Couple of cycling race locations in Europe...

This past week I was able to check out a few locations on some legendary (and one soon to be) cycling routes.  Two of the spots I visited are each part of one-day races in the "Monuments" of European cycling.  Below are some pics I took...

Paris-Roubaix (Hell of the North)

A relatively well maintained section of cobbles located in Gruson, France. (Carrefor de l'Abre)

Marker located on the route.

Cool view of the cobbles.  

Velodrome finish in Roubaix.

 Final turn into the finish line in front of grandstand.

Liege-Bastonge-Liege

Race passes through Houffalize, Belgium. 

Great vantage point of the town (Houffalize, Belgium)

The legendary climb Cote de Saint-Roche. (Link to Graham Watson race shot)

Looking back to the town from Cote de Saint-Roche.

A couple of Schlecks from down the road ride here...

The 3rd cycling location I visited will serve as the site of this year's Grand Start to the Tour De France.


2012 TDF Prologue - Liege, Belgium

The 6 km prologue will start at the Parc d'Avroy 

Blvd de la Sauveniere

A few cobblestone sections on the course.  (Rue de l'Universite)

Course runs alongside the River Meuse 

From the Quai Roosevelt Blvd looking up the River Muese

 Race advertisements are up!

 Course passes by the Palace in the Place Saint-Lambert

More advertisement of the TDF.

Lego Taj Mahal

My boy building the Lego Star Wars Imperial Shuttle

2010 Westfield Airshow

2010 MMT100 Trail Race

Mohawk AT Loop Trail Run

Soapstone Mtn. Hill Repeats

A run up Lycabettus Hill

Arrived in Athens, Greece today. Got out for an urban run (with a little bit of trail through some of the city parks.) I ascended Lycabettus Hill to get the heart cranking. It was some steep stuff, but the view from up top was worth it! Some pics from my route:

Lycabettus Hill lurking in the background saying "Come get me Turco."

View from the first peak with the Agean Sea in the distance

Found some trails...

View from the second peak with the Acropolis over my right shoulder

Parliment Building. "Hey, Loosen up bro..."

Temple of Olympiun Zeus

Arch of Hadrian with the Acroplolis in the background

Self pic in front of the Faliro Sports Pavilion (Site of some of the 2004 Summer Olympic events)

A harbor in the Agean Sea

Another self pic...

Standing on Aeopagus hill (next to the Acropolis) looking back at Lycabettus Hill

Back at the hotel. 15.6 miles later. View from my hotel room surveying my run...

One and a quarter centuries

This past Sunday Mark and I cycled from central CT to central MA, around scenic Quabbin Resevoir and back. Here are some stats:

Miles: 125.7
Time: 8:36
Elevation: 3,840'
Calories burned: 6,452
Crashes: 1
Conversations with the law: 1
Encounters with assholes yellin from their trucks: 2
Views of the resevoir: 0

A little foggy and wet early on

Here comes the sun

Newly painted white line + Water = Crash
50 miles into our ride and cruising along at 20 mph, Mark was crossing a shoulder line to move out of the way of a runner and his bike slid out from under him. He fell into my bike, knocking me to the pavement and slamming himself into the road. We assessed the damage and decided to press on.

Mark's road rash

Enjoying the foliage

Where's the resevior?

Some more of Mark's road rash and tire burn from hitting my bike

Our route

Elevation profile

Speed vs. Time Chart

A Run Around The Block

Last weekend's trip included a run around Block Island. Shan joined me for the first 5K and Uncle Frank and Keith joined me for the first 10K. I contiuned on, taking in the sights with a counterclockwise 20 mile tour of the island.

Shan, Me, Frank and Keith at the start of our run.

Go Shan!

Southeast Lighthouse

East side shore

Block Island Ferry

Shore on northern tip of island

North Lighthouse

Running along the beach

Dirt roads to finish up the run

Post run chillin'