Tour of Flanders

"Only those who are in top condition can say that the Ronde is not hard.

For everyone else, it's the Way of the Cross." -Andrea Tafi

We had been looking forward to the Tour of Flanders for some time with excitement and trepidation. The course contains many steep hills, often paved with cobblestones. While it is often compared to the Paris-Roubaix race in that both contain many cobbled sections, the Ronde's inclusion of many steep, and often cobbled, short hills make racing different compared to the flat Paris-Roubaix, where cobbled sections are harder and more technical.

In preparation for the shakes, we had added gel pads to the handlebar tap and taped (with electrical tape)/cable-tied as much as possible to the bike frames, as we had been told to else they may fly off as we tackle the cobblestones.

The Tour of Flanders (Ronde van Vlaanderen or Ronde for short) is one of the great classics of cycling. It is also the most important day in Belgian cycling, and reputed to be the toughest of the so-called "monuments" of pro cycling.

Nic had signed up for the full 240km route, which meant getting up at 4am and catching a coach (with bike and cycling gear) to the start in Bruges. But due to logistics on the morning joined Kate for the 140km version that started and finishes in Ninove. Though shorter, this route takes in the final 17 of the 18 climbs from the full route, it also cuts out the first 100km of relatively flat and uninteresting terrain (we were told).

Our hotel, located 10km from Ninove, meant we had to drive down to the start in Ninove in the Lunicus Team car (the Lunibus), where we were directed by police to an industrial estate to park the car. With over 20,000 people taking part, the place was already packed with cars and the streets filled with cyclists as they made their way to the start. Rather than flooding the town with cars, the authorities were utilising all the industrial estates and schools for parking – leaving the town centre fairly empty for the cyclists.

Unlike most of the sportives there was no official start time, so we simply started by crossing the line. The first 27km was pretty flat and thankfully not windy, though the weather was rather cold and the threatening rain was causing some concern. The riders we're relatively spread out and all going at roughly the same speed. After about 15km, some of the larger groups were picking up in speed, and Nic decided to join one.

Nic approached the first climb of the day, the Rekelberg, a nice tarmac road. It was fairly easy to climb, so much so that he wondered if it was actually a berg. Not long after, Nic turned sharply onto the Molenberg – a narrow 18% lane that rears up in front of you, covered in huge muddy cobbles. Out of the saddle, Nic climbed up cautiously as riders ahead were zig-zagging their way up. Several times the rear wheel spun on the muddy cobblestones and threatened to move in a different direction to the bike. A quick shifting of weight helped, but then the steering would go awry. A quick glance over the shoulder as he crossed the top, showed several riders on the floor and a few walking up – a taste of things to come!

With the first taste of cobbles out of the way, Kerkgate was next with its 3km of horrendous cobbles and small climb. Eager to keep the pace up, Nic approached at speed only to have the stuffing knocked out of him as the cobbles dictated the speed. The bike turned into a moving pneumatic drill, the front wheel recoiled from the impact of crashing into cobblestone after cobblestone, transferring the jolts upwards through the forks and handlebars into the arms, while the rear wheel bounced around behind out of sync to the rest of the bike.

Despite the shaking, rattle and roll that almost shook his tooth fillings out. Nic made his way pass other less comfortable riders who were taking it at a slower pace. Settling into a rhythm, a sharp right hand bend came into view and with it the last 100m of incredibly bad pave. Bike bits and bottles littered the way, cyclists on either side fixing punctures and grieving over more serious damage. Negotiating the corner, the rear wheel slipped, but managed at the last moment to grip something and the lovely tarmac was back under the wheels.

The relief was evident on most riders faces as we enjoyed the wonders of smooth tarmac, the speed picked up and the first feed station came into site. At first site, it seemed like we were being herded into a warehouse car park, but in fact we cycled into the warehouse (which was one of the sponsors), collecting drinks and food as we moved through, till we exited on the other side! All very efficient and fast.

Enlisting with a large local club, we rode fast toward the legendary Oude Kwaremont. Though taken for granted by the locals, many of them had come out to wave at us as we paid homage to the climb. Although the main road to Kwaremont is tarmaced the Old Kwaremont climb and the flat Ommegangstraat stretch that awaits the riders at the top, are cobbled. A proud sign informs all that the roads are part of the Eddy Merckx route and the Tour of Flanders. Long, but not steep, we crossed the summit and had some time to gather some speed as we hit the Paterberg which loomed ahead of us ominously.

The group Nic was with disintegrated, as we all sought out our own pace on this short, but very steep climb. At little over 3m wide and very roughly cobbled, it was a minefield of danger. Out of the saddle Nic slipped into the lower gears and gradually made his way up. The clip-clop of cleats could be heard behind as many cyclists decided to walk up. Half way up, a cyclist 2m ahead of Nic slipped, putting his hand out to stop his fall it fell into the spokes of the cyclist beside him and together they crashed down. Those immediately behind them tried to stop, but they too fell. After that there was a ripple like a domino chain all the way back down as riders caught off guard fell. While others saw the disaster unfurling and had to walk up having lost momentum. Nic managed, by luck rather than skill, to get pass with out falling (for a change). Further up the riders had thinned out dramatically.

The road sped downward in consolation towards the next big challenge – the 22% Koppenberg. No luck here though – there were riders and bikes everywhere, and just as Nic thought he might be in with a chance of making it to the top the bike beside him careered into his rear wheel and caused him to fall onto the cold stone pave. Taking most of the impact on the left knee, well Nic had to fall off after all! Once off the bike, there was no way you could remount, on that gradient you would never get the momentum to clip back into the cleats and move. Defeated by Koppenberg, Nic joined the long line of cyclists walking, each with their head down in defeat.

The following three climbs (Steenberkdries, Taaienberg, and Eikenberg) are also cobbled, but not quite as severe as the Paterberg or Koppenbergbut they too took their toll as Nic's swollen and bloody knee couldn't take the strain. One local rider passed Nic only to slow down and offer some assistance. Bruno (who rides for a local club) offered to help pull Nic up the hills, in return for leading the descents. So together they hammered along the long and cobbled Eikenberg descent.

After that there are six consecutive tarmac climbs, which are steep, but after the cobbles they seemed pretty straightforward. The alliance between Nic and Bruno was proving useful, and together they picked their way though the tiring field. Passing over the top of the Tenbosse, we prepared for the long, steep, cobbled Muur of Grammont. Local knowledge certainly helps!

The Muur is a legend in its own right, and the highlight for many riders – us included. Fortunately it was dry, so we were able to stand on the pedals and really go for it. The crowds on the climb are great, giving you a real boost, some even running along side yelling words of encouragement. We ambled our way up through the slower riders to cross the top with a big sigh of relief.

The final berg was the Bosberg – a straight, wide and cobbled climb. This is a fairly steep berg, but after the Muur seems quite easy. Once again the alliance proved fruitful as we fell into a good pace and steadily climbed up through the wall-to-wall riders, many of whom looked spent as they trudged across the cobbles in their cleated shoes.

Once over the top, we jumped from group to group as we built up some speed down to Ninove. This final part of the route threads itself through the town before finishing on a path alongside the wide straight and gantry that mark the end of the pro race. A little further on and our finish line was in site and we had finished.What a fantastic ride, with great organisation, food and company. A ride we will certainly remember and wish to do again!

No.	Name	KM	Pavement	Length (m)	Average Climb (%)
17	Kluisberg	99	asphalt	1250	5.3
16	Nokereberg	118	cobbles	375	5.9
15	Molenberg	157	cobbles/asphalt	463	7.0
14	Wolvenberg	167	asphalt	645	7.9
13	Oude Kwaremont	185	cobbles/asphalt	2200	4.0
12	Paterberg	189	cobbles	360	12.9
11	Koppenberg	195	cobbles	600	11.6
10	Steenbeekdries	200	cobbles	700	5.3
9	Taaienberg	203	cobbles	530	6.6
8	Berg Ter Stene	213	asphalt	1300	5.5
7	Leberg	216	asphalt	950	4.2
6	Berendries	222	asphalt	940	7.0
5	Valkenberg	227	asphalt	540	8.1
4	Tenbosse	233	asphalt	455	6.4
3	Eikenmolen	239	asphalt	610	5.9
2	Muur-Kapelmuur	249	cobbles	475	9.3
1	Bosberg	252	cobbles/asphalt	980	5.8

A big thanks to Bruno for the support and offer of riding out with his club on the following morning. Also a big thanks to the Boroughs of London for ensuring our training simulated the cobblestones of Flanders.