Anyone going to watch Flanders or Roubaix in person?
#1
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Anyone going to watch Flanders or Roubaix in person?
I haven't been around here in a while but I was curious if anyone is going to Belgium/France to watch the Tour of Flanders or Paris Roubaix? I'm in Switzerland and am not quite motivated enough to go by myself but if someone else is going and wouldn't mind me joining you let me know.
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I wish.
There'll probably be a few folks on de muur that you can make friends with once you get there.
Versus just added de Ronde to their schedule - whew.
There'll probably be a few folks on de muur that you can make friends with once you get there.
Versus just added de Ronde to their schedule - whew.
Last edited by DiabloScott; 03-22-11 at 06:34 PM.
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Yep, I'll be there for the Rhonde. In fact, I'm flying to Belgium for the weekend. 50 hours in Belgium, have some beers, watch the race.
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hells yeah, i'm coming up sunday morning from Paris, heading for Grammont. will be in Bruxelles early a.m. if you want to meet up
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@H3RM - there's a 6:40 am train from Paris Gare du Nord which will get you to the start in Compiegne by 7:50. There you can walk among the buses, see the riders, check out the bikes, watch the sign in and the start. after that to get to Roubaix or to any of the cobbled sections
you will need a car. this can get sketchy as parking is haphazard and as soon as the racers pass a mass of drunk dutch and belgians run for their cars to race ahead to the next cobbled secton. if you're not familiar with the roads i wouldn't recommend it.
you will need a car. this can get sketchy as parking is haphazard and as soon as the racers pass a mass of drunk dutch and belgians run for their cars to race ahead to the next cobbled secton. if you're not familiar with the roads i wouldn't recommend it.
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I'm going to both. I'm also doing the cyclosportive version of each on the Saturdays before them. I'll probably watch the Ronde from the side of Muur van Geraardsbergen again like I did last year - got to watch Cancellara drop Boonen right next to me. For Paris-Roubaix, I'm not sure where I'll watch from - probably near the finish somewhere - but I'll scope out a possible location on Saturday. If you want to join for either just drop me a PM.
Otherwise, I'll post up some pics afterward.
BTW, I think you can still register for the RvV cyclo this Saturday. The weather is looking good so far.
Otherwise, I'll post up some pics afterward.
BTW, I think you can still register for the RvV cyclo this Saturday. The weather is looking good so far.
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The RvV sportive was amazing - absolutely stunning weather
Crowds were thick - the Patenberg and Koppenberg were a mess of people falling, walking and trying to ride.
And what an epic race to watch. Was at the top of the Bosberg - who knew a dozen or more contenders would be coming across at the same time!
Great race. In my mind it is the most dynamic of the major classics. Hills like LBL, cobbles like PR, a length akin to MSR (the TdL doesn't have much to say).
I think it is the real grande damme of the lot of five.
Crowds were thick - the Patenberg and Koppenberg were a mess of people falling, walking and trying to ride.
And what an epic race to watch. Was at the top of the Bosberg - who knew a dozen or more contenders would be coming across at the same time!
Great race. In my mind it is the most dynamic of the major classics. Hills like LBL, cobbles like PR, a length akin to MSR (the TdL doesn't have much to say).
I think it is the real grande damme of the lot of five.
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Which distance of the cyclo did you do? I had the experience you described the last time I did the shorter distance. Doing the 260km route there is more time for the groups to split up and most of the kids and mountainbikers finish before you make it there.
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Like luxroadie said, the cyclo was amazing this year. The weather was just incredible, warm and sunny all day. I got a little bit sunburned. I started off in Brugge and had a pleasant, albeit pretty fast, and uneventful ride for most of the day. That is, until I got knocked over by another guy while climbing the Paterberg. I couldn't get remounted because it was in the steepest section (~22%) so I had to walk it up the rest of the way. What I didn't know is that it had knocked my RD out of alignment, which I found out a bit later going up the Molenberg when I lost my chain into the rear wheel. I tried to adjust it but I think something got bent. This meant that I had to do the rest of the climbs, including Muur(which I find to be difficult due to it being both steep and very near the end) without my lowest gear. It was difficult, but I made it. There will probably be a pretty good picture of me with my tongue hanging out on that climb, whenever the photo people finally post them up on the website.
The race was really good to watch this year too. I was actually pretty happy that Spartacus didn't completely run away with at the end. For a minute I thought that Gilbert might get it. When he passed us from our viewing spot on the Muur, he was in 3rd and looking strong. By the time we ran back down the hill to the bar to watch the finish on TV, he was out in front. Unfortunately they reeled him in and we know the rest. Tough luck for Boonen again though, I know he really wants to win at home but it just isn't happening for him. At least a local won the race though. Everyone in the bar we were watching from was pretty excited.
The race was really good to watch this year too. I was actually pretty happy that Spartacus didn't completely run away with at the end. For a minute I thought that Gilbert might get it. When he passed us from our viewing spot on the Muur, he was in 3rd and looking strong. By the time we ran back down the hill to the bar to watch the finish on TV, he was out in front. Unfortunately they reeled him in and we know the rest. Tough luck for Boonen again though, I know he really wants to win at home but it just isn't happening for him. At least a local won the race though. Everyone in the bar we were watching from was pretty excited.
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And although "The Grand Damme" isn't bad - I propose "The B¡tch"
La Primavera
The B¡TCH
The Queen of the Classics / Hell of the North
La Doyenne
Race of the Dead Leaves
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the scene on Oude Kwaremont Sunday: https://picasaweb.google.com/grkelle...eat=directlink
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So, anyone else heading to France this weekend to watch? I'm driving down tomorrow morning and staying the weekend.