As if dealing out 12 Ridleys for us to smash up on the worst cycling roads known to man, Ridley also rolled out the red carpet for our host. We were along for the ride.
We got a grand tour of the factory.
Saw some tricked out rigs...They even remembered the "worst paint job we have ever done": the Gotham bikes. Yeah, that's right.
Couple of highlights:
They put a "Tested on Pave" sticker only on bikes that have a special connection to Belgium. The qualifications are quite complex. I have sworn the secret safe until my departure from this world. I have heard of some losers putting these stickers on bikes that are not Ridleys. That's plain weak.
Kuklic fell asleep (again)
We showed up with a wrecked Ridley van and they didn't even care
They encourage smoking...
This mechanic can build a bike from parts to complete in 22minutes flat (including wrapping the bars, not including cutting steerer tube)
Oh yeah...The bikes didn't suck either (Belgian Natl TT Champ's bike)
Sorting through these photos makes me want to go back. 2010 maybe.
if you book it now maybe your flight will only be $2,000
ReplyDeleteSpring BREAK 2009 !!!!
Fall/Winter 2010...6-day and a World Cup Cross race.
ReplyDeleteThat's pretty funny that the Ridley guys thought the Gotham frame design was the ugliest that had ever gone through. I think it's even funnier that they were the ones that designed it...
ReplyDelete