If you get a chance, visit Italy. It is the same as Belgium when it comes to riding and the biking culture. I would have to say the food is top door, wine is great, Italian beer is so/so and the riding is insane! Typical day is get up, light breakfast. Ride for 3-5 hours, stop at roadside cafe for coffee, light meal. Go and ride some more into the afternoon. Huge dinner, great night life. The mountain roads you fall in love with along with the nice weather being on the Med. The people are down to earth, warm and inviting and love riding and riders in general. Very fit, good looking guys and gals, and yes they still like Americans, unlike the French.
Of course you being a cross rider, Belgium would seem like a second home for you. Cold, wet, windy, beer, fries-just like Chicago in Spring. Are you having the Chili Willie again this year at Turin? Had a thought, how about getting all of the Chainlinkers together and fill up the shop. This would rock the house along with filling up the place. Hope to stop by this weekend if I have time since I need some things. I have been busy snowshoeing, weightlifting, kickboxing, and riding rollers getting read for Spring to hit. When you visit again, bring home an Eddy Merckx frame and get plenty of pictures, Anne. Thanks, Jim