http://sport.be.msn.com/rondevanvlaanderen/2013/eng/inschrijven/
Entries are now open for the Tour of Flanders Sportive on Saturday 30th March 2013.
This is a fantastic event run on the same roads (and cobbles) that the pro’s tackle on the Sunday. If you’ve never been before, make a weekend of it, it’s basically a national holiday in Belgium and the atmosphere around the event is like nothing else (especially if Boonen wins again).
There are 80km and 140km route options as well as the full 240km monster starting in Brussels and finishing in Oudenaarde. Mountain bike routes are also available (maybe a good idea with the pave in mind!).
Get in quick – only 16,000 places available 😉 Though I jest, it will probably fill up to that number.
Alex Jalland
Alex, I’ve been thinking of doing this. This company http://www.redlanterncycling.co.uk/Tour_of_Flanders.html does a trip on which you can do the full version – which I am keen to do. It will involve a fair amount of training. I take it you are going to book a place. Maybe you are not intending to go through a travel company. Let me know if you are on for it/want to go together/train together for it. cheers, Mark
Hi Mark
I actually did it independently a couple of years back with some guys at San Fairy Ann CC. We did the 140km version which takes in all of the climbs, but without the early start & 100 flat kms from Brussels. Must say it was the best sportive I’ve ever done – loads of spectators on the climbs, 15000 entrants, crazy feed stations (basically warehouses) and great fun if seriously challenging (riding up a cobbled incline a couple of metres across is almost impossible when people stop in front of you or ride into you!) Not sure If I’ll tackle it next year, but I’m thinking about it. Happy for some earnest training though. I tend to go out early on Saturdays when I can (which is increasingly less recently) and smash my way round the Surrey Hills.
NB I recommend an extra roll of bar tape and some bullet proof tyres for the day itself. Then some liberal application of Leffe and other Belgian beverages afterwards!