Trip to the Classics

[LegendRider]

A couple of friends and I are thinking about doing a quick trip to Belgium to see Flanders and Gent-Wevelgem. The tentative itinerary is:

- Arrive in Brussels Saturday, April 1.
- Watch Flanders on Sunday
- Monday - Eddy Merckx factory visit???
- Tuesday - Eat waffles and drink beer???
- Wednesday - Watch Gent-Wevelgem
- Thursday - Return to US

Has anyone done a similar trip? I'd love to hear some ideas about where to stay and what to do. Thanks in advance.

[zeroking17]

If your schedule allows you a slightly earlier arrival, you might consider riding in the Ronde Van Vlaanderen for amateurs, which takes place on 1 April. I've always wanted to ride in this event (at a tourist's pace), but have never been able to work it in.

http://www.sport.be/cycling/rondevanvlaanderen/2006/eng/

While the 260 km route would be challenging (to say the least), the 140 km route seems much more doable (and it includes many of the 17 or so signature bergs that define this race).

Your itinerary looks good. It's all about simply being there; anything more is icing.

[yeehawfactor]

don't forget to pick an obscure rider and make a gigantic sign for them :beer:

[LegendRider]

Anyone have recommendations on where to stay in Brussels? What about where to rent a car?

Thanks in advance.

[johnmdesigner]

Always book your car while in the US - it's MUCH cheaper than doing it in Europe. Check the rates on Auto Europe. Or try STA travel - they always get me a good rate on a car rental. :banana:

[Hysbrian]

one thing that I learned while in France this summer is if you are going to rent a car, pay extra for one with a navigation system, and then change it english, and you will never be lost again!

[zeroking17]

Posted to wrong thread. Msg deleted.

[sg8357]

http://www.brusselstourism.eu.com/Vieille-Lanterne-La-_a124.html

nice small place, near the Grand Platz.

No parking, cars + Brussels = pita

[LegendRider]

http://www.brusselstourism.eu.com/Vieille-Lanterne-La-_a124.html

nice small place, near the Grand Platz.

No parking, cars + Brussels = pita

Old thread.

I did this trip - what a great time. Saw Flanders; visited the Merckx factory and got a picture with Him; saw Gent-Wevelgem; visited Flanders museum; etc.

[TriJim]

LR - I'll be there with Graham Baxter's (UK) Sporting Tours. Their Spring Classics week (http://www.sportingtours.co.uk/classics/classics1.html) includes Ronde Van Vlaanderen/Tour of Flanders, Gent-Wevelgem, and Paris Roubaix. Maybe I'll see you there - look for the CA Red Ottrott. :beer:

yhf- I like the big sign idea - might try it. :p

[cruzroadie]

The start is in Brugge which is a little more than a 1 hour drive from Brussels if there is no traffic. I stayed in Ghent last year and rode the cyclosportif Ronde. Don't plan to get very far if you try to drive and check the Tour of Flanders as all of Belgium is watching and driving along the race route. There are so many traffic stops from the Police and road barriers along the race. In fact at one traffic jam the Belgian fans got out of their cars, set up folding chairs and even one guy brought out his TV and a good Chimay and watched it one live broadcast--in Flemish of course. I ended up driving to a Tavern near the Kwaremont cobbles and watched the last portion of the race. An incredible experience. You can google tour of flanders and get the race map and time estimates to see where you would like to catch the race.
I saw the start of Gent Wevelgem last year also but didn't follow the race. Instead I went to the cycling museum -- Centrum Ronde van Vlaanderen in Oudenaarde. A rental car and GPS are a must. There's no way to really navigate Brussels without GPS. My wife and I spent 3 hours driving in circles in our first trip to Brussels because we missed and exit. Also, the Merckx factory is not so easy to find without GPS. Good luck.

[97CSI]

Anyone have recommendations on where to stay in Brussels? What about where to rent a car? Thanks in advance.http://www2.europcar.com/. Think they are out of Maine on this side of the pond. Have used them a couple of dozen times and always happy. If you have a problem, they have as many sites in Europe as Hertz does in the U.S. As stated above, rent over here or you will pay twice as much.

Sofitel is very nice. They have two in Brussels. Bring us back some chocolate. Don't forget your Gortex. Plenty to see that is not bicycle related, as well.