More Video

Lance put together a nice video compilation of racing in Flanders this year.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRHQ2nf7TP4
I'm even in there briefly on a few occasions.

recovery

First day back in the states, I do a two hour ride and get a flat. Didn't get a single flat in ten days in Belgium...
So, this reminded me of a conversation I had in Belgium about the differences in racing categories. In the US, we have 5 categories of amateur racers (for adult men, women have 4). In Belgium, it's 2, literally newbies (that's the translation) and everyone else (elite). Of course there's also masters, juniors, U23, etc.
One would think that with a larger racing community, this wouldn't be the case. But what I think it speaks to is the American need to be rewarded for our efforts. As we progress from new racer to elite, we are rewarded along the way with a new status. Why not have 2 categories (newbies and elites)? Many races already do this, by offering just two fields 1/2/3 and 4/5. Fields would be bigger, and more profitable for promoters (who are often lucky to break even). Of course, that would probably lead to more DNFs, which leads to more problems (it's amazing how many riders complain about being listed as DNF in results...)

last day in Gent

So, for my last day I decided to just do a long ride. It was raining, but somehow I don't mind riding in the rain here. I got my ass handed to me in the races, but I don't care, it's still loads of fun. Considering how out of shape I've been the last two seasons (ok, really five), it's great training for taking some fitness into the off season.
I'm going to go on again about why young, talented riders need to come here to race. There is nothing outside of a pro race that's anywhere near this hard in the states. And even then, these races can be hard for many pros. There are races just about every day within driving distance, and every race can be 2.5 hours of torture if you're good enough. There are so many young riders from the UK, Australia, and New Zealand that come here to race, because they know it will help them get to the next level. It was great to see Booey here, maybe it's an indicator that we'll see more young talent come over instead of us old guys.
Oh yeah, I also want to point out that the races I did this year are among the less technical. It was kind of disappointing to not get video of one of the really technical courses.

Rumbeke

Rumbeke was probably my best previous effort here, even though the result doesn't show it. I had spent the first half of the race at the front, until my knee started hurting again. I went from the front of the race to the back pretty quick, and my race was over. This time it didn't go that well. A lot of guys letting gaps open and sitting up. It was raining, so maybe that was part of it. Anyway, I lasted I think 4 laps. I went back, changed, and Lance was done too.
Anyway, it was a late race and we ended up hitting a lot of traffic on the way there. Friday in August vacation traffic! We weren't sure we would make it, but we rolled in just before registration ended. 118 riders. As we rushed to get dressed, I hear "Breakaway". Booey Hottenstein rolls up. He's over here too and he's doing pretty well. It's great to see a young talent like that getting some real racing exposure. We need to bring more young talented riders over here.

Koppenberg

Tomorrow is Rumbeke. Finally a real kermesse course. If I recall correctly, there are a couple dozen turns there. So far I've only managed to hit races with few turns or cobbles, looking forward to getting video of it. So today I did a long easy 60 mile ride to Oudenaarde and the Koppenberg. I put the camera on my helmet and recorded it, or so I thought... Anyway, 500m of rough cobbles at a max gradient of 22%. I didn't think I'd make it, but took it slow and steady in my 42x23. I don't see how the pros make it up it in the rain. However, the fast, technically descent on the backside is nice asphalt, even if it's only about 8 feet wide. The Kemmelberg I think is harder, especially with it's downhill cobbles which are arguably tougher that the downhill.
I also stopped for lunch in Oudenaarde and then the Centre Ronde van Vlaanderen. Very cool museum of Ronde memorabilia.

Beernem

So yesterday I decided to rest and do a ride out to Beernem and watch Lance race after he took the day before off. It was the only race in the area, and that showed, with 218 riders! I almost registered just to ride in that large a field. Most people expected nothing would get away on a very open course with such a large field, but indeed a break did get away early, eventually growing to a group of about 40. Seeing over a hundred guys strung out single file was awesome!

Dadizele

Only race today, back in West Flanders. Turns out it's a big one. Pays to 50 and sprints every lap for both money and points towards a Ridley frame. Great, as if these aren't hard enough, have to make them into a points race. Close to 100 guys, including some french team - several teams represented with team cars, managers, etc. Seriously.
Two minutes in, first climb and I'm shooting off the back. I mean I am full on sprinting up this hill and going backwards. WTF. But as I get to the top I realize they aren't pulling away from me any more and I bury myself to catch back on. Barely make it and dying for basically the next 40 minutes. I really have very little recollection other than OMG, this f-ing hurts. So I last a little longer, but I don't even know how many laps I did.
Tomorrow a long ride to Brugge, and maybe do a kermesse on the way back, I mean why not?