Bike culture

Much has been said and written about bike culture. The topic is a favorite for infamous bicycle blogger Eben Weiss, aka as the snob. I will leave it to said individual to poke fun of bike culture in all its forms. Personally I just want to address the notion that cyclists are environmentalists. It is a notion that is rather widespread and it is one of the reasons why cyclists evoke the ire of some drivers, in particular those who prefer oversized pickups and SUV's.

People assume that just because one rides a bike one must be opposed to cars and driving. But nothing could be further from the truth. Cyclists, and especially racers, gladly drive hundreds or even thousands of miles to ride their bikes for a few hours at most. As a matter of fact, most California racers drive at least an order of magnitude more miles to get to their races, than they do racing.

And if you think cyclists drive Prius's think again. Most cyclists I know drive monster SUV's or vans. Even when it comes to carpooling the track record is poor. Although most cars arriving at a race venue contain more than one person, the rule is one racer per car. Much the same applies to century and double century riders. Or mountain bikers getting to that trail head, three miles from home...

It is sad to say, but most cyclists are not even what I would call environmentally conscious. They don't even consider the impact their hobby has on the environment. At best, they support a token environmentalism that consists of getting angry at individuals who throw candy bar wrappers and gel packages on the ground.

It is also instructive to note that many cyclists make fun of global warming. None other than Johan Bruyneel posted pictures of his snowy Madrid back yard last winter with the rhetorical question, "Global warming?"

Speaking of cars, none other than Peter van Petegem was seen on the Paris-Roubaix cobbles. This time he wasn't riding his bike with Alberto Contador. Instead he was driving behind Thor Husovd, the current world champion who is dreaming of winning the classic in his rainbow jersey. No word if Husovd is staying at Le Pave.

Van Petegem was quoted as saying," I found it instructive to drive a car over the cobbles. I will do that a few more times, and I will return with Thor after the Tour." The appropriate bike culture hipster response to this (and I warn you, unsafe for work) is:  All you environmentalists (...).

I noted yesterday that Cadel is taking it easy in preparation to become the oldest Tour de France winner in recent history -or much of history for that matter. Not so with missile man Mark Cavendish. The Brit is going to race the Giro, the Tour and the Vuelta this year. Mark may not be the oldest, but he is certainly bringing back old time competitiveness.

When it comes to old and old glory though, nothing can match the return of none other than Alexi Grewal, of 1984 Olympic fame. Alexi's return has rekindled the warm feelings Americans had when one of theirs first won an Olympic gold medal in cycling.

The 1984 Olympic team is also famous, or should I say infamous for the extensive use of blood doping. Although the practice was legal at the time, it is something people would rather forget. Maybe that is why Alexi preferred to hit the issue head on as he did in this (largely forgotten) VeloNews essay.

Arabian Spring

There is huge news from the middle East today. I am of course referring to Australian Mark headbutt Renshaw winning the Tour of Qatar. Before this historic event, the Qatar race was virtually owned by Tom Boonen, but an unfortunate malfunction ended Boonen's domination earlier in the week. Unlike some other dominant figures in these regions, Boonen released his iron grip on the arab nation without much ado. He was quoted as saying, "I am adult enough to deal with it."

Renshaw showing how it is done

Speaking of once-dominant figures, Peter Van Petegem admitted he was going to help Garmin-Cervelo, a team he called, "perhaps the best in the world today," in the Spring classics. His short stint will start just after Het Nieuwsblad -where he is race director and would have a conflict- and end after the Flemish Spring, when Eric Van Lancker, another former classics heavyweight will take over to guide the Garmins through the Ardennes. It is instructive to see how the market leaders in advanced GPS technology are relying on old-fashioned boots on the ground to guide them to decisive wins. Perhaps they too learned that relying too much on air power has its limitations.

But coming back to former stars. It appears things can be more difficult than one would think. Asked why Van Petegem will sell his services to the Americans, instead of to a local team, the former rider announced that "this was the first serious offer I have gotten since I left cycling four seasons ago." Van Petegem apparently has to rely on his otherwise well received bed and breakfast, Le Pavé in Horebeke, and a career as insurance salesman to make ends meet.

Le Pave by Van Petegem

Last year that was a whole lot easier because none other than Alberto Contador choose to stay at Le Pave and engage Peter as a tour guide to explore the Paris-Roubaix cobbles with him. But this year both the cobbles and Alberto are out- for unrelated reasons I might add.

Contador and Van Petegem on the cobbles

Van Lancker on the other hand works at the Vlaamse Wielerschool where he guides young teens through the intricacies of bike handling and racing. He did a stint as team manager for Lotto (until 2006) and later for Navigators, but that team folded. Van Lancker says he believes, he can add something to Garmin.

Eric Van Lancker at the Wielerschool

Meanwhile Sven Nys announced he was going to help teach young people who want to do cyclocross. Cyclocross is also where we find Johan Museeuw, who traveled to the Far East to sponsor a team of aspiring crossers. Museeuw also adds his name to the world's most advanced composite bikes featuring MF-XX total integration. (I have no idea what that stands for, but I do know Johan added Flax to Carbon fiber for easier digestion).

The latest in doping

The Ricco matter is still unresolved but I learned that a team doctor was dispatched to Italy to check things out. There he found that Ricco is in dire straits in the hospital. We also heard that Vacansoleil had its doubts about the Italian and was submitting the former doper to a twice-a-month testing regimen -the other riders go once a month. The team doctor reaffirmed what everyone now knows, i.e. that riders are using smaller doses to avoid detection-this is the new theme in doping apparently, the introduction of micro-doses. None other than Alberto Contador with his picogram levels of Clenbuterol is quickly becoming UCI's poster child of the new rage in doping, a trend I call homeopathic doping.

Vacansoleil also announced they suspended Ricco forthwith for "violating internal rules and other indications." Vacansoleil is probably quite unhappy that the Italian's troubles are now overshadowing Romain Felliu's win in the Tour of the Mediterranean.

I wish everyone a good weekend.

My favorite cobbles

Every race in Belgium has some cobbles, but none are more famous than the kasseistroken (cobblestone sections) in the Ronde van Vlaanderen. The Ronde website identifies 11 stretches that have been featured in the race at various times. Seven were covered in the 2010 edition. The website distinguishes kasseistroken from climbs or hellingen,  although most climbs -and certainly all the well known ones- are cobbled as well. 


Kasseistroken are between 800 m (1/2 mile) and 2,500 m (1.6 miles) in length and all are flat or nearly flat. Nevertheless riding a cobbled section is hard work and requires extra effort. It also requires extra attention and vigilance to avoid flats and other mayhem.

Kasseistroken are invariably on narrow country roads. Some are nearly flat in cross section while others have a distinctive crown or elevation in the middle. When the crown is extreme, the road may pose hazards not just to bikers but also to vehicles and it is not unusual for cars to get badly scraped or even to get stuck on certain sections. Always watch out when you ride or drive on cobbles.

The condition of the various kasseistroken varies. Some are in very poor condition while others are brand new and as smooth as a cobblestone section can get. When conditions deteriorate too much, the race sometimes skips the really bad sections. Such was the case with one of my all time favorite sections, the Huisepontweg in Wannegem. That road was in such bad shape that the Ronde skipped it until it was fixed in July of 2008. It is now as good as any cobblestone road out there.

Huisepontweg and Schietsjampettermolen

The Huisepontweg starts at the church in Wannegem and runs along the crest of a slight rise in the landscape making it a very scenic ride. It is easy to reach from Oudenaarde, either on the well-marked blue loop (blauwe lus) of the Tour of Flanders route or for those who want to go there directly, by taking the Wannegem-Lede exit on the road to Kruishoutem. It is preceded by 500 m of cobbles in Wannegem dorp. Those are as hard to ride as the marked section and a great deal more slippery in the rain.

Huisepontweg before the 08 remodeling

The Huisepontweg has two scenic attractions apart from the spectacular views. It goes by a great historic windmill (see photo) and by Wannegem castle (not a castle really but a 17th century mansion). The latter was just recently sold and is unfortunately no longer visible from the road because the new owner planted tall hedges.

If you follow the Huisepontweg to the Ledekerkweg (essentially turn right at the end of the cobbles--it is a blind turn so be careful) you will get to another famous section, the 1,650 m Doorn section. There are some unmarked cobbles when you course through the center of Lede (by the church) and you should be careful there when it rains because the road is off camber. Then follow the blue signs and hit Doorn. Doorn is a slight downhill section but the contrast with Huisepontweg (in its current state) is shocking.

Doorn is considered a 4/5 when it comes to difficulty. The cobbles are in relatively bad shape and there are many potholes here. You really need to watch out. If you ride Doorn fast you will know immediately  how good your technique is. If at the end of it you don't feel your arms anymore, or if you teeth feel like they are about to fall out of your mouth, you have some extra work to do. But either way Doorn will punish you.

I also like the Mariaborrestraat in Maarkedal/Etikhove, on the Southeast side of Oudenaarde. You can get there by following the road to Ronse and making a left to Maarkedal. This stretch is on the orange loop (oranje lus). It is a long and difficult stretch (4/5) that starts with a slight descent and ends in the climb known as the Steenbeekdries. The cobbles are in good shape but the road is punishing nonetheless. Add the climb at the end and you will get a flavor of what the Tour of Flanders is all about.

Finally there is another section of cobbles that is great fun and one that you can experience first hand as part of a real race. It is not in Tour of Flanders but it is featured prominently in local kermis races. It is the kasteeldreef in Lovendegem. Every year, there are races there in the beginning of August, both for nieuwelingen and juniors. The kasteeldreef is 750 m long (1/2 mile) and in excellent shape. It is flat and there are no potholes worth talking about. But it is a real cobblestone stretch in the good tradition of Flemish racing.

Cobbles

Nearly all races in Belgium feature an attraction that is foreign to American riders, especially those from the left coast: cobblestones. And while a majority think that cobbles are a remnant of the middle ages, most cobblestone stretches in Belgium were laid down very recently indeed. Even the cobbles of legend, such as those covering the infamous Koppenberg were re-installed as recently as four-five years ago.

Cobblestone roads were popularized by the Roman Empire and some of the old Roman roads are still in existence today. The Via Appia or Appian Way was one of the earliest and most important roads of the ancient republic. It connected Rome to Bridisi and parts of it have been preserved to this day. None of the cobblestone stretches in Flanders or along the Paris-Roubaix course (which is in French Flanders) have that kind of history.

In recent years cobblestones have become a very popular material for paving town centers and pedestrian-only streets. The stones form natural rumble strips and cause drivers to instinctively slow down. The increased noise also alerts pedestrians to oncoming traffic. Most of the newer cobblestone roads are in fact paved with setts or Belgian blocks instead of real cobbles. A sett is a rectangular quarried or shaped stone and it has a more regular shape and form than naturally occurring cobbles. Setts also present a smoother surface than real cobbles.

In California, cobblestone roads are often equated with bad pavement, and quite a few races that feature stretches of bad pavement try to make a connection to Paris-Roubaix, the temple of cobbles. Such is the case for the Copperopolis Road Race and the Leesville Gap race in Northern California. But while Paris Roubaix, and the Ronde van Vlaanderen are famous for bad sections, there is a rather significant difference between a cobblestone road and an gravelly-asphalt road in poor condition.

First of all, even newer cobblestone roads without potholes present an obstacle that test both a rider's skill and their fitness. The surface is uneven and has a higher rolling resistance than an asphalt road. The vibration is constant and takes its toll, especially on inexperienced riders. Cobbles can get very slippery when wet or very dry and dusty. That effect is often accentuated by a rounded cross section with a distinctly elevated center or crown.

Riding cobblestone roads is easier when using a bike with a longer wheelbase and a more relaxed geometry. It also works better with relatively lower air pressure.

Both automatically favor bigger riders. The increased rolling resistance also favors more muscular types over light and skinny climbers. Riding cobbles works best in a big gear, something that is counter-intuitive to beginners. Also counter-intuitive is the fact that you need to relax your upper body when riding cobblestones. Mountain bike riders often do quite well riding on cobbles because the optimal riding style is very similar to that of cross country racers.

If you do what most people naturally do, i.e. ride a smaller gear and hold on for dear life, the cobbles will punish you in no small measure. Your wrists will hurt, your arms will go numb, and your teeth will feel like they are falling out. You won't be able to concentrate on the road because the shaking will make it hard to focus your eyes, while your helmet and glasses may dance all over your head. When excessive these are symptoms indicative of bad technique, although perfect technique will not completely abolish the punishment you invariably take.

Cobbled climbs add another challenge. The key here is to watch your weight distribution and make sure you keep traction on your back wheel. Once again this is similar to mountain biking and it is something road bikers are not familiar with.

When faced with wretched cobblestone roads, such as those in Paris-Roubaix or some of the worst sections along the Ronde, you have two options. The first is to ride beside the road, in the gutter. It often looks the most attractive and beginners naturally choose this option. Be aware though that it is the path of trouble. In many spots, the gutter won't be free as spectators or barriers will block access. You will then be forced onto the cobbles at the worst possible places. Either way, riding off to the side is a sure recipe for flat tires.

The best way to ride bad roads is to ride on the crown. It is more punishing than riding the gutter but it is far safer and it is the best way to avoid flats or other mishaps. Unfortunately it is only available to those willing to ride in the front. But the trade-off is more than worth it and if you watch Paris-Roubaix you will see that that is where the winners ride.

If you plan to do a race with cobbles -nearly all races have some- be sure to check them out beforehand, lest you'll be in for a big surprise. Remember that even the nicest looking cobbles are a serious obstacle and plan accordingly. Be especially aware of the transitions to and from cobbles and the cobblestone turns. That is where most of the mayhem takes place. Also remember that the local kids won't slow down and if you do, you are likely to get into a crash right then and there.

Tommeke threepeat

An impressive third victory for Tom Boonen in Paris-Roubaix today. He devastated the field, rode everyone off his wheel. Spectacular racing if I ever saw some. You can see parts on sporza.be under wielrennen (cycling).

I ran 14 miles today, a long loop out to Montclair to Joaquin Miller. Up JM to Skyline and then back home. A lot of climbing to be sure. Took 2:11 approximately. Boston, I am ready.

Yesterday I rode 35.5 miles on the Specialized after we came home from Copperopolis, where Alistair got 4th place. It was also the first time I beat someone down Wildcat--and a good rider too! 

On Friday I rode 42 to Castro Valley and back. I hit 269NP watts on my ergomo. (The NP is proprietary algorithm to account for intensity. I find it works well to predict how much effort I put in. 269 is one of the highest readings I ever scored for the distance).

Thursday I ran 7 miles in the rain. Not fun, but good prep for Boston I guess. And on Wednesday I swam 160 laps fast (approx. 3,000 meters). Tuesday 1:15 minutes on rollers, burning approximately 1,155 calories (It rained).