Postcards from Oudenaarde: Friday ride- Flash report
by Jens on Apr 2, 2010 11:41 AM EDT
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PrintEnjoying a super de luxe sandwich in the hotel-bar after a few hours of casual riding in the Vlaamse Ardennen. Actually just puttering around Oudenaarde but let's keep that between you and me. For those of you who haven't seen it it looks a little like this:
See that little hill in the background? We'll get to that in a moment.
At the Centre Ronde van Vlaanderen in Oudenaarde the preparations for Sunday are under way. The Police are all set.
and here are the men and women that will help make the race happen
On the flip we read about Jens crying...
Link to bigger originals at Flickr
Out on the road it turned out the other side of that scenic little hill looked a little something like this.
It's so bad it's not even funny and the less said about my efforts the better.
These are all good options. Just don't go straight ahead.
Some Leakys needed the practice too (Oss?)
As bas as the Koppenberg is, the real shocker came on the Steenbekdries. Not that the hill is that bad but the cobbled runup to it had me completely demoralized before it even started. As I was busy crying like a little girl this entourage blew past me.
Never saw who the two Radioshackers were (what with the crying like a little girl and all) but Bruyneel in the car and the Gazzetta follow car might be an indication.
So I made a quick shortcut to the Eikenberg to intercept the Shacker's there. Obviously they weren't following the standard route because they failed to show. Astana came past though with Gaspa leading the way.
See? I never lie on Twitter. I promised everyone's favorite.
That look says: "Shit, will this be published for everyone to see?"
Surrendering on a hill will get you this look from the locals, followed by a shout that is both supportive and at the same time laced with just the right amount of contempt to let you know your real worth. They've earned the right.
It was an amazing beautiful day , great weather and lots of friendly people everywhere. If anyone ever questioned where the heart of cycling lies a day here will erase all those doubts.
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Huh?
Jens’ post says “11:41 AM EDT” on my screen. Your post say “11:35 AM EDT”. How’d that happen?
"Italians often mock me for not enjoying tighter clothing" - willj
It's the Zoe gap
Staring at the swim team gets you killed by a gang of dancing ninja men who know how to twirl.
by TheFigurehead on Apr 2, 2010 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Ya the Steenbekdries is a smack in the face...and some other places as well.
The cobbled run in, the cobbled climb and then the cobbles descent.
"Cofidis Keukeleire in revelation set off a seat and made the job off." Oh Google translator...
so who is everybody's fav?
pic kinda small. lancy?
" sprints like a climber, and climbs like a sprinter" - internet forum person
and that last guy,
practicin’ “the look”, ha ha!
" sprints like a climber, and climbs like a sprinter" - internet forum person
Ohh
I’m loving all these pictures!
Yes, I think the tall Leaky rider is Oss.
I saw LA tweet about riding and Popo and….? was it LA riding today?
Girl is on her A game via twitter! Well done! ;-)
I'm ready for this road season to wrap up. Bring on Cross!
Whoa! Holy smokes girl!
Have I told you how much I miss you lately? I do. A lot.
I'm ready for this road season to wrap up. Bring on Cross!
dude
where the hell are ya?
"Some people are like slinkies - not really good for anything but they bring a smile to your face when pushed down the stairs."
What climb are you on?!?!?
I am so jealous! Hope you’re having a blast!
I'm ready for this road season to wrap up. Bring on Cross!
You may have been crying like a little girl, but you were doing it on a bike @ Steenbekdries.
So chapeau, chapeau!
moo
Amen.
I resorted to riding the few hills paved with bricks in town today. Not that satisfying.
by Douglas Ansel on Apr 2, 2010 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions
+ many
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
Sun?
WTF?
"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 Apr 2, 2010 1:47 PM EDT reply actions
i'm sure it will be gone by sunday
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
Radioshackers crying like little girls eh?
Well it sure wasn’t Rosseler then.
Thanks for photos, keep them coming please.
"It's a lovely thing, feeling that momentum. If you're lucky, it's also about grace." Tim Winton
Re: The Shack
I think you want to read the post again.
Staring at the swim team gets you killed by a gang of dancing ninja men who know how to twirl.
by TheFigurehead on Apr 2, 2010 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Oh it was Chris still doing the crying.
Do pace yourself there dear Chris, but we appreciate your sacrifices and suffering for our benefit.
"It's a lovely thing, feeling that momentum. If you're lucky, it's also about grace." Tim Winton
Re: Chris
I think you should read the post again.
Bicycling is the nearest approximation I know to the flight of birds. Louis J. Helle, Jr.
What the hell, I'm not reading it again
I’ll look at the pretty pictures and STFU.
"It's a lovely thing, feeling that momentum. If you're lucky, it's also about grace." Tim Winton
That's the spirit
If at first you don’t succeed, try again. If you still don’t succeed, then fuck it.
that's a life lesson right there!
"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
I think we need another 200 comments
taking umbrage at the apparent insult to little girls…
"I was just trying to keep warm" - Ian Stannard on finishing third in KBK
20% cobbled climbs...
…I’d say this has much more to do with the inherent sensibleness of little girls.
This is why the gods made you suck at VDS
to keep us from getting too jealous. Great report and pictures—keep ’em coming!
The advantage of becoming pigeon takes enormous proportions.--Sporza live ticker, Stage 2 Driedaagse de Panne, courtesy of Google Translate.
Heve fun be safe!
Enjoy your picture reporting, I admire your enthusiasm and determinaton. Please aviod crying in public, especially when the Flandarian Heroes are around. Tip, you should have taken a bike with one of those Three Plate gearwheels, shift on the smallest and soft pedal like I usually do. Be careful and hope u stay upright, from your pics it seems very a challenging ride.
the pics of the police...
so they aren’t going to strike? the signal men (582 of them) were going to strike if the news commentator did not apologize for his “degrading remarks” on march 24th….i never heard the outcome but it looks like a go. good.
oh yeah, awesome pics. from a distance the bergs look so unassuming. then bammm. pain.
Rodania,,,,,,,Rodania,,,,,,,Rodania,,,,,,,Rodania
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