Gent-Wevelgem 2009

Mick Barry Norman and Charles wait on the side of the Zwartberg for the Gent-Wevelgem race 2009 that never came

Another triumph for Clarencourt organization. Barry Gregory, Paul Martin, Mick Ayliffe, Norman Luhr & Charles van de Steene met in Westouter at 1230 to watch Gent-Wevelgem. The pubs were shut so we left the village and went up onto the Zwartberg to the restaurant we used last year. It had changed into a camping shop. We found another place for beers and pasta. At 2pm we wandered down onto the hill and tied ourselves to a lamppost so we wouldn’t fall down the bank into the race as they stormed by. The same kids with learning disabilities from the local institution (the Tom Boonen fans) were opposite us just like last year. We had a great view down the hill. About 2.15 the race TV helicopter appeared over Westouter village square at the bottom of the hill and then surprisingly moved off to our right. No cars or riders came up the hill. A lady said something in Flemish and everyone made that Flemish scoffing noise. The race wasn’t coming up our hill this year. They had turned sharp left leaving the square in Westouter onto a tiny road straight up the side of the Rodeberg! So it was straight round to the local cafe where we sat for the rest of the afternoon and watched a very good Gent-Wevelgem on Tele. Bye Bye to dear old Charles and home at 11pm. Thanks to Barry for driving.