Cycling - Jan Janssen Classic

Piet has been very active on the bike this year, although the weather has not been very good. Too cold, too wet, or too much wind: there have only been a few reasonable days so far. He registered for 3 tours in the spring: Ronde van Vlaanderen (see also post of 4th April 2012), which he had to cancel due to illness, Limburgs Mooiste, which he rode with his friends from Utrecht, and recently the Jan Janssen Classic, which he had to ride by himself due to injury and family obligations of his cycling mates ("by himself" is not really true, as there were 5,000 participants!). 

The latter was a tour of 155 km, starting in Wageningen and with a large loop around the Veluwe. There were many short hills, not too difficult, but slowly wearing you out. In the end it was not too hard, and Piet finished in less than 6 hours. Now a few weeks of preparation for the Alps will follow, and then it is time for some real climbs, and the Tour de France. Also planned is a race with nephew Bart and a first attempt of Dorien, both on Alpe d'Huez.

Piet on the Italiaanseweg, the last climb of the Jan Janssen Classic

Paula: school and horses

Last week Paula had her final Y12 exams at school, the results will determine her predicted grades, that subsequently could be used to enter into university. Motivation was high, as Paula is seriously thinking about a direct placement into Veterinary School at Utrecht University, and a high grade threshold is needed to escape an unpredictable placement lottery. So she put in a huge effort, studying every evening until we went to bed, and using almost all her other free time revising and practising exam questions. On Friday morning she had her last exam (Biology), threw her bags in a corner and went for a ride on Beau (careful though, as he is still in his recovery phase!). At least he can go riding in the dunes now, but no kentering and very limited trotting, just 3 x 2 minutes a day.

In the evening she teamed up with Anouk, from the Madurodam handicapped stable, to go to a 2 day horse carriage driving event. Anouk is passionate about this, and has been looking for good grooms and navigators for some time. She found Paula and Dorien, who are taking turns now helping her during events (see also post of 25 June 2012). This time the event was in Schijndel, where they did 3 races with horses Jack and Bo. Paula took a small tent and camped overnight, whilst Anouk was sleeping in her truck. They did a dressage and skills courses on Saturday, and a marathon on Sunday. In between they scouted the courses, discussed tactics and groomed the horses. In addition the weather was beautiful, so this weekend was a good ending of a tough two weeks. Now it is waiting for the results!

Paula navigating Anouk around a course

Bo and Jack ready for the next race

An official photograph of the marathon (courtesy of Photowerken)