Tuesday, Rain and Group Rides.

Peter had wanted to get out to ride the Pavé of the Paris-Roubaix which circles around us and Roubaix velodrome is only a few kms from us. On our way out, we found a group ride of about 40 riders. All was well, but traffic cars and hills... I was with the lead group and then dropped back to help Robert but old guys trying to deal with the jumps of 25 year-0lds just was just difficult to keep up. It was cool and pouring down rain and it just did not happen.

Now we were accused of being hung over and not able to post yesterday after Sunday. I mean really guys a beer tent like this with Peter... Do you really think beer was consumed in Belgium when a Belgium won... Please, what are you all thinking? Really, we had to do the mundane chore of buying groceries, well, for Craig and Peter, Robert and I enjoy shopping for food. Afterwards Robert and I made our dinner. Tight I'm working on a pork roast with fresh herbs from the garden and some fresh green beans.

Flanders and some Bike Racing... That I remember.

We rode part of the Flanders course today. Mr. Peter can make friends any where! We watched two climbs and then headed to a beer tent where I can say "no" and Robert's says NoOK. and Pete talks everyone and they all want to buy him a beer... So guess who the driver home was? It was supposed to rain, and it was a bit cloudy but as you can see the sun came out and it was a gorgeous day, Peter rode up the climb before the pros and was supprised at the noise of everyone cheering him on, and loved it. Robert and I waited till it was over and rode up the climb to say we did it. Climbing up hills on cobbled roads is just not something you get to do in Southern Ontario.

We ended up with about nine flags of the lion of Flanders... I'm not sure what we'll ever do with so many souvenirs... Things that make you go Hmm...

Our Ride to the hills of Flanders

Robert and I rode up to two of the hills of Flanders, Knokteberg & Oude Kwaremont. Knokteberg was a good little climb, but Kwaremont was 2.5 kms of rough cobbles. I'm pretty sure I'll have ridden my fill of cobbles by the time this trip is over. We put in a a very hard 108 kms. and I'm pooped. Tomorrow we watch the pro's ride the hills.

going and coming through Belgium there's a town call Tournai and a beautiful town square. On the way back the parades were starting for a festival and everyone was in costume.

Friday's in France

Today was what seemed a long day a work. We were quite productive but the areas were quite dirty. It seemed like a long day and there was one section that Craig and I pushed through to get done and did to say that it was done! Came home and showered it was dirty work today.

We then set off for a ride to the sports store so Robert could get his bike fixed, but along the way he got a flat... I was wondering whether we would get a ride in. Then off to Roubaix again, but this time through town in rush hour traffic. This is a BIG differance between France and North America, it's rush hour and people stop and allow bikes to turn left or have a right of way... we'd been dead in any city in N.A. on those traffic circles! Not here...

Robert wanted a local club kit sooo... bad. He was zooming straight to the club house. But I wanted to ride the Paris to Roubaix route into the velodrome on the cobbles down the main street so I took the "proper" way into the velodrome, but did not go in because the track team were motor pacing and when track bikes are on the track road bikes are a BIG no no in any country.

I followed him upstairs and I purchased a pair of socks and was given a water bottle, another pair of sox and a cap. Pretty darn good deal. The sox have a pattern of the Pavé on them, as does the water bottle. Robert's club kit is ORANGE! he won't be missed... and yes he's seen the velodrome in Roubaix and Yes he's ridden around it and Yes he's been to the local club across the street.

Coming home we came back pretty much the way we did last time but this time we took a short cut which ended up going across a cobbled section of road and I powered off the front just like Fabian and left Craig and Robert riding way behind me! Take every advantage you can! Ha-Ha

Rest day of cycling

Today was a full work-day and just when you think you have a system down you get to a point where all the rules are new and different but Craig and I pushed through and finished and won!

Tonight it was raining when we got home so we had a nice supper and a good little debate on how to train. We're in a little town called Sainghin-en-Mélantois and or cottage is quite sufficient for three guys. Every night we take turns cooking a good meal even after a good bike ride.

Finally the carpenter David lives in Arenberg has invited us to his house on April 10th for some beers and to watch a little bike ride that goes through his town. I think we just might take him up on his offer.