Tom goes to the races.

"Becky, here's the deal - the company (Pilarcitos Cyclesports) is sending me to a couple of events to research and study big Euro races and is picking up the tab for a trip to Berlin and Brugge. Want to come?"

"Tom, Does it involve bike races?"

"Well, Capital 'Duh!' - you didn't think I was going for cathedrals and museums, did you?"

Here's my version of the winter in Euro-land. On the Bucket List was a trip to the Berlin 6-day, one of the oldest on the circuit of indoor velodromes. This was a rock concert where a bike race happened to break out, only it was 80's rock but an awesome sound system with plenty of treats for the paying customers. Here's what the velodrome looked like on Wednesday when they were loading in all the catering equipment

Then I started hunting for a ticket - presumably the place would be sold out on opening night and I struck out memorably trying to score a ticket online from home. Finally got one when I arrived at 5:00 pm thursday night

and when the doors opened at 6:00 pm here's what the joint looked like and the action started. Told you it was a rock show....  

They had all kinds of Berlin celebrities show up for opening night - the "Berlin Bear" city mascot and this guy below who is a cycling celebrity, especially standing and posturing at the side of the roads at the Tour de France every summer.

They also had the "Prom Queen" convertibles that carried each of the 16 racing team members on their introductory laps on the track, complete with spotlights

It was non-stop bike racing until I had to call an early night but had to wait until I could watch the "Stayer's Race" - big BMW motorcycles on the track with the drivers standing up to create a protective draft for their riders tucked in behind them - at 40 mph on the 250 meter uber-banked track. You have to come to my house to watch the videos - no pictures of them.

Tomorrow - report from Zolder and the World Cyclocross championships - and the Bike Doping scandal! Awesome!