Well I made it. On time, as scheduled. Unlike Ryan who was a day and 5 hours late. But even w/o modern technology, I found him at the airport and brought him 'home'. Home for two weeks is Meise, Belgium. The 4th floor apartment at the Schamp residence, Kris Schamp, race promoter extraordinaire from Portland's parents house. It is where I have stayed many times, but have not been for 2 years. I have missed it. But coming here, we did not escape the snow. We are in the thick of the snowiest winter yet, perhaps, in Belgium. It will make for an interesting two weeks. Glad I brought a trainer, as much as I hate riding them.
Jet lag is always an issue. Not sleeping well, waking up at 2 a.m. and having a hard time getting back to sleep, but despite this, we carry on. Push our bodies. Expect miracles. Some it does not seem to affect (Katie), but in my daze, I pedaled. We had a ton of fun on Saturday pre-riding a very empty course due to Scheldecross and we took a whirl through the forest in Kalmthout. What a great place. Made me a wee bit jealous about the riding around here.
Sunday it was game time. Ryan loaded the car while I tried to sleep at least a little bit. But to no avail. We were off. It was snowy. We managed to meet up with Sram's Chris McKenney at some random roundabout and get to team parking. It was amazing. Katie's family had reserved a spot for us amongst the compound. It was an RV, tents, an overhead building and the van. Very cozy and very helpful. And then it was off to the start. To make a long story short, I actually did get a front row, but I didn't make the most of it, being in the wrong gear due to a panic of my saddle not being tightened down. I got a tool, got it fixed, but screwed up my start. I didn't panic, but did not ride overly smooth, dropping a chain at the top of the first set of stairs. Hadn't done that in long while. I was cold. I am not sure how, being that I dressed warmly, but I struggled to a 23rd place. I am adjusting better now. Sleeping better and ready to rock it at Zolder. Unfortunately my camera battery died, so no pictures, except a few from Lyne.
Sunday it was game time. Ryan loaded the car while I tried to sleep at least a little bit. But to no avail. We were off. It was snowy. We managed to meet up with Sram's Chris McKenney at some random roundabout and get to team parking. It was amazing. Katie's family had reserved a spot for us amongst the compound. It was an RV, tents, an overhead building and the van. Very cozy and very helpful. And then it was off to the start. To make a long story short, I actually did get a front row, but I didn't make the most of it, being in the wrong gear due to a panic of my saddle not being tightened down. I got a tool, got it fixed, but screwed up my start. I didn't panic, but did not ride overly smooth, dropping a chain at the top of the first set of stairs. Hadn't done that in long while. I was cold. I am not sure how, being that I dressed warmly, but I struggled to a 23rd place. I am adjusting better now. Sleeping better and ready to rock it at Zolder. Unfortunately my camera battery died, so no pictures, except a few from Lyne.
Just to show the HUGE sloppy puddle. It's usually a dry ditch. At least in October. Yikes.
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