2008 UCI Cyclocross Masters World Championships is just two days away. Zilvermeer leisure park in Mol, Belgium, plays host to this year’s event, and the US has got a decent crew heading over there to contest the event and battle for rainbow jerseys.
Lew Rollins, the 2007 Masters 60-64 National Champion, is over there with a crew mostly from Utah, including Jon Gallagher from Heber, UT; Sam Krieg from Pocatello, ID; Mike Kracht from Park City, UT; and Jeff Street from Lehi, UT. We’re fortunate to have a diary entry from Lew about the days leading up to Saturday’s big event.
Day 1/2 (1/9-1/10) The departure day started with a raging snow storm in parts of the Salt Lake City (SLC) area. Fortunately we were prepared for the weather and were able to get out of SLC via three different flights to Atlanta. Four of our group of five guys are flying stand buy with First Class Buddy Passes. I’m the only one flying coach. No problem…we all get on board for the Brussels flight. Great flight…lots of room…especially for the group in First Class. Our first rental vehicle was too small for the gear. Finally, got underway with three bike boxes on top of car and two passengers inside. The rest of us took the train to Mol Belgium where we are staying and will race. Arrived OK via the train and car…finally hooked up and got a look at our home for the next two weeks…not bad. Before dark we got in a 1.5 hour ride around Mol.
Day 3 (1/ 11) Decided to ride from Mol to Antwerp (120 Km +) in the rain. Always seems to be a head wind. Ate in Antwerp and headed back to Mol. We ran out of daylight short of Herentals…however, a Belgium rider named Frances helped get to the train station for a short ride to Mol and our home. What a day.
Stay tuned for photos and more entries.
