Oude Kwaremont, Koppenberg, Paterberg, Eikenberg

Still in Belgium. We had a long day yesterday, a lot of driving, a little riding, and some wheelbuilding. In the morning we went to get tools and food, then piled in and started driving. We needed some spokes, so it was off to Antwerp to visit our spoke supplier, Sapim. We did not manage to score any diamonds whilst in Antwerp, and I only got turned around once while driving.
By the time we got the spokes, it was 1 o'clock, and we were hungry. Time to learn a new flemish word: Broodje. I think it is Flemish for sub sandwich. they are very good here.

We wanted to get a little ride in, so John directed me to the town of Kluisberg, and we set off to do some of the famous cobbled climbs of the Tour of Flanders.


I can understand a little more about the race now, and why it is such a big deal here in a country where, as Bob Roll once said (i'll paraphrase) " the average 11 year old has more cycling knowledge in his pinkie than most Americans". Imagine racing 180 or so other professionals up and down roads that are as wide as a driveway. ROADS! and not a double car garage driveway either - I swear these things are one car wide. Then, throw in some honest to god cobbles. Not pretty smooth bricks, but squared off rocks. It makes for an exciting ride. The paved sections are actually quite good, if very narrow, but the cobbles are another thing entirely.
We rode Oude Kwaremont, Koppenberg, Paterberg, and Eikenberg. The Paterberg is the steepest, with an average grade of about 20%, the steepest part is 22%.
On most other races I've ever been to, you fight to stay out of the gutter. On these climbs, the fight would be to stay in the gutter. It is much smoother.
The view from the top of the Paterberg is nice, but the nuclear reactor in the background is a little jarring. Check out the smooth gutter.

We climbed the Koppenberg

John got a flat coming back down, you probably saw that photo at the top. Then we road past picturesque farmhouses

... got back in the van and headed to France. And fixed some wheels, after CARNAGE ON THE COBBLES!. Actually it was only a wheel, and if you fall down on the cobbles and guys ride over you, things are going to break. I'm glad I wasn't trying to race on those things (the cobbles, not the wheels).
Even though we've been here a month or so, it was our first contact with the actual Le Tour. In some ways, it was about what I expected. At the hotel the team busses set up in the parking lot, mechanics started cleaning bikes (and team cars, and busses), and the general public wandered around taking photos. I glanced up a couple times to see people snapping away at me. Must be my rugged good looks. Or maybe its more like a sideshow: See the man build wheels, ON THE SIDEWALK!. While I built the first wheel, John assembled our tables from IKEA. My job was much easier. A little offputting was the Gendarmes strolling around - with dogs and sidearms.
At least we were well protected.


Today I'll finish re-booking all our hotel rooms, and if we can find our way 330km to Reims in time, we'll see the race.