First 100km of the season

Somehow we Netherlanders managed to have a 6-day long weekend. It was brilliant. And for the most part the weather was fantastic. Somehow the weekend snuck up on me, so I had nothing planned. This too was brilliant, as it meant that the whole weekend could be dedicated to cycling (and to reducing my humongous belly).

Wednesday started with the stock 50km standard through Maarn and Doorn. Then Dennis tortured me with an 80km ride, through wind, over hills, and just plain faster than my little legs could go. Dennis introduced me to the hill to end all Dutch hills (at least in this area). The next day I managed only 10km, partly because of rain, but mostly because I was just plain trashed. Then came a 75km ride, where I tried out the hill again. Then a much slower, much flatter 65km. I woke up this morning feeling totally wasted, so didn't expect to do very much. But I knew in my heart that a wee 120km would give me 400km for the weekend (my heart is good at maths too, I must say). With such an unreachable goal dragging me forward, I knew (again in my heart) that stopping short at 100km would hardly be a source of shame. (Though, I do wonder what the Belgians would think.) I chose one of the simpler routes: the Lekdijk, into the wind; the hill and the two hills required to get to it, twice, and then a few of the smaller hills to round off the tour.

The result: 100.57km, 4h 7mins in the saddle, average speed, a respectable 24.3km/h, with a maximum of 55.7km/h.

Total for the 6-day weekend: 380km, unless my summin' ain't good.

BTW. I got a job in Belgium and will be moving there towards the end of the summer.