It is my last day in Belgium. Sitting here surrounded by bags, packed bikes and a little bit of chaos! Just about to sit down and watch the cyclo-cross in Hoogstraten and then on to packing up the last little bits. We’re out the door at 6:30 a.m. on Monday so we have to be done tonight!

So the big question: is this the end or the beginning? I think there are two answers to this question. Today marks the end of my 2010-2011 season. I’m closing the door on it and moving on to the new year. So today is also the beginning of my 2011-2010 season. A good place to be (I think).

Next week I’ll start back with structured training. I’ll look at race calendars with my coach and figure out when I’m racing. I’ll get back to a regular yoga routine as well to work on overall body strength and stretching. I’m hoping to mix in some fun off-the-bike training as well this year to take advantage of the last month or so of winter – winter trail running, snowshoeing, and winter mountain bike riding.

Yesterday I forced Marc to take a “holiday” day – so this meant no bike racing or training. We went to Oudenarde to visit the Flanders Cycling Museum. I’ve been wanting to take Marc to this museum for the past four years, so I was really happy that we could visit on Saturday. Wow – what a cool museum. Even though most of the supporting text for the displays is in Flemish, I still found it fascinating. The old bikes, jerseys, skinsuits, photos, etc. are a bike racer’s dream. From Oudenarde we hopped in the car and drove the short distance to Ghent. We had a great day in Ghent wandering around and spending time at the Gravensteen (a 12th century) castle. We ended the day with some tasty treats at Le Pain Quotidien. All in all, a great way to end our trip.

Most importantly are my thank-yous for making this season possible:

• KingsBridge Disaster Recovery
• Stevens Bikes and Stevens Bikes Canada
• The Cyclery
• Clif Bar
• Bell Lap Coaching
• Outdoor Gear Canada
• Oakley
• Champion Systems Canada
• Vince Caceres
• Peter Metuzals
• Luc Van Der Meiren
• Igance Clarysse
• Rene and Anne Swinnen
• Ludwig Gladines
• Joscelin Ryan and Tim Harris
• Denise, Ken and Karl Hoppner
• Alex Sanna
• Conor O’Brien
• Evan McNeely
• 4 Bikes
• Danny Verhestraeten
• Dirk Maertens
• Leo de Busser
• Daniel Van Oosterwyck
• Nancy Bober
• Nicole de Bie
• Nikki Harris
• Gabriella Day
• Simon Burney
• Rudy de Bie
• Ian and Timothy Austen
• Bob and Cheryl Woods
• Ottawa Bicycle Club
• Nurses and doctors at the A.Z. St. Elizabeth Hospital in Herentals

Of course, a massive thank-you to you my readers and supporters for sticking with me through this trying cyclo-cross season. I’m looking forward to a bigger and better upcoming season. See you on the bike!