The Hardmen. They inspire us; we aspire to be one among them. They drive us to be better cyclists. They are the solitary voice among the thousands in our heads that tell us to keep pushing when all the others tell us to stop. Their long shadows look on in approval as we pull on our cold and wet weather gear and head out into the elements to ride.
Every Professional Cyclist is a hard man or woman; it comes with the territory. But to be given the title of Hardman, one must be more than just tough. Grand Tour champions are not given this title, nor are the winners of World Titles or King of the Mountains competitions. The Hardmen stand out among the rest as the ones who ride over the savage, jagged cobblestones of Northern Europe with a supplesse that is possessed only by those riders who thrive in the most torturous of road cycling’s domains: The Cobbled Classics of Northern Europe.
Velominati has partnered up with Pavé Cycling Classics, based in Northern France, to offer the Velominati a chance to walk where Giants tread and pedal through the trench of Arenberg and up the devastating steeps of the Kapelmuur. To pedal with the Pros during their reconnaissance of the Paris-Roubaix route. To visit the Merckx factory, and to spend an afternoon riding with Johan Museeuw, the last Lion of Flanders.
We have arranged for 9 days of Cycling in Glorious Hell, hosted by the Founding Keepers, Frank and Brett, and organized by Pavé Cycling Classics. We will be staying in a Bed & Breakfast Cottage in Gent, and all services are included in the package. *Hangovers and massages for your aching guns and back sold separately.
Alex and William at Pavé Cycling Classics really know the Classics, and have put together an itinerary befitting a Velominatus, including rides on the Ronde van Vlaanderen and Roubaix routes, as well as visits to the Prophet’s factory, and a ride with Johan Museeuw (pending confirmation of scheduling confirmed). It’s the trip of a lifetime for anyone who has ever dreamt about Springtime on the stones.
Here is the Preliminary Itinerary:
All participants will be greeted with a Velominati Musette stuffed with a commemorative V-Pint and V-Shirt. Given the abundance of Belgian beer, the V-Pint will be well used. We will also have a Velominati Flag to wave at the races. As a final note, a Cogal welcoming all riders will also be arranged, details pending finalization of the itinerary.
Everything is included in this 9 days/9 nights package. Food, drinks, support car with spare wheels, visits, Gent velodrome ride, Cyfac bicycle for the rides (limited sizes and quantities available), energy food, and insurance. The only thing you have left to do is find your way to Lille. All-inclusive price for this trip of a lifetime is 2250€.
There is very limited availability for this program; reserve your seat at the table by signing up below. Priority is given in a first-come, first-served basis. Email tours@velominati.com to register; serious enquiries only, please.
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Looks like I'm going to have to exercise the very best of my persuasive powers. I had approval in principle for a trip to the PR sportive but that was on the basis of taking Mrs Chris and the velomites. I've got a nice 160k sportive in Cheshire the weekend before as a warm up. I just need to come up with a convincing argument to leave the family at home and disappear cycling two weekends in a row.
At least I should be fit for it if I survive the training program my cycling sensei has me on.
@frank
Still have the bastard Fulcrums that came with the Roubaix - basically Fulcrum 5 hubs and Fulcrum 3 rims/spokes. The stock tires were "Roubaix" also but I found them too soft - they tended to pick up road debris easily. Have some Spesh Armadillo 25s currently.
@itburns
Nothing wrong with Fulcrums IMHO. I've got 5s on my Colnago Master and 3s as everyday wheels on my Ridley. As a heavier rider (which to wheelmakers appears to mean over 80kg) I find them pretty reliable.
If I bring the Roberts from London though I'll be on bombproof Mavic Open Pros, as approved by Jobst Brandt.
@Chris
How about saying, "Mrs Chris, the weekend after my Sportive in wherever it is (she won't care), I'm off to Belgium with some cycling mates to do ride the most famous stretch of cycling history, and then watch the RVV the next day, and then I'll be home" - that ought to do it
I've never been convinced that asking for approval for these things advances anyone's cause, as it looks like you are taking a liberty, which you aren't
Now that is sorted, we'll see you in Ghent
@itburns @Fronk
I'll be on DT Swiss Axis 3.0's, onto which I will squeeze the biggest most unburstable set of tyres I can fit, maybe 27s? - subsequently, for prosperity, I will make a frame out of the tyres to put around a picture of me riding the trench
@Dr C
You're not wrong there, although for me I'd say that it tends to fall somewhere between the seeking approval and a notification of dates/events that I'll be taking part in, more of a discussion.
That said, a doctors recommendation that the best treatment for my gouty knee would be to ride considerably further than I have done before, at a no doubt higher pace over cobbles before quaffing high octane ales would be just the ticket. You might also be so go as to put that into writing so that I can get my health insurance to cover the cost of the outing. They might also wish to spring for a new set of wheels as, having read everyone else's comments, it would seem that my cheapo Alex RC24s might not be up to the job.
@frank
What's included in the All-Inclusive Weekend Tour and how nay nights does it cover? And what of that is excluded in the Weekend Tour without accommodation?
@Chris
Great question. For all-inclusive weekends, everything is included: Food, drinks, support car with spare wheels, visits, Gent velodrome ride, Cyfac bicycle for the rides (limited sizes and quantities available, priority going to those joining for the whole trip), energy food, and insurance. The only thing you have left to do is find your way to Lille.
Without accomodation, you're getting the guide service, support, and dinner/beer, but no hotel accommodation or breakfast. You're looking after yourself at night and in the morning, and joining for the ride and dinner/beers.
You can still get pissed with us at night, which I'm assuming is your primary concern.
Also note we're also planning a Cogal for one day which will be free. Date to be determined.
@frank
Ohhhh, this is sooooo killing me! If my kiddos Spring vacation was this week in MAR-APR, I would be THERE!!! But, no, our France trip (to Lille, no less, where my buddy is currently LIVING) has to be in June, after school is out.
Ohhhh the sacrifices one makes for family! :)
@frank
Thanks, Frank. I'm assuming the weekend price covers two nights rather than three. Can I put the spare wheels on from the outset, it'll save time later!