Well, this was quite simply one of the most extraordinary days of my life. Not quite the circus that the TDF is in person, but Flanders is a race so full of character, passion, and zest that I don't think I will ever see bicycles in the same light again. I hope you enjoy these pictures almost as much as I did taking them, and a massive thanks to Johan and Marc D'hont of Museeuw Bikes for their unbelievable graciousness as hosts. From the start at the main square in Bruges, the race through Belgium to catch the riders at various points, and the visit to the Flanders Museum to end the day, I don't quite know where to begin. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="614" caption="Don't let her beauty fool you...Flanders is for only the hardest of men"][/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="573" caption="The man, the legend, Johan Museeuw...still super-fit and a real gentleman. Special thanks to Marc D'hont."][/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="614" caption="I did call Tom's win, didn't I? Here he is cool as a cucmber pre-race. Too bad about Fabian though :("][/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="614" caption="Here they come - the adoring crowds go nuts when the peleton whizzes past"][/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="614" caption="Tyler Farrar and the doomed break ramp it up before the Paterberg"][/caption]   [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="553" caption="The Little Sprinter - a future Tom Boonen on roller, no less!"][/caption]   [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="614" caption=""Most people don't realize how difficult  it is to win a classic"
- The Lion of Flanders, Johan Museeuw"][/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="590" caption="Now here's a good spot for a post-race Belgian ale with the local crowd, including the Lion of Flanders himself"][/caption] I'll be back next year, only this time I am bringing some lucky friends and staying through the end of Paris-Roubaix. 364 days to get in shape!! Full album can be accessed HERE.