Formed in June 09, Here Come the Belgians is a non-elite anti-team celebrating all things cross, cobbled and Belgian.
Seeking a different experience to the traditional cycling club, its aim is to harness the energy of a vibrant internet cycling community with grass roots racing and riding based around Cyclocross and Spring Classics. There is no race programme in the style of a racing team, more a collection of individual experiences through rides and racing, in whatever location a member may be, that all can share in and contribute toward.

Wednesday 2 June 2010

Belgians Go Cumbrian- Reconnaissance

Took a glorious June day off work today in order to provide you lucky souls with a sneak preview of some of the best (read: "worst") roads awaiting you on your trip North. The whole thing took me about 5 hours at a brisk training pace, with some hammer applied on a couple of hills. 5 miles along the coast into an evil headwind aside, it was a great trip out, if we get the weather we had today, we'll be laughing.

First up is Merks lane, coming at only 3 miles into the ride:



The Muur der Scale Hill (note where the top is in relation to the bend... Steepamendous!):


The "Mini-Mollenberg":



This next one is a lovely climb and gets even steeper shortly after this point, I didn't want to ruin the surprise so no pictures of that bit, the back wheel was slipping up here...


The lane that the craggy-faced Belgeaphile who used to run my former club dubbed "Paris-Roubaix Lonning". The surfacing gets even worse after this. I Lost a bottle down here today getting chased by a dog, just for an extra frission of danger:



Finally, the start of the Silloth Pave:


Enjoy! There's loads of bits I was having too much fun riding to stop and take pictures.

2 comments:

  1. Can't wait to ride.

    Tragic and scary day to be riding round West Cumbria though.......the whole community must be in shock after those shootings.

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  2. Totally agree with crossjunkie...I hope the community recovers quickly.

    I'll be in Cockermouth on July 4th but will be taking some mates back to pick up cars in Whitehaven having ridden the C2C and back, hopefully in less than 96hrs. If possibly I might come out to wave you off :D

    If at all interested in our trip take a look here http://www.justgiving.com/mostlydownhill

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