With Keepers Tour: Cobbled Classics 2012 stitched up and in the history books, the challenge of documenting the trip became immediately obvious; how do you take the myriad impressions, experiences, and perspectives and put them down in a meaningful way – let alone in a way that can somehow be digested. Surely, to document even just the Keepers’ view on these goings-on would result in an article much longer than anyone would be prepared to read and would be a far cry from comprehensive.
We have decided that the best approach is to split the report into four Articles, one authored by each Keeper, and each covering a different section of the trip. We also look forward to the contribution of additional photos and stories through the posts from those who joined us and those who witnessed the goings-on from afar. Today, we look at midweek. There’s a little bit of everything – Velodrome, Roubaix Redux, midweek semi-classic, a kooky collector (and good friend), and a visit to seriously hallowed ground. We hope you enjoy!
Keepers Tour: Cobbled Classics 2012 Updates: Part I // Part II // Part III // Part IV
—
It’s been said previously and bears repeating again – The Keepers Tour just kept getting more rad as the week progressed. This is not to say that day 6 was really any better than day 2; it was more like none of us could get over the fact that the sum total of each subsequent day – when added to the previous days – moved the needle of the Awesome Meter further to the right. We were approaching the Redline of Rad.
We’ll let the photos and video speak for themselves in this installment of Keepers Tour report. Watching GoPro video and looking at more photos is probably a better way to put you in the action vicariously and it is certainly a better way to waste your employer’s money. But before unleashing the visual blitz, I’ll list some of the highlights.
Eddy Merckx Velodrome (Gent) Video
Scheldeprijs Vlaanderen Race Finish (and penultimate lap)
Roubaix Recce Video
Photo Album (days 6-8)
[dmalbum path=”/velominati.com/content/Photo Galleries/marko@velominati.com/KT Part III/”/]
Eyerefelction Fotografie* Pro Recce Ride, featuring Velominati
[dmalbum flikr=”72157629383149390″/]
@Marko’s Strava on the Roubaix Recce ride: http://app.strava.com/rides/6245723
@Frank’s Strava on the Roubaix Recce ride: http://app.strava.com/rides/6245827
* Eyereflection Fotografie is not affiliated with Velominati at this time; the photos of us appeared through coincidence and the photographer’s generosity. And, because we looked so Merkcxdamned Pro he mistook us for the real deal. Seriously, The Rules WORK.
I know as well as any of you that I've been checked out lately, kind…
Peter Sagan has undergone quite the transformation over the years; starting as a brash and…
The Women's road race has to be my favorite one-day road race after Paris-Roubaix and…
Holy fuckballs. I've never been this late ever on a VSP. I mean, I've missed…
This week we are currently in is the most boring week of the year. After…
I have memories of my life before Cycling, but as the years wear slowly on…
View Comments
@McEnroeMark
will someone please
Give this guy a keepers tour badge?
I'll join with everyone else in saying that the Roubaix Recce vid is frikkin' incredible. While watching, I noticed my leg muscles twitching in time with all of your pedal strokes, almost as if I was subconciously trying to help push you guys along. Outstanding work, Marko!
@McEnroeMark
Its funny how long this trip has stuck with me - I've dreamt about the trip every single night since we've had it - no exaggeration. Amazing.
Great piece Marko, the last sentence of the last bullet gave me goosebumps.
@Mikael Liddy
There was, but nothing is set for that just yet, and there is nothing that says we can't do both, right?
@frank
That would be a tough call - a pass for one might be possible, doing both would require a small lottery win.
For anyone saying/thinking that the video of the cobbles "gives a good idea of what its like": it doesn't come close. Due to the wide angle on the camera, it seems much less bumpy than in real life. In all, the only thing it transmits is a notion of the blurry vision, but without having your hands, arms, and but getting jackhammered it loses a lot of the messaging.
But they're fun as hell to watch. The audio could have been cut, but I like how it accentuates the smoothness of the tarmac when you get off the stones.
@McEnroeMark
I echo Marko and agree that it defies logic that you could ride out of the saddle so much. Weirdo.
@Belgian Cobblestones
Nice avatar! Yeah, when you're living amongst the Awesome, sometimes you just need a fresh perspective to realize it isn't normal! You live in the best part of the world for Cycling!
Outstanding!
You can just taste the sweet relief of the tarmac as you leave the pave!
OK, when do we get the technical report? We need a comprehensive kit review. Marko, the photo of the Ambrosio rim with the Conti tubular is a bit small on my BB. Which conti is being used? Could you tell which spokes were laced to the rim? Hubs? I just gotta know!
Sweetness.
@RedRanger
Good one, eagle-eye. He switched emails on us! Corrected.
@Chris
When I said "we" I meant the organizers. I assume people will pick which trip they'd go on, and not do both. But we're just in the planning stages at this point and who is to say what will/won't work out with Italy. I have also ridden enough to do one in the Pyrenees and be the guide, so that will be on the table for the Tour de France at some point.
At this point, we've got more ideas than sense, so we'll have to see what works out. KTCC2013 will happen for sure, though.
to all you Keepers who were so privileged to ride the stones, fantastic work.
and for each one who has written, including Marko here...magnificent strokes of the pen fella's!!
@Marko: and to push the Rad Meter like this may indeed be heaven on earth, centered of course upon the Mecca itself, in Belgium, in Merckx own velodrome, I believe this to be the Center of the Entire Universe that you all have found
and to be properly mistaken as P-R-fuckin-O "because we looked so Merkcxdamned Pro he mistook us for the real deal. Seriously, The Rules WORK."...because as you say...the Rules do work, is profound evidence of an absolute TRUTH, it is self evident to us, so RIDE on fella's..its right!
and all I can do is ride my lonely pave' here in the midwest, vicariously riding through your experiences, which is inspirational
@frank
I got you a first time but having done Paris Roubaix and watched the RVV I'd love to do the full week but equally, Italy is an awesome place in it's own right and I can only imagine that with the right set up and organisation, a Keepers Tour there would be just as awesome. Either way, you guys have set the bar impossibly high.
As for the Pyrenees, I'm currently trying to work out whether I can spend three weeks down there in August rather than two. Life is tough.
@the keepers
The quality of the KT audio and visual footage is outstanding. Keep it up. What next, the KT video game?