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.