Lembeek - Halle

Yesterday I rode 35 km to a race just outside Halle in Lembeek. Another day, another kermesse. This time however I was pleased to see a course offering a great deal of climbing and equally a great deal of tight and narrow roads on the descents in contrast to the relatively flat and none selective courses of late.
The race started well. I felt really comfortable in the bunch, never under pressure on the climbs. The corners on the descent felt fast and smooth, no problems at all. I felt really good in the last race in Drongen and I was hoping that I was brewing some good form. Half way through the race I got away with 5 others in a fairly strong break. Some of the guys were losing it on the climbs, but we held a healthy gap for just over a lap when we were joined by a riders from Palmans and the current elite national champ from Davitamon-Win for Life. At this point I thought we may have sealed the deal as these were likely two of the strongest riders in the race. Unfortunately the departure of these two from the peleton must have caused somewhat of a panic as the peleton was back on us soon after. From there the race was uneventful for me. I missed the move that stuck and with about 2 km to go I rolled a fast corner on the front of my group and slid out. Yes, I crashed...myself. Three other guys went down behind me as the group flew past. Aside from some hefty road rash, a broken shoe buckle and shredded shorts I am fine. 37th place, no prize money and a 35km ride alone back to the house later I was ready for a rest. One of the longer days this year.
This week is a heavy one with another hilly race on Wednesday, a crit in the evening on Friday and then a super hilly interclub on Sunday.
Today I went to Van Eyck in Aalst to get some bits for my busted up bike and afterwards I just happened to roll through the square when I stumbled upon a teammate and the usual suspects in the middle of their day of training on a terrace. After two hours and a few coffees I joined them for 50km as Roesems and Penne beat each other up on the front with some tempo efforts and Kenny and his sougnier challenged each other to sprints all the way to Gooik. What a day.
Tomorrow I am going to tell you about a little place called Aldi...