The Bullet's Belgian Adventure

Day 2- Saturday, April 1 , 2006 Flanders Cyclosport day! 

Today is the day the Bullet, a flatlander, gets to ride the course of the Tour of Flanders (or at least part of it).  This event is huge!  From 7am to 2pm over 15,000 riders started the event. There were 3 options for the event:

• 260 km (161 miles), the full race course;
• 140 km (87 miles), all 17 climbs are included; (Eddy O* chose this one)
• 75 km (47 miles), 6 major climbs, 6 more significant climbs (I chose this one)

[* Eddy O’Rourke is a CCB teammate from Providence, RI ]  

I felt ready for what lay ahead as we left the elaborate start area in Ninove.  The pace was moderate (18-19 mph) through the rolling terrain until the dark clouds delivered heavy Belgian rain to us at Zottegem.  The first major climbs were still about 10 km away as the rain got heavier.  We began to descend steep, twisting, cobbled roads at break-neck speed.  The words make it sound easier than it was...  My riding glasses were so fogged I couldn’t see the road.  Not a good thing!  We were going so fast over the wet cobbles I couldn't spare a hand to help. When the road leveled they were quickly taken off.   

It was time for the first categorized climbs, the Leberg.  Not a bad climb but done conservatively.  Over that climb we hit a mile of rough cobbles with a steep descent before another cobbled climb.  One by one the Bullet started passing people (yes the Bullet!?!).  5km later the steep Valkenberg was handled comfortably.  Confidence started to build for the final 3 tough climbs.  

The rain lightened as we approached the 4th climb, the Tenbosse.  [A young Belgian rolled up beside me and said Johann Museeuw attack and rode solo to victory from the Tenbosse (26km to go)!!]  Amazingly the Bullet was still passing people on the steep climb .  From the Tenbosse 10km to the mighty Muur!  Felling good and throwing caution to the wind, I jumped on several young guys and quickly moved toward Gerdaardsbergen. 

Into the cobbled streets of the City the excitement began.  A left turn at 16km to go and up we went.  Up past the “cars do not enter” (!) sign, which was about halfway up the Muur, it got tougher.  It was time for the 25 cog and at Bend #1 I was still going!  Next was the hardest section, rough cobbles and steep… I was still going!  A I passed the Merckx monument an old Belgian jumped out and yell “go,go,go”… in Flemish, but I understood.  I was inspired and still going!  At the pub, loaded with fabulous fans, the course turned right for the Chapel bump and it was steep but easy… I had made it (without walking!!!).  A winter of beating up my training partner had paid off.  

Descending the other side we flew toward the last climb, the Bosberg.  After the Muur it was easily over the Bosberg.  With 10 km to go I again found two young guys to tow me to the finish.  Well, they were flying, I was "hanging on for grim death" with very tired legs I hurt.  But stubbornly I continued up a small rise, ouch.  Into Meerbeke the finishing straight was 300 meters of false flat up.  I couldn’t resist, I sprinted the last 50 meters... close but behind the two young Belgians.    

An hour later Eddy O, Brad Miller and Marc Braunstein (the Providence , RI contingent) came in after the 140km/17 climb route.  Fabulously done by a very fit looking Eddy O, Brad and Marc!  

This was one of the most exciting riders I’ve had for a long time.  Save your pennies, this is a MUST DO! event for all cycling enthusiasts.