Netherlands
2015 Tour de France stage 2
The Tour organizers have clearly been busy brainstorming new ways to improve the race, from restructuring the points competition to making changes to the daily sign on routine, both for the riders and the fans. The most notable of these sign on changes is the sign on itself. No longer satisfied with old fashioned paper … Continue reading
2015 Tour de France stage 1
I've never been great at playing Name That Tune but I have a knack for playing Name That Rider. Ahead of the stage start, riders warmed up and tested the course one final time but there was no rhyme or reason as to the order. How many of these riders can you name? Possibly … Continue reading
2015 Tour de France preview
The Netherlands, a cycling-crazy nation, is hosting the Grand Départ for the 6th time. It seemed like all of Utrecht turned up last night for the ceremonial team presentation. In uniquely Dutch fashion, each team was ferried up the canal before mounting their bikes and riding to the stage. Bob Jungels, the road … Continue reading
Amstel Gold 2014
There's only one word I know that can accurately describe this morning's sign on at the 49th Amstel Gold race and autocorrect keeps changing that word to “cluster duck.” Because there were literally 3 rows of barricades to keep the fans away from the riders in front of the podium, there were apparently not enough … Continue reading
Eneco Tour stage 5
I love watching a time trial because it’s several hours of exciting racing on top of watching the riders warm up. Philippe Gilbert rode the course twice in the morning, each time smiling and waving to Fien and I who were of course the only ones there and cheering for him. We yelled … Continue reading
Eneco Tour stage 4
Today’s crowd put yesterday’s to shame in terms of size but definitely not with enthusiasm. It seemed like all of Essen showed up since it was a holiday and yesterday’s stage winner, Zdenek Stybar, lives in town with his girlfriend. Despite the numbers, the crowd only showed signs of life for Stybar, chanting, “Go, Styby, … Continue reading
Eneco Tour stage 3
Today's stage start in Oosterhout saw the biggest crowds yet. The town had organized local cyclists from a few different clubs to ride the first part of the stage so the entire town turned up to support their neighbors. We had a fantastic time collecting autographs today. By now, all 5 Canadians keep their … Continue reading