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.

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...

A Run In Belgium

Last week I was also able to manage a run in Brussels, Belgium. Since I was staying at a hotel at the Brussels airport, I had convenient access to the subway which brought me to the city center in 15 minutes. From the city central station I was able run about a 5 mile loop which took me past many of the landmark sights. A few pics from the run:

A square called Grand Place with cool gothic architecture

Manneken Pis

This place is very close to the statute of the little dude pissing. Hmmm... I don't know if I'd drink that beer.

The door was open so I popped in side quick to snap a few pics

A Run In The Netherlands

Last week while on a business trip, I was able to head out for a 10K run through the city of Maastricht, Netherlands. The skies were threatening throughout the run and then opened up midway through for a passing shower. Some pics of the sights along my running route:

A quick shower

Back at the hotel...

... which is located on the bank of the Meuse River