Paris Roubaix 2011

The Hell of the North. We have seen and ridden a lot of the sections, we've been to the velodrome three times, and today Peter went down to the Arenburg Forest and rode it just before the pro's then rode hard all the way back via main roads to where we were watching. Robert, Craig and I chased the back cow paths and cobbles to see the race in three places then Robert and I headed to a bar and saw the replay of them coming into the velodrome. After section 4 there just is not that much further to go. Pete managed to find a bar and Belgium's to watch the finish, imagine that?

After watching this race and seeing the clouds of dust it's easy to understand why some riders prefer rain. To see this all this of a world class sports event, we paid only for our beer and rode a total of 45 minutes. Pretty darn amazing.

We came home and made left-overs and spent the evening outside enjoying a beautiful evening. I walked around the town, sidewalks were rolled up but still a nice little town.

Paris Roubaix and a good training ride.

On the Pavé on the Carrefour de l'Arbre (Section 4). In the showers at Roubaix. and a victory salute.

This is amazing how little space it takes for this race, it just weaves back and forth. After the ride Robert and I went out for a really good road ride that is the "triangle" to Tournai and back.

Now as far a Robert goes, for someone not interested in cobbles he certainly rides them like a pro. This time I followed his lead of riding on the side and going only on the cobbles to pass.

Weather wise and Road wise, Brantford and Lille are having about the same temps... and the difference of roads are either granite cobbles or Brant County pot holes.

Friday night in Belgium

Last night we went out for dinner in Belgium with Kris whom we met at the tent last week at the Tour of Flanders. He has a nice Pub and invited us to have dinner at his place, we told him make us traditional food fair which was absolutely fantastic. The main ingredient in every course was beer, we had something like 7 different kinds. Our first course was North Sea shrimp, second was fresh in season white asparagus with egg and butter and a side fresh bread, third was Belgium Endive's wrapped in ham with a cheese sauce I managed to down three of them the other two were only able to get two down their gullets. Desert was good, very good, fantastic and delicious but after some seven or eight beers I don't seem to remember what it was.

I was up before everyone this morning and down to the boulangerie at 8:30 where they seemed to be out bageuttes and after waiting 2 minutes they brought me out a hot just out of the oven one, came home made my omelet and sat out on the back porch enjoying a beautiful sunny morning.

This afternoon off to more pavé and to the velodrome with our tour guide Peter Schouten.

The Hell of the North

Today we rode some more sections of the Paris Roubaix. One in particular was dirt mud and some chunks of granite... Insane thinking pros do this stuff at 40+ kms/hr. We hit them a fair clip. one section I dropped my chain and went to the ditch which is the best option... Not going down's the best. My Roubaix sox now have P2R mud stained on them "what a shame". Unfortunately one or two things will happen with the bruises one they will heal before I get home or worst home will be so damn cold I'll be wearing tights and no one will ever see.

Our ride was an out and back we back tracked the course and then followed the way the race really goes.

Worst thing is Peter found that his bike's head tube's cracked... mind you it could be from last nights venture to the Roubaix Velodrome at break neck speeds. So when I leave my Major Jake's getting an extended stay in France as I'll leave it for Pete to ride. We just found out that the "crack" is tape and the headset seems to be loose so Pete's in love with everyone...

Early day to work for a long ride tonight.

Today came very early. We all got up early in the a.m. to get in early. The highways were even sparse of cars compared to normal. Robert, Craig and I went out for a long ride which is posted above it was enjoyable we hit a section of the famous Pavé and my water bottle cage broke... a well it's a cross bike. Craig and Robert road on the side like sensible pros should. What's interesting is getting into Belgium via a main roads easy, finding a way back to France on a minor road... took a while and the boarder we think was just a little speed bump.

Peter on the other hand went out and rode the course of the Paris - Roubaix seven sections came home very very late we were quite concerned... Not Pete he was singing coming in, talked to neo-pros, coaches, took photos at the velodrome... got a map of the race from someone else. Silly us for being concerned. If your of the Paris Road cycling group you will hear more about this ride and I will leave it to the true author of the story.

Any how today was one of those fantastic days when we went through the square of Tournai everyone was out dinning and drinking. So after our ride we went out into the garden of our house and had wine and beer and Robert, Sigrid and I chatted... well Robert and Sigrid chatted and I butchered the French language as only I can. Then Robert and I went off to make dinner and be worried sick about Peter who was having the time of his life... Phtt! on Peter. He's home and you'll have to ask him for the details.