Tour de Flandres for amateur cyclists...

[papaver]

Today it was the absolute D-day of the year for amateur cyclists. It was the Tour of Flanders (or de Ronde van Vlaanderen as we call it) for amateurs. You could choose between 75, 140 or the entire 250 km. 19.000 people participated.

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee261/fattiebert/2009-04-04Ronde2009thuis027.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee261/fattiebert/2009-04-04Ronde2009thuis028.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee261/fattiebert/2009-04-04Ronde2009thuis030.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee261/fattiebert/2009-04-04Ronde2009thuis026.jpg

Tomorrow it's the real thing. Who will win? I hope Tom Boonen, but I think Pozzato... :)

The 31st of May it's the Tour de Flandres for amateur women...

[shootingstar]

How much of the longest route is over cobblestone?

Am imagining the "joy" of going up a narrow route up a rise that's cobblestone with a pack of cyclists --particularily if it's raining. :p

[papaver]

How much of the longest route is over cobblestone?

Am imagining the "joy" of going up a narrow route up a rise that's cobblestone with a pack of cyclists --particularily if it's raining. :p
It's about 35-40 kms of cobblestones... so it's not too bad. :D

[redrhodie]

Thanks for posting those! Did you ride?

[papaver]

Thanks for posting those! Did you ride?
Nope, next year i'll do the 140 kms like last year. These are pics made today by a cycling buddy.

It's only the 5th year that they organise a tour for regular cyclists. 1/10th of the participants came from the UK, Australia, the States, Japan, Russia...

[papaver]

The official site (it's in English too)

http://www.rvv.be/

Last year the weather was horrible.

Here are some official pics...
http://www.sport.be/lottocyclingtour/2008/fotospecial/?fotospecial_id=4065&foto_order=1&language_id=1


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mzVle4lFb4

The real tour

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mp6gc01qLu0

[Tuckervill]

I wonder how long it took 19,000 cyclists to cross the start line. :eek:

Karen

[maillotpois]

Very cool! Thanks for posting those!


(GO GEORGE!! :D )

[Zen]

(GO GEORGE!! :D )

Here's hoping he's learned this is not the place for carbon wheels (http://bikesnobnyc.blogspot.com/2008/04/ducks-in-row-foiled-at-roubaix.html) :rolleyes:

[papaver]

I wonder how long it took 19,000 cyclists to cross the start line. :eek:

Karen


There were different starting places for each distance and different starting hours too. But still...

[Thorn]

I really love those photos. If I lived a little closer, I'd sign up to ride in an instant. What a neat idea.

[tctrek]

Great pics! Thanks for sharing!

[papaver]

what a beautiful race today and a great winner (the same as last year)

1. Stijn Devolder (BEL)
2. Haussler (AUS/GER)
3. Philippe Gilbert (BEL)

:):):)

Next week the mother of all races: Paris Roubaix. 65 kms of cobblestones.


You can watch the crucial fase of the race here...

http://www.deredactie.be/cm/de.redactie/mediatheek/1.501740?mode=popupplayer


You'll have to be quick to watch it, it'll be gone tomorrow...

[endurancerider]

but what happened to Hincapie?!!

[redrhodie]

but what happened to Hincapie?!!

I hope it's okay for more spoilers--he fell in the sprint.

Once again, his bad luck tugs at my heart.