Yesterday’s training ride took me over the Muur in Geraarsbergen, Belgium about three hours before the pros raced up it for the Ronde van Vlaanderen. The hill was already filling up with cycling fans who proceeded to cheer me on, waving their Lion of Flanders flags, a few of them even clicking off some pictures as I hammered up the 20 percent cobbles with the best form I could muster. It was absolutely awesome! Belgium has the best cycling fans in the world.

There is one good reason for Belgian fans being so nice:

Belgian beer!!

I watched the race yesterday (tv) and that cobblestone hill looked painful.

belgian beer? that hurts. belgians wouldn't know beer if it hit them in the face!

sorry, but it's true

sounds like the fans really got your adrenalin pumping, nice!