On the right is my favourite cyclist – Puck Pieterse from The Netherlands.  She’s hugging Pauline Ferrand-Prevot from France.  They just finished sprinting for second place in the Ronde van Vlaanderen.  Pauline won the battle.  For me, the picture says what competition should be.

I’d like to say I watched this moment live.  But no.  In fact, I never saw Puck the whole race.  (Sigh)

I had a great spot on the Taaienberg to watch the men’s race …

The women were to come by an hour later.  But timing was everything.  There was to be a Zoom meeting at 5:00 pm in honour of Patricia Albere, the founder of the Evolutionary Collective.  She died a few days ago.  I wanted to be there.

A cycling website told me that the women would likely be climbing the Taaienberg sometime between 4:15 and 4:50, depending on their average speed.

I’d found a quiet park near the Taaienberg for the call.  My folding chair was slung over my shoulder.  I was praying for speed.

Alas, ’twas not to be.  The women hit the base of the Taaienberg at 4:55.  I had already logged in for the Zoom call.

Disappointed?  Yes.  Pleased with myself?  Also yes.  I had kept my word to me.  And to my dear friend Patricia.

***

There is so much more to say about my Ronde day.  But not now.  I can feel “The Ronde – Part Three” starting to bubble up from way down below.