Cycling the Tour of Flanders: Blue Loop

The Blue Tour of Flanders Loop may be the shortest of the three, but if you think it is undemanding, you are wrong.

Let’s hope that your legs are in shape

Your endurance, strength and flexibility are tested for 78 km. You rattle over treacherous cobbled sections surrounded by the beautiful nature of the Flemish Ardennes. You push your legs to the limit on inclines that have brought countless cyclists to their knees.

You start and end at the Tour of Flanders Centre, where your passion for Flanders’ Finest will be stimulated in every possible way. Time for a perfect day of racing? Get your bike out!

The slopes from hell

The Tour of Flanders inclines look quite bearable on TV. But when you stand at the foot of the Oude Kwaremont, the Koppenberg or the Taaienberg, it is a bit of a shock. Did you know that the Koppenberg has a gradient of 22%? Only well-rested cyclists with plenty of willpower – and the necessary litres of sweat – can conquer this monster. Are you up to it?

Fortunately, inclines can only exist thanks to the flat stages. But make no mistake, even the flat sections can be vicious. So save your strength for the three iconic climbs in this loop. You will need it.

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Straight through the Ronde van Vlaanderenstraat

Thankfully, you do not have to go through this ordeal on your own. Once you arrive in Kwaremont, you’ll enter the Ronde van Vlaanderenstraat. Ten lifelike portraits of legendary cycling heroes stand alongside the road. They look at you and approve of your technique. Below you, a 1.2 km long roll of honour flashes past simultaneously. It was applied to the paving as a tribute to the cyclists who achieved mythical feats here.

Be sure to stop for a moment by Karel Van Wijnendaele’s monument. A work of art was erected here: a mosaic incorporating all 76 Tour of Flanders winners. It’s worth taking your hat off to them here.

Why stop now?

Have you arrived at the Tour of Flanders Centre in a tired but satisfied way? Then be sure to pop in for a refreshing shower. When you have recovered, a fascinating exhibition awaits you. The glorious history of the Tour of Flanders is explained here, interspersed with juicy stories from the main protagonists. Booking a guide is always a good idea, especially if that guide is Johan Museeuw. No joke, he really is one of the guides!

If you still have the energy, you can also try out some professional racing bikes from brands like Specialized, BMC and Ridley. If you want to relax a bit, you can always head to Ronse, which is not far from here. A visit to the St Hermes crypt or Muziekbos can do wonders in reducing muscle tension.

And now: rest

No otherworldly performance without sufficient rest and the right nutrition. Luckily, you are not expected to be Tom Boonen or Peter Sagan. You can relax with a freshly tapped regional beer or a hearty steak and chips.

For that freshly tapped beer, you will undoubtedly pop into d’Oude Hoeve, a cycling café like no other. It was created out of pure passion for the race and is populated by cycling fanatics. Café Molen ten Hotond is also an address to put on your list. Here you will find delicious grilled dishes and perfectly tapped beers. They even have a real sports hotel in which you can book a room.

Sleep tight, Tour of Flanders!

You conclude the day in your bed, in the sports hotel Molen ten Hotend or a holiday home like De Flandrienhoeve. It’s a beautifully renovated 400-year-old farmhouse that can accommodate you and up to 29 friends in luxury and comfort. It’s in the middle of the region’s most beautiful cycling and walking routes.

Rested? Then you’re probably in the mood to try our five must do’s related to the Tour of Flanders. Or perhaps you’re ready for one of the other two loops: the yellow or red loop. Do you dare?

With the Flandrien Challenges, you now know to the very second how fast you are riding the legendary inclines of the Flemish Classics. Measure yourself against professional cyclists or compare times with your friends. The Strava app enables you to (automatically) register your time between the marked start and finish line of the Challenge segment on well-known inclines and cobbled sections.