gregbalden

You know we take things serious, when we as a club have a set of these 
 
 

Count me in chung
 
Greg

That is me and richies Mate Keith, booked up for the marmotte!

Nope delighted. Doesn't bother me which copper I keep awake with my snoring

Yeah...Keith from Dumfries. Hasn't cycled for a long time!!!
So...Charlie, you're sharing with young Greg...hope you don't mind

That is me and richies Mate Keith, booked up for the marmotte!

Greg is eagerly waiting for a room mate.
I've sent him all the info, links for the hotel etc but he doesn't fancy paying the single occupancy.
 
It might seem like a way off folks but we're guaranteed a place. The official opening day sold out the places in 11hrs last time.

2 please.
 
Greg.

Guys
 
It is epic. You will have a fantastic time. Yes it can be uncomfortable on the cobbles, yes it is long, yes it is sore if you hit a conrete bollard at 23mph, yes the downhill cobles are even more sore, yes you might walk like John Wayne for 3 days afterwards. But you will love it .
 

The cobbles are fine except perhaps when it's wet, or you are Knackered, or both...no need to bother finding cobbles beforehand, it'll only put you off.
 
Seem to recall that part of the prep involved the full coast, followed by as many steep climbs as possible. Finished with the hill climb!

My advice is keep hydrated. Jupiter is good for volume, Leffe when you're warmed up, and La Chouffe for when you get serious about things. As Greg says use metal cages and squeeze them to keep your bottles in tight.
 
Other than that just tighten up the bolts on your road bike and go. Flanders cobbles are mostly uphill, so you're not going that fast to worry (unlike Roubaix).  For the one downhill section and the 2 or 3 flat sections keep the power on so you don't lose your chain. Gets them over quicker too.
 
Now the important stuff. You will want frites, sausages and beer at the end, but they don't take cash at the bar. Buy tokens from the wee kiosk and use these to get your grub. 

Pretty much echo what the chaps have said.....
 
Although, I dont believe in spending hunners on "Mods", well maybe i'm just tight...anyway!...double bar tape will do the trick, and tescos own metal bottle cages with a squeeze, still use a variant to this day and they done PR, easy done. I used Vittoria Rubino Pro tyres, half the price of the paves, and I never punctured on the ronde or PR.  
 
I rode on a 53/ 25 or 26, it was ***k*** hard! I cant remember if I rode 23's or 25's probably 25's. WHAT REALLY MATTERS, is how you tackle the cobbles:
 
Fast as comfortably possible;
Keeping some in the tank;
As you really dont know how long the section is;
Dont go slow....
 
Like I done and "feel" every up and down and the little bit of dirt between the cobbles, its bloody sore! OH and most sections have a lovely gutter, maybe as wide as your foot, USE IT! you'll be glad you did after 120 miles
 
As with the Ronde...then the Nove colli.....and Liege, you will naturally find a few guys to stick with, stick with them. The fast boys will want to push on, and DO, the slower guys will want to relax into the day...DO. Dont wait too long to regroup. And yes! STOP AT EVERY FEED STOP, even for 5 minutes, Im about 99.7% sure you will need to!
 
 
Good luck chaps! It'll be a stormer!

Pretty much echo what the chaps have said.....
 
Although, I dont believe in spending hunners on "Mods", well maybe i'm just tight...anyway!...double bar tape will do the trick, and tescos own metal bottle cages with a squeeze, still use a variant to this day and they done PR, easy done. I used Vittoria Rubino Pro tyres, half the price of the paves, and I never punctured on the ronde or PR.  
 
I rode on a 53/ 25 or 26, it was ***k*** hard! I cant remember if I rode 23's or 25's probably 25's. WHAT REALLY MATTERS, is how you tackle the cobbles:
 
Fast as comfortably possible;
Keeping some in the tank;
As you really dont know how long the section is;
Dont go slow....
 
Like I done and "feel" every up and down and the little bit of dirt between the cobbles, its bloody sore! OH and most sections have a lovely gutter, maybe as wide as your foot, USE IT! you'll be glad you did after 120 miles
 
As with the Ronde...then the Nove colli.....and Liege, you will naturally find a few guys to stick with, stick with them. The fast boys will want to push on, and DO, the slower guys will want to relax into the day...DO. Dont wait too long to regroup. And yes! STOP AT EVERY FEED STOP, even for 5 minutes, Im about 99.7% sure you will need to!
 
 
Good luck chaps! It'll be a stormer!

Tough day out. Agree with Kenny. I rode 25s and I'm glad I did. Metal bottle holders are a must. I also had a gell strip on the bars and 32 spoker hand builts, although these aren't strictly necessary. Oh and I also used SPDs just in case I had to walk up any of the bergs ( I didn't). They are steep and if it's wet and rammed, you might have to, especially if someone in front of you goes down.

Important point, dont queue at the start, just steam right down to the front. We made that mistake before! Do wear mitts, (as someone who never wears them, but suffered the blisters after the Flanders) make sure you're Garmin is reinforced with insulating tape, do bend your bottle cages so they grip extra tight and ensure tyres are inflated to 100 psi max.
 
These are just some pointers, nothing can prepare you for the Bergs. I like to think I could enjoy a pint after most bike rides but after completing the Tour Of Flanders I had something to eat, a pint then went to my bed. #everyone else went out on the lash....
 
Enjoy!

I have indeed for some strange reason saying as I've hardly turned a pedal since Liege!!
Missed the last room at the hotel by a few hours so staying in Waregem which is 4 miles from the others.

Nope.

I tripped over a French road champs jersey in the hallway in the Campanile. Odd. Then I noticed Tommy Voeckler in the room next door and realised it was THE French road champs jersey.
 
George, we left cars in Oudenaarde the night before. Only one minor slip up when we waited an extra hour for Tom who liked the Koppenberg so much he cycled up it twice.

I paid £78 for mines at the start of the year and have been satisfied with it. When I get back from a ride and connect it to my laptop, it automatically uploads the data and syncs with Strava & Endomondo. I had no issues using my phone, but find this more convenient - especially on rainy rides.
 
Recently I've been keen to capture my HR and I don't think it's possible with this. I also can't add photos taken on Strava runs to the ride detail when it's been uploaded from the Garmin.
 
PS - Is your old man's name also Chris? (I'm thinking ATC from 2001/2002)

Bulky Billy, you are a true flandrian.
 
Can you not hear the flandrian bagpipes calling you home?
 
Some of these guys struggle to get up the Haylie.
They'll never make it up these alpine climbs.
 
I laugh in your general direction.
 
HahHahahahahahahHahahahahahahaha

I had an old espresso machine AND some old Head n Shoulders, my hair is now lush. Any pro teams looking for a potential cash cow please post up. A 'tache will cost extra though.( and may take a while).

This club is beyond salvation

I bought some last night... Tastes ok but my hair is unchanged?

Not for me. I'm off to Invergordon for my first 25 of the year.

Team
 
Thank you for keeping Jims memory alive. His brother Michael was there again to present the winners trophy and get the annual picture of the presentation to send to his sister in S Africa. It means a lot to his family that we keep the race going and it means a lot to me.
 
Weather was excellent as always. Many thanks to the drivers, first aider/spare wheel lady, marshals and understudy!
Thanks to the team this was this was the least stressful edition of the race I have organised. I had total confidence in every one who helped out today and it went very smoothly (smooth would certainly not describe a lot of the roads!)
 
Cheers again
 
Race reports can follow later from the JWCC participants, I'm just relieved for now,
 
Paul