Saturday, July 27, 2024

Abandon Vehicle

-

Three days after Lierde there was a race in Wallonie, a race I intended to do, well that was until the team vehicle almost went up in flames.

A Belgian team manager lets us use the team vehicles to get about to races… so I can’t really complain too much.

They are rather old though, and this one in partcluar apparenty had 450,000km on the clock – maybe time to get a new one?!

Abandon Vehicle
I don’t have a pic of the team car, so instead, here’s a pic of a lass in our team strip. No reason.

With the speedometer not working we thought the concern would be keeping to the speed limit….

That was until smoke began coming from the rear and we began to smell burning, “Quick pull it over, I think it’s on fire”.

After getting the bikes and bags out of the car the smoke did disappear and the vehicle didn’t go up in flames.

It wasnt moving either though, so a case of abandoning any race plans (of course) – and abandoning the vehicle too.

The team manager went and collected it later that night… he admitted smelling the burning (quite normal for these cars, apparently). Maybe they should come with a warning.

Luckily no harm done, it’s repaired now and ready to go on for another 450,000km, no doubt.

Previous article
Next article

Related Articles

Time for R&R, and some Thank You’s

Dan Patten's 2012 season began way back on the 19/02 and with my final race on the 14/10, it is finally time to relax, reflect and look ahead to the rest of 2012, 2013 and beyond!

Podium Number 1 of the season and a chance meeting with Kurt Asle Arvesen!

On the 28th March my Asfra Racing Team (and support club) headed to Montreuil sur Mer in France. The race had the mixed characteristics of a race in France, a Belgium kermesse and almost like a criterium in the UK. 23 laps of a 3.8km circuit was the order for the day... oh, and I met Kurt Asle Arvesen...

Dan Patten’s Blog – Back in the Game!

Dan Patten's Blog - So, I'm recovering well - so well in fact that I came my closest to date to winning here in Belgium last Sunday, finally ending up in 3rd place, but so close to taking the win.

Dan Patten Blog – Back to the Front

So last time I was posting here on the Dan Patten Blog about the great weather we were experiencing in Belgium at that time. Unfortunately the sun has gone and the rain has returned. Clearly 20 degrees+ in March was a treat. I'm hoping a treat that returns soon.

At Random

Tour de Trossachs 2021 goes to Robbie Friel

We missed you last year Tour de Trossachs, so let’s begin with a large ‘thank you’ to Jason Roberts and his team for reviving this great race and organising it so well. Men of the day: Messrs. Friel, Maclean and Creber; Woman of the day: Lynsey Curran.

Tour de France 4 Stages In, 4 Contenders

Tour de France 4 Stages... We have finally made it to the first of two stages that have loomed large over this whole race, and will play a huge role in determining who is the 2011 Tour de France champion. Today is officially a filthy stage on the bike. 200km, three hors categorie climbs, approximately 470om vertical gain through the stage, including a single climb from 335m above sea level to 2744m! Holy smokes.

Garry Clively – Part One: Aussie Pioneer and Grand Tour Top Ten

As Michael Matthews and Cadel Evans turn the Giro into a pink Aussie ‘barbie on the beach’ we thought we’d use the rest days to take a look back at one of the men who paved the way for Phil Anderson, Alan Peiper, Cadel Evans, Simon Gerrans and all the other Aussies who now contribute so much to European and world road cycling. Garry Clively rode two-and-a-bit seasons for Magniflex in the mid 70’s, turning pro on the back of a brilliant fourth spot in the 1975 amateur Worlds road race.

Copenhagen Six Day 2013 – Day Three

Saturday Afternoon at the Copenhagen Six Day 2013... Boxing at a bike race. No, it’s not a misprint, it worked pretty well, short and sharp with the pugilists really going at it.