Training ride to Sluis

So today I had my first ride since my first race in Europe. It was a nice endurance ride with Evan and Casey in which we encountered beautiful scenery and some crazy weather. We decided yesterday evening that we would ride to Sluis in Zeelandic Flanders in the south-western part of the Netherlands. The ride there consisted of decent weather with some clouds and a slight headwind. But soon we would come face to face with an ominous dark cloud. It would decide to drop a little rain and hail on us as we looked over a bus stop map. But we decided to press on and find our way across the border. On our way we passed the town of Damme and connected to a canal road lined with tall leafless trees.

We passed little ducks and people catching fish. It was also the perfect place to do my intervals for the day considering it was such a long straight stretch of road. The slight headwind would also aid in my 1 minute efforts. After doing a couple intervals, we would come to the town of Sluis. It was a quaint little town in which we would enter on a small road of cobbles. It consisted of small shops and restaurants in which people were casually strolling along side. Small table areas were placed outside each restaurant in which people could gaze at the public walking by. We also saw a fascinating wind mill at the edge of town. There are so many details incorporated in every building. We would eventually take refuge under an awning from the heavy rain and grab a quick cup of espresso for the ride and intervals to return home.

After a couple minutes with our delicious warm cup of coffee we would begin our ride toward Brugge which would be the end of our ride and the beginning of our cool down back to Hertsberge. On the way we were once again met by that dark cloud in which it would pelt our faces and ears with hail. I couldn’t help but laugh hysterically as we road on with our heads turned down trying to protect our exposed skin. OUCH!!! Even a lady passing by would let out a little giggle at us. Eventually, it cleared up and we approached the town of Brugge. We rode through the middle of town, to connect to the roads taking us to Hertsberge, in which I had to snag a couple photos.

After finally getting through town we would finish our ride in Hertsberge only to begin the routine of washing our bikes and eating. Overall, it was a great ride in which I was able to see amazing views, ride with some great teammates, and get my workout in for the day.