Flanders

[Brian Robinson]

I heard some rumours on the club run that there were a few nutters thinking of doing Flanders this year cyclo sportif style. I did Paris Roubaix a couple of years ago for my sins and wondered whether anyone had any details?

Bri

[ajay khandelwal]

I am going on March 31st (Friday) and returning evening of April 2nd (Sunday).

Tickets by Eurostar £79 return - put your bike in a bag.

I am going with a self organised group I did the etape with last year so I have low cost accommodation : you will need to organise somewhere to stay.

Quite a few riders said they were interested. Here is the blurb that our Belgian organiser sent to me a few weeks ago...
"
>Indeed in April 2006 (April 1st to be more precise, no joke) the Tour
>of Flanders is scheduled, also known as the Ronde van Vlaanderen (RVV).
>This will be the opportunity for all of you to ride on the same cobbles
>and hills as all famous professional riders will do the day after (April 2).
>As last year Lance Armstrong made one of his last NW European
>appearances, in 2006 this will be the opportunity to see the just new
>crowned world champion Tom Boonen on his favourite playground.
>
>So the cyclo sport version of RVV is on Saturday 1st of April while the
>day after (Sunday April 2) one can see (for ex on the Muur van
>Geraardsbergen) the elite women and pro's do their Protour race.
>
>More details on the ride of 2006 will follow but there will be a 140 km
>and a 256 km ride (and there is even a shorter version (75 km) and MTB rides).
>
>

[ajay khandelwal]

On line registration

://www.sport.be/cycling/rondevanvlaanderen/2006/eng/inschrijvingen/

[sylv]

[img]http://www.jasonbennion.com/photos/albums/Misc/flanders.jpg[/img]

[-Adam-]

Although lacking the courage to ride it, i was thinking about doing a (motorised) road trip to watch the pro race.

Thinking about leaving very early on the sunday morning, getting eurotunnel around 5/5.30am our time. Heading over to bruges for the start, then attemting to get to a few vantage points along the way them flash past. Then trying to get as close as possible to the finish in ninove.

If anyone has done this before, or indeed is interested in being my accomplice, then give let me know. Any advice on this mission would be greatly received.

[the muur]

See you there Ajay, well somewhere maybe.... We're staying in Oudenaarde for ten days before and after De Ronde and including P-R.

The only problem with doing it 'mororised' is that wherever you go to watch, the race roads will be closed for 15 minutes before the lead group arrives and some 5-10 minutes after they have gone through with the following caravan and press corps.

Have you considered taking the bikes with you, parking up in Brugge, watching the start (nothing to watch really, best bit is the ride to signing on) then driving down to Oudenaarde, park up and get the bikes out and ride round and see the event at various points? The race works it's way in and out of Oudenaarde like a clover leaf and with planning, you should be able to see the race 4 or five times, maybe six with a bit of rushing about. Let me know if you need any additional info.... this is my 10th anniversery watching De Ronde!