There is something about Northern Europe in general and Flanders in particular that exudes The V; you feel it in the air the moment you set foot into the region. Such terrible things have happened here for so long that living with hardship and suffering has not only become part of the culture of the region, but being tough has become a principle characteristic of the people who live there. To paraphrase Johnny Green’s words, the things that have happened here are like a torn curtain – it just kinda hangs there.
Roubaix may be the Queen of the Classics, but for me, the greatest one-day classic of the year is the Tour of Flanders. Cobblestones are one thing, cobblestones combined with mud and racing another, but cobblestones, mud, and 20% gradients are a different matter altogether. The Americanized name of the race obfuscates an important point: in Flemish, “Flanders” starts with the V – Vlaanderen. Coincidence? Perhaps, but it has a beautiful symmetry to it, and that’s good enough for me.
This race, more than any other on the calendar, represents the people who host it. The stones, the climbs, the weather, it almost seems as though the very spirits of those who have perished in these fields been drawn into the route. In their honor, I will be hosting a cobbled hill ride in Seattle on Sunday, April 3. For those of you who live in the area – and those of you close or crazy enough to make the last-minute trip into town, I will be leaving the parking lot of Speedy Reedy in Fremont at 10am sharp to embark on an honorary ride over the hills and cobbles of Queen Anne and surrounding areas (as well as several uncobbled climbs). Nothing compared to the challenge of de Ronde itself, but beggars can’t be choosers. This will be as easy a ride as possible, given the terrain we aim to cover and given my poor level of conditioning. Also be aware that I haven’t done the recon into the route that I should have, so there may be some route-finding involved.
Rain or shine, obviously. Kinda hoping for rain, actually.
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Nice post.
I rode a little bit of the Flanders route last fall and recently wrote a post about it. I'm new to writing, but at least there are some photos to check out as well if anyone is interested.
De Ronde Pilgrimage
Liking your hunt for some cobbled roads in readiness for Ronde this weekend. Plenty of agricultural standard roads here in the North of England. Did a couple of hours yesterday - potholes, twenty per cent climbs, mud and animal S**T everywhere. Made it even more fun by doing in the dark! Does that count as 'V' factor?
@toomanytreks
where abouts are you? i'm from just north of leeds (thou i'm away at uni atm) i don't know of any near by but if you know where they are i would much appreciate the pointers. Don't understand why we don't have a pro tour spring classic, all our hills are 20-25% stingers and the wind and rain always lashes cos we're in the north, think that the north could supply an exiting race
@j.king
Nice write up. Yet another ride added to my list. Thanks.
@RedRanger
Good luck, Mate. Enjoy.
i'm so excited for this race. I don't even mind that due to cobble theft, they've had to take out the koppenberg.
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/flanders-route-changed-after-cobbles-theft
Just arrived in Gent.... 17 degrees and sunny... Weather looking good for the ride tomorrow, but not so good for Sunday
So excited... Off to reassemble my bike
Is there any point in a vsp... Spartacus is going to kill it, no?
@andy
I think this must be an april-fools day prank.
Can't wait to ride tomorrow. First time in years it's going to be nice and sunny for us and rainy for the pro's.
weather is suppose to be rain and drizzle, hope it holds out! its been dry for a few years!
Could be the last year for cobbles, they are threatening to tarmac the Muur-Kapelmuur, Koppenberg and Oude Kwaremont for 2012! :O(
That aside I am looking forward to a great race tomorrow - lets see what Spartacus can do this year....