Back in Belguim

Bonjour.

JB here, reporting from Hotel du Commerce in soggy Houffalize, Belgium.

Getting off the 12-hour plane flight from Cape Town South Africa and seeing my breath in the cold German air was a sharp contrast. Not that I expected springtime in northern Europe to be good swimming weather, but I was surprised to hear that a local race that took place two weeks ago was held in snow, and there were a few reports of reminent piles on the side of major roads!

The incongruent roof tops, and crooked chimneys that make up the veiw from our hotel window lend a certain air of antiquity to this town. The slate scales on the roof tops and even sides of chimneys are diamond shaped and shiny like black dragon scales. Smoke climbs up in swerving columns to the flat grey sky in different length plumes eventually fading in. Houffalize is situated on a sharp s-bend in a cold river. Carved steep hills with little houses line the terraced roads that snake the 400-foot-tall hills. Spooky pine forests with thick ferns and moss make up the forest maze and hilly farm lands make up the rest of the scene. This is the perfect backdrop for some of the world's best bike races.

I only wish I could stick around until next week to see Leige -Baston-Leige, it comes straight through town!

We are already to the first Olympic qualification race. Though there are six races total (the first five world Cups and the World Championships) that count for the selection, this race is of extra importance. The first race will decide the important starting position for all riders in the upcoming races in Germany and Spain.

For this reason, I am really focused on making this race smooth and controlled. This is obviously not EZ at a race with 275 riders sprinting for a 12-inch-wide trail, the steep 40% mud shoots are more like blacked sliding boards at the moment.
If I can keep my witts about me, and move forward when I can, then it should get the job done.

Goal: move into a higher position for the following races and keep it safe and have fun.

Going for it!

Jeremiah

Labels: Racing

posted by Jeremiah Bishop  # 11:15 AM

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