Stage 4 - Where eagles dared and an Emotional goodbye

Today's route: 73 miles, 

Ronse - Genval (nr Gembloux)

total ascent expected: 900 metres, see details here:- http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=599316 

Where to start? My goodness what a day. 

First, we recounted the stories from the previous day, one in particular where I had thrown the hire car keys whilst checking in to the hotel at Pete and caught him accidentally on the nose. Fortunately, Pete wasn't making a meal of it though :-

Then we set plans to leave from just north of Ronse and meet up with Pete after 43 miles for lunch at a small village in Flanders.  We made good time, had no navigation problems, no punctures , and covered the hilly terrain well. One climb of 150 metres on cobblestones sticks in the memory. Pass me the gentleman's cream .  Pic of me at the cathedral in Ronse and Alex at a town east of there. We were on a high again

We met pete on time and for lunch we tucked into the two largest portions of fries you have ever seen, the Belgians do love their chips. Pete was happy again. See here :-

Then a race against time began. It was 1:15pm and we had 30 miles to get to Genval where I am staying for the next two nights (tomorrow is my first rest day). Pete and Alex were to get a taxi from the hotel at 4pm back to Brussels to catch their Eurostar home @5:56pm. We would make it easy - we thought.  

There were five problems with this plan. (i) we had to climb another 600 metres , (ii) we made it 800 by taking a wrong turn (iii) we got lost - in a forest 

(Iv) the heavens opened again (for 3hrs)

(V) An eagle spotted us

The forest just seemed to creep up on us as our road (as guided by bike sat nav) got smaller and smaller. Eventually , the road ran out, but at least it looked like we  were on the right heading.  Dare we carry  on? We hadn't seen anyone for an hour, we were in a deep deep forest, on gravel tracks, thick mud at times , on road bikes for heavens sake.   We dared. We continued.  Then - and I am not kidding - an enormous Eagle swooped at us, before graciously flying away through the forest canopy .  It was 3.30pm, despite covering 67 miles and climbing 1100 metres , we still had 6 miles to go. We staggered on and amazingly the dare paid off. Soon after the eagle incident we were suddenly clear, appearing from the edge of the forest and baring down on a huge chateau which appeared like a magical castle out of nowhere. 

We got back on route and made it to the hotel at 4:10pm where Pete was waiting with a taxi , there was just enough time for Alex to change out of his extremely wet and muddy kit and jump into the taxi with Pete.  I tried to take a photo and my phone died.  We had an emotional goodbye, and all of a sudden I was on my own.  

I'm gonna miss them both a lot. Pete has played an essential role in being there when we needed him - at all times, and keeping the banter rolling. Alex was a fantastic support rider, capable, chatty, humorous and when not riding, always on top of helping organize the days route, sorting out ice baths and nutrition needs and being on top of I.T issues. 

After they had both left , I headed straight for the spa at the hotel and had a sports massage sent from heaven and hell, plus the best jacuzzi I think I've ever had in my life. (1hour). 

Time now to pass out, rest day tomorrow (so needed), and I need to get to Brussels to pick up the new support driver for the next four days - My wife - Dominique, whom im really looking forward to seeing. Dominique will be followed 5 hours later by new co riders Graham Stokes and Mike Staveley who will accompany me down to Luxembourg (Mike) and Strasbourg (Graham), more on these two characters and our adventures in the coming days.

Brett x