Ride the roads made famous by the Spring Classics!
Have you watched the Spring Classics and thought, "I wonder what that feels like?" Wanted to experience the roller coaster of cycling on cobbles? To ride the infamous sectors then cheer on your heroes as they race for victory? Then this trip will be a dream come true.
Have you watched the Spring Classics and thought, "I wonder what that feels like?" Wanted to experience the roller coaster of cycling on cobbles? To ride the infamous sectors then cheer on your heroes as they race for victory? Then this trip will be a dream come true.
DAY ONE: ARRIVAL
March 28
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Details: Land in Brussels on March 28th where you will be greeted by the smiles of Leah Kirchmann and Nat Faulkner in their famous pink jackets. Our home base for the week will be a house in Ledegem, about 90 min from the airport. After assembling your bikes we will roll around the local roads and depending on time stop for a coffee and a local snack. Note: The Gent Wevelgem Cycling Sportif is most likely taking place today, so if you would like to arrive early and participate then let us know and we will do our best to help you with the logistics. |
DAY TWO: GENT WEVELGEM
March 29
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Ride Description: Today we will ride, watch, cheer and basically fan out as the Gent Wevelgem races take place. Moving around between sectors, enjoying frites with mayo, meeting other cycling fans, experiencing the energy, and seeing the racing up close is on the day's agenda. Based on the groups interests, Leah and Nat will curate the best viewing points.
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DAY THREE: COBBLES, COBBLES, MORE COBBLES
March 30
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Ride Description:
Cobbles are the speciality of the loop of the day where you will be challenged by some serious cobblestone roads, including the Huispontweg, Doorn, the famous Paddestraat and Kerkgate. That's not all! The Wolvenberg, Nokereberg and the famed Molenberg will put your climbing legs to the test too. Experienced with the demands and tricks on riding the cobbles, Nat and Leah will offer pointers, provide a lesson, and if you'd like to improve and perfect your skills then by all means climb them twice or thrice!
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DAY FOUR: EVERYONE GETS A 'BERG!
March 31
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Ride Description:
This course is a circuit around the finale of the Ronde beginning with the classic trio of the Oude Kwaremont, Paterberg and Koppenberg. If you've still got the legs you'll continue on to the Taaienberg, Kruisberg and Hotondberg before returning to Oudenaarde. Oudenaarde is a cycling Mecca having played a crucial role in the Spring Classics. With cafes and specialty shops, be sure to pack your walking shoes as we peruse the historic streets and visit the Flanders Cycling Museum.
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DAY FIVE: DWARS VAN VLAANDEREN
April 1
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Ride Description:
We will drive or ride 11 km to watch team presentations and the start of the Dwars van Vlaanderen race as well as a visit to the Koers Cycling Museum (12 euros to enter). Our ride of the day will either include navigating around the race to spectate or a loop that will give us some continuous miles before returning to watch the finish. Group consensus the night before will dictate today's ride plans.
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DAY SIX: WEST FLEMISH HILLS
April 2
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Ride Description:
Known for its flat finish, Gent-Wevelgem has earned a name for being one of the most gruelling races for sprinters. This signposted route however, doesn't finish in Wevelgem and neither does it start in Gent. We will shuttle to the Trappist West Vleteren brewery, a tease to start the ride as we will celebrate the completion of the ride here - or maybe you'd prefer a chocolate and beer tour in Ghent to explore several brasseries. The West Flemish Hills along the French-Belgian border will include the infamous Kemmelberg. Expect cobbles, plugstreets, hills and unfavourable winds - get ready to practice echelons! Resolute in its history, this route also navigates a number of the battlefields from WWI.
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DAY SEVEN: THE MUUR
April 3
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Ride Description:
Today's loop will route you through the beautiful Flemish Ardennes all the way to Geraardsbergen where you may choose to stop for a coffee at the Bar Gidon. The highlight of the ride is the mythical ‘Muur’. But the 20% cobbles up the chapel aren't the only challenge you'll face... Classic hills like Foreest, the Berendries, the Bosberg and the Eikenberg are also dotted throughout a challenging route that boasts over 1600 climbing meters.
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DAY EIGHT: ROUBAIX
April 4
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Ride Description:
Did you feel goosebumps today? Maybe that's because you will be make your way to the iconic roads and velodrome of Roubaix. Or maybe it's because you chose to ride in the Flanders Sportif instead. Both options will be exhilarating and full of excited energy.
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DAY NINE: FLANDERS
April 5
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Ride Description:
Today we will cheer on the racers at the Tour of Flanders. Nicknamed the Vlaanderens Mooiste - Dutch for "Flanders' Finest" - this race is steeped in history. The first edition took place in 1913 and with only 1 interruption during WWI it is one of the longest continuously run races on the calendar. The men and women's peloton will be racing today over the Kwaremont, Koppenberg, Paterberg and other cobbled climbs that you tackled this week; so you can witness first hand how the pros tackle these beastly beauties!
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DAY TEN: DEPARTURE DAY
April 6
Your suitcase might be a bit heavier than when you arrived with the mementos and awards you picked up in the last nine days - hope you left some space when you packed at the beginning of the trip! Our end destination today is the Brussels airport unless you plan to stay in Belgium/France to watch Paris-Roubaix on the 12th.
INCLUDED
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NOT INCLUDED
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FEES IN CANADIAN DOLLARS
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