After 6 months of “research exchange” (ahum ahum, it was more of a “cycling exchange” during the first 3 months), I am going back to Belgium on march 10th, both with sorrow and joy. Joy for going to a warmer though rainier place and sorrow for leaving all you enthousiastic cyclists and for not being able to enjoy some more good team rides/races in this great country.
Anyway, you are all invited for a “goodbye drink” (actually it’s just another occasion to hang out with the team) on friday march 7 around 8ish at Mike Acton’s place. Some drinks (beer/coke/…) and snacks (chips/…) will be provided, though you are ofcourse welcome to bring (or suggest) some other favorite drinks.
It’s also a great time to tell some Rutgers “war stories”,
like “how you were totally about to win the race, but then this guy from MIT
who had no clue about racing totally cut in front of you and made you crash” etc. Anyway, if you have no time to hang out, just drop by anyway to say goodbye.
To have an approximate estimate of the amount of people, could you please “register” (though it doesn’t matter if you show up “unregistered”). Also please indicate if you drink no beer at all. Luckily, I joined the “McGill cycling team”, instead of the “McGill motorcycling team” or beer expenses would be way up (everyone knows cyclists are drunk after two beers)
Sadly I am flying out of town that day at around 8pm so will probably be at the airport when the party is happening.
I just want to say that it has been really awesome having you as part of our team and thanks for brining your “euro” flavor to the team (not to mention your cobblestone hardened ass).
Maybe McGill will start competing inter-continentally and we will cross paths in the future (although I can’t imagine what the athletics travel policy would be for that haha).
[quote=“taas”]Sadly I am flying out of town that day at around 8pm so will probably be at the airport when the party is happening.
[/quote]
That’s too bad man! Good luck with your interview!
[quote=“taas”]
I just want to say that it has been really awesome having you as part of our team and thanks for brining your “euro” flavor to the team (not to mention your cobblestone hardened ass).
Maybe McGill will start competing inter-continentally and we will cross paths in the future (although I can’t imagine what the athletics travel policy would be for that haha).
Hopefully I catch you before you go.
Tom[/quote]
It was really awesome being on the team! Hell, I don’t know why my university doesn’t have a team. We should!
Anyway, I will be wearing my McGill wear in Euro-races Too bad I suck at racing though (If you ever compete intercontinentally, I will already have ruined the McGill reputation ) No, no, … don’t worry about it, I’m not that bad (I hope)
Maybe I’ll catch you in spinning on thursday.
[quote=“Maxime”]Man, I’d love to come, but I’ll be in Quebec that evening! It’s a crying shame I won’t be able to see you get liquored up before you leave.
Well, maybe I can clear it up. We’ll see. I’ll figure something out.[/quote]
Oh, darned! Hmm, well if you come to spinning on thursday we can have a drink afterwards (other people who can’t make friday also welcome) (how decadent, I admit ).
Or maybe on saturday evening (though it’ll be probably late).
Anyway, if you can, come to the spinning.
By the way, I will be in Quebec city on wednesday, maybe tuesday already.
When are you going there?
[quote=“Mike Prebil”]Sad to have to see you off champ, but I’d love to drop by for some libation and Rutgers stories.
I just saw “In Bruges,” by the way.[/quote]
Allright! Great! Happy birthday (tomorrow) by the way, Mr. birthday boy !
I haven’t seen “In Bruges”. Is it about how Belgium is a safeheaven for criminals? Yeah, apart from cycling, few things are good about Belgium as a whole.
Speaking of which. This weekend two major races to open the Belgian race season (omloop het volk and kuurne -brussel-kuurne…with cobblestones, yes) … I am so pumped to go back
I just wanted to say that I too enjoyed having you on the team, man. We love belgians, and you were no exception. I think you should represent us well in Europe. Be careful though, I think Nick has done some European races in the McGill kit and you never know what kind of reputation that guy left :lol: (kidding)
I am actually heading for some sun in mexico on thurs AM, so I can’t make your sendoff party, but I wish you well.
I’m jealous you’ll get to see some of the northern europe spring classics that I can only watch on cycling.tv Give a couple cheers to Boonen for me if you go and maybe trip up a doper with a musette bag (like what happened in the tour…)
Peter-
that’s an unfair accusation! i always try to represent proudly on foreign soil.
Diederik-
Unfortunately, i can’t be there either, i’m going home to hit the books in a few minutes…
but we enjoyed you as our ‘derby’ on every ride (except perhaps St-Bruno, or at least, half of that ride!!).
Though we’ll undoubtedly see each other again. Apparently you haven’t seen Europe without Brugge, one of the most laid-back cities in the world. so it’s on the itinerary… someday.
Nu dat jij hier in de Canadese sneeuw geploegd hebt, kan je in Belgie natuurlijk geen ‘papcoureur’ meer zijn!!
[quote=“diederikv”]Oh, darned! Hmm, well if you come to spinning on thursday we can have a drink afterwards (other people who can’t make friday also welcome) (how decadent, I admit ).
Or maybe on saturday evening (though it’ll be probably late).
Anyway, if you can, come to the spinning.
By the way, I will be in Quebec city on wednesday, maybe tuesday already.
When are you going there?
Cheers!
Diederik[/quote]
Jesus, it seems our schedules are terrifically incompatible. I’m leaving for Quebec Thursday evening, immediately before spinning, and I’m staying there until Sunday evening. I even tried to stop by your office to give you a little going away gift size=7[/size], but you weren’t there.
This is terrible! Are you going to be around later today? We could totally go have some shawarma!
[quote=“peter”]I just wanted to say that I too enjoyed having you on the team, man. We love belgians, and you were no exception.
[/quote]
I really enjoyed the presence of “Americans disguised as Canadians” on the team (haha). Yes, it was really fun the couple of rides we did (unfortunately too few).
I’m sure he did just fine. Besides, he was probably wearing his “Het Westland is hot” jersey and using his “Westlandse zwembaden” drinking bottle to fit in :).
[quote=“peter”]
I am actually heading for some sun in mexico on thurs AM, so I can’t make your sendoff party, but I wish you well.
I’m jealous you’ll get to see some of the northern europe spring classics that I can only watch on cycling.tv Give a couple cheers to Boonen for me if you go and maybe trip up a doper with a musette bag (like what happened in the tour…)[/quote]
Mexico, sounds great! Have fun there! Yeah, Boonen is okay, however it’s time for him to win some more spring classics, because he is slacking right now
[quote=“nammerlaan”]Peter-
that’s an unfair accusation! i always try to represent proudly on foreign soil.
[/quote]
Hehe, I didn’t buy it (Peter’s comment) for a minute
Ahhh! I picked like the worst day to throw a goodbye drink.
Unfortunately I didn’t have any other days available. Well, good luck with studying and becoming a lawyer
Haha, yeah, I’m still ashamed of dropping out of that St-Bruno ride.
Ah well, it happens.
Indeed. I will not be shying away from Canadian conferences, so maybe there’s a chance I will be back here (though I’ll pick a summer conference for sure!). Besides that, I chose to come to Canada for several reasons, not just related to my research (also to have an idea about job opportunities etc.), so never say never…
I will post my contact info somewhere on the forum for people travelling to Europe (Belgium/France/Germany…) who are interested in doing some cycling (I’m always up for cycling trips in neighbouring countries!).
[quote=“nammerlaan”]
Nu dat jij hier in de Canadese sneeuw geploegd hebt, kan je in Belgie natuurlijk geen ‘papcoureur’ meer zijn!![/quote]
Hopelijk :). Al bij al heb ik toch meer getraind dan vorig jaar in de winter. Ik ben in ieder geval benieuwd hoe ik het er tegenwoordig van af breng op de fiets! Misschien ben ik ondertussen gepromoveerd tot semi-papcoureur.
Al het beste voor jou met je fiets- en professionele carriere! Hopelijk komen we mekaar nog eens tegen! Als je nog eens naar Nederland/Belgie komt moet je zeker iets laten weten.
[quote=“Maxime”]
Jesus, it seems our schedules are terrifically incompatible. I’m leaving for Quebec Thursday evening, immediately before spinning, and I’m staying there until Sunday evening. I even tried to stop by your office to give you a little going away gift size=7[/size], but you weren’t there.
This is terrible! Are you going to be around later today? We could totally go have some shawarma![/quote]
Hey, … damn. I am working at home right now, but I’m going back to my office for a few things later today. I have no idea what shawarma is
Anyway, if you’re going to be around today, let me know when
and I will show up at my office (or we can go to a pub). Best to use my email: diederik 0 verscheure AT mech 0 kuleuven 0 be (where 0 = . and AT = @) (but you have it) It takes me 45 minutes to get to McGill so let me know in advance, thanks!
[quote=“Jonathan”]Hey Diederik, I’ll also be out of town for the weekend, but we’ll all certainly miss your draft Maybe we’ll meet again when McGill joins the protour
I’ll make sure the photos of rutgers are ready for the war stories at least then.
Best,
Jonathan[/quote]
Ahh. Too bad! Anyway, I will miss the early mount pleasant rides (I was never very motivated to show up that early, but since you and other people did it, I showed up a few times)! They were really awesome. Best of luck with your new opus bike (proudly Quebec-based!). I sold mine a couple of days ago (it was a really good bike, but a bit small for me). Have fun during the races! I look forward to seeing the rutgers photos (and others too)!
(everyone knows cyclists are drunk after two beers) 
(like what happened in the tour…)
(haha). Yes, it was really fun the couple of rides we did (unfortunately too few).
(like what happened in the tour…)[/quote]