Start Again

Since moving from the Netherlands to the US and then around 5 years ago to the UK, I have used my bicyle a bit less. Everyone in the Netherlands rides! Well, most of them do, and not all of them on these superbikes obviously. And though many would like to think so, we haven't had too many good cyclists in the last couple of years, of course there were Michael Boogerd, Eric Dekker and more recently marginal successes with some other riders, but there hasn't been any dominant rider, but there is hope! Geesink, Boom, Thomas Dekker, Mollema - who knows where they will end. Anyway, back to myself - since the last couple of years I've been sporting again, loosing the weight I gained in the US (yes, I admit - the food isn't that good, but you eat a lot anyway). I was lucky to have a gym at work and I got into rowing and running again. I actually became OK in these two things, being able to row a sub7 minutes on 2k and even did a half marathon (Leeds 07) in 1.37. Not too bad. Then the cycle virus hit me again, and boy, did I like it. Obviously the area around Yorkshire is perfect for riding, I like the hills with their steep short climbs, the rough landscape and the tranquility on the small roads (mind you, the A-roads are generally used as one big parking spot, so no use cycling there, unless it's Sunday morning before 10AM). So 2008 saw me on the bike again quite often, I even bought myself a new one. I had a Colnago (alu frame) with Campa stuff, but it was getting a bit old, so I shifted to a full carbon. That's a tough choice, I did a lot of research, looked at Specialized, Cannondale, Scott, Trek but in the end bought a Focus Cayo Expert with Dura Ace/FSA stuff. It was considerably cheaper for similar specs - and boy it's a nice bike! (As one of my favorite riders is the Dutch guy Nikki Terpstra I was glad to see that his team Milram is shifting to Focus!). So obviously having a new bike forced me to use it even more. I then decided to do some sportives again in 2009 - my first choice being the Cape Argus, as I happen to be in South Africa for work purposes anyway the week before. I tried to get into the Fred Whitton, but when I logged in early morning it was already completely full (the registration started at 12 nighttime!). I could register, together with my cycling companian in the making, Ben G. for the Etappe Du Dales. Futher I will do a long weekend in the Alps and the sportive during the Vuelta in the Netherlands with another friend (Eino). That's it - now getting into shape. That's what this blog is about - I will do the Etappe De Dales for charity - Madam Curie Cancer Care, many folks have been donating for this good cause (175 km!) and it's only fair you can read about my progress in preparing for this sportive.
More to follow.