Wellington isn’t renown for its great summers; a mate is always quick to remind me that if the weather was perfect all the time, everyone would want to live here and we’d be overrun by Aucklanders (just like Aussies but not quite dumb enough to live in Canberra). As our summer goes into its last death throes of amazingly calm, sunny, cloudless days, the arm warmers and undershirt have only just emerged from their longest hibernation ever. And I probably won’t need them for tomorrow’s ride either.
Come next Monday, however, I’ll be on the other side of the world and months of unzipped jerseys and SPF30 will be but a memory; a cold, wet, distant memory. And I have to say I’m almost looking forward to it with a strange enthusiasm and a hint of romanticism. Almost. No amount of fitness gleaned from training in perfect weather can prepare one for the rigours of a Belgian spring.
We know how the body will react when it is pulled from its warm cocoon and plunged into an icy bath. How the mind will handle it is a bigger concern. We can prepare ourselves physically to the nth degree, but if we’re mentally inept then the sag wagon becomes a likely option. At which point something deep inside takes over, thought processes return to normal and the mere thought of getting off the bike is quickly and methodically banished. Not here, not now.
Let the hardmen be hardmen, let it rain and blow and the cobbles turn to mud when they grace these roads. But Merckx have mercy on a fair-weather soul, even if only for a few selected days. Let our Flandrian Best suffice and our tubulars have sure grip on dry stones. Failing that, at least keep us upright and we will drink a toast to you night after night.
Bring it on.
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Strong work Marcus. Personally, I think it's a little harsh they've posted that photo of you. Just remind yourself they didn't finish.
BTW, is Brett your separated at birth twin?
@Marcus Well done, big achievement. Bucket list- tick. It's a long today cheering, can't imagine how long it seems to racers. Hope we cheered you as you passed.
@all
Thanks for your well wishes. Looking forward to ridding bike#3 of its aero bidon, it's rear cage and a not inconsiderable amount of urine - and using it in real TTs.
FMB Paris-Roubaixs are glued up to my new Cafe Roubaix Arenbergs. Bring that shit on!!
@Marcus
Holy Shiet! That's a monster time. Do not come on any Keepers Tours, you too fast.
@frank
Holy Shiet again! It's Tom Boonen's brother Frank, flying over the cobbles. I guess this means the golden tickets are riding backup? That is a mean looking machine.
@Marcus Chapeau mate.
@frank
Fuck, first Tommeke gives up on the Golden Tickets, now you? We may have to mount a coup d'etat while you are out of the country!
Ok frank & Dan, more details on those wheels! CX model 23x50s on the Cafe Roubaix site? How about spokes? Inquiring minds need to know....
@frankI see you have shortened that seat post.
@frank
All dressed up and ready to go, Dam those wheels are hot. I need to talk with Dan R.
@Nate
Golden tickets are most certainly coming and will be my primary wheelset, though I expect to ride these on the first Roubaix day simply to send a wheelset built by a company called "Café Roubaix" down the trench. These wheels will be for the group to ride etc. I couldn't resist the temptation to load them on the #1 though. It looks badass and the wheels are very light.
By the way, *I'm* calling them the Arenbergs. No idea what @Dan_R is calling them.