http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium.html Being cycling mad, one of John’s dreams was to make the pilgrimage to Belgium to view one of the sporting world’s biggest occasions, the Spring Classics. This comprises of three one day races spread over 8 days. The first is De Ronde Van Vlaanderen (Tour of Flanders), the second is Gent-Wevelgem and the third is the Queen of the Classics, the Hell of the North, the one and only, Paris-Roubaix. Just to get fully submersed we decided to ride parts of the courses ourselves. http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium.html#0 e6f3cb4c-96df-4723-be74-cfb611f007cf http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1141/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1141/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Market day in Brugge. Fowl anyone?</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium.html#1 6cd5e2b5-044b-45b0-bd3f-c28b1e3f8166 http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1144/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1144/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Brugge is the Venice of the North.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium.html#2 636360ca-91bd-467e-9e55-255c66b2782d http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1149/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1149/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Reconnoitering the course at the hill where the Ronde is usually decided - the Muur.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium.html#3 d3154a37-9c73-4ea1-b591-e5ed0aa4fc53 http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1152/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1152/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Becky outside one of the well placed bars on top of the Muur.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium.html#4 77f92f76-8313-47ce-b7c9-770b4cb762a4 http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1158/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1158/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Paolo Bettini takes center stage at the start of the Ronde van Vlaanderen.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium.html#5 24ae4e7c-4f20-4f85-8684-5f041c4fd0c5 http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1160/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1160/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Followed closely behind by Begium’s heartthrob and Oscar Freire.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium.html#6 011b499c-f58c-45f7-bcec-d66de2697958 http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1164/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1164/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">The Brugge Markt.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium.html#7 b128275d-8c95-4080-abe2-d5dc8a9bbe5f http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1170/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1170/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Picnic on the Paterberg.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium.html#8 4c000c00-bac9-4feb-a85d-e7a570ee091d http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1177/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1177/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Brute force is the only way up the Paterberg. At over 20% gradient, style goes out the window.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium.html#9 6b4d75eb-632b-4911-94c6-98049a6501f9 http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1178/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1178/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Me under the 1km to go banner.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium.html#10 cec3d789-0570-4da0-a3a4-dda68d1ffdbe http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1188/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1188/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Alessandro Ballan takes it.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium.html#11 4e876d70-98c5-4474-8574-41d314ca6cef http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1189/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1189/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">John at the finish line.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium.html#12 f4133e08-effa-4580-93a4-e235555d26a8 http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1190/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1190/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">The voice of cycling “Phil Liggett” gets down to business. He stayed in our hotel with Paul Sherwen.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium.html#13 777e7088-afb0-4182-9084-3d73da0b9f6f http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1199/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1199/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Chilling in the beautiful sunshine back in Brugge.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium.html#14 400b1d76-ce78-4179-ab86-7d1d2c92b1aa http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1203/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1203/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">The beautiful flower market outside of “In Flanders Fields” museum. Iepers.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium.html#15 3c9a54be-2d96-4a17-8c4c-d030bfd81adf http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1205/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1205/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">The moving Tyne Cot cemetry in Passendale.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium.html#16 5cbe00fd-5468-410c-94b3-9bfa78c070c4 http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1210/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1210/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">View from the Menin gate where the Last Post is played every day of the year at 8pm.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium.html#17 9314300b-936f-48b0-85a3-d9befb68d048 http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1215/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1215/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">You want beer? You want ‘t Brugs Beertje! Could this really be the best pub in the world?</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium.html#18 9a0ffc62-1c3f-433f-bd99-ec578a1949d9 http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1219/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1219/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">We moved onto Gent for the start of Gent Wevelgem. Which actually starts in Deinze (East Flanders)</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium.html#19 c5d6c93e-1446-4550-b053-9a65c59d062a http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1221/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1221/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Another awesome pub - Waterhuis aan de Bierkant.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium.html#20 1ce3d062-70bc-4f0a-a351-0a0688c9e193 http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1241/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1241/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Tom Boonen rolls out for the start of Gent-Wevelgem.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium.html#21 7c8629ff-0056-4c5a-9260-d1191f86833a http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1244/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1244/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">One of the great things about Belgium is that good bear is never hard to find.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium.html#22 03153e4d-5909-497c-b57e-322faecd5c84 http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1248/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1248/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">John on the base of the Kemmelberg. The riders go over this beast twice!</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium.html#23 0507da15-c22d-4bb2-a06d-53ddb500c266 http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1250/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1250/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">I hope the bathroom isn’t too far away.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium.html#24 f47de46d-06b4-43ec-8275-4982bc32f08d http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1255/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1255/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Boonen struggles up the Kemmelberg for the first time.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium.html#25 aabd7ca3-3daa-4706-b579-efaa3a8dfcd3 http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1261/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1261/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Oscar’s in the bunch.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium.html#26 9737125c-96f6-49b5-adbb-3968c4a5cd09 http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1263/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1263/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Robbie does not like hills. Robbie does not like cobbles.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium.html#27 469d6d7e-d875-4762-9629-ee4b69909c69 http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1278/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1278/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Eventual winner Marcus Burghardt (T-Mobile Team) powers up.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium.html#28 7db469f2-aeb0-4714-9465-9099e2e135ca http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1291/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1291/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Disco boys Matty White (front) and Tony Cruz on the Kemmel.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium.html#29 324d1765-d0af-45cb-a9e4-75c12388adef http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1300/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1300/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Setting up for our mini Ronde.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium.html#30 c038208c-bcc3-4a6b-9e83-f4265be07633 http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1301/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1301/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Climb 3 - Kluisberg. 925m. Max 14.5%</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium.html#31 e6ba4c17-02c5-410a-8dd7-377fb2980f3e http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1304/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1304/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Climb 4 - Knokteberg. 1260m. Max 13.3%</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium.html#32 9b2c1472-a17e-454c-b0a7-d07890428227 http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1305/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1305/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">First flat on Climb 5 - Oude Kwaremont. 2200m. Max 11.6%</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium.html#33 b0092fdd-a136-44cc-ab82-b715b009d63c http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1306/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1306/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Me on the Kruisberg (not in this years Ronde). 1875m. Max 9%</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium.html#34 270eef69-69e0-44d7-a49f-901d9d2cdfa3 http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1307/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1307/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">The Ronde is is well sign-posted. I had another flat here at Hotond. 900m. Max 8%</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium.html#35 58f885dc-3e56-46d2-bdc7-edd0460b89fd http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1310/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1310/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">John enters the base of Climb 6 - Paterberg. 360m. Max.  20.3%</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium.html#36 d6423dde-5c51-4ec5-b685-c168acb2203f http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1311/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1311/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Catching  a mid ride snack. Coke and peanuts.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium.html#37 44180b95-eabe-4053-afc2-4b0796f2f41a http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1156/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1156/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">The Kassein of the Koppenberg. Not in this years race as it was considrered too dangerous!</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium.html#38 f0910589-0f06-481c-8343-ffecc54959b4 http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1312/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1312/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">John made me ride the Koppenberg anyway. 600m. Max 22%</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium.html#39 2273ec0d-9503-4af1-bc86-72ec3c9ec3f9 http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1313/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1313/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Puff. Rant. Puff. Rant. Puff. Rant. And why am I here?</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium.html#40 c03aca42-e8e8-446e-a6e2-79db0d9784d2 http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1314/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1314/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Made it to the Top of the Kop!</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium.html#41 7f44b551-08b5-48fa-abef-1b0ed1607136 http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1318/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1318/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">John in Oudenaarde outside the Ronde van Vlaanderen museum.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium.html#42 7c8f1057-adb9-43a8-aae3-a8dc30f43e24 http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1319/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1319/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Catching some rays outside the hotel in Kortrijk (West Flanders).</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium.html#43 2aa0efd2-0efb-4720-9cb0-494edbc3767d http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1326/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1326/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">We arrived in Haveluy in Northen France to ride a little bit of the Pave of Paris-Roubaix.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium.html#44 76e280fb-c4d7-4b97-88e1-2adbffd2189d http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1328/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1328/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Secteur 19 - Haveluy à Wallers 2.5km. Rating ****</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium.html#45 9198bf17-3fbf-4ac1-bb8f-027c780b9fbd http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1330/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1330/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Tongue out and only on our first cobbles, baby.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium.html#46 267c239b-2ef2-4c2c-8b07-9df505361ccd http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1334/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1334/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Secteur 18 - Le Tranchée d'Arenberg 2.4km. Rating *****. This is what Paris-Roubaix is al about.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium.html#47 9d935166-242b-40f8-bedd-a9c56415130c http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1336/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1336/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">A flat in the forest. Now I know why the race is called L’Enfer Du Norde!</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium.html#48 3642b812-e3dd-42f6-83ab-b69888bee44b http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1338/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1338/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Secteur 17 - Wallers à Hélesmes 1.6km. Rating **** Le Pont Gibus.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium.html#49 179b70e1-7609-4dd5-85f6-f98138205d1b http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1341/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1341/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">A blister after 3 secteurs - what a wimp!</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium.html#50 43e6c94f-fe0b-48ec-bad8-a984f1d66713 http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1342/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1342/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Secteur 16 - Hornaing à Wandignies - Hamage 3.7km. Rating ***</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium.html#51 24370ed0-e3b9-4c05-a1a2-eea03560ac4f http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1343/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1343/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Another of the course's landmarks, the enormous twin water towers.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium.html#52 dd995334-5769-4714-aa40-55825127a1b6 http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1345/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1345/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Secteur 15 - Warlaing à Brillon 2.4km. Rating ***</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium.html#53 796b0937-8b01-4481-8207-d904b8dc9b51 http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1347/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1347/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Snackette French style. Waiting in Troisvilles with vin and baguette. Lots of butter please!</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium.html#54 75277c1b-ab2d-4d88-bfe4-17ab06f35036 http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1351/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1351/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Tete de la course hits the first cobbles at Secteur 28 - Troisvilles à Inchy</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium.html#55 65834d68-8aff-411f-be89-70d032a561a6 http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1359/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1359/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Some rider taking the smooth(!) route though the Forest of Arenberg.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium.html#56 d09244f3-ef66-4749-8483-d55ebcf7c042 http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1360/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1360/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Tommeke and Stuey tough it out in the Forest. Stuey had already fallen off earlier in the forest.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium.html#57 d55c562f-1f87-4bbe-ae3b-2b2ebc07e7c1 http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1361/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1361/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Juan Antonio Flecha puts the pedal down.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium.html#58 15740624-cc5a-4795-876f-ed83275b303a http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1367/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1367/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">The historic Roubaix velodrome.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium.html#59 e3fac0c9-2d6b-41ac-9819-796825cafd50 http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1374/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1374/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Me catching up on last minute form. Now if only I’d tried harder in French class.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium.html#60 704a934f-b56f-49ca-8ceb-b80f2fb648e5 http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1376/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1376/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">The bunch crawls in a few minutes back.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium.html#61 259d9f0e-06a6-4ce5-8fc3-35bd416b1ea8 http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1379/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1379/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Stuey accepting his piece of Pave.</p></div></div> http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium.html#62 3600e1e2-1c96-4296-b0b5-0c78178f69a2 http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1384/thumb.jpg http://www.beckylayton.com/BeckyLayton/2007_04_Belgium_files/Media/DSCF1384/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_172_32"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_2">Phew! What a day. But it was all worth it.</p></div></div>