Gent wasn't that far from Gavere, maybe 15 minutes in kind of heavy traffic.
Traffic in Belgium is odd; in a good way. Everything is so much more fluid. There really aren't too many stop signs. You just look for the yield at the intersection and act accordingly. It's like a continuous "no cop. no stop." zone. Add to that the roundabouts instead of light controlled intersections. It's like you brake, but never have to come to a complete stop - like some sort of automotive shark.
The driving on the freeways is better too. People stay out of the left lane unless they are going fast. If you come up behind someone, they pull over. The major roads have three lanes. The trucks stay in the two right ones. Did I mention there didn't appear to be a speed limit? Yeah, when you got closer to places, there were signs giving you a speed to consider, but out on the freeway, you could go as you feel. There were always a few Porsches or Mercedes or big Audis to remind you that you could go faster if you wanted.
So I didn't exactly know where I was going in Gent. I had looked at the location of the Cyclingnews Apartment on Google Earth, but the resolution of those satellite images is terrible, so I couldn't really tell much as far as the scale of the city.
When I was in Hasselt, one of the tasks I completed was e-mailing my Europhone number to Emma and Peter. Luckily, they called me on the way in. I had the apartment number somewhere if I needed it.
With Emma on the phone, I drove around looking for landmarks and streets to identify my 10-20, good buddy. It took us way longer than it should have. Street signs in Gent and most of Belgium are terrible. They're these white panels that get posted on the corner of buildings. Most of the names are really long and end in -straat. The font they use is blocky and non-serifed, so reading it as you're rolling by at 20 mph is impossible. Plus, there are two train stations and two Sint Peters to look out for as landmarks. It took us about 30 minutes, and I had passed as close as about 3 blocks from where they were. (It was across a canal though.)
She finally steered me into Koning (King) Albert's Park, where there's an underground parking garage. I grabbed my bags and headed for the apartment. Having to pee really really badly, (5 cups of beer at the race), I was very relieved to see the outdoor urinal there by City Hall. It's kind of like a small bus stop with wrap around "wings" for some modesty, but you're still out in the open. Stad (city) Gent's are really nice. Stainless, frosted glass, a little civic logo. Wonderful. The bummer was it doesn't look like they had been serviced all week. They were already overflowing with pee. I was too desparate to do anything other than add to the overflow. Rain would take care of it. There's no way I would have made it to the apartment dragging my bags around.
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Superprestige Gavere - Postrace
So I had bought too many beer tickets. I headed into the beer tent at the front of the castle (not very impressive btw - newish. More estate like.) I passed on picking up some Jenever, and brought an extra beer back to the Bakers. Not surprisingly, Jon turned it down, but Cyndi and Bakerdad were happy to put it away. :)
It turns out that they were right across from Jonathan Page, so I went to say hi. He was talking to a young guy about the race and his situation. He wasn't very happy. I can't remember if he finished his race, but he definitely had a bad one. Apparently at one descent he had hit the blow-up barrier and got wedged under it with his bike on top of him. No fun.
During this time, a Sunweb-Projob apparelled dude tried to get JP to step into his mobile home to discuss things. Jonathan wouldn't have it. It was his space, and his family was inside. There was a bit more talking around. His wife Kari was there with a baby in a front pack. She was chiding me (not really joking) for spending vacation in Belgium in the fall to watch bike racing. "Aren't there sunny and warm places you could have gone?" The serious talks were going on around, and someone says something about Mario, and I turn around and I'm standing next to Mario DeClerq. It took me a second to sync the photos to the man I was looking at. He's a cross racing legend, and seemed to be the only one on the SW/PJ team that was being supportive of Jonathan.
Unfortunately, their mobile home was stuck in the mud. About 10 of us pushed on the back and got the JPmobile and another SW/PJ rider free.
The younger guy that was there was Cyclingnews correspondent Brech DeCaluwe. If I had known, I would have told him that I was going to be staying in the CN apartment in Gent that night. He ended up writing a report on the blowup between JP and SW/PJ.
Once they were underway, I knocked on the JPmobile and asked for a ride back to my car since it was about 1.5 miles away and I had been on my feet all day. They were happy to oblige me. I spent the time chatting with them about me, my boys, cross racing, and their situation. At that point in time, they were "off" of the SW/PJ team. Willing to be poor in order to be in control of their situation. Good for them. I expected them to actually follow through, but a few days later, things were patched up somewhat, and the contract was shortened to end after the current season.
I really hope that Jonathan can get some good results and salvage his season. He's been sick, and had some bad accidents, and has been under the pressure of a nightmare team boss. Apparently all the other riders feel the same way, but haven't been the focus of the pressure. After all, JP was the runner up at worlds, and is the foreigner on the team. He's not allowed to slide the same way that Sven Vantourenhout or Tom Vanoppen is. The thing is, he's an awesome rep for a sponsor. Even with all the turmoil going on around him, he was focusing completely on 3 little boys that had come for autographs. Genuinely enthusiastic high-fives for them. On the way back to my car, we got stopped in front of a busy restaurant with big windows. It's not like he could hide or sulk in the camper. It's plastered with SW/PJ stickers and his name on it. Instead, he was hamming it up and waving for the restaurant audience. Incredible.
After wishing them well with his future career prospects. (Everyone in the camper expected him to be "unsponsored" for the next race at Koksidje.) He let me off and I shuffled back to my car and steered for the shortish drive to Gent, the Cyclingnews apartment, and Emma and Peter. What a fun day!
It turns out that they were right across from Jonathan Page, so I went to say hi. He was talking to a young guy about the race and his situation. He wasn't very happy. I can't remember if he finished his race, but he definitely had a bad one. Apparently at one descent he had hit the blow-up barrier and got wedged under it with his bike on top of him. No fun.
During this time, a Sunweb-Projob apparelled dude tried to get JP to step into his mobile home to discuss things. Jonathan wouldn't have it. It was his space, and his family was inside. There was a bit more talking around. His wife Kari was there with a baby in a front pack. She was chiding me (not really joking) for spending vacation in Belgium in the fall to watch bike racing. "Aren't there sunny and warm places you could have gone?" The serious talks were going on around, and someone says something about Mario, and I turn around and I'm standing next to Mario DeClerq. It took me a second to sync the photos to the man I was looking at. He's a cross racing legend, and seemed to be the only one on the SW/PJ team that was being supportive of Jonathan.
Unfortunately, their mobile home was stuck in the mud. About 10 of us pushed on the back and got the JPmobile and another SW/PJ rider free.
The younger guy that was there was Cyclingnews correspondent Brech DeCaluwe. If I had known, I would have told him that I was going to be staying in the CN apartment in Gent that night. He ended up writing a report on the blowup between JP and SW/PJ.
Once they were underway, I knocked on the JPmobile and asked for a ride back to my car since it was about 1.5 miles away and I had been on my feet all day. They were happy to oblige me. I spent the time chatting with them about me, my boys, cross racing, and their situation. At that point in time, they were "off" of the SW/PJ team. Willing to be poor in order to be in control of their situation. Good for them. I expected them to actually follow through, but a few days later, things were patched up somewhat, and the contract was shortened to end after the current season.
I really hope that Jonathan can get some good results and salvage his season. He's been sick, and had some bad accidents, and has been under the pressure of a nightmare team boss. Apparently all the other riders feel the same way, but haven't been the focus of the pressure. After all, JP was the runner up at worlds, and is the foreigner on the team. He's not allowed to slide the same way that Sven Vantourenhout or Tom Vanoppen is. The thing is, he's an awesome rep for a sponsor. Even with all the turmoil going on around him, he was focusing completely on 3 little boys that had come for autographs. Genuinely enthusiastic high-fives for them. On the way back to my car, we got stopped in front of a busy restaurant with big windows. It's not like he could hide or sulk in the camper. It's plastered with SW/PJ stickers and his name on it. Instead, he was hamming it up and waving for the restaurant audience. Incredible.
After wishing them well with his future career prospects. (Everyone in the camper expected him to be "unsponsored" for the next race at Koksidje.) He let me off and I shuffled back to my car and steered for the shortish drive to Gent, the Cyclingnews apartment, and Emma and Peter. What a fun day!
Superprestige Gavere - Race
I settled on a corner right before the muddy downhill. The crowds were way thicker than the Hasselt race. I'm not sure if it's a population difference, or if the race was just that much more important. The racers were all the same, so I'd just guess that it's closer to more people. Maybe it's a race with more "tradition". I'll never know.
My spot also had a view of the mobile jumbotron screen they had set up. Very good. So the racers made their corner without too much incident, but there were a few bumbles on the steeper and muddier section just after where I was.
I hung out there for the first two laps and then headed out for other vistas. The people were so thick that I couldn't really improve on my previous location. Bleh.
I did what I could, and started thinking I needed a beer. There was a nifty little tent with an elevated floor and a decent view of two spots on the course. The bad news was that you needed tickets for stuff. And they didn't sell them there. So I hiked around the corner to a different (and bigger) beer tent and bought my tickets and two beers. Due to a math error, I actually bought more tickets than I wanted.
Armed with beer, I headed back to the course to watch the battle. I set up in view of the jumbotron and at the corner right after the pits on the way to the finish.
I saw the critical part. There were 6 of them. Klaas, Sven, Bart, Ervin, and Mourey, with Niels dangling off the back. Sven hadn't had the best start, so much of the race he was working his way to the front. He got there just in time. I don't think he joined these leaders until the last lap. Would he have enough matches to burn after working so hard? The five desended, and then single file along the bottom of the course, Vervecken attacked. He got a lead of about 5 bike lenghts ahead of the group. Bart was in second position. Francis M was kind of patrolling the front. And then came the attack. Sven came from 3rd or 4th position and then just killed them. KEEELED them. In the last 1/3 of the last lap, Sven put nearly 30 seconds into the best riders in the world. He just stormed up the hill. Bart was last one through, went into the pits, grabbed a fresh bike, and was able to make the podium by getting around Vervecken and Vantornout at the top once things got flat. Mourey was able to hold Bart off in the avenue to claim second.
Based on his poor start, I was optimistic that Sven Nys might not win this race. That this would be the one to unseat him. Bart and Klaas had a decent amount of time on the front. Maybe they could have made a break. The funny thing about this race was that in spite of the mud and the climb, I don't think I ever saw a male racer get off his bike. They were strong enough to just power up the muddy climb. However, he just kicked everyone in the teeth and showed them his ass. I think on a course with that much riding and technical skills on top of it, Sven is near unbeatable. The crowd let out a big cheer when he crossed the line, but the race was over when he started his attack. Business as usual for Sven.
My spot also had a view of the mobile jumbotron screen they had set up. Very good. So the racers made their corner without too much incident, but there were a few bumbles on the steeper and muddier section just after where I was.
I hung out there for the first two laps and then headed out for other vistas. The people were so thick that I couldn't really improve on my previous location. Bleh.
I did what I could, and started thinking I needed a beer. There was a nifty little tent with an elevated floor and a decent view of two spots on the course. The bad news was that you needed tickets for stuff. And they didn't sell them there. So I hiked around the corner to a different (and bigger) beer tent and bought my tickets and two beers. Due to a math error, I actually bought more tickets than I wanted.
Armed with beer, I headed back to the course to watch the battle. I set up in view of the jumbotron and at the corner right after the pits on the way to the finish.
I saw the critical part. There were 6 of them. Klaas, Sven, Bart, Ervin, and Mourey, with Niels dangling off the back. Sven hadn't had the best start, so much of the race he was working his way to the front. He got there just in time. I don't think he joined these leaders until the last lap. Would he have enough matches to burn after working so hard? The five desended, and then single file along the bottom of the course, Vervecken attacked. He got a lead of about 5 bike lenghts ahead of the group. Bart was in second position. Francis M was kind of patrolling the front. And then came the attack. Sven came from 3rd or 4th position and then just killed them. KEEELED them. In the last 1/3 of the last lap, Sven put nearly 30 seconds into the best riders in the world. He just stormed up the hill. Bart was last one through, went into the pits, grabbed a fresh bike, and was able to make the podium by getting around Vervecken and Vantornout at the top once things got flat. Mourey was able to hold Bart off in the avenue to claim second.
Based on his poor start, I was optimistic that Sven Nys might not win this race. That this would be the one to unseat him. Bart and Klaas had a decent amount of time on the front. Maybe they could have made a break. The funny thing about this race was that in spite of the mud and the climb, I don't think I ever saw a male racer get off his bike. They were strong enough to just power up the muddy climb. However, he just kicked everyone in the teeth and showed them his ass. I think on a course with that much riding and technical skills on top of it, Sven is near unbeatable. The crowd let out a big cheer when he crossed the line, but the race was over when he started his attack. Business as usual for Sven.
Superprestige Gavere - Schmooze
The rider lots at Gavere were laid out in three sections, so it wasn't quite as compact as Hasselt. It actually took me a while to find the last section. It just seemed like some campers were missing - Nys, Vervecken, Vardaros. heh.
Since I threatened to come by after the race, I made good on that promise and once I found the Vanderkitten camper, stopped by. Christine and Jonas (her soigneur, driver, and companion - see blog) were there, and two other Americans - Gary and Betty from NorCal. They were in Yurp visiting a son in Germany and went to catch some racing. I think they knew Christine from the NorCal scene, because they were avid bikers and even racers. They were in Europe for a good while (months?).
Christine was awesome enough to invite us into her medium sized camper, and we hung out and chatted about the race, biking, and general fun stuff. Christine put on some squash soup and laid out bread and was dying to be the hostess. I didn't come there to mooch, but she was so insistent, and I never ever turn down pumpkin/squash/sweet potato soup.
Talking to her was pretty cool. She's done some cool things with her life. Living the dream. I'm totally impressed. She's also a sponsor's dream. She seeks out sponsorship opportunities for things that she believes in, and then really pushes them. She's vegan, and a correspondent for several health, women's, veg, and animal rights publications.
ProBar was the example of the day. She insisted that we have some samples, and talked at lenght about how great they were. "Like a different treat with each bite!" I tried the sample a few days later, and she was right. Vee-gun, yet still terrribly tasty.
After a bit, I checked out of mobile hotel Vanderkitten, and ran into the Baker clan prepping for the Men's race. More fun chats with Cyndi, Jon on the trainer, and his dad, prepping for the pit work. It was getting close to race time, so I headed back to the course to stake out a location.
Since I threatened to come by after the race, I made good on that promise and once I found the Vanderkitten camper, stopped by. Christine and Jonas (her soigneur, driver, and companion - see blog) were there, and two other Americans - Gary and Betty from NorCal. They were in Yurp visiting a son in Germany and went to catch some racing. I think they knew Christine from the NorCal scene, because they were avid bikers and even racers. They were in Europe for a good while (months?).
Christine was awesome enough to invite us into her medium sized camper, and we hung out and chatted about the race, biking, and general fun stuff. Christine put on some squash soup and laid out bread and was dying to be the hostess. I didn't come there to mooch, but she was so insistent, and I never ever turn down pumpkin/squash/sweet potato soup.
Talking to her was pretty cool. She's done some cool things with her life. Living the dream. I'm totally impressed. She's also a sponsor's dream. She seeks out sponsorship opportunities for things that she believes in, and then really pushes them. She's vegan, and a correspondent for several health, women's, veg, and animal rights publications.
ProBar was the example of the day. She insisted that we have some samples, and talked at lenght about how great they were. "Like a different treat with each bite!" I tried the sample a few days later, and she was right. Vee-gun, yet still terrribly tasty.
After a bit, I checked out of mobile hotel Vanderkitten, and ran into the Baker clan prepping for the Men's race. More fun chats with Cyndi, Jon on the trainer, and his dad, prepping for the pit work. It was getting close to race time, so I headed back to the course to stake out a location.
Superprestige Gavere - Women
I got there at the corner at the bottom where the course turns right and heads up the hill. There were big gaps between riders, so they were in straggle mode. A couple of girls went by, and then along comes Christine. Riding and running. Slowly, but not any slower than anyone else, mind you. It was a big hill. About as tall as Steilacoom, but not as steep. The lack of incline was made up for with mud. Rideability varies with strength, gearing, tires, and effort. Even though I was right there, I didn't cheer. Who knows how her race was going? Does she need some random American voice heckling her up the hill? I decided against it and trudged up towards the rest of the race.
The start/finish was down and back on a cool tree lined lane. I caught a picture of her there as she was finishing up. I never saw the front of the race, and it turned out that Katie Compton was there and crushed everyone. You go girl.
Since the race was ending, I did a bit more scouting and then headed towards the rider parking lot.
The start/finish was down and back on a cool tree lined lane. I caught a picture of her there as she was finishing up. I never saw the front of the race, and it turned out that Katie Compton was there and crushed everyone. You go girl.
Since the race was ending, I did a bit more scouting and then headed towards the rider parking lot.
Superprestige Gavere - Prerace
The walk to the race led me to the entrance of the race that it turned out was at the bottom of the hill. The people at the gate said something to me like I should understand it, but I had to be ignorant. I got there towards the end of the women's race.
I had prepped my visit to Gavere by looking at the start list. In the women's list, there was an American listed, Christine Vardaros. I knew Jon Baker would be there, but Jonathan Page wasn't at Hasselt, but he was on the list for Gavere. I wasn't certain who Christine was, so I used the internet.
I acutally remembered reading an interview with her on race.cx. She seemed pretty cool. A kind of high powered business background abandoned for bike racing. She was on the Breezer team of women that started back in the 90s, but was currently racing for Van der Kitten. "Clothing for women that kick ass." Yeah, right.
It turns out that she had spent time in NorCal, and mentioned knowing Andy Jaques-Maynes. I'd met him a few times on the arm of Josie Beggs - my homegirl from Tacoma, and the sweetheart of the cross racing circuit.
I was there in Colorado when Josie had her eye socket smushed in an accident. Well, I wasn't really there. I saw her at the start. Saw the big pile up not 10 meters from the start line. Saw Andy get her going again. Chatted a bit with Andy, and then watched the women's race. No Josie. It's unclear what happened next, but word is that she was charging hard to catch back onto the race and hit a kid crossing the course. Eyesocket smushed. Ouch. I thought she'd never be pretty again, but she actually healed up great and regained the bloom of beauty that she's always held. If it weren't for pix, no one would ever know how ghastly she was.
So anyway, I dropped Andy and Josie's name on Christine's blog and suggested that I might drop by to hang out.
I had prepped my visit to Gavere by looking at the start list. In the women's list, there was an American listed, Christine Vardaros. I knew Jon Baker would be there, but Jonathan Page wasn't at Hasselt, but he was on the list for Gavere. I wasn't certain who Christine was, so I used the internet.
I acutally remembered reading an interview with her on race.cx. She seemed pretty cool. A kind of high powered business background abandoned for bike racing. She was on the Breezer team of women that started back in the 90s, but was currently racing for Van der Kitten. "Clothing for women that kick ass." Yeah, right.
It turns out that she had spent time in NorCal, and mentioned knowing Andy Jaques-Maynes. I'd met him a few times on the arm of Josie Beggs - my homegirl from Tacoma, and the sweetheart of the cross racing circuit.
I was there in Colorado when Josie had her eye socket smushed in an accident. Well, I wasn't really there. I saw her at the start. Saw the big pile up not 10 meters from the start line. Saw Andy get her going again. Chatted a bit with Andy, and then watched the women's race. No Josie. It's unclear what happened next, but word is that she was charging hard to catch back onto the race and hit a kid crossing the course. Eyesocket smushed. Ouch. I thought she'd never be pretty again, but she actually healed up great and regained the bloom of beauty that she's always held. If it weren't for pix, no one would ever know how ghastly she was.
So anyway, I dropped Andy and Josie's name on Christine's blog and suggested that I might drop by to hang out.
Superprestige Gavere - Travel
I woke up, checked out, hopped in the car, and Jettaed off for Gavere. I skipped what was certainly a greatly overpriced Holiday Inn continental breakfast. Hasselt is in the eastern part of Belgium. Gavere is towards the west. I had a stout drive ahead of me.
I had to go essentially back to Brussels and then towards Gent, and then south. Lacking food, I pulled off on the interstate equivalent of a rest stop-gas station combo. I guess someone gets the license for running the thing. Anyway, it's the equivalent of a truckstop. I get a packaged sandwich and a Diet Coke and get back to rolling. It was pretty similar, but it's the little things that make it weird. I just can't remember what those were.
I get to Gavere, park my car where I'm directed to by the signs, and have a hefty walk to the venue.
I had to go essentially back to Brussels and then towards Gent, and then south. Lacking food, I pulled off on the interstate equivalent of a rest stop-gas station combo. I guess someone gets the license for running the thing. Anyway, it's the equivalent of a truckstop. I get a packaged sandwich and a Diet Coke and get back to rolling. It was pretty similar, but it's the little things that make it weird. I just can't remember what those were.
I get to Gavere, park my car where I'm directed to by the signs, and have a hefty walk to the venue.
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