Tuesday, June 29, 2004

Brussels

Or Bruxelles.

Arrived today. It's a lot like Paris, but with crazier drivers! I went for a short run and am now sitting in a cafe/restaurant drinking my second Chimay (highly recommended by my coach), oops third. [Note: Chimay is a really good beer, brewed by Trappist Monks in Belgium.] And, the Yugoslavian owner of the restaurant is taking me out on the town tomorrow night. I'm liking Bruxelles more and more!!

Tour? What Tour?

Back to the Tour

Last year I wrote: "He made the comment, ‘You are really happy.' Yeah, he was right. I had a fabulous time and I do wish I were still there. It was probably the most fun I've ever had and that includes all the trips to New Zealand, Hawaii, Ireland, and the other trips to Paris. I rode 234 miles over 8 days, most of which were at a really fast pace for me. One day we rode so hard, my legs went numb. But I'd do it all over again tomorrow if I could. Who wants to go next year??? Go Lance!"

Lance won #5, so of course I had to go back to see him try to win #6! The fall was spent emailing friends that had been on the trip and sharing stories, speculating about the route for 2004, what part of the trip did we want to go on, who really was planning on going, and lots of other things. When they announced the route, it was a little unusual, stacking all the mountains at the end of the Tour. What to do, what to do. I finally decided to go to the first part of the Tour again since a lot of the route will cover Classics country, Belgium and Northern France, and we will have the chance to ride some cobbles. Plus, it was a very different vibe in the first flat stages, than the mountains; less of a crazed atmosphere. I'm going again with Bikestyle Tours (http://www.bikestyletours.com/) and for our part of the trip, we have about 35 people, including three other people from last year.

Unfortunately, this year I won't have my traveling buds, Jean, JV and Fred, but they will all be with me in spirit and I promise JV that "walking, eating, or drinking" will be the rule. One thing different this year is that I've actually gotten serious about training, so the late nights will be at a minimum and some running will be done, along with the riding. Last year I did take my running shoes, but they were just wasted space. I will use them this year! (OK Scott, some swimming too. I've even printed out the pool locator for Belgium and Paris.) And, I promise to take lots of photos, do a thorough taste test of the top 10 Belgian beers, at least some of the day. My plan is to spend a couple of days in Brussels, then Friday the official Bikestyle tour begins. It runs through the following Sunday, then I'll spend 3 more days in Paris, hopefully hooking up with friends who are doing IM Austria (good luck Cathy and Bill!!)

Great place: Le Prince Nicolas Brasserie - Resto, 51 rue de Livourne, Bruxelles