Race in Belgium

EPO

They should have these type of races here in South Africa. Maybe on kyalami every second week with prize money assosiated with it. 10, 15 and 20 Laps with betting booths . We have a couple of race tracks around the country that can be used for this type of thing. The route is a bit more difficult, but that can only make it more exciting.

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"It's not whether you win or lose; it's how you place the blame."

Rhodent

I like your idea Cadence. Does Kyalami have floodlights? I know that Zwartkops does!!

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What do you mean there's no granny gear? How do you go up hills? Ahh, I see, you don't have hills.

EPO

Yes, I think they do. The problem with something like this is to get the right sponsor.<br /><br />

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&quot;It's not whether you win or lose; it's how you place the blame.&quot;

maarten

Reply to rodent's you don't race when you don't match the speed.<br /><br />I think there is a mix up considering the tram Race between Europe and your countries. <br />What I told about is what whe call a race(mostly for listed riders).<br /><br />Things you guys and girls seam to talk about like the argus and 94.7 whe don't call a race.<br /><br />This is either a Cyclosportief or a toeristen tocht(whe consider both of them recreational rides no race)<br /><br />cyclosportief is something like argus. Lots of participants, roads not always closed for traffic(most european countries are to densly poppulated), you get your time and a medal. The better you perform the better your starting group in the next events(but whith less clear rules than seeding I think). The speed you get isn't important for your possibility to enrole.<br />Most known in belgium Velomediane 174km long 23 hills, 3300 meters of hight difference<br />One of the most known in europe Marmotte 174km 5000meters of hight difference (including croix de fer, Galibier(2600meters high) and Alpe d'huez)<br /><br />Toeristen tocht<br />Just rides organised by cyclist clubs Free start between check ours, no time is mesured. Vary from 20 to 400km in one day. There are hopes of them every weekend. Very big variety from a ride around the town to the same roads as a world cup classic.<br /><br />there are also hopes of clubs or groups of people who meet somewhere and go for a ride in group some ride 20km/u others ride 40km/u

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A winner is a loser who didn't quit!

Rhodent

OK, I guess I understand, though I do feel a little miffed at the Argus etc not being called a race (I certainly try go fast). I think the only difference then must be that we definitely have Pro's racing for prize money etc at our &quot;cyclosportief&quot; races. I guess South African's are more keen on cycling as a participation format than watching the pros go round a course. Very different and I would love to see them in your countries, I think we all still want to go watch some of your racing sometime

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What do you mean there's no granny gear? How do you go up hills? Ahh, I see, you don't have hills.

ewep

I was in Belgium in 1991 and saw one of these races. Yes, the speed was extremely high and it was a great spectacular. However, comparing the environment, i.e. road surface and route profile, to ths South African &quot;races&quot; is like comparing a rose with a &quot;kakiebos&quot; (a type of weed, very stinky :P found in SA).

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nferyn

[quote author=Rhodent link=board=19;threadid=2655;start=15#22954 date=1037884893]<br />OK, I guess I understand, though I do feel a little miffed at the Argus etc not being called a race (I certainly try go fast). I think the only difference then must be that we definitely have Pro's racing for prize money etc at our &amp;quot;cyclosportief&amp;quot; races. I guess South African's are more keen on cycling as a participation format than watching the pros go round a course. Very different and I would love to see them in your countries, I think we all still want to go watch some of your racing sometime<br />[/quote]<br /><br />You should not underestimate those 'cyclosportieven' as less of a challenge than some of the real races with enlisted riders. I know that there are e.g. a fair amount of pro level riders participating in the Marmotte and the first riders to finish also reach pro speeds <br />These cyclosportieven are open to more riders though and properly trained cyclo tourists can also participate.<br /><br />Niek

nferyn

[quote author=ewep link=board=19;threadid=2655;start=15#22956 date=1037889485]<br />I was in Belgium in 1991 and saw one of these races. Yes, the speed was extremely high and it was a great spectacular. However, comparing the environment, i.e. road surface and route profile, to ths South African &amp;quot;races&amp;quot; is like comparing a rose with a &amp;quot;kakiebos&amp;quot; (a type of weed, very stinky :P found in SA).<br />[/quote]<br /><br />That was probably a simple 'kermiskoers' somewhere in Flanders. If you go tot the south of the country or attend one of the races that go over the hills in the 'Vlaamse Ardennen' or that have 'decent' cobblestones in, you do have a different type of race though<br /><br />Niek

maarten

It's not because thy dont call it a race that they don't respect it.<br /><br />Marmotte is much tougher than most &amp;quot;real&amp;quot; races, Someone who completed him is respected, someone who finshed in the top of the bunch even more. Some of the Marmotte riders from holland like Hidde Oegema and Bert Dekker are more know by the cycling public than a bunch of (2nd class)pro's from holland.<br /><br />Some french pro's became pro because they rode wel in the Marmotte cyclosportief.<br /><br />It's just about what your abbilities are. For some people its a major achievement to finsh a 100km toeristen tocht with an average between 25-30km/u. Where others ride every week a training of 120-140 km at 33km/u and actually are just riding comfortably.<br /><br />Look what your capabilities are and go for your goal, some might be 2 hours fasther other will never be able to do what you did. <br />

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A winner is a loser who didn't quit!

unshaven

Hi Guys<br /><br />I live also in Belgium (Ieper) I have raced here for the last 10 years &amp;amp; can say its not so bad! I have done Kermeses here which have averaged just 36km/h (these were the ones that split into little groups in the hurricane like cross winds!). If you are a 1st or 2nd cat rider in your country you should have no problems racing here &amp;amp; you should be picking up some prize money. When I first came out here I found it easier to place in the results here then in the UK. It just depends on what type of rider you are.<br /><br /><br /><br />I am the 5th rider in line, Brit rider Mike Milan is 2nd &amp;amp; Ausie rider James Nitis is about 7th in line (with red kit &amp;amp; white helmet)<br /><br /><br />I got some helmet camera footage of a Belgium Kermess race in Lichtevelde I will make a small sample &amp;amp; stick it on my site

unshaven

<br />Ok If you want to see what the start of your average Belgium Kermess looks like from the riders point of view click this link below.<br /><br />http://users.pandora.be/phil.stone/race%20sample.wmv<br /><br />there are a few other Demos here (I will add more when I get some free web space)<br /><br />http://users.pandora.be/phil.stone/Demo.htm<br /><br />PS I have only ever done one Kermes race which averaged 48km/hr (120km in 2hr20min) &amp;amp; that was back in 1996 at ruddervorde I was unlucky to puncture the last lap &amp;amp; came in 3rd, the high speed was due to the head wind section being on a wide road which the 98 rider field could bunch up. I would say most kermes races are about 43km/h average.You must remember that a Kermes usually has several tight corners per lap which slow the bunch down &amp;amp; make the racing very hard as you are going from 3km/h - 50 km/h every 200m or so !<br />

admin

[quote author=Phil cool link=board=19;threadid=2655;start=15#23185 date=1038595231]<br /><br />there are a few other Demos here (I will add more when I get some free web space)<br />[/quote]<br /><br />If you need webspace let me know

holli

About that average speed...<br />I did five kermessess last spring and slowest average speed was 44.6km/h, but like Maarten told us, it's not too hard if you can ride in big peloton and in echelons.<br />Belgium+Kermesses=Paradise ;D (alltough rainy...sometimes...)

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Pain is just weakness leaving the body.

steve

Any of you guys wanna rent us a room for 3 months during the road season?

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Steve

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