Raves and Rants - Tips and Thoughts - Pleasure and Pain...
Bike trip is as much about the travel as it is to arrive anywhere. You see things vacationing by bike quite differently from by car or train. It's not simply about the physical exertion and speed of travel. In a car or train, you are a passive observer, in comfort, behind the window, quite detached from the scenery as if they are just flashing images with no sound or smell. On a bike, you are in contact with it all. You are in the scene - be part of it and moving through it. Or my favourite part, to stop (better still able to go back!) and take it all in.
But I can imagine how the weather could wreck this ideal scenario and turn it into a bit of a misery.....
No flats, no rain, and not too much pain..... One can only plan so much, the rest is mostly down to luck.
Difference of about 100km and 4hr compared to what Google map said. One thing I noticed is that Dunkirk city (Google) isn't Dunkirk port (actual) and that easily accounts for 40km/2hr difference. The other is the extra route to tackle the cobbles around Oudernaarde.
Well 8 days of essentially perfect cycling weather, again. This time round I'm better packed than before and with a day of rest, and esp for laundry, I was able to stay fresher. Taking midway stops (daily) to wash your face is essential and definitely try it if you can. (A nap helps too:)) But with great eating comes great effort - perhaps it's all the exertion that makes me so hungry:)
Avoid cotton and T-shirts, short sleeved Hawaiian style linen shirt worked great this time and weighs next to nothing.
Most of Flanders region feels safe. Pretty much mono-culture still except for Antwrep.
Really enjoyed cycling in Belgium in particular, as most of it is traffic-free, congestion-free and stress-free with routes that are very easy to follow.
Unlike Belgium's quiet cycle lanes the Dutch one is more urban, faster and in many parts simply dangerous, with speeding mopeds doing 50-60kmh in the city! Plus many Dutch city cobbles are pedestrian only and cycle lanes often take you the long way round.
BEST BEER: St Bernardus brown from Watou. 10% though!
BEST STEAK: Filet Pur at Oudernaarde.
BEST FRIES: At Oudernaarde.
BEST SEAFOOD: Scheermessen in Antwerp.
BEST STARTER: Tie between the Lobster Bisque at Het Palings Huis and Foie Gras on fried spiced bread with Creme Brûlée!!
BEST CHURCH: Sint Walburga in Veurne. The sheer immense space and beauty or I was so drunk I'm seeing St Bernardus himself.
Omer Blond (bottle) - strong
Vedett Extra Blond (bottle) - bland
Ichtebagem's Grand Cru - Flemish Red Ale (bottle) "most unique taste"
Palm Hop Select (bottle)
Bierbrouwerij Vermeersen "lager?" (draft)
Steenbrugge Bruin (bottle) - sweet malty
St Bernadus ?(draft) - rich
Things to do:
But I can imagine how the weather could wreck this ideal scenario and turn it into a bit of a misery.....
 |
| Montage of 7 days ride log taken from Strava |
No flats, no rain, and not too much pain..... One can only plan so much, the rest is mostly down to luck.
Distance: 612km
Climb: 2280m
Saddle time: 31hr
 |
| It's flat but over a week still adds to 2280m climb compared to last year's (below) |
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| 2016 St Malo cycling trip (parts not recorded) - closer to 350km |
Difference of about 100km and 4hr compared to what Google map said. One thing I noticed is that Dunkirk city (Google) isn't Dunkirk port (actual) and that easily accounts for 40km/2hr difference. The other is the extra route to tackle the cobbles around Oudernaarde.
Well 8 days of essentially perfect cycling weather, again. This time round I'm better packed than before and with a day of rest, and esp for laundry, I was able to stay fresher. Taking midway stops (daily) to wash your face is essential and definitely try it if you can. (A nap helps too:)) But with great eating comes great effort - perhaps it's all the exertion that makes me so hungry:)
Avoid cotton and T-shirts, short sleeved Hawaiian style linen shirt worked great this time and weighs next to nothing.
Most of Flanders region feels safe. Pretty much mono-culture still except for Antwrep.
Really enjoyed cycling in Belgium in particular, as most of it is traffic-free, congestion-free and stress-free with routes that are very easy to follow.
Unlike Belgium's quiet cycle lanes the Dutch one is more urban, faster and in many parts simply dangerous, with speeding mopeds doing 50-60kmh in the city! Plus many Dutch city cobbles are pedestrian only and cycle lanes often take you the long way round.
And if you feel like taking on the cobbles of the Tour of Flanders, best to ride upwards rather than descending them and preferably in thicker than 25mm race tyres. I had good advice from James, who's my go to expert of all things cycling and ever helpful.
BEST BEER: St Bernardus brown from Watou. 10% though!
BEST STEAK: Filet Pur at Oudernaarde.
BEST FRIES: At Oudernaarde.
BEST SEAFOOD: Scheermessen in Antwerp.
BEST STARTER: Tie between the Lobster Bisque at Het Palings Huis and Foie Gras on fried spiced bread with Creme Brûlée!!
BEST CHURCH: Sint Walburga in Veurne. The sheer immense space and beauty or I was so drunk I'm seeing St Bernardus himself.
BEST CITY: Bruges.
All the beers
Ename Blond (draft) - silkyOmer Blond (bottle) - strong
Vedett Extra Blond (bottle) - bland
Ichtebagem's Grand Cru - Flemish Red Ale (bottle) "most unique taste"
Palm Hop Select (bottle)
Bierbrouwerij Vermeersen "lager?" (draft)
Steenbrugge Bruin (bottle) - sweet malty
St Bernadus ?(draft) - rich
Things to do:
- Find Ename and St Bernardus brown beer.
- Drink Bakkie Pleur (session berliner weisse w/ coffee from Kaapse Brouwers) 3.5%
- Visit Kortrijk Broel Towers
- Take (more) panaroma shots from Rozenhoedkaai, Bruges
- More cycling in Belgium:)
- Eat Neeltje mussels
- Eat at Fish a'Gogo, Antwerp again.
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