Flanders, the heartland of cycling. The combination of cobbles and cycling creates a unique and thrilling experience and has contributed to the region’s reputation as a cycling mecca.
For the 3rd year in a row we headed southwards for an unbelievable challenge the last weekend of August. Like true Flandriens we hit over 40 (!) iconic climbs and cobbled roads of the epic Tour of Flanders in just two days. The Berendries, Ladeuze, La Houppe, Kluisberg, Foreest, Waaierberg, Haaghoek, Kanarieberg, Kapelleberg, Muur van Geraardsbergen, Bosberg, Steenberg and Valkenberg: we conquered all the amazingly steep and nasty hills. Spinning or grinding, each of us according to his own strength and pace.
We also took a deeper dive into cycling history by visiting some typical cycling cafes like Bar Gidon, Après-Velo and the Peloton Café at the Center Ronde van Vlaanderen in Oudenaarde. In the Ronde van Vlaanderenstraat we were completely immersed in the Tour of Flanders. We paid homage to the greatest athletes at the outdoor Wall of Fame and of course to Karel van Wijnendaele (Monument), founder and first organizer of the Tour of Flanders (1913). What a great feeling it was to ride on the asphalt with all the names of the gods (men ánd women) of this amazing sport + the year of their victory written on it!
A big applause for all PEAK-buddies who joined us! Our Flandrien of the weekend was Micha: all credits go out to him for his great teamwork, power and PRs. All that while he was riding his girlfriend’s bike! We hope reading the book of Jeroen Wielaert, Het Vlaanderen van de Ronde, inspires you even more:-)
Our post ride evenings started with some well-deserved drinks at our ‘home away from home’: the comfortable, cycling friendly sports hotel HOTOND. At 150 meters, it’s located at the highest point in East Flanders with phenomenal views of the rolling countryside. After a refreshing hot shower we finished the days with special prepared and delicious ‘cycling meals’, while replaying the day’s events and looking forward to the next. The tasty drinks like homemade lemonade, regional wines and some special (alcohol free) cycling beers such as the Kwaremont were a real delight:-)
We look back on a fantastic weekend and became part of this piece of Flemish sports heritage ourselves for a little while. Already looking forward to next year!
