I read a good article today about Frank Vandenbrouke’s somewhat suspicious death. I have to admit that when I first heard about the Belgian rider’s death and the possibility of it being a suicide, I didn’t really care. VDB had been a great talent, and he won some pretty impressive races, but I didn’t much care for him. I rode during the same era as his uncle – a guy that wasn’t all that well liked on any of my teams. I remember when the younger VDB started racing and then hearing all the hype when the guy turned pro. But he received the Belgian curse when he was supposed to be the next Eddy Merckx.

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Hey there sports fans -- I am back from Portland and the Oregon Bicycle Manifest. I had a great time talking to a group of bike racing enthusiasts, drinking beer and eating waffles, even if I did contract some sort of creeping crud on the airplane. If you live in the area and haven't been able to make it to one of the OM events, get on it.

On another note, here's a little something that you should know about, if you don't already ...

The National Interscholastic Cycling Association is something that all of us who have raced, would like to race, or care about the future of American cycling should get behind. For most of us, cycling comes as a surprise gift, and once we find it (or it finds us) we are hooked. Imagine having the chance to race as a high schooler! I have been to a couple of these events in NorCal, and I am here to tell you the experience was nothing short of breathtaking. If you would like to learn more, check here. Better yet, if you would like to enjoy a nice evening for this good cause, read on and do what you can ...

BERKELEY, Calif. – The Bay Area’s cycling social event of the season, the NorCal League’s CycleFest 2009 will feature the CEO of Slipstream Sports, Jonathan Vaughters, as its special guest at its main annual fundraiser, a three-day gathering, November 6-8 in Mill Valley.

Vaughters, said, “It is an honor to be invited speak at the NorCal CycleFest. Two of the pro riders on the Garmin-Slipstream team, Lucas Euser and Steven Cozza, raced mountain bikes in the NorCal League, and so from the perspective of somebody like me, the importance of a program like NorCal’s cannot be overstated. I am delighted to support it and urge everybody reading this to add their support too. This is the future of cycling in the USA.”

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Now I just need a band. And check this ...

Cameron - East Lansing, Michigan

Cameron, you just made my mom's day. My dad was a Michigan State graduate and she's been flying the flag high ever since. Since she lives not too terribly far away, she goes to every football and basketball game she can get to, and watches the ones she can't on TV. And, of course, she looks at this here weblog from time to time as you might imagine.

I don't know if you have any affiliation with MSU whatsoever, but I think the parking sign is pretty appropriate.

Yessiree, you live in a place with weather that's at least a good primer for the conditions in Belgium. Maybe that's also why there are so many people and towns in the Great Lakes state with some connection to Belgium or Holland. You obsession with bicycles and the motherland of cycling is admirable, so I say, "go for it." Here is the best thing about going to Belgium as an aspiring bike racer ....

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Fernado Castro -  Chula Vista, California

Fernando, I am hereby a bit stymied.

I can tell you 100% for certain that synthetic is better than natural when it comes to the "chamois" in your bike shorts. As for tire technology, I lack all that much wisdom.

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Scott Carmichael - Sparta, Tennessee

Scott, you and your buddy are indeed correct. I will be able to give you an answer to this one. Realize though, that I am friends with the team's directors, so I can tell them what you said if you don't send me some money.

You know, I walked up to Brian Holm at the Tour of California this year, and he told me he nearly didn't recognize me because I looked like "a eeepy" (hippy)

But to answer your question -- I believe there are several reasons why certain riders and teams murder it in the stage races and then seem to come up a bit short in the classics.

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