Why Belgium and why De Ronde?
Flanders is one of, if not the most amazing place to ride a bicycle. I know, I know…Majorca, Tuscany, Provence are beautiful and I get that. I have had people ask why we would leave the perfectly good mountains of Boulder to ride in Belgie. Let me try to explain.
The Culture of Flanders is second to none. I would argue that Oudenaarde is the living and breathing heart of cycling. De Ronde museum, plus cycling-in-flanders.com make it one of the most user friendly places to visit and soak in the culture that created or forged the hardest of the hard men like Museeuw, De Vlaeminck, Boonen, and adopted son Cancellara.
On a clear day the green fields and blue skies are striking. On the last 3 trips to Belgium we have had mostly wonderful weather, except for the day of the Sportive (see below). The view from the top of the Bergs lets you know you earned it, and you can’t help but stop and soak a few of the views in. The history of hundreds of bike races past and 2 World Wars is out there; its pretty crazy to consider that some of those stones and trees have survived through all of that.
If you get “Belgian” weather, then your day will be very memorable. The Ronde Cyclo last year was just such a day. 40 degrees and rain creates muddy bergs and cobbles adding an added layer of difficulty to some of the toughest hills one can ever ride a bike up.
The Bergs versus Big Climbs is a debate amongst cyclists on group rides or café chats every spring. Since I live in a city with big climbs, and visit the bergs annually, I’ll try to add my perception. On a long climb, even one that has 20% pitches (they are usually paved and or at worst packed dirt) you can settle in for the long journey of 45 minutes or more. They hurt and you suffer, especially if one is say 5’8 170 lbs and more of a 1–5 minute effort kinda guy.
Your limit is your limit, but big climbs paint a clear picture for you that going past your limit will result in stopping. The bergs however, are 1–5 minutes and there is simply nothing like the cobbles. Tom Boonen says. “Cobble stones have the affect of glue, they try to slow you down.” It’s facinating to see your power numbers and feel like you are throwing watts in the air the first time you ride the Koppenberg. It took me a few times, to realize how to get my position and tire pressure right to get the power to the ground.
Some of hellingens, like the Kwaremont, are able to be ridden at a more subdued pace, but the Koppenberg, Paterberg and De Muur require your full effort. Going anaerobic for 5–15 efforts in Flanders is not like riding a longer climb that you can settle into. Truthfully, there is also the ego factor; if you traveled this far, your pride will have you going all in. I have had people ask “How hard can the Koppenberg really be?” Here is a video of Team Astana’s recon before the 2016 RVV for some reference http://www.stickybottle.com/latest-news/video-if-koppenberg-stays-this-muddy-tour-flanders-will-be-carnage/
There is just nothing like riding the hellingens and the feelings one gets while being completely engrossed in the cycling culture that is Flanders. It is a magical place, the cycling version of Disney World. From food, beer, the people and the course Flanders is cycling perfection.
