Wild Side Road Team- A Rider's Blog:
ICHTEGEM KERMESSE 19/3/06 BELGIUM.
The Wild Side 'Primavera' trip to Belgium took place last Sunday in glorious sunny conditions and coincided nicely with Hurricane Freddy's arrival in West Flanders. Ashley, Jason, Mark, Chrispy, Chris Mac, Simon and I took part with John fulfilling the Team Manager/Belgium beer tasting role.
Whist enjoying the Eurotunnel's panoramic vistas, time was utilised effectively by engaging in some cross-channel pasta and the formulation of an aggressive race strategy which would later be discarded as soon as race got underway. It also gave us time to appreciate the dominatrix nature of the Eurotunnel staff as well as trying to establish how Simon had managed to stick his Continental sticker on upside down.
With time to spare upon arrival on foreign shores we set off in pursuit of the infamous White Donkey establishment for some pre-race fodder. However, due to technical problem with Ashley's prototype satellite navigation system (caused by a coffee stain on the map) we were unable to find it. Unperturbed, we headed for faithful old Diksmuide in the hunt for some phlegmish pasta which we successfully found, in the form of a drive-thru abattoir, purveying a good helping of donkeys testicles and spaghetti.
On arrival at the race we were greeting with about 100 starters and the realisation that this was actually going to be quite a difficult Kermesse. The race was fast, windy and overcrowded but everyone rode well, keeping near the front and getting involved in a few good moves. Most of us were in the main group which trailed the leading group of 20 by about 2 minutes with a few smaller groups in between. John was doing a fine job of team mechanic by camouflaging himself in cigar smoke and darting in and out of various bars on route in order to find the most suitable one for the post-race celebrations.
I made my excuses and pulled out with 3 laps to go, Chris P withdrew a lap later and everyone else battled on to the finish minus the last lap which only the leading group completed. All in all a good workout and a very enjoyable trip. Thanks to Ashley for organising, John for the beers and Chris P for driving the team bus. Roll on the next one. |
