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| Oudenaarde Townhall built 1526-1537 |
Nine cyclists joined the Calder Clarion long weekend to the Ronde Van Vlaanderen on the 1st of April. The Hull Zeebrugge overnight ferry disembarkation was two hours late but the group were able to check into their Oudenaarde hotel and do their Saturday ride around some of the high points of the Tour of Flanders route including some of the famous cobbled climbs: Oude Kwaremont, Paterberg, Kortekir and Koppenberg.
Sunday, after breakfast, the group headed for the Professional women cyclists ‘sign on’, introduction and race start in Oudenaarde.
Tom Butler managed to persuade UCI 6th ranking Annemiek van Vleuten to pose with him for a photograph despite the imminent start of the race; she didn’t mind that Michael Vennard had to change his camera batteries while she waited. Annemiek went on to win the race and some Calder members are campaigning to drop the Calder from the club name and substitute Annemiek van Vleuten Fan Club Clarion. When Tom’s pulse rate had settled down, there was a ride to vantage points to catch both the women’s and men’s race pass up the steep Muurs and over the pave. They sampled the brilliant atmosphere and marvelled at the speed, skill and courage of the riders, particularly on the Eikenburg. 
Once the races moved out of range, it was time for food and a beer or two in a small bar near Mater, full of vociferous Belgians mainly supporting Philippe Gilbert. Our Clarianistas matched them whenever Geraint Thomas appeared on the screen which produced much good natured banter with the locals who were obviously delighted when Nick Nuyens edged Sylvain Chavanel and Fabian Cancellara for the victory.
On Moday there was a ride over more famous Flanders Roads, this time it was Kluisbergen and up the Kluisberg with it’s cluster of shops and cafes at the top before returning to the hotel to load the cars up with bikes and baggage to head back to Zeebrugge for the for the overnight ferry.
Michael Vennard’s Eikenburg Video
Photographs by Tom McGhie
Annemiek van Vleuten’s web site