Tour de Flandres for amateur cyclists...

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04-04-2009, 07:22 AM
papaver

Tour of Flanders for amateur cyclists...

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/e...09thuis027.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/e...09thuis028.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/e...09thuis030.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/e...09thuis026.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...
04-04-2009, 07:33 AM
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
04-04-2009, 07:46 AM
papaver

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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

It's about 35-40 kms of cobblestones... so it's not too bad. :D
04-04-2009, 07:48 AM
redrhodie

Thanks for posting those! Did you ride?
04-04-2009, 07:53 AM
papaver

Quote:

Originally Posted by redrhodie

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...
04-04-2009, 07:56 AM
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...&language_id=1

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

The real tour

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mp6gc01qLu0
04-04-2009, 03:10 PM
Tuckervill

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

Karen
04-04-2009, 03:13 PM
maillotpois

Very cool! Thanks for posting those!

(GO GEORGE!! :D )
04-04-2009, 05:16 PM
Zen

Quote:

Originally Posted by maillotpois

(GO GEORGE!! :D )

Here's hoping he's learned this is not the place for carbon wheels :rolleyes:
04-04-2009, 11:23 PM
papaver

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tuckervill

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...
04-05-2009, 05:20 AM
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.
04-05-2009, 05:29 AM
tctrek

Great pics! Thanks for sharing!
04-05-2009, 06:22 AM
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.redac...de=popupplayer

You'll have to be quick to watch it, it'll be gone tomorrow...
04-05-2009, 02:40 PM
endurancerider

oh man

but what happened to Hincapie?!!
04-05-2009, 04:52 PM
redrhodie

Quote:

Originally Posted by endurancerider

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.