Markets and Stormdodging

The closest thing to the Calgary Stampede Liedekerke will ever see...

I thought it was about time to post on a unique feature of many European villages to which Liedekerke is no exception, market day. Here in Liedekerke market day is Saturday with vendors and entertainers taking over a couple of streets and the square to display their wares and contribute to a very pleasant morning atmosphere. From about 8 until 1 you can get everything from bras to cabbage from some sort of truck, trailer or tent...The three T`s of the market merchant. The pics are from a few weeks ago, as you can see by the beautiful weather, which hasnt been around for a while in these parts. That particular Saturday I even got to witness the local squaredance club perform creating an unpassable barrier of honky tonk and denim in the narrow street.

Now for the other part of todays title.

Today I had two hours of training to do, my standard pre race ride as tomorrow brings another race, this time in the hilly region surrounding Brakel. As you all know the weather has been shifty as of late and today was no exception. I set out and determined my route for the day based on the placement of the clouds above, wind direction and the fact I wanted to avoid the longer climbs in the area. I call this practice storm dodging. It is possible to do at home to some extent and we have all done it, go the direction of sunshine and avoid clouds and rain, but here it is taken to a whole new level like so many other things cycling related. First off the fact that Flanders is an endless maze of roads makes rapid changing of the route and direction easy, also the wind here never stays consistant from one direction making cloud movement very unpredictable. It is essential to always monitor the sky and today I changed direction countless times, even doubling back on myself and going around pockets of rain. I managed 1 hour and 45 minutes without riding in any true rain, just constant wet roads as I road into areas the storm had just left. The last 15 minutes I was forced to head directly into a shower due to a miscalculation of cloud speed and direction and as I head to get home. It was a true application of highschool vector analysis made all the more real by the constant threat of ice cold rain as a motivator for perfection.

Race # 10 Bogaarden Elite Kermesse

Yesterday I rode 20 km to another Elite event in the scenic village of Bogaarden-Pepingen. This was another hard course with 3 significant climbs per lap, one of which was really steep ending in a cobbled section and the others in the wind; one in a field on a narrow tractor rode, the other wide open and rather long up to and past the start-finish. 16 laps were to be completed. Alot of foreign riders too the start including 5 guys from the DFL-Cyclingnews team from Great Britian, Hamish Haynes from the Jartazi team, a couple of New Zealanders, a Japanese guy in full pink kit on a pink steel framed bike like no other and me the lone Canadian one again. It was really windy and from the gun 4 guys took the gamble and rode away. No one really seemed to care, but I was not so sure it was going to be that easy as DFL had a guy in the break. After 3 laps an attack went and 25 guys rolled off the front in pursuit, me included. I think I must have been the last guy to jump across the gap as a looked back and saw nothing but a big wall of a peleton all looking at each other in the blustering wind. For the next three laps the chase was on for the leaders and the gap to the peleton stayed at about 15 seconds. Then the gap finally exploded to the still 60 rider strong peleton and we were away. We caught the leaders shortly after and the race for the top spot was on again. Attacks would go on every climb for the last half of the 120 km race and our group was getting stretched to the limit constantly with guys getting sprayed off in the crosswinds when road wasnt wide enough for the last few guys in the echelon to have shelter. I was feeling ok, but my legs were burning from the constant attacks and closing gaps. It was a tough battle and with 10 km to go and only 18 guys left the elastic finally broke and I was on the wrong end with two DFL riders, a Davo-Unibet rider and one other. We rode steady and in the last few km I was sure I might be the strongest one left. The others seemed weak on the climbs and let gaps open between them. I descided on a strategy for the finale and waited....Coming up the final climb the pace was moderate and with 400 m to go I launched with everything I had left. I looked back and had a gap and drove for the line, but with 100 m to go I blew up and was forced to take the rest of the sprint seated. I watched helplessly as the others darted past and rolled in to 18th. Not the best way to end a tough day in the wind, but its a result, any top 20s I can get I am relatively happy with. With top 20 you get your name in the national newspaper and at least 10 Euros in prize money so its alright. Haynes took the win in deserving fashion, he was strong from the start and was very active all day.
Next race on Wednesday with the Elites and if all goes well with my lisence another Pro race on Saturday. Thanks for reading, over and out.

Race # 9 Sint Martens Bodegem Elite Kermesse

Another day another race. First off I appoligize for the break in posting, have been away from a computer for a few days, now to recap the last couple of events...
Thursday was another 120 km Elite race in a town about 15 km from the house. Seeing as the race was close and it was a good chance to get some miles I rode to the race. I left the house in pissing rain, but within a couple of km it stopped and things started to dry out, good thing considering the technical difficult of the race to come. I signed in at the local cafe and headed of to the changerooms in the local football stadiums dressing rooms. This was classic kermesse conditions, the changerooms were right out of a 50s football film, only they had aged tremendously and were starting to resemble a barn of sorts.
The course was short at 7 km and with all the climbs and narrow rought roads it was a day to be at the front and out of trouble. Once again there were about 85 guys on the line and it started fast. I was in on alot of acton from the gun, but everything I got in wouldnt stick. We would be 10 guys up the road and within a lap and a half bits of the peleton would somehow find their way up to us regardless of how hard it seemed we were turning. Eventually a group fo 4 got away, then 4 more and in the end I sprinted to a lowely 39th. I was not happy with the race at all. I felt strong, I rode smart, but every group I didnt go with got away and every group I was in got nowhere. My teammate Chris ended up 13th. Another race on Sunday....
I was lucky on one front though, there were prizes up to 40th place so I did earn 7 Euros.
Its been raining and windy all week, very Flanders but not very summer like. I have had to ride the rollers too many times this week, its not worth it riding outside and getting sick. This coming week we might hit 18 as a high.

Where am I?

I thought it was about time to tell you all where I actually am in the world. You know I am in Belgium, but do you know Belgium? Below are some maps to orient you, look for Liedekerke... I do most of my training in the area between Aalst, Brussels, Halle and Geraardbergen. This is the heart of Flanders, the greatest place on earth to race a bicycle.

Overalskelse fra Norge!

Last Friday I took the train to Brussels to pick up my brother and sister from the airport. They had decided to pop down for the weekend from Norway to say hi and check out the interclub race. It was great to see them again and show them some of this great country and share its cultural wonders. We kicked off the visit with a quick tour of downtown Brussels including all the main attractions. They also got a taste of some true culinary delights like croque, pannekoek and frites. On Sunday Tino treated them to a day at the races ripping around in the car allowing them to view the race about 15 times. A great weekend.

Meet Gro and Ole

Manneken Pis

Race #8 Klein Brabant Classic - Interclub

Yesterday was another big day at the races with a 170km 180 rider interclub. Interclubs are besides the pro events the biggestraces that the team does. These events require teams of at least 5 no more than 6. Aside from the huge field the follow caravan is also large at 34 follow cars plus all of the motos (including a couple of TV camera motos), a big rolling circus of excitement for riders and spectators alike. The team for this interclub was the same as last with Bart, Chris, Jeff, Geert and me representing the big High 5. Wind and corners were the order of the day. First we had to complete two laps of about 25 km, then one big lap of 45 km and then a bunch of 7 km laps with over a km of cobbles to make the distance. It was a bit chilly and rain threatened all day, but in the end the wind was the biggest factor. The wind has been gusting here for the last few days and it made the racing tough. The average on the day was 42 for a very flat course. After 40 km a break of 15 got away and they ended up staying away until the finish. I stayed in good position all day and when we got to the short laps I started to mix it up at the front to try to get away from the still over hundred man peleton. Chris got in a good little break and I went on the feedzone climb over the canal to bridge. I got a gap and a couple of guys came up and together we got across, but after the cobbles and only a few short kms we were back in the bunch waiting for the next round of fireworks to go off. Several other attepts were unsuccessful, Bart was in on the action to until his seat came loose on the cobbles and he had to leave the front because of cramps. On the second last short lap guys started going on the climb and I was fighting to get in. I was hurting by this point and watched a group form and got in the wheels to get across but gaps were opening and not closing and in the end 11 got clear and that was that. I stayed in the bunch and ended up 64th overall of 130 some finishers. Chris was riding really well but broke his derailluer on the cobbles and had to abandon with one short lap to go. All in all an ok day for the team with everyone making apearances at the front and in breaks. I was fairly happy with the result, but I know I could have been in the second break with better timing and some more luck. It was a solid day and my form is still good so I look forward to the next Elite race on Thursday.

Some final words with the sportif

My trusty ride ready to roll.

Chillin in the bunch.

Race #7 Puivelde Pro Kermesse

Yesterday I did my first true pro race of 2006. It almost didnt happen though as the commisaires were being sticky about a rule stating that foreign riders without a continental or pro contract or Belgian lisence cannot participate in races with proffesional designation. About 30 minutes before the start team manager Tino worked his mediating skills and got me a start... It was a nice little 170km outing with 165 riders taking the start in the beautiful town of Puivelde, a sunny afternoon on cobbled street outside the gothic period church in the town square. The main attraction of the day was the appearance of Nick Nuyens on the start with another QuickStep teammate. It had been published in papers all over Belgium that Nuyens would make his return to racing after a break following his very successful classics run this spring. The spectators flocked by the hundreds and lined several sections of the 13 km lap. Also on the start was Leukemans from Davitamon-Lotto, a Rabobank rider and several full pro teams including Chocolade Jacques, Jartazi, Collstrop-Palmans, DFL-Cyclingnews (Downing brothers) and the usual other continental teams of Colba, Profel and Pictoflex.
From the start the pace was really high and my legs were not feeling the way I wanted them to feel. However after a few laps I was starting to feel the flow and I was back in action. Jacques and Jartazi took control late in the race to bring back the 30 second breakaway and the final 10 km were one long train leading into a bunch sprint. After 3 hours and 43 minutes I crossed the line in 63rd position, thats a 45km/hr average for 170 km...gutter riding and lots of single file pain train... Last year I started two pro races and only lasted 120 km in both of them. To finish this year was awesome and to finish well into the top half was an added bonus. My teammate Bart finished in 87th a solid performance.
The form is really coming along and and I am recovering better for every race that goes by. This weekend I have a 170km, 200 rider interclub that with my current form the team expects a top 20 finish. If I can get in the break on Sunday I could have a great race. Should be fun!

Nick Nuyens, 2005 Omloop Het Volk winner and main attraction on the start yesterday.

Afwasmiddel

My very own dish washing soap. It cleans cars nicely to.

Muur van Geraardsbergen

Yesterday I took a little recovery coffee ride to Geraardsbergen and back. I stopped for a couple of coffees in the town square, enjoying the spring sunshine and the Sunday market. I then rode up to the Muur climb and took some shots as promised.
The Muur has great significance in cycling as it has often been the deciding point in the Tour of Flanders. being only just under 30 km from the finish it provides much of the drama that makes the race so dynamic. The photos are in this flickr set http://www.flickr.com/photos/perstrom/sets/72057594135505386/.
This is the Muur itself, but it should be noted that the Muur is preceded by a very difficult section just to get to the famed cobble. Enjoy.

Race # 6 Moerbeke U23

Well another day, another race. I was thinking about it and if I had stayed at home I wouldnt have raced yet!?....
It was a fine day for a race in Flanders. The sun was out and the temperature was a balmy 23 but the wind was cruising the strip. I have to do some big mailes in prep for some big races to come so I rode the 25 km the start did the race and rode home making for a solid 5 hours and 170 km day.
The race was a U23 event so the style of racing was a bit different from the Elite races I have been doing. U23 races are fast and ballistic, I guess at my age we have the need to just give it all or nothing all the time. These races are less dominated by tactical sense and more by testosterone and guts. The course was was a tough one with a long climb ending in an 8% section taking almost half the lap, lots of corners on the way down and along the flats and the wind. The climb goes up to the same point as the Muur just from the opposite side. 97 riders took the start and from the gun a small group rolled off the front. None of the guys from the continental teams where in the break so I stayed in the peleton and waited for what i thought would be the real action. Unfortunatly that was the only real action of the day and they ended up staying away til the end. After the break had a minute on the field things started to heat up and I found myself in a strong group of 6 for a couple of laps, but we ended up getting caught by the first half of the peleton so we were about 50 guys. Then another promising split happened of which I was again on the right side, but that only lasted a lap before the bunch rolled back on. The wind was picking up on the climb and it was proving difficult to get away. Finally with 4 laps to go I got away with about 10 others and we stuck it. On the last lap a Bodysol rider attacked on the climb taking one other guys with him, but I was cooked after spending over half the race in breaks and ended up sitting in the group dangling just 100 meters off the two escapees. In the end I sprinted to 22 in the second break, as I said before the original break minus a few guys stayed away for the entire day. I guy from Britian riding for a Microsoft team took the win, his first international victory.
I found out that my brother and sister are coming from Norway to visit for next weekend and to see me race the interclub in Puurs. Should be a good time.
Next race is a pro event on Wednesday. There should be at least 20 pros on the start so it will be a fast 170 km no doubt.

Giro d`Italia Photo Set

Sorry for the delay. It took me a while to sift through all of the photos from the day at the Giro. Check out the link for a little summary of the day. Its best if you use the slide show mode....Enjoy
http://www.flickr.com/photos/perstrom/sets/72057594129264028/

Race #5: Grote Prijs Stad Vilvoorde 1.12 Internationale

Here is the article from Het Nieuwsblad. Unfortunatly they got my name as Stromper, this is the most interesting interpretive version of my name to date...

Yesterday I did another Elite race in Vilvoorde just outside of Brussels. This race has a rich tradition in Belgium and used to be a fairly large pro race. My director Willy Teirlenck won this race in his day. The race was 120 km of flat roads. The course was really nice with a basic couple long staights sections, one of which was along a canal and created some hazards with the wind. There was a nice section through the center of the city with a few ripping fast tight corners. At only just over 6km per lap 19 laps had to be completed. 95 riders rolled up to the start and it was a strong field with BodySol, Profel and Sean Kellys Irish U23 team out in full force as well as a host of ex pros on various amatuer teams.
I did a training ride in the morning and knew that I had really good legs. From the start I stayed near the front of the strung out field to avoid crashes and not get in trouble with the wind. An early break went a couple of laps in but it was back within 20 km. I got in a few moves none of which got a true gap and was thinking the race would end in a bunch sprint as nothing was getting away. About halfway through the race a thunderstorm rolled in and the corners started getting pretty scetchy as there were plenty of paint strips to worry about. The pace was super high all day with 45 km/hr being the average and the finishing straight being ridden at 60 km/hr almost every lap. I was finding the pace fast but controllable and my pack riding has definatly improved with the few races I have done this year.
With 4 laps to go things were getting hot at the front. Along the backstretch the pace was high and I knew that if anything was going to go it was now, when the pace was hot and everything was strung out. I was sitting top 20 and saw a couple of riders go, they got a gap and then a couple of others went to bridge. I jumped on and we caught the few others just before a corner, rolled the corner and we had a big gap. It was a good break and we started working to build the gap right away. I was forced to pull through as the group was only 6 riders and within a lap we had 15 seconds on the peleton. With 2 to go 4 guys bridged and we kept the pace high ensuring the breaks success. We were flying and I was on the rivet just thinking about not getting dropped and being there for the finale. With one lap to go we had 16 seconds and it proved to be enough. Out of the final corner everyone launched into the sprint along the long finishing straight. I had no jump out of the corner and despite giving it everything I ended up in 10th. BodySol put in a huge effort the last two laps to try to close and set up their sprinter (Steve from the training rides post), but we stuck it, it was awesome to be in the break and have it be successful. The guy who won is the same rider who won the U23 Tour of Flanders a couple of weeks ago so I was in good company. He rode pro in France last year and now rides for a team out of Roubaix.
With tenth I earned 30 Euros and even got my name in the national newspaper Het Nieuwsblad in an article that summarized the race and named me as one of the original members of the days successful breakaway.
My form is really improving and I feel much better than last year. The team is happy and the racing is fun. This year I feel like I belong here, that I can really race with these guys and that I am learing alot and improving.
On Saturday I have a U23 race in Geraardsbergen, then a pro kermesse on Wednesday and then another interclub on Sunday. Life is good. Thanks for reading!

Day At The Giro!

The spectator team




Yesterday (Sunday) Sammy, Natalie, Tino, Chris and I took a little drive to check out the second stage of this years Giro d´Italia. This year the Giro features the first four stages in the french speaking region of Belgium. Stage 2 was one of the few true sprinters stages and with the start in Mons being only about a 1 hour drive from home it was an easy choice for a way to spend a rainy off day.
We saw the race at several points including the start in Mons, another point outside the city, an intermediate sprint, the top of one of the few climbs of the day and the finish. It was a day of discovery for me as I have never followed a big race before. The people I was with are experienced race spectators and i learned that navigation, good driving skills and quick thinking are key attributes to a succesful veiwing day. Chris was the man with the plan and he did an incredible job, not to mention Sammys excellent driving and parking (parking in Belgium is a big deal, I could do a whole post on parking alone in this country).
It was a great day and I managed to get some good shots of the riders at the various points. The best are seen below, for more check out the Flickr link.

The man in Pink

The drive to the line...Pettachi, McEwen, Pollack

Race # 4: Pamel Kermesse

Christophe drives the pace over the second climb, I am moving to the front on the right to join him for the headwind false flat at the top.

Saturday I did a little local kermesse to fill in the gap in the calender as this past weekend was Provincial championship weekend in Belgium and as a foreign rider I was not allowed to take the start. A number of my teammates also elected to do this race as the chances of us taking home the top spot were high. This race was part of a racing series that is kind of like what a typical Alberta Cat 1-2 race would be. Only 45 riders took the start of the 12 lap 72 km race. It was a great circuit with two climbs and lots of high speed sections. I started out well and was at the front from the gun and got in the days first real move with my teammate Loco after about 3 laps. After only about 1 km of off the front action I heard the sound every rider dreads when the legs are good, I got a flat. The break only had about 10 seconds at this point so I pulled over and was getting ready to walk back to the finish as there were no cars in the race and the only wheel pit was about another km down the road. Just as I pulled over a teammate who was just watching the event as he is currently suffering from bronchitis rolled up gave me his wheels and a sold push start and I was back in the game chasing like mad. After one lap I caught the field again, but at this point I was pretty spent so I sat in for a couple of laps before returning to the front. There was alot of action all day, but in the end Loco and Christophe got in the winning move. I tryed in vain to bridge and ended up in a second chase with my teammate Mario. Our group got caught about 2 laps before the finish. I knew i wouldnt be able to contest a bunch sprint so I lauched with everything I had for 7th place 500 meters from the line to try to go solo, but I was swallowed up after only 100 meters and ended up somewhere near the back of the bunch sprint. It was a good training day and I know that without the wasted energy of the flat I could have done much better. Congrats to Loco for taking his second win in a row.

Chasing back on after the flat

All photos thanks to http://jodeconinck.fotopic.net/c949253.html

Race # 3: Kortenaken-Stok Elite Kermesse

Ready to roll. Jurgen one of the team managers and me.

Yesterday was another elite kermesse. This time the course was a little less technical with only a few really tights corners and 3 or 4 rolling hills per 10 km lap. After some technical problems with my license, some clever taking advantage of their lack of English skills and good luck the commisaires let me start. The problem was that as of May 1 you need a letter from your federation to race internationally. I had brought along a letter of release from Bicisport and showed that in the place of the CCA letter and they didnt know the difference and let me start. I got the CCA letter today though thanks to Andy at the ABA for his swift work. The Konica-Minolta team from South Africa was not so lucky though and they were denied the start as they didnt know about the rule change either. Sean Kellys Irish continental team didnt have a letter, but after some quick calling and signature forging they got their numbers only minutes before the gun. Hectic day for the internationals!

Anyways so after some stress the adrenalin was pumping and I was ready to rip it kermesse style. It was windy so gutter riding was the order of the day and position and breakaways were going to be the key for the entire 120 km race. The peleton was huge at 197 riders and I was sitting really well and feeling good for the first hour. Speeds were crazy all day hitting 60 on the flats and averaging 43 for the race. Wind doesnt really mean a slow race, just alot harder...The early break went but it was back faster than a Texan in Nunavut. Finally a solid group of twenty was up the road and I was in the mix trying to get across. I started to see more of the big names at the front so I stayed top twenty and started playing the bridging group lottery. Profel, Unibet and Colba were out in full force and they were running the show up front and I was just jumping on wheels trying to get away. In the end I managed to get in the second group and we stayed just over a minute back from the break and ended up 6 minutes up on the peleton by the second last lap resulting in the peleton getting pulled and my sailing in to 42nd position.

I felt really good, pulling through in the chase paceline. At one point we were only about 20 seconds down on the break. It was another solid race and I felt much better than on Saturday. The team was happy and things are looking good for the future races.

Tomorrow I have a little 70 km circuit race to ride, should be a good time. The laps are pretty short with two solid poppers so I hope I wake up with the good legs in the morning.

Thanks for reading.

The lead car has some serious modifications...
The life of a team manager...Tino at work

The break. Colba, Colba and more Colba. They won the race in the end.

Training Notes

Thought I would post a few words about training. I have been doing some moderate paced rides with my new training group between races the last week and the group consists of some pretty high profile individuals. On wednesday I rode for3 hours with Bert Roesems of Davitamon Lotto. He was leaving for the Giro d'Italia that evening so it was his last training ride at home before he was off to the races. I was amazing riding beside one of the strongest riders from this early season. He has had some very impressive performances in the Pro Tour spring classics, but to see how normal he is and down to earth was a good experience. That ride consisted of a 1.5 hour coffee stop at the square in Aalst as the weather was just too good not to according to Roesems. I have also been riding with my teammate Chris Willems, 3 different Chocolade Jacques guys, some BodySol riders including Steve who is a U23 on the Belgian national track program for the Bejing olympics and rider as a sprinter on the road. I had a good chat with him on the coffee stop today and he remebered Zach Bell and the rest of the Canadians from some of the stops on this years world cup. He thinks Martin Gilbert is a blithering idiot though...I have watched footage of the guy torturing sea lions so I would have to agree. Otherwise the group also consists of Penne from Colba and others that seem to come and go with the wind as the ride progresses.
I love group riding here. Its always a fast, but steady pace. No one attacks or half wheels, mutual respect all around. The strongest guys are known to all and they get the front spots in the two up formation. If you are slow or feeling weak you sit at the back and stay there. There is virutally no rotation, the strong guys who want to train and can keep the pace in the wind sit at the front the entire day. I also love the roads and car culture. You can ride two up taking a lane or even the entire road on the field roads and cars never honk. They simply wait there turn to pass. Cyclists here have rights and unlike in Canada their rights are respected. Group riding here also involves high speed riding through towns and that means crafty riding on and off sidewalks, lots of car dodging and more close calls than I have in a year at home. Its a great time!

Flanders in Colour

All of these pics are from a recovery ride along the Dender to Geraardsbergen and back. Above is a scene along the Dender, the canal in Geraardsbergen and the city square. Note that Geraardsbergen is the home of the Muur from the Tour Of Flanders. Stay tuned for a little tour of the Muur coming soon.

Flemish Culinary Delights: Macaroni

Baked macaroni with four cheese sauce and sliced ham. Served piping hot in a ceramic pot. This was one meal I almost had a hard time finishing it was so rich, but incredibly delicious. I love how this dish is just so straight forward, but puts any Mac & Cheese I have ever had before off the charts in the wrong direction. I love the food here, its quality all the way no matter what you order.

A day at the races

On Monday I was a little tired from the late night at the 60th wedding anniversary party, it finished at 5am. On top of that the weather was bunk and the closest Elite race was 20 km away, I figured riding 20 km doing 120 km of racing and riding home was not a good call in the cold rain and with Tino going with the team truck to the VWF race for the older team members it was a day off at the races for me.
Here are some pics from what turned out to be a very successful day with the team taking the win and several others in the top ten.

Checking on the action from the Cafe window

Loco takes the win, solo with an attack in the last 2 km.

The man and the spoils

Back in the truck the director and the star of the day discuss the days strong performance, a happy bunch.

Around Town

Check the time....Tic Tac Pontiac

Flemish Culinary Delights: Croque

Croque Hawaii

Croque is a common ´´snack`` in Belgian restaurants and tea rooms. Its actually a good size meal, but here they call alot of things snacks including spagetti with meat sauce.
Croque comes in many variations all with several common components. Croque is always composed of 2 slices of bread with cheese and some sort of meat in between. This is then grilled so the cheese melts and the bread is toasted. Salad is commonly served as a side. Among the variations are Croque Monseaur (ham and cheese, basic Croque), Croque Madame (basic plus two fried eggs on top), Croque Hawaii (basic plus pine apple inside and on top, see picture), Croque Bolognaise (basic plus meatsauce on top, other picture), Croque Ardennaise (with bacon), Corque Milano (basic with pesto and italian smoked ham) plus many others including the special at Kaffepotje which is with smoked salmon and camembert cheese.

Croque Bolognaise

Race #2 Denderhoutem Elite z/c & U23 Kermesse

Good thing I went to Belgium, if I was in Calgary I still wont have seen the start of the season. My thoughts are with you all who were robbed of a rip around that race track.
On Saturday I lined up to my first kermesse of the year. The weather was a chilly 12 degrees and the wind was rolling in from the west at a good clip. The course was 120 km on 8 km laps with more corners than an entire Alberta road season would ever see and very narrow, lots of one car wide roads and no flat sections longer than a couple hundred meters. 170 riders rolled up to the start and the scene was set for another great day at the races.
This was a huge field for the roads we were racing on so position was vital. I started right in the middle of the peleton and worked for the first half of the race just to maintain position and stay out of trouble. After about 70 km a 12 man break was up the road and the heat was on at the front to get things going to either bring them back or get out of the peleton and up the road. This was my cue to call the front lines and after a lap of darting around, hopping on trains and sidewalk and gutter riding I was sitting pretty at the front trying to get in on the action. By this time half the peleton was gone and about 90 riders remained. I was trying to pick my battles going with riders from teams I knew were strong (Flanders, Unibet - Davo, PictoFlex, Josan, Colba). The pace was hot and after some time jumping on wheels to no benefit other than not getting dropped from the ever diminishing peleton I had to drop back and take a break for a bit. Sure enough a group of about 20 ended up forming just up the road and that was that. I road the rest of the race at the front of the second group. I had the speedo going and thought the race was coming to a close a lap early so with about a km to go I attacked, got a good gap and along with a couple of others thought I might take the group, but as we came to the line one lap to go was announced so much for 114 km, it ended up being 120. I hung on the last lap and finished in about 45th position.
It was a solid performance that I was reasonably happy with. I was happy that I felt strong enough to get in on the action and finish, but not happy about missing the 20 man split late in the race.
A Jartazi rider from Britian ended up taking the race. 40 km/hr average.