El_Cid
Reged: 02/08/2007
Posts: 1499
Loc: Ilkley, Yorks
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Just entered Tour of Flanders 2009 sportive, the day before the big event. 259km (160m) of wind, rain, bergs and muurs.
Not done it before, so any info, tips , advice much appreciated.
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"TODAY, WE RIDE"
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wuverley
Reged: 16/05/2008
Posts: 4043
Loc: Man of Kent
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You know this already, El Cid, I expect, but general advice to anyone visiting Belgium. Don't drink a lot of Trappist beer the night before you want to go riding. Its very strong.
And don't drink the dregs at the bottom of the bottle, it will make you ill, big time.
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Invicta
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bigoldsideofham
Reged: 23/12/2007
Posts: 2288
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chappeu EL CID - a man of iron!
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sherer
Reged: 07/07/2008
Posts: 21
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i was thinking of entering this with my mate. Never ridden that far before though and think it will be a massive challenge for me but could be a lot of fun too
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bfergie
Reged: 19/04/2008
Posts: 3653
Loc: Sticks ,Scotlandshire
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Le tour has Didi the devil...El cid will have to watch out for this chap!!!
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I now accept PAYPAL!!!!
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tvrbird
Reged: 21/06/2008
Posts: 1135
Loc: slumped over the keyboard
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You have waaaaaaaaaay too much time on your hands...is it raining up there perchance?
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What doesn't kill us makes us stronger - Friedrich Nietzsche (German Hill Climb Champion and sub-19 man)
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bfergie
Reged: 19/04/2008
Posts: 3653
Loc: Sticks ,Scotlandshire
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Ooooooh yes. Very rainy!!!
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I now accept PAYPAL!!!!
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Bluebeard
Reged: 27/03/2008
Posts: 527
Loc: Brixton innit
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I'm going over to do a (theoretically) more sedate trip for the week - as I won't get across until the Saturday afternoon, I've to give the Sportive a miss. I'm aiming at watching the three big races, and cycle about and between, including many of the Muurs and Bergs, so can I echo El-Cid and ask if there is any other non-Trappist related advice?
Any recommendation of tyres for the cobbled hills for example? And where and when should I get tickets for the Velodrome for the end of Paris Roubaix: I heard that there is a great atmosphere there and that the race is presented on a big screen in it, so it sounds like the perfect rounding off for the week.
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You can take a bike to water but you cannot make it drink
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Nico
Reged: 30/08/2006
Posts: 9
Loc: London, UK
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Extra padding for you handlebars! We did it last year and saw water bottles flying off, etc. Some riders put masking tape around the bottle to it fit more snuggly in the holder. Tighten everything! Make sure your seat is tight! We changed from 21mm tyres to Gatorskins 25mm at 90psi. Saw us all the way with no mishap, even on the slippery pave.
The cobblestones are tough on the bike and your bum, hands and shoulders. Try not to hold onto the bars too tight, one of our riders felt more secure doing that, but suffered with stiff shoulders and weak grip for a few days after.
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Lunicus Cycle Club - LCC
Website: www.lunicuscc.co.uk
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ACatNamedBugno
Reged: 27/06/2008
Posts: 166
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Bluebeard, I've been over to see Paris-Roubaix the last 10 or so years and ended up at the velodrome every time. No need to buy tickets for the cheap 'seats' as it's completely open access, but best to turn up early if you want a decent view. Not sure how you go about getting into the segregated area directly adjacent to the finishing line, but view is equally good elsewhere. My personal favourite, especially if arriving less than an hour before the finish, is to head for the bend immediately after the line and squeeze under the barriers onto the top of a steep slope - you can sit down here and get a great view.
If you've got the time, head for Compiegene and the team presentation on the saturday, see the start on the Sunday and then head to Troisvilles (first Pave sector), then Solesmes (feed station), another sector near Valenciennes, a great sector at Orchies and then head for the velodrome. Wallers-Arenberg is great, but murder to get into and out of. Do some route planning first as the velodrome is a ba*tard to find... Happy viewing!
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