2012-04-20/22 - Flanders shenaniganza

so, finally got this pinned down.. eurostar here we come..

itinerary goes like this..
bernie's magical mystery tour of bruges
almac's tour of western flanders via ypres, kortrijk oudenaarde
boozy supper in brakel
almac's trail to the iconic muur de grammont (geraardsbergen) and tour of eastern flanders
sprint against tyler farrar and jurgen van den broeck into ghent
tour of the magnificent watering holes and velodrome
first class travel back to blighty

i should point out that this is over three days..
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view...2/?new_route=1

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?msid=202571017967163430015.000498e1b11ee91bb5205&msa=0
almac database 2012

I was hoping to extend my cycling CV with this trip but I'll be heading to NYC a few days later so can't afford another trip so close together. Bummer.

Might try to one out depending on if i can get a gear bike before then...

Might try to one out depending on if i can get a gear bike before then...

I'm half thinking of doing it fixed, and there is a spare seat in the wagon at the moment, so have a think and send me a PM.

the 'king / queen of the monumentals' list..

1. almac
   
2. bernie
   
3. poots
   
4. avellana
   
5. KT Bee
   
6. bothwell
   
   
   

accommodation limit is 10 in bruges and brakel
preference is to ride fixed or single speed btw
eurostar cheap tickets less than 20 left..
pm me for travel details,

It's flat as the proverbial pancake innit - who needs gears?

I are excite!

It's flat as the proverbial pancake innit - who needs gears?

I are excite!

Just ask Al, he always tells the truth...

It's flat as the proverbial pancake innit - who needs gears?

I are excite!

Someone should print this out and hand it to you as reach the top of the Muur. On foot.

Just ask Al, he always tells the truth...

the muur is a mere pimple on the belgian landscape.. we'll blitz it double quick ;0

Purely out of interest, but why aren't you going up the Old Kwaremont? You pass the bottom of it, seems a shame to go all that way and not ride up it.

Someone should print this out and hand it to you as reach the top of the Muur. On foot.

Pfft.. but a pimple on the surface of Belgium.

Indeed, but would you fancy that last cobbled stretch on fixed?

Good point. I've only ridden it geared. Still, low enough gears/fat enough thighs = no problemo :)

Purely out of interest, but why aren't you going up the Old Kwaremont? You pass the bottom of it, seems a shame to go all that way and not ride up it.
this was a rough route to establish a distance the detail around oudenaarde will be for those that want to conquer the other iconic hills.

I see. Looks like a lot of fun. For a pretty flat, featureless landscape, it's surprising how much fun you can have on a bike around the Flemish 'Ardennes'.

It's flat as the proverbial pancake innit - who needs gears?

I are excite!

Oh, Poots. I bet you didn't even google Muur.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=GB&v=KoEGWTCFQQI

I see. Looks like a lot of fun. For a pretty flat, featureless landscape, it's surprising how much fun you can have on a bike around the Flemish 'Ardennes'.
perhaps, but flanders is more than just cycling..
the food, beers, chocolate, frites, the architecture, the blood drenched history and the people are the real background to this..

a heady mix of culture indeed, anyway that's how i've sold it

Don't forget the light shops!

I am faking it till I makes it, innit.

Half the battle with hills is in the mind. If I don't acknowledge it's existence as a hill then I won't struggle up it but cruise along. I like to call it Nietzsche cycling.

Famous last words :p

seek out every hill in london til april.. in search of your inner belgian

Oh, Poots. I bet you didn't even google Muur.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=GB&v=KoEGWTCFQQI

Must remember to watch this before going out this year. I blew up half way up the ramp last year, and had to be pushed (felt up) by a friendly spectator.

you'll be fine going up the kopp cough

This looks pretty amazing, how much would it be roughly, with accommodation and travel?