ronde update and briefing

Find last minute details here - with the exception of an accurate weather forecast.....

Ronde Van Oost Lancashire

Last Saturday Alan and I did a recce of part of the Ronde route in very typical Belgian / Lancastrian weather - it lashed it down.

The hills resembled something out of a film set with great cloud formations and water gushing down the sides of the valleys, the cobbles were tricky, tyre choice will be crucial (Al will give you a very detailed list of tyres and pressures required)and the potholes are abundent.

Regardless of the weather the route is fantastic and the day will be something to remember, so we hope many of you will venture out on the 3rd.

Better late...

...Than never.

As has been well documented previously with the smattering of race reports, we've seen our first cross season come and go. On our journey of mud, rain yet no tears, we invested in some winter kit which was duly designed, ordered, paid for and delivered, then posted onward to each eager purchaser.

Or so I thought. One kit went for a journey.

It was to make a journey of less than 20 miles.

It went 30 - to Sheffield.

It hung around for a while there...it was hip, there was a scene.

It then split and relocated to Belfast.

It hung around there for a longer while...in a warehouse, full of other good stuff hanging around (think Indiana Jones and the Lost Ark)

By now it was bored with travelling and came home. To me. Back where it started.

To begin it's journey again as I posted it onward. For the second time.

It finally arrived at it's destination.

Phew...Relax, deep breaths, sighs of relief.

So aside from this travelogue what about the kit.

Our kit needs were supplied by Champion System and I've resisted commenting about it until we've had chance to rigorously test the stuff. So how have we found it?

We ordered Techfleece jerseys, Windguard jackets and euro winter hats and it's surpassed our expectations in many ways. The quality is there, the cost is very affordable, the material is robust in the face of multiple mudbaths and washing cycles. In action the Techfleece jersey has been used in foul, cold weather conditions with only a summer baselayer underneath and was plenty warm enough. The Jacket has all the features of jackets £100 more expensive and looks pretty damn cool with a über sharp print. Oh, it's works pretty well too - I was carried away by the aesthetics.

So in summary I'm happy with our choice so far. Champion System's ordering procedure was hassle free and as a designer gave me some semblance of control (are all designers OCD?). Their customer service was spot on and from design to delivery was a smooth process.

So what next? Summer shirts, arm warmers and Gilets are on the horizon.

Team Members watch your inboxes. Prospective team members keep an eye on the blog.

Interlude

I've had this vid a couple of weeks but with Al's call to action still fresh I thought it best to let the RVOL post simmer for a while. So here it is the foolishness that was Hit the North....

And I still don't get it.

Chapeau to Al for his podium position...and he even had to fight for it even after the Lantern Rouges had long finished.

Thanks to Simon Fox and son Will for the chance to post it.

Ronde van Oost Lancashire April 3rd 2010

Calling all Belgians, calling all Belgians.........




Come and join us for the real deal in East Lancashire on Sat 3rd April - cafe at the car park for post ride dissection, weather guaranteed (not saying what sort...) and of course more cobbles than you can shake a 24mm Pave tire at.

It is fair to point out that both routes are challenging and require a reasonable degree of fitness, though the Achtervolgers group will miss out some miles and a fair amount of extra climbing from the full route without foregoing the Flandrian feel. We are running it as a 'Gentleman's and Ladies' ride and will ride together and look after each other in time honoured fashion, though I suspect there may be some action on the climbs....

Maury and Wolfram (and Jez)- we realise that attending this may be a stretch too far for you all but we will have you along in spirit. Bon courage!

Route desciption here

Route Cue Sheet here

Disclaimer: This is a social ride, not a competitive event. All riders participate entirely at their own risk and liability.

Maybe, just maybe...

I hardly dare to think it, let alone whisper it. Is it true, could it be Spring is here?

OK so Saturday's ride was a numbing, snow pelted wind fest.

The Belgian (semi) classics started with some pretty epic looking conditions.

Yet today the sun finally shone. Despite the temperatures hovering around freezing, it actually felt good to be on a bike.

Long may it continue!