I am 6'2" and have some pretty big quads from racing for quite a few years. All back patting aside, I am a 98 pound weekling wuss next to MAGNUS (he should always capitalize his name going forward as it is the raddest name ever). Maggie Backstedt's cannons are gi-fricken-normous. Unbelievable. If donated, he could feed a populous of a small nation for at least a week. Or maybe a long weekend.

One of our RM'ers Scottie W is over in Belgium at the Cycling Center. MAGNUS is spending time there while he reccies the pave' before the classic week comes full on. Some words about the meeting from Scottie:

"By far, the coolest experience so far in Belgium was going to France with Paris Roubaix winner Magnus Backstedt. He is staying with us for about a week as his base for all of his reconnaissance rides he is doing for the Paris Roubaix race in April. Yesterday I went with him and 3 other CC riders to preview some critical cobbled sections of this year’s race, most notably the Forest of Arenberg. It is fair to say that just riding the Forest of Arenberg is a dream of any cyclist, but doing so with somebody who has won the “Hell of the North” was nothing short of amazing. The four of us were like kids in a candy store riding up and down 2 of the most famous kilometers is cycling until our hands were full of blisters and our legs wouldn’t turn anymore.

Having the opportunity to live with Magnus has taught me more than I could’ve imagined. He is without a doubt one of the most down to earth and personable professionals that I have ever met and several times I found that I have forgotten that I’m talking to the most talented cyclists in the world. It is motivating watching someone that committed to his job, down to every detail. Tomorrow, I’m cued up for my bike fit, so I’m sure to be sitting a little differently on the bike tomorrow night. Until my next rest day…"