The Lessions I Learned

My European adventure has ended. I write this sitting at my Mom's house in Moab, Utah. My trip back to America took four days, enough time to reflect and glean some knowledge from my travels and tribulations. Here's a list, with bullets, list form, straight from my brain to yours:

-Being a bike racer in Belgium lends you some instant credibility, so use it.
-Every post-pubescent under the age of thirty in Belgium speaks English.
-There are bike paths running along every canal and river in Belgium and they are usually the best way to ride to a destination.
-Unless you are in the top ten of American professional cyclists in America, don't expect to win in Belgium. Eric Tonkin's simple advice proved invaluable - stay positive and remember that you're lucky to be racing in Belgium.
-Preregister for UCI races. It will expedite things and you will get money to help with travel - that's right - money.
-Make a "supporter card" printed on card stock to give out at races. It will up your credibility and you will have fans (I'm not joking).
-If you have options, choose a rental room or apartment carefully. Things to consider - water pressure/hotness, space for bikes, adequate heating, proximity to quality food, a functional kitchen.
-Wieler Bond Vlaanderen is the Flemish cycling federation. You will need to buy a licence, 10 Euros, available at any race. To get a license you will need an UCI 'International' license and a letter of permission to race in Europe from your home federation. The Wieler Bond has a good website.
-Tubular wheels/tires are mandatory to be competitive in cyclocross. A mud tread is practically never necessary.
-more to come...