Gallery: Fond memories from the Spring Classics Member Summit

by Jared McClintock 20.04.2024 Photography by
Escape Collective members and staff More from Jared +

The Member Summit was such a wonderful experience, filled with memories that will stay with us for a long time. As I reflect on our amazing time in Belgium, I wanted to capture the magic by creating this gallery from the photos shared by Escape members and staff throughout the week. It’s a story that I’m grateful to be a part of, and I eagerly anticipating the possibility of sharing more galleries from Member Summits in the future.

Day 1 – Welcome to Belgium

Picture this: 26 Escapees, strangers (nearly) all, suit up for the Summit’s inaugural ride through the scenic outskirts of Kortrijk. There’s a few g’days and nice-to-meet-yas, discussion of jet lag and who had it worse (the Aussies, hands down) and enough excited energy to keep everyone warm in spite of the blustery wind.

One thing’s certain though: we’ve all made it to Belgium, our bikes intact, and a week of new adventures lay ahead.

Day 1 by the numbers:

14 Americans, six Aussies, two Canadians, two Brits, one Irishman and a dual Swiss-German, 27 kilometres of Belgian roads, a totally reasonable amount of alcoholic bevvies and dozens of jetlagged Escapees in bed by 8pm.

A blue road bike frame in a partially disassembled state. It is being unpacked from a bike bag — About half of the Summit members showed up with gravel bikes. Roubaix’s cobbles would prove this to be a wise choice. Photo: Al Johnson

Two dozen road cyclists congregating on a sidewalk. They are flanked on both sides by stationary cars and apartment buildings — Andy van Bergen holds court as the 30-odd Summit members and ride leaders loiter in front of the Parkhotel Kortrijk lobby. Photo: Geoff Liu

Road cyclists ride two abreast down a narrow farm road. A centuries old windmill features prominently in a small village off in the distance — One of Belgium’s countless *ploegstraat* (farm roads) and windmills. Photo: Felix Brill

Day 2 – Pavé appetisers

Ah, spring in Northern Europe. The birds were chirping, the headwinds were howling and the cobbles were a-callin’. We’d set out from Kortrijk for the Roubaix velodrome with none other than three-time Paris-Roubaix winner Johan Museeuw at the helm.

Later, at the hotel, having returned as more badass versions of our former selves, we were treated to a live recording of Placeholders.

Day 2 by the numbers:

Four cobbled secteurs, one exploded rear derailleur, countless laps of the Roubaix velodrome, a broken collarbone (hope you’re doing better John!), a twice-victorious Pete Bryan in the Weekly Pain, several loads of laundry and at least a few hundred centilitres of Tripel LeFort.

A civic monument featuring a large cubic cobblestone. Conical bushes to the left and right frame the monument. The inscription on the plinth reads "The cobble, emblematic of Paris-Roubaix, was installed in commemoration of the 100th edition of the race on April 14th 2002. Made possible by 'The Friends of Paris-Roubaix' and the town of Roubaix" (translated from French) — The engraving reads, “Le pavé, emblème de la course cycliste Paris-Roubaix, installé a l’occasion de la 100ème edition de l’épreuve 14 avril 2002,” which roughly translates to “abandon all hope ye who enter here”. Trust me, I speak French. Photo: Dean Murphey

There is a deep green field with a narrow cobbled road in the foreground. Three cyclists, spaced roughly 25 metres apart, ride drop bar road bikes over the cobbles — Adrian Amador stringing the pack along the 4-star Camphin-en-Pévèle. The wet conditions made riding the crown a bit tricky, but everyone kept the rubber side down. Photo: David McCook

Three stationary cyclists standing on a bike path next to a motorway. They are dressed for cold weather. One is taking a selfie, the other two are engaged in conversation — Having survived the 5-star Carrefour de L’Arbre, Tony Unicomb (centre) posed for an *ussie* with the Lion of Flanders himself, Johan Museeuw (left). Ride leader Eric De Clercq (right) looks on. Photo: Pete Bryan

A group of cyclists pose for a photo in the Roubaix velodrome — Safely back at the Roubaix velodrome, Mr. Lion took an *ussie* of his own. Photo: Claire Battle

A portrait of Claire Law, face spackled with mud and dirt from riding in the rain — Members Claire Law …

A portrait of Joey D'Antoni, face spackled with mud and dirt from riding in the rain — Members Claire Law …

An interior view of the ageing Roubaix shower facilities from one of the shower stalls — The famous showers at the Roubaix velodrome. Photo: Andy van Bergen

Iain, Ronan, Jonny and Caley speaking in front of a small audience, gathered in the round, in a small conference room. They are speaking into microphones — After a long day in the saddle, the Summit members were treated to a live recording of the Placeholders podcast. Photo: Pete Bryan

Day 3 – Tailwinds to Terneuzen + Brugge

There’s no sugar-coating it — the ride from Kortrijk to Terneuzen for the start of Scheldeprijs was cold, soggy, and gritty. But at least there was a tailwind, I guess. Kudos to Andy van Bergen for playing the “what’s your go-to hot meal after a wet ride” game — the prompt provided a brief mental respite for everyone playing along. (Tomato soup and grilled cheese was a popular choice, if you’re wondering.)

Once we arrived at the Scheldeprijs start village, several members broke out their fancy cameras, so the photo quality takes a real turn for the better.

Day 3 by the numbers:

Two countries, three minutes before our shoes were saturated, 41°C post-ride showers, 12th and 14th century churches with genuine Holy Relics, and €4.80 for a load of laundry at the wassalon.

A row of high end road bikes being prepped by a mechanic in front of a team bus — A Tudor team mechanic attends to various BMC Teammachine Rs and SLR01s. Photo: Khue Cai

A close up of Ronan and Caley in front of the Lotto Dstny bus. They are holding microphones and camera equipment — A few Escapees joined Ronan Mc Laughlin and Caley Fretz for a tour of the Scheldeprijs pits. Photo: Felix Brill

Iain holds up his phone to Jonny, who is slapping the palm of his hand to his forehead. Iain is gazing directly into the camera with a cheeky grin on his face — Caption this. Photo: Dean Murphey

Two moss covered Hellenic-style statues in a moss covered courtyard with the stone walls of a church in the background — I’ve recently learned the term “goblin core” and while we couldn’t tell you what it means, this courtyard in Brugge has it in spades. Photo: Dean Murphey

A man with a white cap and casual spring jackets stands in a laundromat, hands in pockets. He is facing out through a window and looking directly at the camera — Al Johnson auditions for the cover of *Spin Cycle*. How do you rate his Blue Steel? Photo: Khue Cai

Several people are gathered around two small tables. They are working intently on their phones and laptops and drinking beer — It’s 10 PM on a Wednesday, but the evolving story about the chicane at the entrance to the *Troué* wasn’t going to write itself. Several Escapees, including the Two Petes (Waldron and Bryan), were on hand to witness the sausage being made in real time.

Day 4 – Flandrian Bergs + Dane Cash’s Walking Tour of Kortrijk

We’d seen how bad the cobbled secteurs of Roubaix can be. Would the Flandrian cobbles be any worse? The answer: no, but also yes.

Where they lacked in harsh edges and unforgiving voids, they more than made up for it with their unrelenting gradients.

Day 4 by the numbers:

A potato or two, several road-side cleat adjustments (Ronan), one dive-bombed corner (also Ronan, so “he could give us the true Flandrian experience”), 45km/h crosswinds, five cobbled climbs (including the Kwaremont, Paterberg and Koppenberg), surprisingly few punctures, the two Petes doing more than their fair share of work on the front, one Walking Tour of Medieval Kortrijk, a few too many 13% Belgian beers at Gainsbar, and more late night kebabs (with corn) than I care to count.

A road cyclist in bright orange gear is riding up a cobbled road — Ronan joined the 90 km group and charged up the Muur van Geraardsbergen. True to form, he was seen tinkering with his cleats every time we paused for a break. Photo: David McCook

A road cyclist is riding up a steep cobbled road with a small church at the summit — Hup! Hup! to the top of the muur goes David McCook. Photo: Wade Wallace

An elegant man wearing the Escape cycling kit is miming chewing on a raw potato — We don’t know what the deal is with the potato — and at this point we’re too afraid to ask. Of course, many of you won’t have seen the potato and instead have fixated on the Escape x MAAP kit, which Andy van Bergen stress-tested across the cobbles. Kit on sale soon! #Ad

An action photo of Todd Markelz riding up the Koppenberg

An action photo of Tony Unicomb riding up the Koppenberg

An action photo of Noah Greenhill riding up the Koppenberg — There were pain faces aplenty on the Koppenberg, and John Natiw was on hand to capture them all.

A 70s era Volvo sporting Molteni and Campagnolo decals parked out front of a building with large glass frontage — No trip to Oudenaarde is complete without a visit to the Tour of Flanders Museum. Photo: Dean Murphey

A few hours later…

A man engaged in conversation with subjects out of view. There is a large medieval building in the background — Dane Cash, not to be confused with Tom Selleck’s stunt double, put his knowledge of all things medieval to work for the first ever Dane Cash Walking Tour of Medieval Kortrijk. Photo: Dean Murphey

Two towers on either side of an arched bridge. — Maybe it was the Lambic beers, but I don’t remember anything about these sites. You’ll have to ask Dane about them sometime! Photos: Dean Murphey

A gothic cathedral illuminated at night — Maybe it was the Lambic beers, but I don’t remember anything about these sites. You’ll have to ask Dane about them sometime! Photos: Dean Murphey

Young people engaged in animated conversation around a table littered with beer steins — Final stop: Gainsbar, where a very hoarse and pleasantly drunk (if the rumours are to be believed) Iain Treloar told Escapees about his big day at the Safety Jogger HQ. Photo: Matt de Neef

Day 5: In Flanders Fields

With the rain due to ease by the afternoon, a quick change to the schedule meant we’d start the day with a guided tour of the Ypres Salient. Between the late nights exploring Kortrijk, the days spent riding cobbles, the sobering scenes of Essex Farm Cemetery and Tyne Cot, and observing the Last Post at the Menin Gate, not many photos were taken on this day.

Instead, I’ll leave you with a poem written by the Summit’s poet laureate, Rich Neimand:

The trenches of Ypres did me no harm
Rain, freezing van, just another yarn
Cobbles and wind shattered nerve
Still I ate and drank with verve
Riding into the Escape Collective grippe
Never did I get sick, but smirked
Thinking I could navigate as Eric De Clerq
Now I lay flattened in bed
Sore throat, pounding head
Yet, diminished as never before—
I have the voice of Iain Treloar.
Wegelphlegm, a poem by Rich Neimand

Day 6: Roubaix Sportif and Spectating Kopecky

Not to brag or nothin’, but WE RODE THE COBBLES AND THEN WATCHED OUR HEROES FROM THE VELODROME STANDS AS THEY SPRINTED FOR VICTORY.

If you’ve read this far, you should make a point of doing this one day too.

Day 6 by the numbers:

26 Roubaix Sportif entries, a high of 24°C, one blown-out tire side wall, one snapped seat post, several hundred metres of walking to aid stations, endless stroopwaffels, energy gels, bars, and hydration tablets, at least one Band-Aid, precisely the correct servings of fries, sausage sandwiches, and cold beers and the 100+ dB velodrome crowd to cheer Lotte Kopecky and the rest of the women’s peloton across the line.

A dozen cyclists unloading bikes from a trailer and milling about — The bus parked about 1 km away from the Roubaix velodrome so that we had the space to unload bikes and get ready. It was a balmy 15°C and would reach the low 20s by early afternoon. Perfect cobblin’ weather. Photo: Pete Bryan

A few cyclists at the start line of the Roubaix Sportif pose for a picture — Cool, calm, and collected: Dean Murphey (left) and Dwayne Ziegler (right) had their gamefaces on for the start of the Roubaix Sportif. Photo: Jared McClintock

A cyclist perusing trestle tables covered in various pastries and fruit — 🤤 Delicious and nutritious snacks were available at designated stops along the way. Photo: Khue Cai

A Shimano employee inflating young boy's road bike tires — 🤤 Delicious and nutritious snacks were available at designated stops along the way. Photo: Khue Cai

An arched gantry signalling the exit of the 2-star sector 8 (Templeuve) — The exit from secteur 8 (Templeuve). Mud at the entrance and exit made these 2-star cobbles tricky to navigate. Photo: Khue Cai

A close up of a left hand with a large blister forming on the palm — Todd Markelz opted to go glove-free for the 145 km Roubaix Sportif.

Claire Law raises her arms in celebration from the velodrome after finishing the Roubaix Sportif — Todd Markelz opted to go glove-free for the 145 km Roubaix Sportif.

A row of cycling fans spectating from the Roubaix velodrome stands — After collecting our finisher’s medallions and a quick costume change …

After collecting our finisher’s medallions and a quick costume change …

Day 7: A quest for cobbles and a farewell

They say all good things must come to an end. But before we could put a bow on the Summit, we had a full day of secteur-hopping ahead.

Day 7 by the numbers:

6:45am departure for Compiègne, two well-armed gendarmes struck in the face by the free swag tossed from the promo parade, 7.5g (estimated) of dust inhaled by each Escapee spectating roadside, two cute puppies pet and 10 Escape crew saying goodbye to 26 of the best damn members this young media empire could ask for.