5 In Europe/ Outdoors

Riding The Ronde: Belgium’s Tour Of Flanders Cycling Sportive

245 kilometers? Cobbled climbs? No problem!

For reasons beyond my comprehension, BMC Switzerland graciously selected me to join five other cyclists from across the globe to join their granfondo experience, more tortuously known as the Ronde van Vlaanderen. Here I document my experience with a bit of Ronde history mixed in for flavor.

Indeed, cycling here does not suck. And someday, I hope to be back on the cobbles of Flanders.

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  • Neil
    July 9, 2014 at 11:40 pm

    Hey Joe. Brian is my older brother and I too went to school with Ed. Though we are all very sad for Ed and his family, I just want to say that was an amazingly cool thing you did to include Ed (and Brian) in your experience. Best wishes to you for all your future adventures.

    • Joe
      July 10, 2014 at 7:28 am

      Thanks for watching and for the kind words, Neil.

  • Brian Begley
    July 11, 2014 at 12:25 am

    Joe-The video was excellent and I can’t thank you enough for your kindness and paying tribute to Ed. It is something very special and means a lot to everyone that knew Ed. Keep up the great work and all the best to you in the future! You’re a good man!

  • Chris V. (a Flandrian at heart)
    August 8, 2014 at 8:49 am

    Hey Joe, that was a great video…It certainly made me miss my hometown (Brugge).

    I can’t wait to go back and visit (hopefully next spring), perhaps rent a bike from the BMC Concept store (can’t wait to visit the store regardless and pick up some new BMC merchandise) and perhaps ride some of those beautiful routes that I remember as a child.

    Congrats on winning that contest(I was planning on entering as well, but didn’t have nearly enough miles under my belt, and the weather doesn’t lend itself well to cycling through the winter months here in Ottawa, Canada) and getting the opportunity to meet the greatest pro team as well as the awesome apparel you received.

    Great job again on the video…

    • Joe
      August 8, 2014 at 11:16 am

      Thanks for the kind words, Chris. Hope you get out there soon!