Prep for RvV

[Chuffy]

Does anyone know when they get the photos up? Seems to be taking a long time.

 

[GreasyMonkey]

Checking in..... from Paris.

Thanks for that equipment feedback.
I thought it would fun to ride Battenkill this year, but I'll have to live vicariously through you guys until I can get over to Belgium myself one day.

btw,
What exactly befell GreaseMonkey?

Thanks guys for the support - unfortunately I lost the rear brake retainer bolt on the cobbles before Mater (I guess it was the section that Scott commented on) - 2.5km of hi-top bread loaves......

I rode another 20km to past Molenberg with the caliper around the seat-post, but the legs suffered being bashed against the caliper every pedal stroke.

As with Archibald, I nailed the climbs except Paterberg & Koppenberg due to crowds and fallen riders.

MichielVeeDeeBee, I went up Kruisberg on the big ring (53x19) without too much hassle - I had not done that climb before, so you set a benchmark for me...... Koppenberg was a bit greasy from the rain the days before, but not too bad.

Went to the bike shop near my digs at Munkzwalm and bought a new retainer bolt for EUR 1..... it is always the cheap parts that kill you:-(

Anyway, roll on Roubaix.

Great ride Scott, Archibald and all other who nailed it.

My wife & I watched the race at Molenberg, had a front-row seat near the top, and a great view back down to the bottom corner, then back to the pub to see the finish.

 

[Michielveedeebee]

MichielVeeDeeBee, I went up Kruisberg on the big ring (53x19) without too much hassle - I had not done that climb before, so you set a benchmark for me...... Koppenberg was a bit greasy from the rain the days before, but not too bad.

Told you it wasn't a hard one but 53 x 19 is pretty impressive I must add..

 

[SennHeiser]

140k here.

Almost had foot in my face on the Koppenberg,
and too crowded on the Patersberg....

Flew onto the Muur though.

Had i done some more research i would have done the extra Oude Kwaremont loop as well.

 

[Archibald]

RR - there are no timing chips. I imagine that issuing 23,000 of them could be tricky (at least, that was the highest ride number that we saw).

my number was 24599

That's f*cking brilliant that you two caught up on the ride!!

as for the Oude Kwaremont loop. I was feeling good all the way and decided to have a go, but completely missed the turn for it... oops!

 

[Chuffy]

my number was 24599

That's f*cking brilliant that you two caught up on the ride!!

as for the Oude Kwaremont loop. I was feeling good all the way and decided to have a go, but completely missed the turn for it... oops!

Bloody hell...
Apart from the climbs it was surpringly civilised, given the vast numbers!

Didn't realise that the Kwaremont was on a separate loop - bit of bad signing there from the organisers as we basically followed the route as it was laid out.

Once the photos are up I *might* give you my race number too. Depending how bad they are...

 

[Michielveedeebee]

http://www.sporza.be/cm/sporza/extra/opvallend/110331_opvallend_opdemuur


If you past the Muur between 14 and 16 hours, Sporza has you on camera

 

[Chuffy]

Pics are up! I'm 13314. Anyone else fancy exposing themselves to the vulgar gaze of the masses?

 

[L'arriviste]

Pics are up! I'm 13314. Anyone else fancy exposing themselves to the vulgar gaze of the masses?

Some of those are really nice, man (I guess we know you're a man now ). Although the one where you're walking is probably not one to show the grandchildren.

 

[Chuffy]

Some of those are really nice, man (I guess we know you're a man now ). Although the one where you're walking is probably not one to show the grandchildren.

Cheers.

I *think* that one was at the bend near the top of the Muur, just before I climbed back on. Next time I'm going to try not to be so damned British - I reckon putting an Airzound on my bars and blasting up the middle is the way to go.

 

[oldborn]

I see lot of guys with backpacks or hydration packs, so you should carry all food and water with you, i mean there is no feed stations with water at least?

And what distance you should choose all 258 or shorter ones?
Thanks!

 

[Archibald]

I see lot of guys with backpacks or hydration packs, so you should carry all food and water with you, i mean there is no feed stations with water at least?

And what distance you should choose all 258 or shorter ones?
Thanks!

I can't show you a pic of the feed stations, but they're CHAOS, and they're placement is somewhat odd - 25kms into the 150, then 25kms from the end of the 150... the main one in the middle was okay for placement, but thousands were there. Just to stop for a leak at that one took a good 20minutes...


PS. pic nicked from photo people's site... ******ed if I can work out which hill this is on

 

[Chuffy]

I can't show you a pic of the feed stations, but they're CHAOS, and they're placement is somewhat odd - 25kms into the 150, then 25kms from the end of the 150... the main one in the middle was okay for placement, but thousands were there. Just to stop for a leak at that one took a good 20minutes...


PS. pic nicked from photo people's site... ******ed if I can work out which hill this is on

I was lucky to be riding with some chaps who offer guided ride/accomodation packages (Pave Cycling Classics - top blokes and well worth treating yourself) so there was a support van with all our supplies. The feed stations did look like absolute mayhem and I'd be tempted to carry food and fill water bottles from a bar.

Pic looks like the Paterberg, but I could be wrong.

 

[oldborn]

I see, thanks!
Am i see two MTB on that picture?

 

[Archibald]

Pic looks like the Paterberg, but I could be wrong.

Paterberg had railing/barriers along the sides, no? I'm pretty sure I used them to remount and ride on

I see, thanks!
Am i see two MTB on that picture?

yep - folks used all sorts of bikes. The MTB courses did intermix with the road course in several places

 

[britinbe]

Rvv

It was an excellent day with great weather, a real change from last year. I was pleased to see so many brits taking the trip across the Channel.

I see there are a few people on here that live in Belgium, I'm to the east of Brussel; I've seen someone out and about wearing a "Cycling" top (L'arrivste?)

Is anyone doing the L-B-L in a few weeks time? Number are limited, so it should be a bit less manic on the climbs

 

[Chuffy]

Paterberg had railing/barriers along the sides, no? I'm pretty sure I used them to remount and ride on

Hmmm, possibly. I think it varied along the length. Could also be the Koppenberg. But definitely one of those two.

There's a feature on the weekend up on Road.CC.

 

[L'arriviste]

I see there are a few people on here that live in Belgium, I'm to the east of Brussel; I've seen someone out and about wearing a "Cycling" top (L'arrivste?)

No, it isn't me!

Probably going to damage my level of peer respect on here (if I have one), but I should admit I don't actually own a bike.

I used to race quite seriously a long time ago but then I lost touch with the sport for many years until the 2009 Tour. I was in Arles, France and Haussler was riding himself to a wet victory up in Alsace. I'd just checked into a little hotel and I was supposed to rediscover the town but I ended up watching the telly for three hours.

I still only do yoga and running, but cycling is the only sport I follow with passion, albeit from an armchair.

 

[Kapelmuur]

Well done to all those who did it.

I did the long route. The cobbles are like nothing else I've done before - just relentless. I only had one impact puncture all day which I was pleased about. A support car popped up immediately with a track pump which was nice. Had one little crash but was perfectly okay.

I was lucky enough to be at the start in the center of Brugge the next day to see the pros take off. Great stuff.

 

[Granville57]

There's a feature on the weekend up on Road.CC.

Is that your article?
Really, really terrific story!
I deliberately read it in two parts--last night and today--just to savor it all that much more. Wow, I've got to make that happen sooner rather than later. It sounded...exactly how I expected it to sound!

I've always felt that one of Hinault's most impressive achievements was pulling off his Paris-Roubaix victory in 1981...while wearing the Rainbow Jersey...just to prove that he could!

That article is going to keep me up at night for some time, I fear.

 

[Race Radio]

Hmmm, possibly. I think it varied along the length. Could also be the Koppenberg. But definitely one of those two.

There's a feature on the weekend up on Road.CC.

Cool story.

 

[L'arriviste]

Hmmm, possibly. I think it varied along the length. Could also be the Koppenberg. But definitely one of those two.

There's a feature on the weekend up on Road.CC.

Great story. And you did so well!

 

[Chuffy]

Is that your article?
Really, really terrific story!
I deliberately read it in two parts--last night and today--just to savor it all that much more. Wow, I've got to make that happen sooner rather than later. It sounded...exactly how I expected it to sound!

I've always felt that one of Hinault's most impressive achievements was pulling off his Paris-Roubaix victory in 1981...while wearing the Rainbow Jersey...just to prove that he could!

That article is going to keep me up at night for some time, I fear.

Thank you! And to RR and L'Arriviste as well. Nice to know it was appreciated.

You should go - seriously. I'm hoping to go back next year, hopefully with some friends. I'm determined to get the hang of those pesky cobbles...

 

[Anonymous]

Hmmm, possibly. I think it varied along the length. Could also be the Koppenberg. But definitely one of those two.

There's a feature on the weekend up on Road.CC.

Great story. If I could write that's the story I'd of told.

 

[Anonymous]

Just finished the P-R Challenge. Time was 4:20. It was a total blast. The course was not officially closed but it may as well have been.

The worst sector was the first few hundred meters of the Carrefour. That was hard.