We are absolutely in awe of what Angus and Rob accomplished on their epic and self confessed brutal Flandrien Challenge. They tackled this grueling cycle challenge to raise money for The Canmore Trust and Baton of Hope. Here is what Angus had to say about the ride:
So Rob and I have now returned to the UK after having completed the Flandrien Challenge. Wow, it certainly was a challenge! We were aware that that it would be difficult however we faced challenges that we never anticipated or were prepared for. We are so gratefu for all the support we received and generous donation.
On Day 1 we were riding around Ypres and the Houvelland area of Flanders. Our first experience of cobbles was a shock! RIding up the Kemmelberg was brutal! A steep road with irregular cobbles we were bounced up, down and side to side. We were having to really push the pedals to maintain momentum which was tough as our tyres were slipping and sliding. We made it to the summit but we were both shocked at how punishing it was and realised we have to do this 58 more times! After we completed the last cobbled climb of the day I was aware something wasn’t quite right with my bike. Rob then gently told me that my back wheel was buckled. Not ideal by any means. So I had to stop riding and walk the bike to a village whilst Rob rode back to the hotel to get his van to pick me up. Whilst waiting I was checking on google if there were any bike shops open (Monday is a traditional day where bike shops are closed.) We managed to find a shop and when we entered I was browsing the wheels on show, I could only find one rear wheel at $1600! Thankfully when I spoke to the shop owner he did have a more reasonably priced wheel in his store.
Day 2 and 3 were long epic days around the Ourdnaarde area of Flanders. Both days started with rain in the morning which meant riding on cobbles were treacherous. We hadn’t really thought about riding the cobbles in the rain especially the flat roads and down hill which felt treacherous. The challenge became mentally punishing the levels of concentration needed and also trying to stay upright. My confidence was flagging having had a shock when my wheel had buckled on day 1 and my new wheel felt so different to ride. We really had to dig deep and support one another as we tackled cobbled climb after cobbled climb. Day 3 we had heavier rain and I had a puncture whilst riding down a cobbled road which really deflated my confidence further (no pun intended!) Rob did an excellent job to support me and I was glad to reciprocate the support in the punishing afternoon of Day 3 when we took on the most difficult cobbled climbs which were a physically and mentally punishing. We made it back to the Centre Ronda van Flandeeren safe and secure mentally and physically pretty broken to be honest. A challenge that really pushed us so far out of our comfort zone. However by helping one another we gave each other Hope. Something that is so important from a mental health point of view. We are never alone, people care and Hold On Pain Ends.
