This year's LBL was another flawless Vinger operation. Il Boiaⁱ, Le
Gitan, Reno and Bruco all passed the first serious test of this year,
and did so in style. Good teamwork, some deep-digging, but no major
crises, and no unforced errors (not even on the steepest parts).

It
will not have gone unnoticed that we were well-prepared. The Ardennes
are by and large familiar terrain, our respective preparatory ODO's
solid and the Waakzame team strategy previously tested and
classic-proven. All of the logistics worked out as planned (even though
Formula 1 for most of us is no guarantee for a good night's sleep).
These Palmares odyssees are becoming a routine, in the good sense of
the word. Last, but not least, the weather was more cooperative than we
expected (it rained 'welcome to Liege' upon arrival, which brought back
memories to last year's underwater expedition).
A bit chilly, especially on the downhills, but dry from start to finish.

Not
all went 100% smooth, though. First of all, the Campagnolo's were
having some annoying mechanical issues (a bit odd, given the alleged
superiority of the Italo components...). The traditional pre-ride
tune-up at Il Boia's was not particularly succesful. Gitan's GIOS
was--with considerable difficulty--equipped with a bail-out 26-teeth
cog, which did not exactly enhance shifting: the next-smallest 23-cog
had even to be sacrificed altogether. Il Boia thought he had his
drivetrain tweaked to perfection, but during the ride was hardly able
to switch between the large and small chainrings, forcing him to do
several off-the-bike-shifts, reminiscent of the good old (pre-WWII)
days.

The biggest bummer, however, was that Wim (whom Boia met
at work and co-opted as a fifth, stand-in, Vinger), had to abandon
after Bastogne, due to a running stomach. Wim is a seasoned LBL Veteran
(already eight editions on his Palmares) and turned out to be a very
strong, yet sociable, rider (high AVSⁱ-es, very easy climbing). We will
probably never know what ate him, but perhaps some of the blame should
go to Isostar, which was handed out at all the re-fuelling stations.
Undiluted, this stuff is a bit hard on your system. Il Boia was having
a hard time coping with Isostar as well. For sure this T-B-T was his
'gassiest' ride ever.

Yet, our Squadra performed very, very
well. A lot of credit should first of all go to Gitan. As he had
learned already on the Heuvelrug, climbing (and T-B-T is nothing but
undulations) is in no way comparable to cruising the polders. Yet
instead of getting intimidated, he rode a good, consistent tempo. And
no step-downs, gentlemen! A fine Classics debut. Helmets off!

Reno
has come a long way since last year's LBL. He seemed more confident
than ever, very much at ease on the bike and the parcours, and--not
unsignificant-simply way faster. Congratulations are due for our UK
representative, for demonstrating so much Class (and progress). Helmets
off!

Il Boia, apart from being very much in touch with his
feminine side these days (shopping over and over again, inter alia for
batteries to charge the Ladyshave; protein-obsessed, Audience-aware),
was on top of things too. A valuable, work-happy, domestique: loyal to
the Collective where it counted. And, as our tradition has it, able to
tear quite some legs in the Finale. Respect!

Bruco also served
the squadra (and quite a number of other 'draftees') to his best
abilities. The latter seem to have improved from last year: climbing
(even in higher gears) felt better and the descents went rather fluent.
The pump was kept well in check all day; the legs nowhere went on
strike (the Wanne, Haute Levee and Redoute were tough though). The
Rosier has been ridden off the list of 'Angstgegner' once and for
always; I consider making it, and the remainder of the Finale, together
with Il Boia in a (relatively, of course) high tempo a succesful
revenge.

I'd say that the Velo-club Tilffois does a very good
job at organising this event. The signing of the route was excellent
(inasfar as it's necessary: we know the Ardennes fairly well by now);
the feeding stations were strategically and safely situated and
well-stocked (we could have probably ridden on their supplies alone).
We were pleasantly surprised by the presence of traffic controllers at
some of the more dangerous spots, allowing for a speedy transition
through some high-traffic sections.

Completed climbs: Cote de
Dolembreux, Cote de Florze, Cote de Werbomont, Cote de Bonnerue, Mont
Le Soie, Cote de Wanne, Col de la Haute Levee, Col du Rosier, Cote du
Marquisard, Cote de la Redoute, Cote du Hornay, and numerous
undulations inbetween.

I have a feeling that tonights race will hurt more than usual...

Distance: 213,32 km
Ridetime: 08:25:01
AVS: 25,59 km/h
Max: 65,5 km/h
AvgHRⁱ: 139
MaxHR: ?
D0/D1: 05:27
D2: 01:38
D3+: 01:07