Vive le Velo

These last few days have been somewhat irregular from what you might expect of a rider based in Belgium...I did a training block. This week was race poor with time trial provincial championships and top competitions occupying that majority of the calender. After my solid race on Sunday and a day off to check out the tour on Monday I embarked on a three day training block to spike the form for some big races to come in the next few weeks. Tuesday I started things off with a 3 hour blast in the Pajot, taking in some of the best the immediate area has to offer. Then on Wednesday I turned to Wallonia for my riding pleasure and discovered some incredible roads in the Edingen area. At one point I turned off the main road and up a narrow climb into a thick forest only to find myself in a seemingly endless grid of well groomed mansions along perfectly paved roads in what started to give me the sensation of an enchanted forest. It was straight out of a Cannondale television add, far to perfect to be real. After 4 hours of exploration I stopped by the Sportzone for an espresso and to witness Thor take his stage.
Yesterday I awoke to the prospect of 5 hours and began to formulate a plan to set an idea into motion. I had been looking at my map and had deducted that France was within reasonable pedaling distance from my home base. With a route planned to Ninove-Brakel-Ronse-Tournai and finally the French border I set out into a brisk headwind and gloomy conditions threatening rain. Within 2.5 hours I hit the French border and began to enjoy my first experience of France. Northern France with rain and wind, my experience was all too authentic. I saw a sign to Roubaix after I had passed through a few towns on the French side, only ten kilometers, but by then the ride time was reaching 3:45 and I had to head home. I will get to Roubaix and the velodrome before the summer is over. After precisely 5.5 hours I was back at the Sportzone to watch the last 30km of the Tour stage Belgium would sooner forget. 31.5 km/hr average speed over rolling roads with plenty of wind was confirmation of the incredible form I am starting to feel right now. Now to put that form onto paper with some results in the following races to come:
15/7 - Borsbeke 1.12B Elite z/c
16/7 - Strijpen 1.12B Elite z/c
19/7 - Ninove Elite m/c & z/c (pro kermesse)
21/7 - Merchtem 1.12B Elite z/c
25/7 - Kerksten 1.12B Elite z/c
27/7 - Dilbeek 1.12B Elite z/c
29/7 - Pollare 1.12A Elite z/c
30/7 - Itterbeek 1.12 Elite z/c
If we get the chance in there somewhere we are going to do a 200+km ride to the coast and back to eat Mussels.
To keep the suspense level high at p.productions this last week of my calender could be turned completely upside down and sideways by an exciting development, but that prospect hasn't officially landed yet so stay tuned...