Well this diary is a bit overdue, but I’m officially a super mega famous Belgian television star. Actually not really, but Man Bijt Hond has aired and my handsome mug was all over the television screen. I’ve never seen myself on the T.V. before, so it was a bit weird. What was even weirder was hearing my goofy voice. I had no idea my voice sounded that funny. Now that I know how funny I sound, I’ve quit speaking until I can find a reasonable solution to this lifelong problem of mine. But back to the good stuff. So basically the show broke down to 5 minutes of primetime space Monday through Friday. Every show they followed myself and Bart around to film our daily lives here at the Cycling Center. The intro clip ended with me doing my best Hulk Hogan impression on top of the Muur de Gerrardsbergen. If you’re not sure what pose Hulk Hogan made tougher than turtle snot, just check out the picture below. That’s me hamming it up.

So far, we have had an extremely positive response to the show. From the bakery and grocery store to out on training rides, we are recognized wherever we go. The show has been described as a “breath of fresh air” in a time where the daily headlines seem to be  covered in scandals. On one of the shows, Justin and I got the opportunity to go and speak with George Hincapie after the Ronde van Vlandeeren to get his post race comments. Another show had me display my vast knowledge of the Dutch language. Mijn Nederlands is niet goed. But I did manage to slip in every curse word I knew. Sorry mom, but they were curious to know what words I exchanged with the other riders during races. I just figured that honesty was the best policy, right? Probably, my most memorable moment was the show where I got a great leg massage from Freddy Viane, U.S. Postal’s head soigneur.  And by “most memorable” I actually mean “scared for life“. Because right there in front of myself and a million other Belgians, was my scrawny, pale, half naked body sending all the women and the children scurrying for the lift rafts wondering why a young desert rat is so disturbingly white. But on the bright side, after my half-nakedness was released to the greater population of the country, if a Belgian girl is still interested in approaching me, she may just be the future Mrs. King.

Categories: Austin King's Chronicles From Across The Pond.