We got to Belgium early. The flight was scheduled for 9:20 but it arrived at 8:55. The skies were overcast and the temperature 7C/45F. In Chicago we met several National Team and Hot Tubes juniors. The National Team were going to Belgium to take part in the Ster, the Hot Tubes were going to do a stage race in France. If the plane had gone down, the future of American cycling would have changed forever.
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| Juniors at O'Hare waiting for the United 972 flight |
Gregg picked us up at the airport and after a short drive we were in Oudenaarde. The boys were hungry so we went shopping first. Then we headed out on a ride. We rode part of the Blue Loop, over Nokereberg, through Wannegem, over the Huisepontweg to Lede and the over the Doorn section of cobbles. After that we took the highway back to Oudenaarde and then rode along the Schelde to Kluisbergen.
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| John, Alex and Addison arrive at the Chainstay |
Here everyone started to feel tired and they all wanted to go back home. We skipped the Oude Kwaremont and the Paterberg, and took the bike path. Then we headed over the Koppenberg and down the other side to the Ronse highway and back home. Afterwards everyone ate, took a shower and fell asleep.
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| All in a day's work--on the couch at the Chainstay |
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| Catching ZZ's |
Alex stayed awake and played with his Mac, trying to catch up to Belgian time.
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