Tour of Flanders 2009 now open!

13

Comments

  • kez78
    kez78 Posts: 109
    Anyone done Flanders on a carbon road bike ? how was the ride ? loose any fillings ?
    planning on doing it on my planet X with some conti gatorskins 25s, on Planet X model B wheels (32 spokes). Thinking of switching my pedals to spd's and mtb shoes so I can run/walk if needed ont he busy climbs ? anyone going for a simular set up ? any advice...
  • weeve
    weeve Posts: 393
    should be fine. not sure Id bother with the shoe thing..everyone in same boat and it more of a laugh to struggle with everyone else.

    Im having a wheel dilemma...Usd my Kysrium SLs last week to do a practic run on 23mm 4000s tyres ...was ok as dry but dont want to f. my wheels as use them a lot of the flat so think Im going to by a cheapish pair of ultegra ones to use instead and then just keep for winter use. Dont really want to spend the cash as dont really need them but lesser of two evils. Will by 24mm tyres to put on. Going to be shaken to death o na rigid Cervelo Soloist "winter" Alu frame anyway....
  • stjohnswell
    stjohnswell Posts: 482
    My only concession to comfort is some new bar tape. Otherwise you might as well just turn up on an mtb, have a very sensible ride and wonder what all the fuss was about.
  • Bronzie
    Bronzie Posts: 4,927
    weeve wrote:
    Usd my Kysrium SLs last week to do a practic run on 23mm 4000s tyres . Going to be shaken to death o na rigid Cervelo Soloist "winter" Alu frame anyway....
    I've used my alu Soloist and Kysrium SL's the past 2 years and it's been fine - everyone gets rattled on the flat cobbled sections - it's all part of the experience.

    The only change I make is to fit some 24mm Vittoria Evo Pave "cobble-spankers" which have great grip even in the wet.
    It's a Lifestyle! -+-+- Coggan Training Levels
  • GroupOfOne MkII
    GroupOfOne MkII Posts: 1,289
    Noticed on Facebook earlier that a friend of mine who is doing this has done the following video as a prep guide http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cfKuGacLpU&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Froad%2Ecc%2Fcontent%2Fnews%2F3065%2Dhow%2Dride%2Dbelgian%2Dcobbles%2Dvideo%2Dtips%2Drapha%2Dcondor&feature=player_embedded

    Quite interesting, especially the bits with the Rapha mechanic.

    *Edit* Just noticed it's also up as a story/vid on the Road.cc website as well
  • weeve
    weeve Posts: 393
    Bronzie..thanks for that ..exactly same set up as I'll have so that cheers me up. Just been out for an hour on the bike now as it happens (along the flat but often brick paved coast here in The Hague)..perfect weather but my god those Mavic rattling skewers have got to go..do my right head in...Off for some KCNC's at the weekend .....
  • jallawalla
    jallawalla Posts: 22
    I'm doing the 260k version, but am a bit worried about making it to the end by 7pm. My general strategy with this distance is to take plenty of breaks for eating and resting.

    If I want to leave before 7am will there be big enough groups of riders? and doing a sensible speed i.e. not elite level 23 year old racers!

    Did Paris Roubaix last year and survived so hoping for more of the same.
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    Chaps

    Anyone got any views on whether Conti Gator Skins would be any good over the cobbles? I need to buy new commuting tyres and suspect my name will be mud at home if I buy two sets of tyres.

    Cheers
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • stjohnswell
    stjohnswell Posts: 482
    This year, I didn't receive a confirmation email. Did anybody get one? I had one last year.

    Also the information about not delivering registration packs to the uk has disappeared from the site. Maybe it'll turn up, maybe it wont.

    Don't much fancy turning up on the day with no proof of entry other than a credit card statement. :?
  • stumpy paul
    stumpy paul Posts: 197
    I've had a confirmation email for entry / tshirt / jersey.

    Have others?

    Not long now, my palms are sweating with anticipation. :wink:
  • jallawalla
    jallawalla Posts: 22
    The confirmation email came through ages ago. I had to dig around in my spam folder though. If it helps you find it the sender's address was info@golazo.com

    On subject of tyres, I did roubaix last year on Conti Grand Prix four seasons 28mm wide (bike easily takes it).

    The tyres were great, but

    a) the roubaix cobbles were as slippery as ice when wet/muddy - nothing can help you
    b) the advice on the website was to pump them up to 120psi. This turned out to be bad advice as the cobbles are worse than you expect (although I didn't get a flat)
    c) I think the people who made the best choice were on those tufo cx clincher/tubular tyres with about 50 psi in them.
  • fredjeraketje
    fredjeraketje Posts: 11
    I suppose most of you are staying for race on Sunday? Where are you going to watch it?
  • jallawalla
    jallawalla Posts: 22
    One more thought regarding flanders prep.

    Double bar tape:
    as an experiment go out to your shed, put some bar tape across the palm of your left hand and then hit it with a hammer. Next, lay 2 layers of bar tape on your left hand and hit it with the hammer again. Compare the reduction in pain.

    In my opinion it's worth doing double bar tape, but don't expect miracles :lol:
  • calvjones
    calvjones Posts: 3,850
    fredjeraketje wrote:
    I suppose most of you are staying for race on Sunday? Where are you going to watch it?

    Dunno.I'm in Aalst which is handy for the finish, but less so for the hills. Might try to catch an earlyish hill then get to the finish... although this depends on whether I can/will actually cycle the day after the 140km route.. :shock:
    ___________________

    Strava is not Zen.
  • benningj
    benningj Posts: 16
    Likewise no confirmation mail, but credit card debited and also staying in Aalst (Ibis). Which seemed ideal for the saturday but now trying to work out best logistics for race watching on the Sunday. Could well be dependant on how the body handles the event, and as its my first Flanders I'm getting a little ahem, apprehensive to say the least !!!
  • stjohnswell
    stjohnswell Posts: 482
    sent an email to info@golazo.com about confirmation and got this reply

    Registration is ok.
    You can pick up your race pack the day of the race. On Friday (16u-20u ) or on Saturday morning.

    Guess I'll just use my drivers licence as id on the morning to pick up the stuff from ninove pti
  • benningj
    benningj Posts: 16
    StJohnswell - that's good to know, cheers, may just drop them a line to confirm myself just in case. Great blog btw, read with interest as I'm pretty much going through what you did last year !
  • mclarent
    mclarent Posts: 784
    Ok, first time doing the Ronde, and riding Pave, these are the tips I've gleaned from here and elsewhere (that don't apply generally to any sportive):

    * Don't use your best wheels
    * Run a slightly lower pressure and a wider tyre (esp. on the back)
    * Make sure your cages hold your bottles tightly
    * Hold a loose grip on the handlebars
    * Pick your line carefully on the cobbles, either in the gutter (if possible), over the more worn sections, or possibly using an adjacent bike path
    * If it's wet, the cobbles are very slippery, so be prepared to fall off (friend of a friend did so 4 times at the start of the Roubaix last year!)
    * Try to stick with locals, as they'll probably ride the best lines
    * You can collect your "pack" on the day

    Anyone have anything else to add?
    "And the Lord said unto Cain, 'where is Abel thy brother?' And he said, 'I know not: I dropped him on the climb up to the motorway bridge'."
    - eccolafilosofiadelpedale
  • le_patron
    le_patron Posts: 494
    stjohnswell wrote:
    sent an email to info@golazo.com about confirmation and got this reply

    Registration is ok.
    You can pick up your race pack the day of the race. On Friday (16u-20u ) or on Saturday morning.

    Guess I'll just use my drivers licence as id on the morning to pick up the stuff from ninove pti

    Problem I have is that I can't pick up the pack the day before and have to get the early morning (5am) bus from Ninove to Brugge, which leaves before the pack picking up opens in Ninove...and even then I'm not sure if it will be in Ninove or Brugge.

    I am expecting issues....emails exchanged with the organisers give leave me with no confidence at all. Previous process worked fine, anyway...

    Rode the Cheshire Cat today, Swiss Hill reminded me so much of the Patterberg/Koppenberg...really good fun. Stay seated, churn that gear and keep moving.

    The Muur this year (for the race) for me, I'd go there or the K'berg, both excellent.
  • mclarent
    mclarent Posts: 784
    le patron wrote:
    stjohnswell wrote:
    sent an email to info@golazo.com about confirmation and got this reply

    Registration is ok.
    You can pick up your race pack the day of the race. On Friday (16u-20u ) or on Saturday morning.

    Guess I'll just use my drivers licence as id on the morning to pick up the stuff from ninove pti

    Problem I have is that I can't pick up the pack the day before and have to get the early morning (5am) bus from Ninove to Brugge, which leaves before the pack picking up opens in Ninove...and even then I'm not sure if it will be in Ninove or Brugge.

    I am expecting issues....emails exchanged with the organisers give leave me with no confidence at all. Previous process worked fine, anyway...

    Rode the Cheshire Cat today, Swiss Hill reminded me so much of the Patterberg/Koppenberg...really good fun. Stay seated, churn that gear and keep moving.

    The Muur this year (for the race) for me, I'd go there or the K'berg, both excellent.

    Reading the website, looks to me that you can pick your pack up from Bruges if that is your start?
    "And the Lord said unto Cain, 'where is Abel thy brother?' And he said, 'I know not: I dropped him on the climb up to the motorway bridge'."
    - eccolafilosofiadelpedale
  • Mar ge
    Mar ge Posts: 88
    The good news is that weather forecast is looking very promising - sun every day until Friday & sun / overcast on Saturday. The last week here has been really sh*tty so very good news indeed.

    Wet cobbles are not a nice combination and if some mud & a hill is added it's really quite horrible....

    Best watching? For me it has to be Koppenberg every time :)
  • Bronzie
    Bronzie Posts: 4,927
    Oh! Started to get excited now! Roll on Friday :)

    Doing the short ride (70km) with my lad (13) - just hope he enjoys it and all the weekends of dragging him out into the freezing weather this winter will be worth it for both of us.

    PS Must make a mental note not to attack and try and drop him on the Muur - I'm supposed to be acting as his faithful domestique............at least this year :lol:
    It's a Lifestyle! -+-+- Coggan Training Levels
  • calvjones
    calvjones Posts: 3,850
    Bronzie wrote:
    Oh! Started to get excited now! Roll on Friday :)

    Doing the short ride (70km) with my lad (13) - just hope he enjoys it and all the weekends of dragging him out into the freezing weather this winter will be worth it for both of us.

    PS Must make a mental note not to attack and try and drop him on the Muur - I'm supposed to be acting as his faithful domestique............at least this year :lol:

    I am reminded of that episode of Frasier where the Doc is worried that his son will, for the first time, realise his dad is fallible as he can't play softball.

    Let's hope that doesn't happen to you on the Muur eh? Or that if it does, and he drops YOU, I'm there to see it :wink:
    ___________________

    Strava is not Zen.
  • Bronzie
    Bronzie Posts: 4,927
    calvjones wrote:
    Let's hope that doesn't happen to you on the Muur eh? Or that if it does, and he drops YOU, I'm there to see it :wink:
    It's entirely possible - the little sod has been climbing well recently :lol:

    Will have to drill him on the flat instead 8)
    It's a Lifestyle! -+-+- Coggan Training Levels
  • calvjones
    calvjones Posts: 3,850
    Is the anywhere I can find a map of the 140Km route online? If I'm staying in Aalst (& picking up my pack on Friday) seems silly to cycle South to Ninove then head West, rather than go straight to the nearest point of the 140km (hopefully saving what might be a very valuable 10K-worth of energy by the end....)
    ___________________

    Strava is not Zen.
  • calvjones
    calvjones Posts: 3,850
    Looking at:

    http://www.routeyou.com/route/view/6102 ... oerisme.en

    I reckon the best bet for me from the Aalst ibis might be to join the route at Herzele - about 14KM from the ibis (and not too much climbing!); see

    http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2682078

    Anybody wanting to do the same is welcome to PM and join me on this leisurely warm up - especially of you come Garmin equipped :D
    ___________________

    Strava is not Zen.
  • mclarent
    mclarent Posts: 784
    calvjones wrote:
    Looking at:

    http://www.routeyou.com/route/view/6102 ... oerisme.en

    I reckon the best bet for me from the Aalst ibis might be to join the route at Herzele - about 14KM from the ibis (and not too much climbing!); see

    http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2682078

    Anybody wanting to do the same is welcome to PM and join me on this leisurely warm up - especially of you come Garmin equipped :D

    Sounds like cheating to me, will be passing your name on to the relavent authorities... :wink:

    Cheers for the link though! :D
    "And the Lord said unto Cain, 'where is Abel thy brother?' And he said, 'I know not: I dropped him on the climb up to the motorway bridge'."
    - eccolafilosofiadelpedale
  • Chip \'oyler
    Chip \'oyler Posts: 2,323
    The info about picking up packs etc has gone from the site. I'm doing the 140k version and would like to pick up the pack on the Friday. Does anyone know it this will be in Ninove - and if so I assume it will be near the Start?
    Expertly coached by http://www.vitessecyclecoaching.co.uk/

    http://vineristi.wordpress.com - the blog for Viner owners and lovers!
  • Bronzie
    Bronzie Posts: 4,927
    Packs can be collected from the PTI (sports college I think) in the middle of Ninove - should be plenty of cyclists about to follow there. I can remember how to get there, but can't place it on a map. :oops:
    It's a Lifestyle! -+-+- Coggan Training Levels
  • Slow1972
    Slow1972 Posts: 362
    If you go on the french version of the website there are maps of the different routes.

    If you click on the 140 km one you can zoom in and it will show you the start in Ninove which (again on the french site) is where you can pick up your pack on Friday afternoon.

    Hope that helps, good luck - say hello if you pass a Manchester Wheeler :)

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