The veiw from my room over looking the snowy streets. (Image credit: Joseph Schmalz)
As my first Euro 'Cross Camp experience begins I meet up with Steve Fisher in Chicago to get on our flight to Brussels. Steve is returning to camp for a third year. I was very lucky to have Steve to show me the ropes since this is my first time to Belgium.
Our flight was pretty much uneventful and our luggage made it with no problems. On our drive to the house in Izegem it started to snow and by the time we made it to the house there was about 3 or 4 inches on the ground. All the locals where in shock since it’s not that common here for snow. It wasn’t a big shock to me since I’m from Kansas where snow is the norm this time of year.
Steve showed me around the house and we settled into our rooms. We decided to put our bikes together and go for a coffee shop ride in the snow. I was pumped that my first ride in Belgium was going to be in the snow. Steve took me on a ride to Kortrijk and back. The route was mainly on city streets which was good because I had no idea where I was. Once we got to Kortrijk we stopped at this little bar/coffee shop where old Belgium guy’s were hanging out, playing cards, and smoking a lot.
Later that night, in a fight to stay awake until 8 p.m., a few of us took a walk to the wall for some entertainment. For those who don’t know what the wall is, it is a giant vending machine that has everything one could want.
So far Belgium has been quite the experience and I’m sure this just the beginning.
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Euro 'Cross Camp Director Geoff Proctor will lead the seventh annual cyclo-cross camp that will run through late December and early January. This year, seven juniors, eight under-23 and three elite racers will make the journey to Belgium to train and race over the Christmas and New Year's holidays in Europe. Of those, just seven are returning Euro 'Cross campers.
The riders will stay at the Under-23 House in Izegem, Belgium, and take advantage of all the infrastructure of the US Under-23 national road program run by USA Cycling's Noel Dejonckheere.
The camp has previously helped the careers of racers like current US National Champion Ryan Trebon, Jeremy Powers and Jamey Driscoll. Read these diaries for hints of who may emerge from this year's crop of three elite, eight U23 and eight junior racers as America's future 'cross stars? Coach Proctor and his riders will take turns contributing diary entries.
Elite Roster
Troy Wells (Durango, Colorado, USA) Team Clif Bar
Brian Matter (Sheboygan, Wisconsin, USA) Team Gear Grinder
Justin Lindine (Maplecrest, New York, USA) BikeReg.com/Joe's Garage/IF
Under 23 Roster
Danny Summerhill (Centennial, Colorado, USA) Felt-Holowesko Partners-Garmin
Zach McDonald (Bainbridge Island, Washington, USA) Stevens/Classic Cycle
Jerome Townsend (Princeton, Massachusetts, USA) BikeReg.com/Joe's Garage/IF
Steve Fisher (Bellingham, Washington, USA) Rad Racing NW/Hagens Berman
Travis Livermon (Winterville, North Carolina, USA) Champion System/Cannondale
Josh Berry (Portland, Oregon, USA) Unattached
Joe Dombrowski (Marshall, Virginia, USA) Haymarket Bicycles/HomeVisit
Joseph Schmalz (Lawrence, Kansas, USA) KCCX/Verge
Junior Roster
Chris Wallace (Shawnee, Kansas, USA) KCCX/Navigators Ins./Verge
Skyler Trujillo (Fort Collins, Colorado, USA) Black Sheep Jr. Cycling
Jeff Bahnson (Newark, Delaware, USA) Thule/Van Dessel
Matt Spinks (Layton, New Jersey, USA) Team Plan C CX/Stevens
Yannick Eckmann (Boulder, Colorado, USA/Ger) Clif Bar Development Team
David Kessler (Littleton, Colorado, USA) Clif Bar Development Team
Josh Lehmann (Weare, New Hampshire, USA) Sunapee/S&W/Continental Paving
