On 2 July it was finally time, where normally a large group of Alohanen enjoy the end-of-year bbq at Rutbeek on the last Friday of the college year, this time we left with a real column of Orange-blue heading for Kinrooi, Belgium.
On Friday afternoon, we gathered at the Alohahok where the 30-plus bikes, about seven tents, the usual camping gear and 20L of cottage cheese were loaded into the van with precision. Lars and Thies had the honour and pleasure of moving the entire inventory to Belgium. After a brief discussion about whether or not to take the Autobahn, we were able to leave. In the cars, Thijs’ famous triple chocolate cookies could be enjoyed, which was very nice considering the schedule had run a bit late after all.
Once in Belgium, the Aloha camp could be set up and the first beers opened, at which point everyone could bite on a tuc and watch Lars and Thies enjoying their pizza (who had been smart enough to order it already). More pizza would soon follow, Veerle took control and made sure to place a big order at Huzur in Kinrooi.
Whereas the writer of this piece mainly remembers the euphoria of a slice of pizza, the Belgians will have a much less cheerful memory of Friday evening 2 July. Kind of ironic that we were there with an Italian delicacy next to the Red Devils fans watching Belgium’s 2021 demise.
Another thing was added to the collective Aloha memory on Friday evening, 2 July: Lidl’s pepper crisps are too spicy and the Bossink brothers can have whole discussions about this at night.
Saturday morning we fanned out of our tent and enjoyed fresh sandwiches at the tables on the embankment. The weather forecast had turned 180 degrees in a positive direction, the party tent was folded and taken to the waterfront to enjoy the beautiful weather. In the morning, the fanatics swam. In the afternoon, we were able to explore the bike course, play tourist in Thor and have a nice lunch. Big slices of flan and (very) big bags of chips were enjoyed. In the evening, we could join the pasta party, organised by the triathlon organisers.
And then it started.
The rain.
Very hard rain.
But it also went away again.
A nice hideaway, and a must for anyone thinking of going to Kinrooi again is: the bird-watching hut.
On Sunday morning it was finally time! De Steengoed Maastriathlon!
For many Alohans their first triathlon, for others their first triathlon in a very long time. At the start of the 1/8th distance were: Jasmin, Lars, Dagmar, Thies, Marit, Heleen, Lotte, Maike, Tommie, other Lars, Sterre, Yasmin, Klaske, Gianni, Jefry and Manon.
The athletes were taken by boat to the start and were allowed to swim back to the mainland from there. Staging was allowed on the bike, so in the women a nice Aloha train was formed with Manon, Dagmar, Klaske and Yasmin. Among the men, Lars Bossink managed to win from Thies (the start of a mutual battle for next season). Among the women, Jasmin managed to secure fourth place.
Then it was the turn of the quarter distance. In which Anne, Liselot, Dennis, Koen, Joep, Izak, Bouke and Carl competed. The ladies got to start with the participants of the triathlon, so Floor (who started in a trio with Eva and Ron) was at the start line at the same time. While the ladies’ start was still relatively calm, the men’s start turned into a real fight. Not surprising when 180 men hear the starting gun sound simultaneously. Cycling at the quarter was non-stayer, although many Belgians used the Belgian meter. The 10km lap had to be done 4 times, after 3 laps some extra challenges were added: thunder, lightning, torrential rain and wind gusts. The streets turned into ditches and you had to hang in the stirrups to avoid losing your bike.
But alas, it probably wasn’t very safe. And on arrival at the changeover zone, it appeared the fun was over.
We (literally) drifted off to the tent, which was still firmly held by the Alohans who had already started that morning. Meanwhile, the grassy field had become a small lake.
When the weather was drier, we were able to pack everything into the bus, which with good teamwork was done in no time.
Tired but satisfied, the column of Orange Blue left for the Twente countryside.
It was enjoyable again.
By Liselot
