Day 1 - Those good old days?Cycling Event 2012 - South Andalusia |
Details
From: Mojacar
To: Roquetas de Mar
Distance: 110 km
Weather: Sunny, no wind, 34°C
Rain, wind, de Koppenberg and de muur van Geraardsbergen; those were the good old days.
At the beginning of this century, a group of Deloitte Flandriens left Diegem on their 30 kilo metal bikes, fighting against the wind and the rain. Lunch was “enjoyed” in places such as a graveyard or most often, somewhere in the middle of nowhere. They repaired their own flat tires, and slept in cheap hotels. When they passed a village named Mysery, they knew exactly what it meant, because that was what they had experienced for days. Those were the good old days.
Yesterday I again met those Deloitte Flandriens at Brussels airport. Their carbon fiber bikes were packed in shiny suitcases (except for the Cannondales, which apparently only required an oversized carton shoe box). They were on their way to the South of Spain, not by bike however, no they had booked a charter flight to Almeria.
In Almeria a brand new bus was waiting for them to bring them to a five star hotel in Mojacar. Once at hotel Parador Mojacar, a professional team under the responsibility of Serge Baguet was waiting for them.
Today I joined them on their first day on the road. God was good to them: no wind, no rain, outside temperatures of about 34° Celsius. And also the EU had taken good care of them. They enjoyed nice, smooth roads from start to finish.
Did they have flat tires? Yes, of course. Did they get their hands dirty? Of course not. For that they had Josez, one of Serge’s team members, who replaced their tires and sparks for them.
Day 1: Sunday 13 May
From: Mojacar To: Roquetas de Mar
Distance: 110 km
Departure: 9:22 with 14 (thanks to the preparation of all bikes by… Josez)
Arrival: 15:15 with 14
Speed: 26,1 km/h
Climbed: 1300 meters
First dive in the swimming pool: 15:40
First beer at the pool: 16:15 (thanks to Frank V.)
The good old days? To be honest, I don’t really know whether I miss them that much.
See you tomorrow!
