Emotions on pedals - day 2

Needless to say the night after all this etnic food was a bit troubled, but at least we were ready for a wakeup call at 6,30 on Monday, to follow military instructions necessary to all take a 5 min shower and then leave the house with Kris, who had an early start at work. The morning was then spent browsing around a still sleepy town, before heading off in the direction of Gent. No canals this time, only a succession of well-off, brand new villages along a big plain. We located a nice lunch spot in the gardens of a posh building which we like to believe was an Embassy. Matteo showed some real good manners by eating canned fish with a spoon made from a carrot. Boosted by the food energy, we then spent the rest of the afternoon sprinting at full blast thru the plains east of Gent. At all times a strong wind was against us, making it extremely expensive to advance. Matteo was beating the shit out of the poor Pony, whereas I was the Sherpa for the day, following him at short distance with the fully loaded Bottecchia. After 90 minutes of pure intensity, we afforded a small break in the fields, before then marching gloriously into Gent at sunset. We miraculously found the house of our host, Francesca, an old friend of Matteo. The house is populated by artists and of course a real mess. We loved it. There’s food already on the table for us and an evening party fully organized. Shame on me for falling asleep in a pub during the pre-drinks… and then having to skip the party due to ‘clear signs of tiredness’. Matteo, still on a high after all the adrenaline pumped out during the day, managed to go to the party. Chapeau!