Het Volk bike prepAs the opening event on the Belgian cycling calendar, Het Volk is known for its wet, muddy roads and cobbled climbs - conditions that can prove daunting for even the most able mechanic. But Slipstream/Chipotle’s Kris Withington and Tom Hopper, the two wrenches on the spot for this weekend’s fun, are prepared for the worst.

“When one thinks of Belgium in February, you think of low, gray clouds, cold, wind, rain…and Het Volk. That’s exactly what we have here today as Tom and I are getting things together for the classics opener tomorrow,” said Kris.

“We aren’t doing much specific stuff to the bikes to ready them for the cobbles, but we are using the more burly vittoria pave’ tubulars (pictured above in a lovely green color). And some guys are running a double wrap of the Fizik bar tape for a bit of extra cushioning when the road conditions turn a bit unusual.”