I have one day to ride in Belgium, what routes should I consider?

[shovelhd]

I am headed to Belgium for a week to deliver and set up a customer machine. I'll be staying in Oudenaarde, and I'll have one day to ride, a Saturday. I will be bringing my Breakaway with me. I won't have a car, but I could ride to a train. However, any overland travel time takes away from riding time. I'd prefer to ride out of the hotel. I'd also prefer to ride with others, if I can figure out how.

One thing I'm looking at is to ride parts of the Tour of Flanders. What say you? If you had a day to ride in Belgium, what route would you take?

[jemdet]

It's all about the real start of the Tour of Flanders, the Oude Kwaremont.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KU0bqd4GqrY

[saab2000]

I'd ride the Tour of Flanders probably.

[veggieburger]

Whichever ride you decide on, be sure to end with some "patat met".

https://i.pinimg.com/736x/43/08/07/4308074b671e9b5635b5e5a2e162cd00--dutch-people-dutch-food.jpg

[Tickdoc]

the one with the wind at your back.

[MattTuck]

It's all about the real start of the Tour of Flanders, the Oude Kwaremont.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KU0bqd4GqrY

At first, I was like... "ooh, a little documentary about the Oude Kwaremont." Then I was like, "damn."

well played.


I haven't visited Belgium before, but sounds like a fun pilgrimage to hallowed ground. I'd try to do as many bergs as possible. Kwaremont, Paterburg, Kappelmuur, Koppenberg would be my top choices.

[phcollard]

Welcome to cycling paradise!

I have never ridden his area but I would search RWGPS for some cues. This one looks like a good candidate https://ridewithgps.com/ambassador_routes/741-best-of-ronde-climbs

If you don't have a GPS you can plan your ride with the amazing cycling node system http://www.fietsroute.org/cycle-node-planner

You'll see a lot of riders with a list of figures on paper sticked to their stem :)

[chazzwazzer]

I'd ride to Saint Sixtus Brewery in Westvleteren, but who knows if I'd be able to make the ride back... :banana:

[11.4]

You don't say what you really want to see, or what you're up to. I used to live near there and often hosted American racers who wanted to break into the scene there.

The roads can vary from paved to simply brutal, from flat to 23% grades, and from mild winds to 40 mph crosswinds. And there are roads to breweries, roads to old towns, roads up hills, and other things to plan your trip around. There are some signature race courses to ride in Belgium, but understand that they are not scenic or enjoyable except for having finished them -- not the same as climbing a major French col. If you don't like heavy crosswinds, you won't like Belgium if you pick a ride where you have to deal with winds, for example.

One thing I'd say is that because of the multitude of roads and the omnipresent wind, and because the area has great people, find a couple people to ride with and have them show you around. Contact one of the better shops in Oudenaarde and try to get either on a good training group ride or find someone who would like to ride with you and show you around. Having that person makes all the difference in the world.

[shovelhd]

You don't say what you really want to see, or what you're up to. I used to live near there and often hosted American racers who wanted to break into the scene there.

Good point. I really don't have any great objective other than to ride my bike. I don't need to do anything epic. A brewery trip could be nice but not a priority. If you can point me to a shop that you know that has group rides, and they speak English, I'd appreciate it.

[everbeek]

Kluisberg
Knockteberg
Oude Kwaremont
Paterberg
Koppenberg
Steenbekdries
Taainberg
Eikenberg
Boigneberg
Holleweg/Kerkgate/Haaghoek cobbles
Leberg
Berendries
Valkenberg
Ten Bosse
Muur van Geraardsbergen
Bosberg
La Houppe
Kanerieberg
Berg Ten Houte (descent, but turn around and go up it)
Berg Ter Stene

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/16352821

Enjoy. Edit as you see fit. "N" roads have dedicated bike lanes. Everything is paved (no dirt or gravel).

[11.4]

Good point. I really don't have any great objective other than to ride my bike. I don't need to do anything epic. A brewery trip could be nice but not a priority. If you can point me to a shop that you know that has group rides, and they speak English, I'd appreciate it.

This is the center of Ronde country, so there's a bike shop on almost every corner and in every little hamlet nearby.

Fietsen on the north side of town is a Trek dealership and works with Trek tours in the area.

Wheel Palace is freakin' huge. You may not get as much attention there, but they are a mega-shop and most of the staff speak some level of English. English is more common in Flanders than not -- and it's often the default language in a country where people still look down on you if you speak French to a Flamande or vice versa.

Don't forget the Centre Ronde while you're there -- it's a big museum devoted to the Tour of Flanders. They also post schedules of local kermesse (so do most of the shops). You may have more fun with only one day by doing the museum, visiting a couple shops, and then hanging out at a couple local races. After watching these locals compete, especially the younger ones trying for a continental contract and then a pro team, you gain a quick understanding of why the US doesn't breed more pro riders or get better spectator attendance at most races -- nobody rides as aggressively as these kids.

You can also consume more beer and frites that way.

[shovelhd]

Riding the entire Tour of Flanders is not possible. I'm looking at the Tour of Flanders blue loop. I might be able to handle that.