Welcome to Bruco's website! Here I testify my passion for the bike, report about my adventures in the péloton ('Crit(erium)s'), the 'tourist industry' ('Turismo') and the mud ('Cyclocross'). Incidentally, I also document the rides inbetween ('Training').

So who is Bruco? The caterpillar was built in 1970, but it was only in 2002 that he popped out of his cocoon; a late-bloomer, you might say. Prior to the discovery of the bike, he was more of a couch potatoe and a night owl. After all, sports constitute, to quote Bernard Suits, 'a voluntary attempt to overcome unnecessary obstacles.'

When Bruco finally got his road bike, he got hooked to the handlebar. Initially mainly through commuting (The Hague-Leiden). Later through an unorganised association of friends named 'Waakzame Vingers'. Little did we know back then (the 'sacred 30 km/h' was still beyond us, training principles were unknown, the 'étiquette' of ciclismo was often ignored). Yet, some 'Vingers' were bitten by the bug. Infected by the virus, for which there is no cure.

The time came to pick up challenges like the 'Utrechtse Heuvelrug' (the only 'Dutch mountains' in our area), the Flêche Wallonne and La Marmotte. The training volume increased (toward 10.000 km per annum), and so did the Obsession. Enter the heart rate monitor, a complete cycling library and ever more serious equipment. And... the leg hair had to go.

In 2006 Bruco joined the Leidse Ren- en Toervereniging Swift, started riding with its 'Touring Élite' ('Sunday Slaughters') and carefully picked up racing ('Tuesday Terrors'). A year later, the games began in earnest: a KNWU 'Amateur-B' license was obtained. In Bruco's case, this is hardly a certificate of competence; rather, it is the beginning of a steep learning curve. And a lot of fun.

And so his Palmares grows...

Please feel free to contact me, or to leave a message in the guestbook.

Per angusta ad augusta ('joy through suffering')... Ciao!