Retro Ronde
Posted: 16 Jun 2015 09:51
Just back from Belgium and a weekend of retro cycling. The event "Retro Ronde" is centred in Oudenarde the home of the Tour of Flanders. Started on Sat with a gentle ride out to the Paterberg and Koppenberg climbs.
Lots going on all day in the town centre with live music until 3am.
For the event itself there were 1039 entrants, split into 3 rides of 40, 70, and 100k. I did the shorter one that had 3 controls with free food & drink. These were at farms, and all had a bike mechanic on hand and live music.
A nice touch I thought was the priest at the start to bless and sprinkle us with holy water. But then Carole pointed out that he was a fake, and that he used a toilet brush to sprinkle us with unholy water from a fire bucket. Typical of her to spoil things for me!
Again on the Sunday evening the festivities went on till 3am. Although I was tucked up in bed in Calais by then.
So, overall a great weekend and a chance to ride some of the lanes and cobbles of the Tour of Flanders. How the pro's ride at 30mph on the cobbles is a mystery.
So for anyone with retro bike (pre 1985) this is a great event to ride.
Lots going on all day in the town centre with live music until 3am.
For the event itself there were 1039 entrants, split into 3 rides of 40, 70, and 100k. I did the shorter one that had 3 controls with free food & drink. These were at farms, and all had a bike mechanic on hand and live music.
A nice touch I thought was the priest at the start to bless and sprinkle us with holy water. But then Carole pointed out that he was a fake, and that he used a toilet brush to sprinkle us with unholy water from a fire bucket. Typical of her to spoil things for me!
Again on the Sunday evening the festivities went on till 3am. Although I was tucked up in bed in Calais by then.
So, overall a great weekend and a chance to ride some of the lanes and cobbles of the Tour of Flanders. How the pro's ride at 30mph on the cobbles is a mystery.
So for anyone with retro bike (pre 1985) this is a great event to ride.
