{"id":36396,"title":"Cyclists' guide to West Flanders","description":"West Flanders is often overlooked as a holiday destination for serious cyclists, but we\u2019re big fans of Belgium\u2019s westernmost province. Squeezed between France, the Netherlands and Wallonia, it\u2019s the closest part of Belgium to the UK.\n\nWest Flanders was made for cycling. It may not have the snowy peaks of the Alps or as many cobbled climbs as East Flanders, but it possesses qualities that make it an attractive location for cycling fans.","content":"

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West Flanders is often overlooked as a holiday destination for serious cyclists, but we\u2019re big fans of Belgium\u2019s westernmost province. Squeezed between France, the Netherlands and Wallonia, it\u2019s the closest part of Belgium to the UK.<\/p>

West Flanders was made for cycling. It may not have the snowy peaks of the Alps or as many cobbled climbs as East Flanders, but it possesses qualities that make it an attractive location for cycling fans.<\/p>

\"Cyclists<\/p>

Why should cyclists visit West Flanders?<\/h3>

West Flanders boasts some of the best beaches in Northern Europe, featuring mile after mile of spotless sandy shores. It\u2019s home to one of the world\u2019s cultural gems in Bruges (Brugge). But for cyclists, the attraction depends on the time of year.<\/p>

In March, the focus is on the Spring Classics, such as Gent-Wevelgem. Winter is cyclocross season when the fields and dunes of West Flanders are home to some of the most famous races, including Koksijde.<\/p>

In the summer, it\u2019s perfect for relaxed riding on quiet lanes with barely a climb to trouble your progress as you glide between fields and grazing cows.<\/p>

The tranquil Heuvelland area offers modest climbs, including the famed Kemmelberg with its jarring cobbles and the steep Baneberg, which ascends to a windmill and inspiring views.<\/p>

\"ViewThe tranquil Heuvalland is home to the Kemmelberg<\/em><\/p>

No ride is complete without a Belgian beer, and where better to try one than in the region that produces the world's finest beers and 95% of Belgian hops.<\/p>

Why not catch one of the professional kermis races that fill the calendar in summer, or even have a go at one of the many amateur races yourself? West Flanders has a full calendar of events for all ages.<\/p>

ABOUT RIJDEN<\/strong>: <\/span>From cobbles to cross. Cycling\u2019s true heart<\/span><\/em><\/strong>. <\/span>Rijden grew from a passion for Flemish-style cycle racing, essentially cobbled classics, cross-winds, kermis races and cyclocross. We're a small UK independent that publishes a <\/em>free online cycling magazine<\/em><\/strong> and sustainable gifts for fans of cycling\u2019s classics and cyclocross. Read <\/em>more about Rijden<\/em><\/strong><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>

A note on spelling<\/h3>

Throughout this article, we use the Flemish spellings of town names. For example, we spell Bruges as Brugge. There\u2019s a good reason for this. Once you\u2019re inside Flanders, all signs will be in Dutch, the official language.<\/p>

If we were being correct, we should have called this article the Cyclist\u2019s Guide to West Vlaanderen.<\/p>

\"Cycling<\/u><\/a><\/p>

Notable towns of West Flanders<\/h2>

Brugge<\/h3>

Brugge, or Bruges in French, is a city where you quickly run out of superlatives to describe its charm and beauty. As the character Harry says in the 2008 film In Bruges<\/strong><\/a>, \u201cIt's a fairytale town, isn't it?\u201d.<\/p>

If you've never visited the city often referred to as the Venice of the North,<\/em> you need to make sure you do. There are so many reasons to visit. It's often the starting point of bike races, it\u2019s a gem of beautiful medieval architecture and canals, home to some of the world's most important paintings and is stacked with bars full of Belgian beer.<\/p>

\"BruggeBrugge is one of Europe\u2019s most beautiful towns<\/em><\/p>

The one downside is that many people know this, and it can get busy during the tourist season. It's perfect for a long weekend.<\/p>

Ieper<\/h3>

Ieper, or as it\u2019s better known by the British, Ypres, is probably the most popular destination for Britons in Belgium. It will forever be associated with the Great War and the sacrifices made by British and Allied troops.<\/p>

Over half of all the visitors to Ieper\u2019s In Flanders Fields Museum <\/em>are from the UK, and the Menin Gate's (Dutch: Menenpoort) last post service, which occurs every night at 8 pm, is a must for all visitors.<\/p>

\"CyclistsRiders pass under the Menin Gate during the Gent-Wevelgem Cyclo<\/em><\/p>

Ieper may not have the beauty of Brugge, but its central square and the rebuilt Cloth Hall give it a certain charm. It makes a great centre to explore the rural countryside by bike and discover the many breweries in the area.<\/p>

Kortrijk<\/h3>

Probably the least well-known of these four towns, Kortrijk is also the most inland and not far from the border with East Flanders. Its medieval architecture is well-preserved and features UNESCO World Heritage sites.<\/p>

Sitting close to the border between West and East Flanders, it makes a great spot to explore the flatlands of West Flanders to the west, the hillier Flemish Ardennes to the east and the quite lovely countryside of Wallonia to the southeast.<\/p>

Oostende<\/h3>

Oostende was once an important ferry port with connections to Dover and Ramsgate, but that's no longer the case. It remains an important port, but most tourists will want to try the numerous seafood restaurants and enjoy the street art, galleries, beach festivals, and winter market.<\/p>

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What to visit<\/h2>

Koers Museum of Cycle Racing<\/h3>

The Koers Museum van de Wielersport<\/strong><\/a> (Koers Museum of Cycle Racing) is located in the centre of Roeselare, which has been home to notable cyclists such as Patrick Sercu and Jean-Pierre Monser\u00e9. It\u2019s also the starting point for Dwars door Vlaanderen.<\/p>

Whether you\u2019re interested in cycle racing\u2019s heritage or something more up-to-date, the museum has bikes and memorabilia dating back almost 200 years. There\u2019s a licensed cafe too, serving hot and cold snacks, drinks and Belgian beers.<\/p>

Open all year round.<\/p>

Website: https:\/\/koersmuseum.be\/en<\/strong><\/a><\/p>

Address: Polenplein 15, 8800 Roeselare<\/strong><\/a><\/p>

St Bernardus and Westvleteren breweries<\/h3>

The St Bernardus Brewery<\/strong><\/a> is located just north of Watou, right on the Flanders and French border. It\u2019s nearly always a stop-off point for the Rijden crew on our trips to Flanders. Usually, to stock up on St Bernardus 12, but sometimes to visit their rooftop restaurant and bar, which has panoramic views over the countryside.<\/p>

As well as the restaurant and shop, you can go on a brewery tour with beer tasting. They also have a B&B, which we\u2019ve not tried yet.<\/p>

\"t8otpsln9wkwpunk96dde4d0zuarubjpj5rhzotcfv4lyv3r.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=auto\"Westvleteren and St Bernardus beers<\/em><\/p>

If you know anything about Belgian beer, then you\u2019ve probably heard of the world\u2019s best beer,<\/em> which is brewed by the monks at the Abbey of St. Sixtus at Westvleteren. The Abbey is located two kilometres north of Poperinge.<\/p>

What\u2019s not so well known is that St Bernardus and Westvleteren share a fascinating history<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>

You can try the Westvleteren beer in the cafe next to the Abbey<\/strong><\/a> and even buy six bottles without reservation. The cafe is alright, but the staff do give the impression that they don\u2019t need your business. However, given how tightly the monks restrict sales, it\u2019s well worth visiting and is popular with cyclists.<\/p>

St Bernardus<\/strong><\/p>

Closed on Monday and Tuesday, and on public holidays.<\/p>

Website: https:\/\/www.sintbernardus.be\/<\/strong><\/a><\/p>

Address: Trappistenweg 23, 8978 Poperinge<\/strong><\/a><\/p>

Westvleteren cafe<\/strong><\/p>

Check their opening hours as they are not open on Fridays and on some holidays.<\/p>

Website: https:\/\/www.trappistwestvleteren.be\/<\/strong><\/a><\/p>

Address: Donkerstraat 12, 8640 Vleteren<\/strong><\/a><\/p>

De Moeren<\/h3>

Why on earth would you want to visit a dead-straight road in the middle of nowhere? On a pleasant, warm, wind-free day, it would be hard to conceive how it could influence the outcome of a bike race so decisively.<\/p>

\"WhereWhere the wind blows - De Moeren<\/em><\/p>

But when the wind blows across the flatlands of the lowest point in Belgium, it becomes pivotal in races such as Gent-Wevelgem and Classic Brugge-De Panne. If the wind is from the side, the field will naturally split under the impetus of the stronger riders and splinter into echelons. An echelon race (Dutch: waaierrijden) is a beautiful sight.<\/p>

Its notoriety stems, in part, from the 2015 edition when Welsh professional cyclist Geraint Thomas was literally blown from his bike. The Tour de France winner clambered out of the ditch that lines the side of the road and proceeded to finish third overall.<\/p>

Open all year round.<\/p>

Website: Veloviewer segment<\/strong><\/a><\/p>

Website: Veurne Tourism information about De Moeren<\/strong><\/a><\/p>

Address: Moeresteenweg-Wenceslas Cobergherstraat, De Moeren, 8630 Veurne<\/strong><\/a><\/p>

Heuvelland<\/h3>

West Flanders is not entirely flat. Come inland, south of Ieper and Poperinge, and you find the delightful area of the Heuvelland (Dutch: hill country), nestled between the borders with France and Wallonia. It\u2019s here in this rural idyll that the rolling hills peak at the most famous of West Flanders\u2019 climbs.<\/p>

\"TheThe windmill at the top of the Baneberg in De Heuvelland<\/em><\/p>

At 156 metres, it may not be a giant of a mountain, but the Kemmelberg,<\/strong> with its cobbles and 20% pitch, is always a key feature in Gent-Wevelgem. It has two sides, the steeper Ossuaire<\/strong><\/a> and the no less challenging Belved\u00e8re<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>

READ MORE:<\/strong> What's the Gent-Wevelgem Cyclo sportive like, how much does it cost, and how do you enter? <\/span><\/em>Read on to find out everything you need to know about the Gent-Wevelgem Cyclo<\/em><\/strong><\/a>, how we got on and how we rate the event.<\/span><\/em><\/p>

\"Read<\/u><\/em><\/a>However, don\u2019t just visit the Heuvelland for the Kemmelberg. Enjoy the tranquillity and nature of this, mostly, unspoilt area. The village of Kemmel is worth a visit to enjoy a relaxing local ale and wonder at the number of riders who want to tackle the Kemmelberg.<\/p>

To the south of the Heuvelland, you find the unpaved tracks of the Plugstreet<\/em><\/strong>. Technically, this area is in Wallonia, but since 2017 it has featured in Gent-Wevelgem. Named after the Allied soldiers\u2019 attempts to pronounce the name of the village, Ploegsteert, during World War I, they consist of three farm tracks: Hill 63, Christmas Truce and the Catacombs.<\/p>

Open all year round.<\/p>

Website: Heuvelland Tourism (official site)<\/strong><\/a><\/p>

Address: Heuvelland, West Flanders<\/strong><\/a><\/p>

Vlaamse Duinencross Koksijde<\/h3>

One of the most famous and popular of all cyclocross races takes place in Koksijde, which is only fifty minutes from Calais. The Vlaamse Duinencross (English: Flemish Dune cross) has been home to the World Championships on two occasions, in 2012 and 1994.<\/p>

The list of winners at Koksijde reads like a who\u2019s who of cyclocross. Sven Nys, Mathieu van der Poel, Wout van Aert, Sanne Cant, Fem van Empel and more have all triumphed in this ultimate test of sand skills.<\/p>

Combine the iconic ascents and scary sand descents with huge crowds of up to 60,000 spectators, and you\u2019ve got an unforgettable experience, whether you\u2019re a mad keen cyclocross enthusiast or not.<\/p>

\"ImageCyclocross is extremely popular in West Flanders<\/em><\/p>

Date varies each year - see the cyclocross calendar below.<\/p>

Website: See the cyclocross calendar below.<\/p>

Address: Robert Vandammestraat 100, 8670 Koksijde<\/strong><\/a><\/p>

De Kusttram<\/h3>

In our opinion, De Kusttram (English: The Coast Tram) is one of the wonders of Western Europe. It\u2019s the world\u2019s longest tram line, stretching 67 km. De Kusttram takes approximately 2 hours and 25 minutes to travel the full length of the Belgian coast from De Panne near the French border to Knokke near their neighbours in the Netherlands.<\/p>

There are 68 stops along the way, and trams run every 10-20 minutes at peak times. The tram travels at a maximum speed of 70 kilometres an hour and hugs the coast most of the way. It\u2019s the perfect way to view the seaside towns as it passes by.<\/p>

West Flanders has the only seaside beaches in Belgium, and with their long stretches of sand, they are a magnet in the summer for tourists and locals alike. The roads from towns and cities towards the coast can be very busy on sunny weekends.<\/p>

\"De\u201c<\/em>Kusttram<\/em><\/a>\u201d by <\/em>Paul Keller<\/em><\/a>, <\/em>CC BY 2.0<\/em><\/a><\/p>

Despite the overbuilding of Soviet style apartments along the seafront, the Flandrian coast has much to offer the day tripper. From Oostduinkerke<\/strong>, where the horseback riding shrimp fishermen still continue their trade, to De Panne<\/strong>, which is popular with sailors and kite surfers, via Bredene\u2019s<\/strong> nudist beach and on to De Haan<\/strong>, where Albert Einstein made his home.<\/p>

The Nobel Prize-winning physicist stayed in De Haan before leaving for America. As a pacifist, socialist Jew, he was fleeing Nazi persecution, and the Belgian Royal family helped him settle in De Haan.<\/p>

He was probably tempted by the charm of De Haan, the invigorating North Sea air and the realisation that the world\u2019s best waffles are to be found here.<\/p>

Tickets cost from \u20ac3 for a one-hour journey, and you can even take a bike for a nominal amount, although only two bikes are permitted per tram.<\/p>

Open all year round.<\/p>

Website: https:\/\/www.delijn.be\/en\/content\/kusttram\/<\/strong><\/a><\/p>

Address: De Panne Kusttram station, De Panne, West Flanders<\/strong><\/a><\/p>

Spring Classics<\/h3>

From early March to early April each year, West Flanders plays host to several of the races that form the Spring Classics, including Gent-Wevelgem, E3 Saxo Classics and Dwars door Vlaanderen. A long weekend at the end of March enables you to take in two of the best: Gent-Wevelgem and E3 Saxo Classic, as well as the Gent-Wevelgem Cyclo<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>

For full details, check the West Flanders professional race calendar below.<\/p>

\"professionalA Plugstreet section of Gent-Wevelgem<\/em><\/p>

Where to ride in West Flanders<\/h2>

One of the true joys of West Flanders, from a cyclist\u2019s perspective, is the myriad quiet lanes, cyclepaths and dedicated Fietssnelwegen (English: cycling highways) that criss-cross the traffic-free countryside. Wherever you go, you\u2019re almost bound to encounter a white line on the road marking a bike race\u2019s finish line or prime point.<\/p>

Cycling is an important tourist attraction as well as a vital means of transport, so cyclists are well catered for and accepted. Most car drivers in West Flanders are cyclists themselves. Let\u2019s look at how you can plan your rides in West Flanders.<\/p>

DID YOU KNOW?<\/strong> Where they exist, cycle lanes are compulsory in Flanders. If you don\u2019t use them, motorists will soon let you know.<\/em><\/p>

Fietssnelwegen<\/h3>

The network of Fietssnelwegen <\/strong><\/a>is the cyclists\u2019 equivalent of motorways. They are intended to enable cyclists to head straight from one town to another. Well-maintained, often with streetlights, these are the ultimate traffic-free cycle paths.<\/p>

\"ImageThe Fietssnelwegen are cycling super-highways<\/em><\/p>

According to the Fietssnelwegen website<\/strong><\/a>, \u201cThey serve as a backbone to which other cycling routes connect. Together, they form a network that covers all of Flanders and the Brussels-Capital Region<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>

Want to cycle from Brugge to Gent as quickly as possible? Hop on the F6 that stretches for 42 km, following the canal before tracking the railway line into the heart of Gent.<\/p>

Cycling in Flanders routes<\/h3>

Our good friends at Cycling in Flanders<\/strong>, which is part of the official tourist organisation Visit Flanders, publish a list of cycling routes which cover all of the Flanders region<\/strong><\/a>. Here\u2019s the current list for West Flanders. Each route provides a map, profile, GPX file, the ability to transfer it to your device and the highlights you\u2019ll encounter on the way.<\/p>

Gent-Wevelgem - In Flanders Fields<\/strong><\/a><\/p>