Willehond

There you go making that stuff up again tsk tsk tsk You should see their "Night Music" cover art

Awww shucks, what would I do without you two?! Here it is then: Cat 5 is definitely easier than CT vets league, but it is still fun. The group of 60 starters had everything from newbies (who dropped off on the first lap), to some guys who race regularly (about 20 who stayed in the front) all licenced up and sponsored/club affiliated. The announcer knew the names etc. I think Cat 3/4 would be equal to the SA league and Cat 1/2 obviously like riding the Argus in vets or even stronger(!) The Amateur Dutch league is equal to about Cat 1/2/3 IMO. Much tougher without mercy to fat buggers like me! Way competitive and without frills. In fact so tough that I wish they had something like this in the States so people like me can have fun too! Also almost exclusively crits in Holland which I personally don't like every week. Would love to do a nice long ride again.

" I'm fat, out of shape, " kurnel, you didnt read his original post have you he's fired now post him some annecy pics mr willehond PArtly correct! All of my Strandloper shorts have started to tear right where the Anatomic logo is STITCHED(!) on, so I am showing a bit more than my competitors would like to see. Plus seeing that I was trying to get in using my UCI licence, I had to go in the kit on the licenced. You know how it works...

Previous pics were taken on Saturday late in the day. The next ones are from Sunday morning's Cat 3/4 vets (who raced after me). For the record, I managed a reasonable 12th place (out of 60 starters) which is great considering I'm fat, out of shape, jetlagged and had a broken spoke (thanks KLM!). Cat 5 is easy, but probably not the best league to try and break away solo ON THE FIRST LAP Sorry about the quality. Blame Nokia. Numbers on each shoulder, back and on the bike!!! Equipment was all top. Deep sections de riguer... The winner took it by a solo breakaway. Took some big cash primes along the way. It pays to race here and this was a cat 3/4 race!!! No pics of me racing. Difficult in a criterium. For the record this number cost me $40 (to enter and get a temporary licence). WAY more expensive than the Netherlands where I pay 3 Euros to race.

OK, had to fly to the US for work on Saturday (cheaper), so had to find something to amuse me with. As luck would have it I'm in Chicago and the Pro's are in town for the Tour of Elk Grove! So, I packed my bike and bought a temp licence and manage to ride a Cat 5 Vets race. Brilliant way to kill some time Team Type 1 was also present, but no Daryn Lill. Would have been nice to see him. Also could give you my opinion on US cat vs. Euro Amateur vs. SA League racing, but I'm too tired now. Lemme know if anyone cares... Here are some pics; Spot the dopehead in second: Team Type 1 chasing (guys in white/green/purple) Chris Horner fighting on his own (no Lance or Contador to slave for him!) Rahsaan Bahati (US TT champ), looking cool in his Rock Racing kit: Floyd really needs to work on his body position. Way too upright. Maybe that is why he is so slow these days and especially for colonel. A great spot to do a bit of disount shopping. Prices set to rise next year due to increased promotions budget Willehond2009-08-02 17:56:40

... just thought back to a comment made on another thread by a certain junior hubber that said he did not want to burn himself out and thats why he is sticking to 30km Junior? Could have sworn you were talking about Marius...

That's funny; colonel calling someone else a stick insect!

You think??

Sorry, I read the whole article and nowhere does it mention Lance Armstrong or how he showed his colours. Anyway, I thought he already showed his true colours by sulking (not) at AC's afterparty?

There seems to be a fair bit of interest in cycling when rugby players try their hand at it. Every Epic needs about three rugby players to get the local journo's to write about it... Willehond2009-07-29 08:24:30

Where's Lance i don't see him in this pic' date=' which man you talking about? [/quote'] "The man" is dead, long live "The man" (or as the announcer called him: Cont-ta-dooooooooor!)

With the lack of gates, walls and security guards and the fact that my kids play in the streets all day I sometimes forget that it's not just the little square behing my house which is my backyard!!!

PICS UPDATED IN FIRST POST If either Andy or Contador turned up WITHOUT their Tour jerseys, the organisers would have been VERY peed off!!! That is why they pay big bucks to get them there to show off the jerseys!

The man: Boetie Schleck

Long story, with wich I won't bore you now, but I nearly missed Contador and the Schlecks racing in my back yard! 5km from my home they took part in the Profronde van Stiphout. Sponsored by Bavaria beer. Bavaria made LOADS of money last night. In fact I think most people did not even know there was a bike race on!!! BIG party. Went with my son to see the action and he took most of these pics. Nice to get so close to the guys even if the racing was fake! <?: prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />Like I said, got there a bit late (after 9pm), so only one or two in daylight with a little compact camera only: Beer was flowing and bad singers on multiple stages! Willehond2009-07-29 05:09:32

Great pics! Crowds look hectic though, but that is the grand finale!!!

Are those 808's on the Pinarello?! They are all so beautiful...

No. Was it different to the normal TT bikes? Here is one of Devolder to make up for it. Super cool!

Of course! and Cadel's less than pretty Canyon...

Old French bloke who talked to us and confused us more than we confused him. Plus he fondled my Zipp... Willehond2009-07-25 13:35:40

Beautiful town Willehond2009-07-25 13:32:26

The Astana bus was crazy and that without Lance! George looked bruised and focussed

It was absolute chaos and I must say I prefered the stage finish in Bourg to the TT in Annecy. A stage finish is great, but the circus at the Annecy start was still worth the visit. Look who I nearly bumped into as the jumped the barrier to get into the warmup area! Some guy was chirping the Schlecks that he didn't know that they could speak Spanish and Andy enjoyed the joke (it was the day after the finish with Contador). Nice guy. Real close: