The Flanders Expertise: Spring has hit Belgium and there’s a pull in the direction of that small north European nation for all lovers of motorcycle racing. Ed Hood has barrels filled with the Belgian ‘race chase’ expertise, and shares his eager observance of what makes Belgian biking tradition distinctive, and unimaginable to withstand.
# See the ‘2024 PEZ Flanders Race Preview’ HERE.#
“I’m by no means happier than once I’m writing.”
~ Ed Hood, as spoken to Martin Williamson from the passenger seat, driving alongside a stage route on the Tour de France.
Expensive Readers – Our beloved colleague and good friend Ed Hood suffered a critical stroke in February. We don’t anticipate Ed will make it again into our bunch, so we’ve began a GoFundMe web page to assist Ed along with his future. Learn the total publish right here – and please think about donating.
** Click on this hyperlink to donate to the GoFundMe web page to assist Ed **
We’ll be posting a collection of Ed’s work from the previous 16 years, as a result of nice story-telling by no means will get previous.
The papers might be filled with ‘Wielersport’
You’re going to Flanders for the E3, or is it De Ronde? The parcours and begin lists are a cinch, the papers are filled with element.
BUT
What concerning the stuff you really want to learn about The Flatlands? Learn on. . .
No.1 – Eddy!
Allegiances:
Sure, Eddy Merckx is a Diety – BUT he’s not Flemish. It was headline information when Eddy and Claudine have been married; the service was performed in French. . . Godverdomme!
That marriage ceremony…
Nevertheless, you’re protected with Tom Boonen, Peter Van Petegem, Johan Museeuw and naturally, Freddy and the late, nice ‘Franky Boy.’ Roger De Vlaeminck’s latest criticisms of Tommeke, WVA, Remco and nearly everybody else bar himself have reasonably undermined his fashionable standing regardless of his fantastic palmarès. In case you’re speaking to older dudes then Rik Van Looy, Ward Sels and even additional again, Briek Schotte will get you approving nods.
The unique Flandrien
Espresso:
Keep away from! As John Wayne may say; ‘tastes prefer it ran offa somebody’s boots!’ Cappuccino? Nee, nee, nee! It’s the above talked about brake fluid with that horrible pressurised cream stuff skooshed on high.
We hope Greg is aware of the best way to make a correct cappuccino
Costume code:
As my mentor, adviser on all issues Flemish and PEZ soothsayer, Vik as soon as rightly noticed; ‘you possibly can by no means put on the incorrect factor in Flanders.’
You may by no means put on the incorrect factor in Flanders…
Horrific 80’s shell-suits? No drawback.
Take your choose?
White socks along with your go well with? Certain!
Effectively…
‘Basket weave’ topped footwear? Yeah. ‘Kipper’ ties? In fact.
The right shoe and tie combo
And burgundy continues to be a giant color in Flanders, significantly for trousers, it exhibits up that shine from sitting on bar stools for an excessive amount of of your life simply positive. And Crimplene can also be nonetheless massive. . .
‘Mmm, fits you sir!’
Drink:
The fellows and me are in Sersekamp for a kermis, I fancy a brandy. The barman seems to be at me as if there’s one thing incorrect with me – pils it’s then. . .
Jupiler with fish possibility
The most well-liked model of beer in Belgium is Jupiler, it’s not that tasty however on the plus aspect you possibly can devour litres of the stuff with out getting too buckled.
Typically you want a beer
Trappistes and the likes of Duvel and Orvelo look nice, style nice however have been initially designed with Belgium’s area program in thoughts as rocket fuels – tread flippantly, Dude. However keep in mind, it’s by no means too early for a beer in Belgium.
Cautious!
In case you do crave one thing a bit of stronger then go for Genever, – ‘Juniper.’ Genever is a transparent, botanically wealthy, malted grain-based spirit that may solely be made in Holland or Belgium. It’s a mix of two or extra distillates: first, a whiskey-like triple distillate product of corn, wheat, and rye (so-called malt wine). Second, a juniper-infused distillate.
The Vivaldi Bar – By no means too late
Closing time?
Talking for the Vivaldi, our favorite watering gap in Gent, I can’t aid you; irrespective of how far into the wee small hours we’ve stumbled out into the chilly November air, the tunes are nonetheless coming and the regulars are nonetheless, ‘partying on’ behind us. Respect.
De Karper, one other favorite
Driving:
You’re approaching a slip street, you’re within the close to aspect lane; ease off, alter your pace, point out and execute the manoeuvre? Nee, nee, nee! Ground, it veer throughout to the quick lane then brake exhausting, dive again throughout the lanes and thrash it into the slip – job accomplished.
Point out? Neen, neen, neen.
Loss of life Race 2000 – Common day on a Belgian motorway
Stopping distance? What’s that?
Regardless of the Monday morning papers being full of images of the weekend motorway carnage it makes not a little bit of distinction, the driving continues to be loopy. In case you’re of a sure age you’ll keep in mind a movie referred to as, ‘Loss of life Race 2,000’ – the dudes in that film merely wouldn’t reduce it on the Flemish motorways.
French followers in Flanders – I’d hold that quiet
French:
Not a good suggestion to attempt to converse in that language in Flanders.
One of many many joys of Flanders
Frites:
One of many many joys of Flanders is that you just’re by no means removed from a frituur. Parts: ‘Klein’ is for amateurs, ‘Grooten’ about proper for many and a ‘Tremendous’ is just for the true execs. Mayonnaise is the selection of many however I’m an Andalouse man myself. There are few issues extra satisfying than the sound of the commercial sized sauce pump ‘splatting’ that tangy gloop onto your frites. And, as with pils, it’s by no means too early for frites in Flanders.
Ed’s favorite – Frites met Andalouse saus
Hair kinds:
The mullet by no means died in Belgium, you possibly can see them all over the place and ex-pro and Ronde, Roubaix, E3 and Gent-Wevelgem winner, Eric Vanderaerden could also be 60 years-of-age now however nonetheless sports activities his mullet – albeit it’s not as luxurious because it as soon as was.
Eric’s Mullet
‘Comb overs’ are nonetheless fashionable, my hair has lengthy gone however it’s a must to respect any man who grows what’s left of his hair lengthy on the again then scrapes it ahead over his bald pate, making use of a wholesome dose of hairspray to maintain it in place. . .
I keep in mind Johan when he was bald
The toupee could have all however vanished in a lot of the civilised world however not in Flanders, normally within the color your hair was a decade in the past, the joint resembling a geological fault. You may normally nonetheless purchase a ‘man’s hair piece’ in a ironmongers/ironmongery shop.
The higher Belgian wigs
Juke Field:
No self-respecting bar is with out it’s juke field, when confronted with a listing of artists you’ve by no means heard of, go to ‘ABBA’ – they’ll be in there for certain and you’ll by no means go incorrect with them.
The radio alternative
Radio:
Whenever you’re within the rent automotive and wish some sounds seek for NRJ or Nostalgi, you may be subjected to grim ballads and Europop maybe each three or 4 songs however keep it up, they do play an important collection of 60’s and 70’s Oldies. There’s additionally Studio Brussel or ‘Stu Bru’ which could be attention-grabbing.
Rijsttaart – It’s addictive
Rice tart:
‘Rijsttaart,’ monitor them down in any first rate bakers, you’ll thank us – however they’re addictive.
Persist with solely watching biking on Flemish TV
TV:
Aside from the sports activities programmes and sports activities information, finest averted.
Belgium, beer and a motorcycle race – What extra would you like?
# The entire above stated, I like the place, it’s individuals it’s quirks and there’s no finer factor to do on the planet of a day than cling over the barrier at a kermis along with your pils. And absolutely it’s no coincidence that one lap corresponds completely with the time it takes to empty your ‘pintje’ – that’s a 250 cl. glass of pils. . . #
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