Happy New Year!

Hi again...

We're realizing that we only have 1 week remaining on this fabulous trip, so we are trying to fit everything in that we can!

On Saturday, ER raced on the Belgian coast in Middelkerk. I wasn't able to get any pics of ER racing because this was the first race that was super muddy and crazy sandy, so I was needed in the pits. If only someone could have snapped some shots of what the pits looked like--bikes everywhere, 2-3 people fighting at any one time for the high-pressure washer (and you better believe that I was in the thick of fighting for a hose!!) and mud flying everywhere! I think that I got chewed-out by some lady in Dutch who thought I was hogging the hose, but since I'm not quite sure what she was saying, I just kept on cleaning ER's bike! :)

The course was the most difficult yet...meters and meters of sand, and mud. But clay?? Just walking through the clay, my boots would sink and plant...nearly pulling my heals out of my boots. There was no choice but to change bikes every lap as the bike would double in weight during that lap. ER has saved some clay and has threatened to make all of you a beautiful piece of pottery!

Too boot, add another 2 Belgian cyclists to his list of downed riders!

We stayed for a the start of the Elite race, and I have included a photo to show the magnitude of these races. Picture a full Qwest Field for a Seahawks game. But instead of sitting in a stadium, everyone is lined on the course, sometimes 3-4 people deep. Everyone is drunk and of course smoking. It's amazing how big these events are!

Following his race, we hopped in the car and drove about an hour in search of the St. Sixtus Abbey...one of only 6 Trappist Abbeys in Belgium that brew beer. Aaron, who serves us almost every Sunday at Brouwers, said that we needed to search out this place because of their second to none Abt. 12. We did find the abbey, and the beer, but unfortunately, no Abt. 12 to buy and take with us. We were able to eat and try the Abt. 12 in the little restaurant next to the abbey, and it was oh so yummy! Sorry Aaron...you'll have to come over here yourself and check it out.

Then on Sunday, we drove to a suburb of Brussels to watch a Superprestige race. In the Juniors and the U23 races, we got to watch and cheer some Rad Racers that are here. Again, it was another incredible scene with thousands of spectators.






ER has one more race on Thursday in St. Nicklaas, so we'll be posting one more time to do a final recap.

As 2007 draws to a close, we realize how lucky we are to have been able to share this fabulous journey with all of you. Thank you for your support!

We look forward to spending more time with you and wish everyone a happy and healthy 2008!

Jen & ER xoxo

Holland to France to Belgium...

Hi Everyone!

We've had the best time since we last wrote!

Race #2 is done. On Dec. 23rd, ER raced in Zeddam, NL. Again, the day was incredibly chilly with ice covering most of the course. Not only was it hard for the riders, but the spectators and officials had a really tough time staying up (see the pic of the icy cobbles below)! As usual, the non-Dutch, non-Belgian riders are called up last to the race start. ER started at the very back, but did a very nice job making his way through even on the icy road. And at the end of the day, ER added another 2 Dutch riders to his hit list!





Following this race (which was approximately 5 1/2 hour round trip drive), we drove another 5 1/2 hours to a wonderful small village in the Normandy region of France to spend time with a good friend of mine, Aimee Ettel, and her dad, Bill, for Christmas. It was so relaxing to just hang with such great people! Bill's house is a renovated potato barn that is 200 years old. Since Bill travels all over Europe for work, he had stocked up on some of his favorite European treats. It was great to take a rest from our travel schedule and spend time with good company and eat some great food! This jaunt to Normandy allowed us the opportunity to visit the Omaha Beach WWII memorial as well as the 1300 year old abbey at Le Mond St. Michele.







We feel so very lucky to have been invited into Bill's home and make such a great new friends. Thank you Aimee for sharing your time with your Dad with us, and a big thanks Bill for making us feel so welcome!

What's on tap?

Tomorrow we're going to watch a GVA race outside of Antwerp, and ER races on Saturday on the Belgian coast. On Sunday, we'll go to the Super Prestige Race outside of Bruxelles. Visiting some of the Trappist breweries is also on our list of things not to miss. We'll definitely be on the move!!

Take good care!

Jen & ER xoxo

Here we are in the Grand Place, Bruxelles.

The beautiful view right outside our hotel room in Ghent.

Antwerp sand!

One of ER's famous starts in Antwerp, BE!

Race #1 done!

Hi Everyone!

Greetings from Ghent, Belgium!

We are starting to adjust to the time change, and the weather. I know that our Montana families think that we've become wimpy when it comes to the weather, but it's REALLY cold here. It was -1 Celsius in Amsterdam, very humid and windy. We were hoping that the weather in Ghent would be better, but it's even colder. During ER's race in Antwerp yesterday, it was -4, windy, but more sunny. It was a lovely day: frost on all of the trees, all over the ground, and ER's race cap under his helmut was completely frozen! He was 1 of 2 Americans in the race, and out of 17 riders, he placed 15th! He had one of his famously fast starts working his way to the front of the pack but had to pull up when he had a ride go down in front of him on one of the first turns. But he beat his first Belgian and earned 5 euros in winnings!! And considering that the first 3 riders had world champs stripes on their jerseys, plus a Belgian Nat'l champ in the pack, he placed very well! LOTS and lots of sand: 1 sand pit was approx. 20m, and the 2nd was approx. 50m--off camber and 2 run ups too boot! I'm not sure that I've seen a bigger smile in ER's face at the finish!

ER's race was at noon, and the pros raced at 3pm. In that field was Sven Nys, Erwin Vervecken, and Jonathan Page. These guys are crazy fast, and the crowds are incredible. But no where else could you get so close to your sports hero. At any given time, we were only 3-4 feet away from the riders. It was awesome!!

Today we're going to explore around Ghent. We plan on taking the train into Brussels to check out the Grand Place. Tomorrow is race #2 in Zeddam, NL. Then to Vire, France for Christmas.

We will follow up with pictures, but wanted to let you all know that we're here, having a blast and looking forward to sharing our fun with you!!

Jen & ER xoxo

Cyclocross...what is it? Check it out!

And this is what Jen does...

ER at Cyclocross Worlds in Mol, Belgium. January 2007.

Tail of the Lake. Lake Union, October 2006 (I'm 4 seat.)