177: The Year in Review: History

HISTORY

For the History edition I thought we would step back in time just a bit to Belgium. I knew that these photos would come in handy one day. The Flanders Museum in Oudenaarde has to be the one single spot that I set foot upon this year that advanced my Historical education of the Cycling lifestyle. Lucky for me I got to go there once with Molly while she was on her Campaign of Pain last year, and once while riding the Flanders Sportiv a few months later.

Before heading into this prestigious museum Molly and I pondered the vending machine outside. Need a flat repair kit? Or maybe you forgot your water bottle. No need to worry, they have that too. I don't really think that the thing worked though. Because even though we put in money it just kept flashing "666" which we took as our cue to slowly back away.

Then we turned around and were greeted by former Twice World Champion Freddy Maertens. When you enter the museum he acts as your first guide. He helps you choose the way that you should proceed into the depths below, and that is by choosing one of the Ronde van Vlaanderen's past winners to help guide you through. I made the mistake of saying "But Freddy, I choose you." You see, Fred has never won Flanders even though he has come extremely close more than a few times. And he was not shy about telling us about them. And then we descended to the museum below...


The Flandria car could be considered one of the highlights of the museum. It had its own section all to itself where you could check out this wonder up close. In its heyday the Flandria team — which had a lifespan of almost twenty years— had a pretty stellar cast. Everyone from Walter Godefroot, Rik Van Looy, the De Vlaeminck brothers (of which I choose Erik for his seven Cross World Championship Titles) and of course Freddy Maertens. In 1973 team was also the first team to have their components sponsored by this little Japanese manufacturer...Shimano.


Enough of that, lets move on. I loved these handlebars, but for the life of us we could not figure out why you would coat the bars with this copper wire. Or what looked to be copper wire. Maybe they would wrap the bars with this first before the usual Bennotto Tape or what have you to dampen the blows on the cobbles. Fill me in here people, this history lesson goes both ways.


There was also a long wall which showed all of the winners of RVV. Pretty amazing to see all these people lined up next to each other. This, ladies and gentlemen, is how far we have to go with our beloved Tour of California to make it a staple in the hearts and minds of the American people. I would venture to guess that we would also have to create a tough as nails one day classic as well (Battenkill?).


Shit, I did not even get to the Jerseys. Vintage Jerseys lining the walls wherever you turn. I have been to a few museums in my day but never one so dedicated to the art of the bike race than the the RVV in Oudenaarde. If you get the chance, or are in the area, make the trip. There is also a full-er set on Flickr.

Oh yeah, there were some gloves with this guy Eddy's name on them. I think they call that the Dukes of Hazzard Font. Which I guess is somewhat fitting.


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Editors Note:
Thanks to everyone who has been writing in. It is really great to hear your thoughts and feedback as the year comes to a close. And a special thanks goes out to Geert who sent over this photo of Stephanie Clerckx to prove that they do have pretty girls in Belgium. I thought for a moment that it actually was Tom Boonen, but as a looked closer I could see that this person did in fact have boobs and therefor could not be T.B. Maybe she just borrowed his jersey?

051: Belgium — Part Two: Entry One.

"Just make it happen."

That was the response that got me here.

"The hardest week in cycling." Is what Bill Strickland called it when he told me about it back in February. "Figure out how to get there, just make it happen." I pressed him for more details but the Greyhounds got in the way.

They were buy one get one free.


I woke up the next day late for a meeting with Radio Freddy. A monster headache ringing in my ears, but also with a nagging thought in the back of my mind. Could I make it back to Belgium this year? Would the cycling gods smile on me one more time and get me in to Flanders - Gent Wevelgem and the most coveted of all bicycle races Paris-Roubaix?

A car ride, a plane, train and two busses later and I find myself in the Flanders convention center in Gent. Waiting to hear back from my Ridley correspondent (it just sounded a little more "spy" that way) to find out if we've got bikes for tomorrows start.

So, I guess in a way, I've made it happen. I didn't come alone this time either. Embrocation Rider Peter Bradshaw has accompanied me on this one. He packed up his kit and met me at the train station in Brussels. Who knows what sort of adventures lay in store for us, only time and cobbles will tell.

However, tomorrow I'm ditching him tomorrow to do the longer ride. Not quite sure why he wants to go light on this one, but whatever.

The best part about this plan is that not only to I get to traverse these broken cobbles, but then the next day I get to view the Pro's attack the same venue. What I'll do is learn the curves in the road, watch for where the road will break up the pack...and then go there.

I haven't decided which is going to be more interesting. Participating in my own demise at the hands of the course or watching everyone else break themselves over the same roads.


Side Note: There is one Beer here in Belgium that is only available through the Abbey at which it is made. Aside from a few illegal bars that sell it the only way to get it is to call up and 'reserve a few casks.' Seriously. This is what we will be drinking while we watch Gent-W. Just so you know.

I also picked up this book. Of Walking in Ice by Werner Herzog. He's made a few appearances here and there on this blog, so it should come as no surprise that the film director is one of my favorites. Seriously, this book is no exception. When Herzog finds out that his friend Lotte Eisner has fallen ill and is about to die and takes it upon himself to walk from Munich to Paris to tend to her.


This is what I'm talking about.

I'm hoping that the sheer physicality of the next week is going to reveal something. Something about myself? Maybe it will be the riding? Maybe it will be the drinking? Maybe the combination of the both. Either way I'm convinced somethings going to happen.

Surely.

013: Americans in Belgium.

I was surprised by the number of Americans, or North American's if you prefer, that were racing their bicycles over in Belgium. I tried to capture them the best I could with me little camera, but some of these bike racers are so damn elusive. Especially the women. For some reason not every race has a woman's race, or it goes off hours before the men. Strange?

In any case, here they are....and yes, I'm fully aware that I didn't capture everyone. I'm sorry, I'm only one guy here.

From Left to Right in a Clockwise Fashion:

Jonathan "the Hammer" Page: I don't think that's his nickname, since I gave it to him, but after watching him race over there it seems fitting. Plus he's kind of the "working man's" racer who's been over there doing it the longest.

Gavin Manion: Only got to see him race once, but he did pretty well. Pucci would be proud, yes he would. I bet Toby would too. I half expected to see Toby lurking at any corner, but alas...no go.

Jamey "stache" Driscoll: Was kind of disappointed that the 'stache went away during the course of the few weeks that I saw him race. This must be the penance you pay for not being in one of these cycling camps and having to take care of yourself.

Molly "the MC" Cameron: Of Course. Third year in Belgium. No big deal. Schooling everyone on the ice at Turvuren, no big deal. Doing it bigger and better next year. Big deal.

Ryan "Treefarm" Trebon: Haven't really had that much interaction with this guy. But he sure remains calm and cool in the start box. He even took the time to joke around with me before he got crashed out at the first race we were attended.

Georgia Gould: This woman is on fire. I saw her handily put away fields that not only included Wendy Simms (my heart skips a beat every time I type that) but Marrianne Vos (and Molly's skips a beat there.)

So, this is Yash and his lovely friend (or can we say finace now?) Meg. They're from the New World as well. In fact they live right down the street from me. That's what I call superfans, coming all the way across the pond to watch a few dudes get dirty. Yes Please.

Matt Shriver: Ok, don't really know much about this guy. Or anything. I'm sure he's nice though. Molly says so.

Jeremy Powers: He let me listen to his ipod once. I wasn't the same. I was a changed man after that. Jeremy had a few really great rides over there. Killing it. Kiiiiiling it. I'm psyched to see how he does at Worlds. And, as I do, he has a thing for Speculoos. Good man.