....when you see team busses on your daily commute.
(Pictures by me - feel free to use them)
Quatar, Oman, Laigueglia, Tour Méditerrannéen, Algarve or Ruta del Sol... It's all fine, I'll watch the races (if they're televised), I'll look at the results,... It's all good, but it doensn't really get me excited.
But riding past the hotel where the Garracuda guys stay, well, that really, really got me excited. I don't need a swallow to know it's spring. When the pro teams arrive in town, that's the real start of spring!
But that's not really interesting.
It's more fun to find out where the guys are staying for nearly a week, read the most negative visitor reviews:
I stayed at this hotel last week for 4 days. When I arrved it was like a building site. The staff were not friendly and did not make me or my party of 8 feel welcome. When our stay came to an end we realised that we could not pay with a credit card, it must be the only hotel in the world that dosen't accept one. We had to go a look for an ATM which was miles away. The rate they advertise does not allow for the city tax which all other hotels in Gent do. There was also no lobby area where you could site and wait.
and the reaction of the hotel management:
Our hotel is completely renovated and was closed for 6 months, we re-opened on the 5th of May 2011. As it is with almost every building or renovation project of this size there were indeed a few things that still needed work at the last moment. One of the problems we experienced at the time was a malfunctioning credit card terminal. We do however accept all major credit cards as well as Bancontact and Maestro. The nearest cash dispender is situated at 700 meter from the hotel.
The fact that our staff was not pleased with these guest might have something to do with te fact that suncream was smeered on several of the mirrors in the rooms and in the lift. Brand new furniture is not to be used as a resting place for feet in shoes. The peace and quiet of other hotel guests must be respected at all times.
So how about the food?
Well, the restaurant if fairly new. Reviews are rare, but I managed to find two who were both really positive. A professional reviewer even wrote:
The best bistro food I ever ate.
Sounds pretty good, right?
So, I've got a severe case of cobbles fever. How about you?
Let the Omloop - KBK smack talk begin!
0 recs | 77 comments
The hotel is about one kilometer away from Tyler Farrar's appartment.
Must be odd for him to stay in a hotel so close to his home.
broerie - February 21, 2012
Does he bother?
I guess I don’t need to know, but I always assumed Tyler’s home was the reason the team didn’t camp out in Kortrijk. That and better hotels.
Chris Fontecchio - February 21, 2012
He's not on the start list for Het Whatsit, though. KBK?
majope - February 21, 2012
Yes, on KBK startlist.
Makes more sense for him, I think? Presumably will not have peaked yet, so makes sense to compete in the sprinty race where he can win, rather than compete against cobbles studs at this stage.
straw dog - February 21, 2012
If win you mean get 3rd or 4th, then yeah totally.
Ryan_Liles - February 22, 2012
Speaking of cobbles
Looks like they will have the Arenberg cobbles cleaned and ready before Paris-Roubaix.
TheFigurehead - February 21, 2012
Nice of you to mention KBK
That poor race never gets a mention while everyone is hyperventilating about OHN. Always fun to look at the startlists to see how different teams strategize with how they use their riders. It’s always a bit telling about the status of different riders on their teams.
Jens - February 21, 2012
Classics studs get their chance on saturday, fast guys on sunday
broerie - February 21, 2012
It's their own fault for swapping out the creepy donkey for the sanitised one
Monty. - February 21, 2012
We should get an original creepy donkey as VDS prize
Jens - February 21, 2012
I can get you a creepy donkey, Dude. I can get you one by 3 o'clock.
Drew Davis - February 21, 2012
This weekend.............
is where the whole season starts for me. TDU, Oman, Qater (especially) don’t really hit the mark for me (Haut Var being an exception).
I’ve loved KBK since the carnage of a couple of years back, anyway it’s all good this weekend. And the E3 is going to put the Muur of Geraldsbergen in too!!
Maratsafin - February 21, 2012
You know...
It’s probably the same every year, but I find myself looking forward to Saturday more than I remember myself doing previously.
Unfortunately I’ll be in a fucking airplane on Saturday morning- but maybe I’ll land in time to catch the end.
I’m feeling a big weekend for the Project Team coming up.
jsallee00 - February 21, 2012
I'll be at work, bah!
(But I’ll watch as much as I can in between)
broerie - February 21, 2012
Same here, but on Sunday
tgsgirl - February 21, 2012
I'm at work too. I'll have to have a late lunch. A very lengthy late lunch :-/
Albertina - February 21, 2012
Work too
Tennis I know but it’s still work……………. ;)
Maratsafin - February 22, 2012
I'll be racing my bike
Bah humbug. But I’ll catch recap later somewhere on the interwebs.
Douglas Ansel - February 21, 2012
where are you racing Douglas, what event?
peterfish - February 22, 2012
Forecast for Saturday seems to cloudy, 7-8 C and dry (perhaps fog)
Roughly the same for Sunday
Jens - February 21, 2012
Nice Wescam on that car!
tedvdw - February 21, 2012
It’s R2D2, he’s their new DS.
broerie - February 21, 2012
Haha
(I stole it and posted to twitter)
tedvdw - February 21, 2012
+1
That was my first thought. Garmin have their mech-droid already in place.
swells - February 22, 2012
Vaughters:
“Satellite mind control of the riders! Bypasses the whole radio thing entirely!!!” via
tedvdw - February 22, 2012
Haha!
I love his snarcasm.
broerie - February 22, 2012
Garricuda
Is PVP helping them out this Spring? As I recall, he joined on late-ish in the Spring and seemed to help out quite a bit.
jsallee00 - February 21, 2012
he helped the team from MSR to PR
I don’t remember if he was only replacing Matt White or if they would’ve hired him in anyway.
TheFigurehead - February 21, 2012
I believe Allan Peiper has been hired for this role.
so PVP could go back to running his B&B.
Cruel_but_Fair - February 21, 2012
Right
I think he could use some help. Hence my pondering about PVP.
jsallee00 - February 22, 2012
okay, maybe a stupid question, but what are those things sticking out at the top of the front of the bus in garmin blue?
umwolverine - February 21, 2012
Mirrors
Uphill - February 21, 2012
very funky looking. sorta like antenna.
umwolverine - February 21, 2012
Cervelo designed them
(pretty much all European busses have these)
Uphill - February 21, 2012
Race and Calendar "competition"
Don’t think we have any real competition at this point when it comes to the early season races. The cobbles segment looks very strong compared to any of the other stuff on the calendar. If any of the races in the remote places (outside of Europe) wanted to “steel” the thunder they would have to increase coverage and route imagination considerable.
For me personally, I don’t care where the races are as long as we have many fans along the roads and the racing is good.
Uphill - February 21, 2012
Perhaps tomorrow I should take some exciting pictures of MY commute.
Otherwise known as standing wedged under someone’s armpit for an hour. Why oh why do I not live in Gent?! :(
Albertina - February 21, 2012
scratch n' sniff?
ant1 - February 21, 2012
Ewww
Albertina - February 21, 2012
Great pics broerie..!
If anyone wants me to take pics of the ghetto let me know…
pablo777 - February 21, 2012
Come on Pablo. Plenty of team’s cars in our neck of the wood. Right before the Tour of Somerville.
holmovka - February 21, 2012
Hey Pablo/Holms - are you all near Somerset?
If so, I might be coming down there in July (depends on plans)…would like to get together if it happens!
(sorry for the O/T comment)
JustJoshinYa - February 21, 2012
We are about 10 miles away from Somerset.
And it is really will be cool to get together!
Lets hope your plans will not change.
holmovka - February 22, 2012
Yes we are right there..!
Hopes it comes true..! Are you bringing a bike? Want me to ask around for one for you?
(Holm’s evil plan is I take you riding around all the hills and get you tired and then he makes a BBQ with vodka to finish killing you…!)
pablo777 - February 22, 2012
That sounds like a must...
As soon as I know it’s a go/no go, I will contact you all…and will bring my bike if I come – definitely.
JustJoshinYa - February 22, 2012
It will be nice..!
Looking forward to it already..! Last year when you were in PA I thought to go there..
pablo777 - February 22, 2012
I remember that team car!
At least, I think it might be the same one they had at the Tour of Britain.
majope - February 21, 2012
Ooo yes!
Hahaha, the hilarity of trying to pose Barbie Barbie on the car with nobody noticing!
Albertina - February 22, 2012
That picture still cracks me up
tgsgirl - February 22, 2012
Exciting! I remember the BMC team bus and cars at a hotel in my town about a week before the ATOC.
My daughter and I were so excited! Yeah for cobbles this weekend!
ZoeRochelle - February 21, 2012
Speaking of Garmin...
Video documentary of the team training in Calpe.
majope - February 21, 2012
And Omloop and KBK are shown live on my TV!
Woohoo!
gizzardfanny - February 22, 2012
Ah spring!
All my friends dream of flowers and warm weather, and I dream of cobbles and dreary rain!
Katiek - February 22, 2012
I know!
It’s like how my friends all go away to hot places in the winter and laugh when I go and stand in muddy fields in rainy Belgium :)
Albertina - February 22, 2012
they are
ignorant
geert - February 22, 2012
Average team for OHN, BMC style:
41 GILBERT Philippe Belgium
42 BALLAN Alessandro Italy
43 BURGHARDT Marcus Germany
44 HUSHOVD Thor Norway
45 PHINNEY Taylor United States
46 QUINZIATO Manuel Italy
47 SCHÄR Michael Switzerland
48 VAN AVERMAET Greg Belgium
Let the road decide.
Uphill - February 22, 2012
They could double podium.
JustJoshinYa - February 22, 2012
Ha!
Phinney and Schär have no chance of winning the race. Losers.
Jens - February 22, 2012
6 captains and 2 domestiques
Will be a busy day.
TheFigurehead - February 22, 2012
that could be...............
their downfall really in one day races. unless ballan has no ego left, unlikely for an Italian, is he going to be the water carrier for say Greg VA?
Maratsafin - February 22, 2012
Burghardt was so hard to pass up for 2 points,
but when will he ever get a chance?
He’s not even the reserve backup cheerleader on this team.
straw dog - February 22, 2012
Broerie look at some pics from last Sunday.
http://s1078.photobucket.com/albums/w487/rkazimir/CRCofA2012Palantine/?albumview=slideshow
pablo777 - February 22, 2012
Awesome!
I love your painface and the groupshot at the end is really nice too.
broerie - February 22, 2012
Painface? You should see me at the top of the climb..!!
Thanks..!
pablo777 - February 22, 2012
I do believe you're smiling, you Basso impersonator!
Albertina - February 22, 2012
Ha ...! I was thinking... Really a pic here in the uphill dirt?
pablo777 - February 23, 2012
superbly awesome pics Pablo, what jersey are you wearing?
I couldn’t quite pick you out.
And what event is this? In a few pics riders seem to be drafting so if a TT what are the (non) rules?
peterfish - February 22, 2012
Thanks peterfish..!
the one with the yellow glasses, half smile going uphill in the dirt… Rules? Hold on as much as you can!! You have a bike good try to follow us..! I am wearing the club jersey.. CRCofA…
pablo777 - February 23, 2012
haha you're funny yes (smile)
but if you could pretty please tell me what kind of event this is? I see in one pic a guy standing at what seems to be a finish line seeming to be taking down times etc? Or was I hallucinating (no please don’t take me to the WADA tent!)
peterfish - February 23, 2012
goes like this...
yes the guy taking times (Mr Frank) why? Different levels in the club, different groups… Different start times and different finish times. That is about it… I believe is like 5 groups…
pablo777 - February 23, 2012
nice pablo
here’s one of our little club race last sunday – i am the fat “funny-looking” one hanging on for dear life at the back. Also notice the tri-color on the handlebars of the guy at front right. Very out of shape, i was thrilled to just be able to hang onto the back of this group.
yeehoo - February 23, 2012
Cool!
Legwarmers and a windvest when it’s not necessary to wear shoe covers? HTFU!
broerie - February 23, 2012
et j'adore la tricolore btw.
broerie - February 23, 2012
champion of france
back in the 60’s i think
yeehoo - February 23, 2012
that's not a windvest,
just a long-sleeved jersey. But yeah, i’m a total wimp.
yeehoo - February 23, 2012
I know you ..! Poker face..! Pretending to be dying going up that anthill..!
Nice yeeehoo…! very nice..! what was the temp? 20C??
pablo777 - February 23, 2012
You know it's cobbles time...
when Edvald Boasson Hagen is sidelined with sickness or injury. :(
Holdenmate - February 24, 2012
+
that is so true. I think he’s too nice/soft/whatever to be the next big thing – despite whatever lab figures he produces. as a contemporary peter sagan beats him every which way up.
I’m not saying EBH is hopeless, far from it, just that he’ll never match the hype when he left HTC for Sky.
Maratsafin - February 24, 2012
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