Not an hour off of the plane, Jos cons me into meeting up for the big group ride around Aarschot. It was 60+ people riding 2 abreast and in two groups (the 2nd group a minute back). I rode out to the start of the ride with Helen Wyman and Gabby Day. They raced the C1 cx race last weekend, look at the results for yourself.
I’d like to quote Nys about his race: “dominating in the sections where I needed to dominate”
Y’know, those other sections where I did not need to dominate, I just kinda dominated…
Anyways, the group ride is a Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday regular thing, lots of older riders and local pros. Much like the Monday and Thursday lawyer rides in Portland. They always meet at 1pm and do a 3 hour loop outside of the city. Today I got to suck Davy Commenye and Niels Albert’s wheels.
You could not ask for more perfect Belgian weather. Overcast, gray, wet, cold.
I felt horrible, just getting off the plane, no sleep, totally disoriented. Not that I needed to impress anyone but I was skeptical that I was even going to be able to finish the ride.
I turned off when we looped back near Tielt and headed back to clean up and get my shit together. I fell asleep in the bathtub, got up and passed out in bed again.
I’m wiped out! The flight was pretty painless though I did not sleep for a second of it.
If you can, order the vegan meal on your next transatlantic flight. It rocked. The airline even brought me vegan doughnuts for dessert! I finally got to watch The Davinci code without renting it. Eww. And, The Wicker man. Horrible.
Wicks, Powers and Vardaros were all on my flight, it was nice not having to wait for the flights alone.
My rental car has the most sensitive brakes ever. I feel bad for the people behind me while I am braking. Getting to Tielt from the Zaventem airport was pretty painless though, I was so zonked out from the flight I had to keep looking at the directions over and over again.
Alright, I’m going to force myself to sleep and head out early tomorrrow to buy food and a bunch of stuff for the house.
Discussion
6 comments for “The Begijnendijk ride:”
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Keep up the posting over there! I’m so jealous. I’d love to be riding with 60+ people in Belgium right now! Good luck when the mud starts flying.
Alitalia just gave me green beans with tomato sauce.
Lucky!
Glad you made it there in one piece….
Congrats on your nats race weekend!!
…just the warm you needed for Belgian.
get some rest
Goodluck Saturday @ Wachtebeke!
Stumptown is behind you!
V
did you find a vegan bread loaf dispencing machine? usa lacks in so many ways
Well at least SOMEONE gave us the first report from Belgium.
Lots of us will be living vicariously through all yall ‘muricans there racing cross in Cross Mecca!
-G
Tommy took us on an insane ride today. 3 hours down (sshh I didn’t say it, Wildwood Trail). We all started to freeze. Bene’s pro tip is to walk into that fancy French pastry shop on Thurman covered in mud and ask for hot water for the ride home.
Sounds like a ride right off the plane is as good as any cure for jet lag.
Rock it Vegan……