Sitting in the lounge at Heathrow on my way home I have had time to reflect on one of the most exciting and challenging 10 days I have had riding my bike. The Tour of Flanders and Paris Roubaix were the most challenging but rewarding rides I have ever done, but for very different reasons. Flanders had you maxing out on the bergs and Roubaix was just brutal.
But that is only half the story, a very big part of the memorability of this trip is due to the way, Gerard, Andy, Stef, Jordan and Patrick from TriVelo Coaching set up and ran this tour. For 10 days a bunch of old guys from Melbourne and Coffs Harbour experienced our secret dreams of being pro cyclists. Gerard, Stef and Jordan (and Tim at Flanders) managed the tempo of every ride really well and whenever we had a problem we were never alone (unlike other tours that we saw).
Andy kept us really fed (I think I gained weight), our kit clean and dry and generally looked after us. Stef kept our bikes running smoothly (and showed what real courage is by finishing Roubaix after a really bad crash early in the ride), Jordan organised a great corporate day at the tour of Flanders and very experienced driver at Roubaix and Patrick showed us some amazing rides in Flanders and worked on our aching muscles at the end of every day.
Thanks Gerard and team for the best and most challenging time I have ever had on my bike.
