Still Thinking About the Ardennes Camping Trip

Last week Jonas and I went camping in Bouillon, Belgium. We really lucked out on the best spot imaginable. While most of the Ardennes camping spots are riddled with semi-permanent trailer parks doubling as camp sites where people are living on top of each other, we snagged a river-side spot with an absent neighbor on one side and an empty lot on the other. It felt like we were all alone along the river.

Every morning started with French pressed coffee coupled with fresh bread delivered to the camp site via a bakery truck that swerved in and out of the lots honking his horn.

After eating so much that we were ready for a nap, we instead 'suited up' for our trail hike. I got to break in my brand new custom insoles made for my walking/running shoes which worked amazingly well. We hiked and hiked and got lost, then hiked some more, hitched a ride with strangers when we found ourselves many kilometers off our pre-planned route, then hiked the rest of the way home. It was the first time that my legs felt fresh from that much hard walking - thanks to the insoles (and the doctor from Kortenberg who made them)!

When we werent out hiking or getting lost while hiking, we sat by the river with our red wine in hand while watching passerbys. We saw fishers catching nothing and little kids drifting away on oversized tires while the parents chase them down alongside the river. But what i found most entertaining was the kayakers.

Every boat that passed was completely unique - some contained Dutch tourists obnoxiously yelling across the river as if they were the only ones on earth. Others held little kids who had no idea what to do with the paddle and relied on the river to pull them downstream. And every once in a while, we were passed by semi-professional-looking seasoned kayakers who flew by us in a flash. Inspired by the fast ones, I decided to give it a go figuring it can't be that hard to do it.

The next day we were out on kayaks playing in the river. It was a perfect day for it - sunshine and 28°Celcius. Within thirty seconds of hitting the water i realized it may be harder than it looks. About 1km down the river we took a brief detour to our tent to pick up a little courage in the form of a bottle of wine.

After our first glass we decided to paddle in earnest to work off the alcohol calories. Jonas went first - we flew! I was next. I put my head down and paddled my ass off. When i looked up i realized i had done a perfect circle. I guess my right arm is stronger than the left. Of course I glanced back at jonas and casually said I meant to do that.

On my second try i went a little sideways and we ended up wrapped in trees along the bank. To prove that I was effective somehow, i turned to jonas, pointed upwards at the blowing branches and said, " Look at how much wind I made." He laughed so hard that i think i fooled him again into thinking i planned that route. And to think I accomplished all this on just one single glass of wine. I'll never know what i could have done with two since I spilled my second glass when trying to duck my head under the branches. Maybe i should stick to cycling...or trail walking it seems.

To balance out all the nature stuff, we checked out the little neighboring towns by scooter, stopping briefly in each for a quick drink or bite to eat. Some of the cafes had incredible views so extraordinary I could almost believe they were fake. We happened to drive through one town just as they were having their weekly market. I love markets so i was thrilled to stop and check out the stuff. It took us about four minutes to confirm that they had the same crap as all markets around the world so we got back on the scooter to head home.

Our four minute detour cost us dearly though. We would have made it back to the campsite completely unscathed from the heavy storm chasing us through the past few towns but instead it nipped at our toes for a litle bit before dumping on us about five minutes from home. There has to be nothing worse than arriving at a campsite frozen and wet.

It is now back to reality. Training for cyclo-cross is top priority at the moment and all is going well. Thanks to that little break between road and cyclo-cross seasons I feel fresh, motivated and ready to train for cross.

Today was my first offroad ride on the cross bike. I spent the whole time with the corners of my lips glued to my ears. I'm sure many of you can relate.

The bike projects are starting now too. First project is gluing the tubulars - I just started to prep the Reynolds wheels and Challenge Grifos. Next is to change the Speedplay cleats on my Specialized shoes. Photos of my projects to come...

Thanks for reading.

Article in Cyclocross Magazine

I am finally getting around to posting my cyclocross mag article in the current issue. As much as i enjoyed reading my own article, i did have a lot of fun checking out the other articles such as the cyclo-cross buyers guide - especially the cx tire review including their 'hi-tech' testing procedure. This was a must-read.

Another article to check out is the one on Eye Candy. My favorite entry of the bunch is on Ahrens Bikes. I gotta remember to ask Mandy where she got the letters that were used for her name on the bike.

To get Cyclocross Magazine delivered to your doorstep, or to find out where you can pick up a copy, click HERE.

AND if you have a second, can you kindly vote for my column OR on the article of Bart Wellens on the Cyclocross Magazine site? (it takes only one quick click) The article of mine they refer to is the last one i wrote - not the current one posted on this blog today. This contest is purely for my ego, I get to keep the column with the magazine either way. Good thing because i am losing in the polls.

The next issue of Cyclocross Magazine will be published just in time for Interbike Show in Las Vegas. It will include my column and a very long Sven Nys interview where he reveals many secrets on how he is able to dominate the sport year after year.

The cx season starts in just over a month so i have been busy lining everything up to be prepared for the start. Shortly I will update my race schedule on the left side of the blog so you know where I'll be just in case you're in the neighborhood and want to cheer me on.

Thanks as always for reading!

Olympic Mens Road Race on TV

I had just returned from the store and turned on the TV to check out the weather. To my surprise there was a bike race going on - the olympics? I knew when the mtb olympics would take place because i have friends and acquaintances who are racing it - sven nys, georgia gould, todd wells, adam craig and mary mcConneloug. When you're without internet for four whole days as i was recently you miss a lot.

Anyway i figured it was the olympics because the guys were wearing non-big-team jerseys. The things you notice...so i sat down and watched for a while. What caught my eye first was the obvious racer loyalty over their country's. Next thing i noticed was that there was something missing, namely spectators. Almost no spectators. Aside from the mini pockets of people standing in parking lots every few kilometers, the roads were empty.

The last climb of the event determined the race - one of the schlek brothers (Andy) of CSC instigated an attack that blew the field apart which dropped USA favorite Levi Leipheimer. My favorite move of the day was Fabian Cancellara's bridge to the chase group of two who were ten seconds behind the three leaders (Schleck, davide rebellin and Samuel Sanchez). Cancellara approached the two guys at about twice their speed. After a brief rest behind them he jumped ahead and bridged the gap. It did help that Schlek slowed the others down so his CSC teammate could catch up.

Sanchez really did a great sprint and deserved the win. Too bad there were so few people to see it.

Did you know there is a new CX BOOK?

I just found this in cyclingnews.com:

Cyclo-cross skills in print

Cyclo-cross has become increasingly popular in the United States and other countries outside of its traditional base in Northern Europe. With that comes the need for instruction on the highly technical discipline, and the gap has been filled by Colorado coach Scott Mares.

Mares, who has been running the American Cycling Associations' (ACA) cyclo-cross camps for nine years has helped to produce more than a dozen national champions and even a silver at the junior worlds championships.

"The Complete Book of Cyclo-cross, Skill Training and Racing" will be available on line at www.cx-book.com on September 1. The book will retail for $20.00. The web site is full of information about the book and the author including a sample chapter from the book.

I have crossed paths with Scott Mares a couple of times so it was exciting to see he has a book out. Now to see if they ship to belgium...

I need your HELP in winning a contest with VegNews Magazine

Can you PLEASE take a minute to vote for me in the VegNews Magazine Awards Contest that is taking place NOW through end of August.

I am still on trial with the magazine as a fitness columnist so it would be great to win their contest.

Click on this link to get there. Just vote or skip the other contests to get to the "Favorite Vegan Athlete" section.

THANKS SO MUCH! Your help is really appreciated.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=2fkh_2bW3o9fkbEWraGcnM9Q_3d_3d


On another topic, I just finished my last road race of the season. No win but really good form. Wow, what a difference from only two months ago. I had a really good feeling that my fitness is elevated to a high enough level from the road season that I expect (assuming i stay clear of head injuries) to have a decent cyclo-cross season. What a relief. Now I just can't wait for cross season to begin.

But first it's off to the Ardennes for a few days of camping. We are headed to a town in Belgium called Bouillon -which, to an american ear seems a bizarre name for a town. Every time i hear the name i can't help but to think soup. I can understand naming a town SPA since the SPA water theoretically comes from there but Bouillon is just wrong. After racing 9 events in 12 days i really look forward to a few days off the bike and on foot. Just got my custom orthodics so i am ready to go.

Thanks again for voting for me on the VegNews site.

AND thanks for reading.

Still in racing hell...

I haven't written much lately because i am still in racing hell. As of this sunday i will have raced 9 races in 12 days. That alone is not a feat but when combined with my other multitasking activities it makes it impressive - or at least explains away a little of my flakiness for not updating my blog in a timely manner.

This week has been post-Tour (de France) criteriums. For many of them there is a womens elite race just before the mens spectacle, which is exactly what it is. While the women race it out no-frills style - no parade, no pre-arranged finish, no podium girls, the men's event starts off with a caravan of convertibles containing the crowd favorites like Cavendish, Boonen, Gilbert sitting in the back seat flanked by sexy long-legged bikini babes. Next the guys ride around the criterium track for a few laps at an almost trackstand pace, slapping hands with their fans and happily responding to the fans who yell random encouraging words.

Finally it's race time. Last night's crit in Herentals, Belgium was the only mens crit I got to see this season. For the first many laps of 50, the guys take turns showing their faces off the front of the peloton. First it was cyclo-cross stud Bart Wellens taking a flyer for a few laps while the rest of the peloton pretended to grimace in pain. Next flyers came from the local favorites racing for Belgian clubs, then some of the other big pros went for a front seat "hello" to the crowd. Finally after about 40ish laps, Cavendish, Gilbert and Boonen were off the front - clearly the three chosen for the podium placings. With two laps to go, Boonen dropped them. But within a lap he was caught and Cavendish flew through for the win with Boonen and Gilbert behind - in that order.

The first 40 laps looked fast but when they hit the 45-lap mark and the pace went up to something closer to reality, it was very impressive - almost surreal to see cyclists moving that fast.

Compared to the mens race, ours must have seemed quite ordinary to the crowd. But to me it was much more interesting. This is partly because i was riding on a borrowed bike that was one size too small and only ridden by me for a whopping 15 minutes before the start.

The night before the race, just after returning home from a race in Chaam, Holland (which was a fast race, by the way - we finished 60km in only 1hr 10min), Jonas found a crack in my frame. So that night we stripped the bike down in hopes of getting another frame by the morning so i can make the afternoon race.

Jan from Fietsen Goeman (photo right) in Everberg thankfully called Scott Headquarters in Belgium in the morning and they had a frame in stock. Unfortunately by the time we could get the frame there would be no time to build it up so Eddy at Scott (his is the one talking to the Scott rider) graciously lent me a bike to race for the next three events. What a godsend!!! Not only was it in perfect race condition (although a bit too small to race on all season) but it was the top of the line Scott Carbon CR1 bike equipped with full carbon campagnolo record - even carbon cranks. What a luxury.

I was nervous about racing with it, firstly because it is a very expensive bike - my guess maybe worth 4000 euros?, and secondly because i was not sure if it would be comfortable enough to ride at 40-50kph in a tight group through hundreds of high speed turns, some of which are on cobbles. But the bike proved excellent. Wow - it was the most comfortable ride i've ever felt from a road bike. I used to think that road bikes are all the same (while cross bikes are NOT) but now my mind is changed for sure.

Anyway, i didn't win the race but i surely showed my face a bunch at the front of the race. And most importantly i had a blast doing it.

Today has been spent writing, writing and writing. Tomorrow it is back at the races. Just two more races then i am off for a mini 3-day holiday without the bike. I guess it's time to blow the 1-inch dust off the running shoes since i'll be using them shortly to get ready for cyclo-cross season. Just can't wait.

Wanna know what I've been up to?

I am typing this in between sending out 'business' emails, doing laundry, packing for this evening's race, and working on Sven Nys' interview so it will be a little short and probably scattered.

In the last few days since my last post, I have raced twice, gone to Paris for the day, picnic'd in La Roche en Ardenne, took a train ride (a very short one) in Durbuy - the smallest town in the world, shopped for food, hosted a wedding reception, ripped my rear deraileur off, and celebrated my birthday.

The photos on this post are from the race on my birthday July 19th. Julie drove with us because it was her birthday too! It was a very fun day on the bikes; we sung, we attacked, we were in breaks that we instigated and we had champagne afterwards. Good day.

The second race I did which was three days ago didn't last long enough to take photos. Four minutes into the event my chain got caught between the frame and small chainring. Sara Carrigan of Lotto-Belisol was kind enough to push me forever in hopes that i could fix it on the fly but no such luck. I finally stopped and took some time to pull it out. As i tried to chase back onto the peloton I quickly found out that i had NOT ONE single gear that didn't skip. With no way to put full power on the pedals I had no hope of rejoining the peloton. And even if i did, I'd be seriously putting myself in danger of injury from trying to ride a bike that is skipping. After riding about 10km dangling just behind the peloton while trying to baby the pedals, my deraileur decided it had enough and ripped off the bike.

OK gotta go - I will write more soon. Mom leaves on tuesday so i should be able to write more regularly after that.

I just scored an interview with SVEN NYS

I just got word back that Sven Nys accepted an interview request from me. Considering he made it publicly clear that he is NOT accepting any interviews until after the Mountain Bike Olympics, I am thrilled that he chose to make an exception for me! I have been a huge fan of his for years so you can imagine how excited i am. I am interviewing him for Cyclocross Magazine's upcoming issue that will be released in time for the infamous Vegas Bike Show.





If you have any questions you would like me to ask Sven or any questions you think readers of Cyclocross Magazine would find interesting, please let me know as soon as possible.



On a completely separate note, I raced last two days ago and had another fun time out. The course was a slightly twisty one consisting of both super wide roads and tiny trails - flat but lots of wind. Average speed just over 40kph. Before the race, my friend Julie and I planned our race strategy. On lap 7 of 12 we were to attack into the headwind on a tiny trail just before the tight turn onto tiny s-turn tailwind trails.



As I sat buried in the center of the peloton on lap #2, I see a little orange ball shoot off the front of the peloton. It was Julie. Clearly something was lost in the French/Flemish/English communication of our gameplan. A couple of laps later after Julie was brought back, I found myself third wheel in the peloton chasing another gal off the front. Once she was caught, the attacks started. I knew who to watch - Liesbet De Vocht, my former Lotto-Belisol teammate. I went with as many attacks that she was in that I could handle without exploding. But just after a few of them in a row, the key break broke lose- with her and without me. And that is why SHE is the one to watch and not ME - not yet.



Not wanting to leave my final result to chance in an erratic sprint, I attacked on the last lap. Although i did get caught before the finish, at least i tried. My effort didn't effect my sprint nearly as much as the random gals parked on the finishing strip - in the middle of the sprint. It felt like trying to sprint around trees in the middle of the road. Strange. Thankfully there were no crashes - just a lot of screaming and yelling at the parked riders.



Tomorrow is another race in Belgium. It is both my and Julie's birthday so obviously we will plan to try something. As long as we review our numbers beforehand (ie. 7th lap does not mean 2nd lap) , our birthday enthusiasm may help us to pull something off !

I SURVIVED...

three days of racing in a row. There was a low point, namely the second race due to operator error, but other than that it was a great workout. More importantly I had a boatload of fun.

Friday's course in Geel (which means Yellow in dutch) was a simple 4-corner counterclockwise course of about 22 laps of 3-point-something kilometers per lap. We got lost on the way there, oddly enough thanks to TomTom, so without ample time to warm up before the race, the first few minutes were a bit painful. Lucky for me, teammie Liz Hatch was in the race; she covered just about every break - even instigating a few herself- for the first few laps until my body was ready to join my mental desire to show my face at the front.

Once there, I took turns with Liz infiltrating breaks and jumping off the front to keep the race interesting. I think it was my first time this season actually instigating a real attack. Even if none of them led to anything as we finished in a group sprint, I felt really alive - and, in hindsight, right at home based on the encouraging words such as "A-friggin-llez" I found myself yelling to the others in the break. I've said this before but i just couldn't imagine any recreational drugs comparing to the high I get from racing. But then again I have not tried anything other than vicodin or morphine (for broken bones.)

The highlight of the day was easily having my mom on the sidelines cheering me on. This was only the second time ever she saw me race. The first one was Cat's Hill Criterium in California - one of the few courses in California I miss.

Saturday's race was also 22 laps of flat riding but 10km longer and included a tricky s-turn. The pace started off fast (very partly due to my attacking efforts) allowing for few opportunities to eat or drink so i made the amateurish decision to subside on my pasta eaten three hours ago along with my Emergen-C drink I had for breakfast.

One hour into the 2+ hour ride I was dead. I continued on, trying to hide behind the biggest gal in an effort to nab some reprieve from the wind. It worked as i was able to stick it out until the sprint finish where I was spit out the back like a rotten pit.

The next day my modest plan was to eat and drink enough. As a precautionary measure Jonas taped signs on my handlebar and stem that read DRINK EAT. What i didn't realize until after the race was that I never look down at my handlebar in a race. Luckily Jonas' 18 post-saturday-race snide jokes (ie. I'd pour you a glass of your favorite wine with dinner but it seems you don't drink) stuck in my mind and i did manage to eat a few energy gels and drink a full 1 1/2 bottles of water during Sunday's race.

Sunday's course was contested on a more exciting loop with two whole highway-style overpasses, narrow roads and bad pavement. Julie, my travel companion for the day, was also thrilled for the change in course style to keep her awake. On two hours sleep and a party buzz that was still fading, Julie announced to me before the race that she was going to rely on me to entertain her since it's hard to fall asleep while laughing.

The race played out mostly like the previous two races - a flurry of attacks. Midway through the race Julie rode up alongside me. I turned to her and said, "Can't you see I'm busy?" It didn't make her laugh so i tried again, following up with, "Do these shorts make my ass look fat?" Based on her stoic expression I realized i failed her. Instead she opted for plan B - attack the field. It worked. It got laughs...from me though. What a way to stay awake.

With three laps to go, she was caught so I went to the front to try and get myself in a small group so I could avoid the dreaded group sprint. After a couple failed efforts, we all rode in together for yet another sprint.

After the event, all the racers gathered around the registration office to return race numbers and collect prize money. Easier said than done. I overheard a teary-eyed gal telling someone that the finishline camera malfunctioned so her stellar result was not recorded. With that in mind, i collected my 5 euro deposit for the race numbers and skipped the possible 5-10 euro prize money for 30ish place to avoid any kind of she-said-she-said interaction.

The highlight of this race was easily the interaction i had with the other gals. The first few races of the season here in Belgium were a bit trying. It is as if the gals here put each newbie through a hazing ritual of sorts. They will yell at you, push you out of the way, and try to get you to do work for them. It subsides only when they either get to know you or you've proven yourself somehow. Sunday's race was a turning point for me. Girls will now move out of the way for me if they see that i'm trying to move over, they'll include me in small talk, invite me in breaks, and even stick up for me if someone else is snapping at me. As fifth-grade as it sounds, it feels good to be accepted. Speaking of fifth grade, after the race when Julie asked me why i didn't join her for her one-woman-show off the front, i told her that my ass got stuck between two girls so i couldn't move forward. Still no laughs.

Thanks for reading.

Mom is in Town

She just arrived at the airport today. I forgot how much fun it is to watch someone experience Belgium for the first time. We just got back from the supermarket (Delhaize for those of you who know the stores here) and everything from the chocolate aisle to the bread slicing machine was an adventure for her. Even the walk to the store was new and different. To get to the store, we walked by sheep, a farm, a soccer field, two friendly cows who came over to say hello, another soccer field and a church. I'd imagine a walk like this is anything but normal for someone who is from Florida via Flatbush, Brooklyn.

Since she had me as her escort she got the bonus privledge of walking home with mushrooms in hand. My little backpack wasn't big enough to hold all my groceries so the bread, mushrooms and drink umbrellas had to be handheld home. If i simply paid the 3 cents for a bag to carry the food, then I may not learn the lesson of never going to the store hungry. I also woudn't get to enjoy watching the look on my mom's face when I motioned to her that we are going to walk out of the store bag-less.

I just can't wait for tomorrow's race in Geel, Belgium. My mom will get to watch me race and teammie Liz Hatch will be joining in on the fun. Maybe if i go to sleep now, the race will be sooner...

I WON...

the wholeshot, that is.

After Saturday's race in Kontich, Belgium ended in frustration due to a crash that split the field in two (you guess it - i was in the second group) I never got a chance to give it a go off the front. As Coach Elmo says, "You can't win a race from behind." He was right. Surprisingly that was the only crash during the race considering the treacherous roads; rain does not mix well with cobbles or shiny pavement - neither the white nor black variety.


Even so, I attacked and went with breaks in a futile attempt to bridge the gap. Our efforts were always foiled by some gal who would either chase us down with the whole peloton in tow or reach us solo not contribute a drop to the workload. When we'd motion for her to come around, we would be greeted by puzzled look. If looks could talk, it would usually say, "Whhhhhaaaaaat... Why are you looking at me? What do you expect me to do. Do you think I'm in a bike race or something?!?" I understand these moves if they are part of a team strategy or even a personal strategy but unfortunately they are almost always not part of any plan larger than the one move it took to bridge to us. Strange.


Anyway, after a frustrating Saturday I was keyed up for Sunday's event in Zwevegem. I got myself a front row position and vigilantly held it. Girls pushed and shoved but i didn't waver. The course was a 3.8km simple gradual-up-and-down style loop - up one side and down the other - with the start line placed 2/3 of the way up the climb.


As i stood on the line, i kept a close eye on the race director. When he raised the whistle to his mouth, I firmly grabbed the brakes and put full pressure on the pedal strategically aligned in the two o'clock position anticipating the absolute chaos that typically ensues within a millisecond of the whistle sound. I watched him take a deep breath and my heartrate must have shot up twenty beats per minute. When the screetch hit my ears, I exploded off the line - WHOLESHOT BABY!


I shot up the hill, made the tight left turn onto the church cobbles, rode through the kermis (town carnival), passed skateboarders working on their tricks on the church steps, smiled at Guy Kostermans of Belisol who was in front of a cafe as he screamed my name, then it was onto a bit of twisty pavement before I was joined by a Norwegian gal. We worked together for a few minutes before engulfed by the hard-charging peloton. Game over...for now.

By lap two of 22, I was back at it again. And lap three, and four as well. Unfortunately for me my recovery after attacking is not lightning fast yet which forces me to wait a couple of minutes before going back out again. And in one of those moments of recovery the winning break was born. I watched them go but there was nothing i could do. The break waits for nobody. Actually that's not true but it sounds good in this context.


I joined in a few more mini groups trying to bridge to the front but none lasted. My last real effort of the race seemed the most promising. With four laps to go, I got off the front of the peloton with my former Lotto-Belisol teammate Kim Schoenbaert. I assumed it would stick since she had teammates in the group. Shortly thereafter I was reminded of what assume stood for. I finished the race firmly in the middle of the peloton. Considering I am still working my way back to fitness, I am pleased, but not satisfied, with the weekends outcome.


My upcoming races are Friday, Saturday and Sunday - three more

opportunities to shoot for satisfied.

(photo to right is of me, julie and adeline post-race and the one next to it is of the finish line banner)

Thanks everyone for reading!!

Busy in Belgium

Next week is going to be super busy. Racing kicks up to about 3-7 events per week. Mom arrives for a 3-week visit which means it is time to clean the place, shop for normal food, move furniture around, and start wearing clothes when when on the computer in the living room. I have 4 (hopefully 5) articles and an outline due shortly. I need to find a haircutter that doesn't shave my face and cut one side longer than the other. Cyclo-Cross season needs to be planned. Since this is solden month in Belgium where the whole country goes on sale, I have to buy a skirt and maybe some foot covering other than sneakers to go with it. I tell people I just don't have any nice feminine clothes here - that it is all back in California - but the truth is that i cannot even remember the last time i wore a skirt that wasn't wraparound with a built-in chamois. Oops, I'd list more but i now have to pack my stuff and make pasta and coffee for my race today.

Enjoy the weekend!

I am the New VegNews Magazine COLUMNIST

I am excited to announce that I am VegNews Magazine's new Fitness Columnist. What a perfect way to unite my pro cycling career, writing career, and vegan diet. As a long time fan and subscriber of VegNews, I am honored to be a part of the magazine.

The column will be about fitness, health, and of course sports. Here is my first column (July/August issue) for your review.

VegNews is available at bookstores, health food stores such as Whole Foods, and a bunch of other places.

OR you can order a subscription to the mag (6 issues

per year.)

If you have a minute to submit a comment to VegNews regarding my column or any other comments/questions, you can send them to: letters@vegnews.com

It is much appreciated since my column is on a trial period. They need to hear enough positive feedback from readers regarding my first article (above) before my column is granted a permanent home.

As always, thanks for reading my blog.