Retro Ronde van Vlaanderen foreplay

The Ronde was always a highlight of my cycling year; hanging off a tree halfway up the Koppenberg, the tour coach getting stuck on the narrow roads and, of course, belgian beer.

I was there in the year Jesper Skibby nearly got run over by the official's car after falling off at the base of the Koppenberg. Classic in all senses!
 
Can you ride round twice? Much that I love cycling in Flanders, going all that way to ride 40-odd miles seems a bit stingy. Might just take the Gios in April and do the full-RvV
 
monty dog":d0iv3kv7 said:
Can you ride round twice? Much that I love cycling in Flanders, going all that way to ride 40-odd miles seems a bit stingy. Might just take the Gios in April and do the full-RvV
Click to expand...

Snap! Apart from doing the full 250km route - that is madness. :lol:

Steel is definately the way forward for the pave :)
 
Fat Mike":yra8nke9 said:
The Ronde was always a highlight of my cycling year; hanging off a tree halfway up the Koppenberg, the tour coach getting stuck on the narrow roads and, of course, belgian beer.

I was there in the year Jesper Skibby nearly got run over by the official's car after falling off at the base of the Koppenberg. Classic in all senses!
Click to expand...
Tadaa... :D I can remember me the live shots as well. Furious I was.
mwrsiw.jpg
 
montydog and richardf - I'm thinking exactly the same, seems a lot of hassle for just 70km (and that's the long course :shock: ), especially if it's sunny in June as a longer ride would make a smashing day out.

Perhaps if there's a few of us we could do the 70km route as part of the event with a prompt start and then repeat again after having a beer (just the one). Alternatively, there's the sportive in April with the bonus of the pro race the next day.

Either way, clearly there is a use for my newly arrived Mavic groupset.....
 
I'm doing the April "sportive" event. Did it last year on a aluminium 'cross bike and it was brutal. Mate did it on a steel Salsa and enjoyed it much more, so I'm wheeling out the Gios for 2011 :D (and maybe some pipe lagging zip tied to the tops ) :twisted:
 
I think it's as much about the 'atmosphere' of the event rather than the distance covered. Everyone in the photos seems to be enjoying themselves which is a good sign. If you want a long hard ride and 'pave' and 'bergs' then the sportive is probably the one to go for. The Retro seems to be more about showing off your classic bikes and meeting people - and eating and drinking!

I know which one I prefer :D
 
Totally agree that it's about so much more than just the ride, but 70k does seem rather a brief ride when it would take quite a bit of effort/expense to get there from the UK.

Perhaps one approach is to have a Retrobike contingent, in old kit, at the sportive and aim for the intermediate 150k route?
 
I will prefer the Retro edition as it has the right atmosphere for me. Less people, less lycra, less advertising, less loudness... 8) Better food.

Most likely I will take something rare Dutch with me: the Peka or my recently acquired Reus. I have matching clothing.

Belgium is relatively nearby for me, but I like the idea of taking a hotel and doing some 'local low lands touring' 8) the other day.
 
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