Yes, I admit it: I had a ‘gay’ feeling this morning too, but despite that, I rode Limburgs Mooiste 2011 with mudguards.
I just read on Twitter that if you do that, no matter how fast you can cycle – and I can – you really are a ‘sissy’.
So be it…
I also regularly cycle – especially during longer tours – with a handlebar bag which is supposedly even worse.
Now, I’m probably not the only one riding around with limitations (neck, shoulder, and back), but I find that fumbling to get food out of your back pockets is a painful hassle, so ‘deal with it’…
It was touch and go today anyway. I was soaking wet even before the bike was on the carrier; it wasn’t raining really hard, but it was steady, and with a temperature of roughly 11 degrees, you know it’s going to be a long day.
Figuratively speaking, that is; literally, it’s not too bad when you only have to cover 135 kilometers.
However, the shuffling at the start is repeated, albeit on a smaller scale, after about 500 meters in, when you are handed the mandatory handlebar tape (in exchange for a participation certificate and an email with your name and address on it).
And then you stand still at the top of the Kruisberg for a good fifteen minutes, because you cross the route of the already returning (ex) pros / elites.
Yes, that sure is a mood booster too. Oh well, I should have left at 7 or 8 o’clock instead of 9:50, and the possibility was even mentioned in the very last email we received…
Anyway, the route was new, so there was hopeful anticipation. More elevation gain than in the 160-kilometer course, so that was all good. Unfortunately, they had run out of ideas for colored signs, because we were required to follow the red route first and then the yellow one.
That caused some confusion here and there, especially since large numbers of red loopers decided to follow the ‘red 135’ signs (instead of ‘red 160’). Probably due to the nice weather, people spontaneously decided to take the shorter version so they could get back to sitting on a terrace quickly.
In terms of climbs, however, there were no surprises whatsoever, unless it was that the Eyserbosweg was a descent in today’s route.
I know, LM isn’t really one for the standard climbs (Keutenberg, Cauberg, Fromberg, et cetera), but this was quite painful – you don’t butcher the Eyserbosweg like that.
Still, they remain beautiful routes and there was plenty to enjoy today, despite the rain and the – it just wouldn’t stop – wind on the plateaus.
The (Twitter) hashtag #epicfail for the helmet stickers: there were at least 10,000 of them lying along and on the roads.
So apparently those things don’t stay put – I wouldn’t have stuck them on anyway, as there will never be glue residue on my helmet, thanks. Along with the hassle of the chip sticker that had to go around the seat post: no room, but luckily I had a small mudguard I could stick it to
And together with the ‘check / double check’ game with the handlebar tape, the organization isn’t getting any bonus points from me for any of this.
Otherwise, they do: letting 18, 19 thousand cyclists ride their lap safely and provide them with adequate supplies is no small feat.
So, another round of applause for the volunteers, please!
The start was a bit chaotic, but the finish is a lot better than two years ago, when I had to shuffle along for 20 minutes for a beer I didn’t want (but you do have to get past it).
Personally, I think the AGR is better organized – certainly regarding the supplies – but I am reasonably satisfied with this LM (an average of a 7, let’s say).
The Polar recorded:
134.7 km – 4:25 hours (net)
Elevation gain 1,628 (officially 1,737)
Max. ascent 18%
