.
Tell me you didn't
just give Chris reason to replace Cuddles as the Vlaamse week mascot.
The poor block will be crushed to have to go back to the rock-pile for somebody who’s little better than a sack of potatoes with a fat saucy head.
*snicker*
with a fat saucy head
I dated a girl from Philly once who fit that description.
"Italians often mock me for not enjoying tighter clothing" - willj
hahaha!!!
I'm feverished, or the way you want to spell it
by plinytheelder on Mar 25, 2010 6:23 PM EDT up reply actions
I hope not!
Cuddles has a ‘Towelie’ like quality to him, I expect him to just show up whenever a conversation about cobbled races is taking place and spout out random facts & advice. “That’s why cuddles always says ’Don’t forget to pay attention to moves made on the Valkenberg during the Ronde’”
Nice pictures
In a week I’ll be there… but this will be a LONG week.
Age and treachery will overcome youth and skill (F. Coppi)
avec velo, oui?
"The only pain I got time for is the pain I put on fools who don't know what time it is." Edvald Boasson Hagen
by Chris Fontecchio on Mar 25, 2010 1:01 PM EDT up reply actions
no, not this time
I’ll be with a friend who doesn’t really bike yet (I’m slowly convincing him to do so).
We will probably rent one for a few hours somewhere along the trip, but it will be at a very casual pace (not that my regular pace is fast anyway)
But I plan on finding maps and stuff for a future trip.
Age and treachery will overcome youth and skill (F. Coppi)
Or drive behind you
screaming at you to HTFU and go faster(not that I would EVER do that…)
Proud member of Thuggetz nation.
wow that’s quite an image
I'm feverished, or the way you want to spell it
by plinytheelder on Mar 25, 2010 6:24 PM EDT up reply actions
my god, that's a movie!
" sprints like a climber, and climbs like a sprinter" - internet forum person
Please can you make the car look like
this?
(I am not suggesting anything about Phil or Frinking, but I have always wanted a follow-car to look like that.)
I got my bike serviced the other day and picked it up yesterday.
I was overjoyed to see that the man had actually cleaned it too! The shop I bought it from never did that. BUT, my beautifully white bartape is now brown!!!!! It has grubby finger marks all over it! This will have to be remedied before any Flandrians see it! Bah.
My bike will be taken care of while I'm in Flanders.
Since he won’t cross the Atlantic, I might as well use the time for that.
Age and treachery will overcome youth and skill (F. Coppi)
Use a tiny bit of paint thinner
but wipe it off fast or you’ll melt the bartape. Alternatively, just a bit of Acqua & Sapone will probably do.
Or replace the whole thing.
Not the bartape, the bike. now is the time to buy that shiny new Pinarello.
Age and treachery will overcome youth and skill (F. Coppi)
fizik tape...
…and any household cleaner you like.
Ahh the whiteness, the endless whiteness.
gotsta put in a plug for my erstwhile hometown guys"
Arundel’s bar tape (especially the gecko grip stuff) is good too, and the installation instructions are hilarious.
haven't used that...
…all I know is that I really like the fizik stuff with the perforations.
Must say I’m semi-tempted by the super cushy stuff that Specialized has, though. Maybe this summer when I’m in the land of glovelessness. But I doubt it’ll say white =/
what are you saying about your hands? ;)
I'm feverished, or the way you want to spell it
by plinytheelder on Mar 26, 2010 7:55 AM EDT up reply actions
Shimano on a bike like this is a sin.
For shame!
"Let’s plunge ourselves into the roar of time, the whirl of accident; may pain and pleasure, success and failure, shift as they will- it’s only action that can make a man" Faust, Goethe
At least it isn't SRAM
"Cofidis Keukeleire in revelation set off a seat and made the job off." Oh Google translator...
by Vlaanderen90 on Mar 26, 2010 12:33 AM EDT up reply actions
on babies too
It’s like, I didn’t even know there was still skin under that.
"The only pain I got time for is the pain I put on fools who don't know what time it is." Edvald Boasson Hagen
by Chris Fontecchio on Mar 25, 2010 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions
yeah, I hate when bike shops do that…sure sign of impending disaster, change shops immediately imo
I'm feverished, or the way you want to spell it
by plinytheelder on Mar 25, 2010 6:25 PM EDT up reply actions
jealous!
glad to see you’re having fun. take lots of photos!
"well...you live in england so: you love the rain. loves the queen. hates cycling. based on mr bean had a tremendous amount of humour. all ride in a mini cooper. all getting drunk before the age of 12. getting drunk at least 3 times a day."- frinking, 7/9/09
Chris,
Your photo of the main square/café could be anywhere Flanders. What they lack in altitude, they compensate with beautiful beer/frites/moules main squares. Nice!
Moo
Is that a pile of turd on the fries cartoon?
I’m sure that will attract people from out of town(well obviously Chris would try turd fries but he is different).
Proud member of Thuggetz nation.
someday
I will find you.
"The only pain I got time for is the pain I put on fools who don't know what time it is." Edvald Boasson Hagen
by Chris Fontecchio on Mar 25, 2010 9:54 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm sure you can find me
I’ll have the house with the Becco cage in the back.
Proud member of Thuggetz nation.
yep
"The only pain I got time for is the pain I put on fools who don't know what time it is." Edvald Boasson Hagen
by Chris Fontecchio on Mar 25, 2010 10:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Not to be a stickler...
but it is Kermis, if you want to be a proper Fleming, and not that dirty French Kermesse.
Anyways, report hard and drink/eat harder
"Cofidis Keukeleire in revelation set off a seat and made the job off." Oh Google translator...
speaking of which, quiz for all French Dutchies, or Dutch Frenchies, name that lyric:
MIchel
te rappelles-tu de la détresse de la kermesse de la Gare du Midi
he has to be talking about a crash right?
I'm feverished, or the way you want to spell it
by plinytheelder on Mar 25, 2010 9:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Google to the rescue
I didn’t know those lyrics. Yeah, “distress”, probably a crash in convenient alliterating form.
oops
"The only pain I got time for is the pain I put on fools who don't know what time it is." Edvald Boasson Hagen
by Chris Fontecchio on Mar 25, 2010 9:55 PM EDT up reply actions
I have no idea which is used more in Flanders,
but in Dutch it’s called a kermiskoers. Kermis alone would be a fair.
Just to let you all know, training is painful. What I suffer.
I STILL have a rough coughy throat. I can hardly speak this morning and riding makes it worse! :-(((
Stop whinging and go to the doctor! This has gone on long enough...
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
I spoke to a doctor friend last night and she basically told me there was nothing I could do.
She said just guzzle echinacea and vitamin C, drink lots, and take paracetamol to help any swelling in the throat to go down. These I am doing!
Good girl!
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Is it settled above your neck or below?
If above, ride as you feel like, though heavy training should probably be put on hold for a bit. If below the neck, take some time completely off the bike so as not to jeopardize Flanders.
"Woof, woof, woof! That's my other dog imitation."
Couldn't agree more... I just figured I'd nagged enough.
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Albertina
I would ask to see Dr Drew’s medical licence before actually believing any of this stuff.
Otherwise the classic remedy is a strong shot of whiskey before bed every night. It puts hair on your chest……oh wait….
It's above the neck, in my throat.
I can’t really do heavy training anyway in the next few days as I’m at work tomorrow and out all day on Sunday. I’ll probably do an hour on the trainer tonight (after my singing lesson…bahahahahahahaha, as if I can actually sing!) and tomorrow, and then a moderately long ride on Monday when I have the day off. Of more immediate worry is the fact that I’m singing this on Sunday night, with an orchestra, and if I can’t sing the concert doesn’t happen :-/
Try this before bedtime
hot milk with good dark chokolate, a very big spoonful of honney and a splash of cognac
by LittleOldLady on Mar 26, 2010 7:47 AM EDT up reply actions
Damn I’ll plead illness every night if I get to do that!
I'm feverished, or the way you want to spell it
by plinytheelder on Mar 26, 2010 7:58 AM EDT up reply actions
The proven thing is the hot milk with the honney and since I do not like that, I add the good dark chokolate and the cognac which I like and it also works better. If you drink that 2 or 3 days before bedtime your sore throat should be fine. I do not think that Bailey’s is strong enough.
And for the rest of you, if you are not really ill and you use it anyway, it will not work when you need it to work :-)
by LittleOldLady on Mar 26, 2010 8:23 AM EDT up reply actions
Also good for a sore throat
is ginger tea (boil sliced fresh ginger) with milk and honey, which is not only soothing but quite tasty IMO. Not as decadent as dark chocolate and cognac though, that sounds more like a Belgian chocolate than a cold remedy!
Hmmm, not all that keen on ginger.
The throat isn’t actually sore anymore, more coughy and tickly and rough and scratchy. As the day’s gone on it’s felt better…until I try and raise my voice :-/
Sounds like you might be turning the corner then?
Rest, rest, rest! Your voice and all the rest of you. :)
Albertina, I think that it's essential
for you to read this article.
cool pics chris!
I know I’m late to this thread. Trying to hold down the fort here at home. I won’t be able to understand most of what you write here about your trip, but frites – that I understand!
by chris's wife on Mar 26, 2010 12:20 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
I like this ^^
You’re a nice and tolerant wife.
by Spot of Bother on Mar 26, 2010 1:00 PM EDT up reply actions
i'm not so nice
there’s a revenge trip in the works. ;)
by chris's wife on Mar 26, 2010 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Actually
I would prefer that. Balance is the key to a healthy relationship.
"The only pain I got time for is the pain I put on fools who don't know what time it is." Edvald Boasson Hagen
by Chris Fontecchio on Mar 26, 2010 5:47 PM EDT up reply actions
I think I speak for all of us when I say
you should feel free to call Drew, preferrably very early in the morning or very late at night, and let him translate the bike-parts. I’m sure he won’t mind.
good advice!
hey drew, what’s your phone number? i may not be the only one who has questions.
by chris's wife on Mar 26, 2010 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Hmm, it looks suspiciously un-rainy in those photos.
Ghent, it’s like I hardly know you anymore.
The mystic lamb always looks so piddly in photos. I think the back side with all the annoyed looking angels is better anyway.
I like to think that one of them is a terrible singer
and the ones with perfect pitch are suffering accordingly.
Aren't they swans...or geese?
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
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