On the trail of the cycling gods

On the trail of the cycling gods

Experience the race up close in the Flemish Ardennes

The Flemish Ardennes are the birthplace of cycle-racing. This is where the greatest riders ride the Tour of Flanders and a series of other classics in front of a frenzied crowd. Want to experience the race yourself in the footsteps of Eddy Merckx, Peter Sagan, Tadej Pogačar, Wout van Aert, Tom Pidcock or Kasper Asgreen? Here are 6 tips!

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1. Experience the course from the front row

What could be more exciting than watching the riders flash past you live? Experience from up close how they climb the Koppenberg, the Taaienberg and the Wall of Geraardsbergen. Be there when your favourite makes that decisive breakaway. And experience the unique atmosphere. Because one thing is certain: you won't be alone. The festive atmosphere around the course of the Flemish classics is intense. If you can, try to get to a glimpse of the cyclocross race too. A very different discipline, just as exciting.

Select your favourite course  

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2. Visit the Tour of Flanders Centre

The Tour of Flanders Centre is a unique visitors’ centre and cycling hub that takes you through the history of this heroic race. It is a place that breathes cycle-racing like no other. Stock up on sports nutrition, cycling shirts and casual clothing in the shop. Admire the permanent Tour of Flanders exhibition or test a professional racing bike – you would undoubtedly make your mark in the real Tour with one of these! BMC, Ridley or Specialized? Your bike awaits you at the ‘Ride like a Pro’ stand!

Visit the centre 

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3. Cycle the Tour of Flanders yourself

Do you want to experience the Tour of Flanders your way? Come to Oudenaarde and start an unforgettable journey! Experience three exhausting cycling trails, tame cobblestone lanes and struggle up inclines that are leg-killers. You’ll be doing it along with cyclists from all over the world. Because you'll meet everyone here, side by side, riding their own Tour of Flanders.

Toerisme Oost-Vlaanderen developed 3 beautiful loops especially for sporty cyclists, inspired by the course of the Tour. Perfect for filling up three days. The Blue Loop is the shortest of the three, but you'd be wrong to think it wasn't demanding. It takes you west and, just briefly, takes you into the province of Hainaut. Along the route, you will need to conquer the Oude Kwaremont, Paterberg, Taaienberg, Koppenberg and the Hotond, among others.

The Red Loop is the longest route: some 115 kilometres long with the Valkenberg, the Berendries and the Bosberg, among others. It will also take you to the one and only Muur van Geraardsbergen, still a crucial ingredient of some of the world’s most legendary cycling races. This loop is a tough nut to crack, even if you are an experienced cyclist.

The Yellow Loop takes you to the rolling Zwalm region and Zottegem. The climbs are less numerous and the gradients are more moderate as well. But make no mistake: at 102 kilometres, this is still a solid chunk.

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4. Do the Strave Flandrien Challenge

Real Flandriens are men of substance who keep on cycling even in the worst weather conditions and conquer the toughest hills purely on willpower. Are you cut from the right cloth? Then take on the Flandrien Challenge! Caution: this is not for wimps. But with good preparation and a big cycling heart, you'll get a long way.

Cycling in Flanders selected 59 slopes and cobblestone lanes in the Westhoek and the Flemish Ardennes that spice up the Flemish classics and turned each slope or cobblestone lane into a Strava segment. On the lane itself, the beginning and end are clearly marked on the road surface. The Strava app will record your time between the start and finish line of the segment. So you can measure yourself against the pro riders or compare your time with your friends!

If you conquer all 59 hills in 72 hours, you can call yourself a true Flandrien and your name will be immortalised on a cobblestone wall in the Tour of Flanders Centre in Oudenaarde. True cycling glory is what you get out of it. Are you a cycling fanatic, but don't feel like slogging it out for three days? In that case, of course, you can select a Strava strip here and there and otherwise just enjoy the scenery. But make no mistake: even one such Strava strip is a tough on your calves!

Do the challenge 

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5. Relax in a cycling café

It doesn't always have to be draining. You can also experience cycling at one of the many cycling cafés in the area. Slam on the brakes at Het Bruggenhuis in Overboelare, for example. The setting is unsurpassed. It’s an old bargee’s café on the towpath along the Dender River. Equally unsurpassed and unique is ‘t Fameus Verleden in Everbeek. At this splendid little pub, villagers and passers-by have been coming to drink beer since 1902. Formerly a café–paint shop, today it’s an attractive and tasty port of call.

At Brouwerij De Graal in Brakel, you'll get a look behind the scenes followed by a tasty beer (provided you book in advance)! Or would you rather pull up a chair at Moeder Agnes in Brakel? This eatery on a family farm will welcome you for a snack and a sumptuous dinner. You can relax on the patio here and enjoy modern and original dishes full of flavour and colour.

One timeless tip is Café D'Oude Hoeve. This authentic pub is the ideal stop for cyclists and hikers, Local residents also enjoy hanging out here, though. And every time you sip your regional beer, you feel the nostalgia kick in. In one word: wonderful.

Café Molen ten Hotond is another establishment to put on your list. Here, you will find delicious grilled dishes and perfectly tapped pints. Not to mention, the Peloton Café at the Tour of Flanders Centre will take you back in time. If it's too crowded inside, there's always the sunny terrace. 

Can't decide which cycling café is really the best? Then pair the sporty with the pleasant and follow the Bidon cycling route. You will ride from node to node, occasionally interspersed with challenges or climbs, but primarily on beautiful paths and past some delicious stops. Some 25 cycle nodes and many good impressions later, you'll be back at the door of MattentaartAtelier in Geraardsbergen. A trip the whole family can manage!

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6. Stay the night in style

After a whole day of cycling the Flemish Classics over the cobblestone lanes and slopes of the Flemish Ardennes’ inclines, your body – and bike – are longing to be pampered. These B&Bs and hotels are tailor-made for cycling enthusiasts.

Holiday home Kanak is located a stone's throw from the Wall of Geraardsbergen. Cycling enthusiasts can clean up their bikes at the bike-wash and park them safely overnight in the locked bike shed, where they can also carry out some minor repairs.

A duo of holiday homes can be found at the foot of the Oude Kwaremont. At Chasse Patate – which means a failed approach – a total of sixteen people can stay overnight. At the Flandrienhoeve, thirty people can catch their breath.

De Poort holiday home, where you can relax in the sauna, infrared cabin or jacuzzi, is three kilometres away from the historic cobblestone lane of the Paddestraat in Velzeke.

Holiday home De Koppenherberg lies at the foot of – yes – the Koppenberg, one of the most memorable calf-testers in the region. Besides its excellent location a stone's throw from Oudenaarde, the view is especially breathtaking. You can stay here with 15 people in total comfort.

The Hotondberg at the highest point in East Flanders offers a beautiful view of the city of Ronse. This is the ideal place to spend the night at the Hotond Sporthotel (which therefore also houses a cycling café – see above). A place to come home to as a cyclist.

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Experience it all!

Cycling enthusiast or total layman? In the tips above, you will find something for everyone. Discover the route up close and enjoy every moment!