Pickle Thanks Kings North

Hi Everyone, It is Dan "PICKLE" Bonora again writing a follow up entry on John's journal now that I have been back in the states for about a month. I feel the gains I have made as a racer from my three-week trip in Belgium are primarily mental. I have a much greater understanding of a race and the way it evolves as well as how to read it. I feel the physical gains one can hope for are minimal. Granted I learned how to suffer for a little longer and harder which is still primarily mental. To obtain significantly greater speed or physical strength in only three weeks is difficult and almost any coach will tell you that. Yes I have gained some of both speed and strength. I feel this is because I learned more about how to train and opened my eyes to other techniques which has allowed me to assist my coach more in identifying my own personal strengths and weakness and coming up with programs to suit me. So again we are back to the mental gain of my trip rather than a physical. The only thing I feel I may have lost is some ability to climb. Belgium is very flat and there for it is difficult to improve or maintain one's abilty to climb. All though you can try just sucking it up and suffering a little longer and harder until the climb is over. I would like to thank John for helping my trip to be a success as well as everyone else especially the sponsors of Kings North (Belgium Team) and World Cup Ski and Cycle (US team). Dan " PICKLE" Bonora

Pickle Canned Belgium

Hello, I am Dan “Pickle” Bonora from the Reading and Lehigh Valley area in Pennsylvania. I am a cat 3 rider in the states and a semi-pro XC Mt Biker. I am currently visiting John in Belgium; unfortunately I am approaching the end of my three-week stay. My time here has been an excellent experience in more ways than one. I came to Belgium to race and visit John. I wanted to experience the best amateur racing in the world and learn what it takes to become better. Of course coming to Europe for such a short visit to race is hard because there are so many distractions. It is the first time I have left the continent and the culture, sights, and the style of racing have easily distracted me. The Kermesse’s are usually a 120 K long (15 laps) and last about 2 hours and 45 minutes. The field tends to split by the start of the second lap as the Belgium’s put it in their 53 x12 and hammer out of every turn after they just finished breaking harder than ever going into it. Personally they can’t corner or climb. Climbing I can understand because there are no hills here. The way they muscle that 12 out of a 90 degree turn is almost frightening they don’t have the snap of a US criterium rider, rather this long slow acceleration up to 35 mph or more, and they just hold it for the entire race except for in the turns. Not to mention these races are taking place on cement roads barely wide enough for one car much less a pack of 70 plus riders launching attack after attack…no double yellow line rule. The Belgium’s are also known for chopping wheels so you must ride with extra caution and defense. The towns and atmosphere at the race are amazing. Small little towns in the middle of nowhere playing music and drinking beer in smoked filled pubs that we must register in. Although I am suffering greatly on the bike during the races I feel I will benefit greatly from the experience and look forward to racing in the states again soon. The learning curve for adjusting to the style of racing is normally about 3 to 4 weeks or 10 races I am approaching both of those marks stilling hoping to make it the distance with out being pulled or popped. Wish me luck!!!