Moving out to Brussels - any Fixed Gear/Track Bikes there?

Hello,

I'm moving out to Brussels and I was wondering if there are some fixed gear cyclists over there?

Any recommendations from someone who's been to Brussels?

I need some people with whom I can cycle with.

Thanks,

I saw a few fixed bikes when I was there earlier this year. Most of the bikes are far more functional though.

Hy, thanks for your reply. What do you mean by far more functional?

Dutch style bikes, pannier racks, front baskets/carriers, mudguards etc.

Brussels is on lock down, you won't be able to spin a wheel without 10,000 armed police jumping on you...

Although fixed gear bikes are certainly not as popular down here as they are in London, I´ve seen a fair few, especially in Ixelles and Ukkel. You could pop into somewhere like Vainquer Bicycles or join us (Brussels Big Brackets) for a ride and a chat with the natives. https://www.facebook.com/groups/BrusselsBigBrackets/ We´re a fairly mixed bunch of expats and Belgians and the pace is fairly stately this time of year. Club rides start every Sunday at 9amish from the kiosk in Ter Kamerenbos unless something else is agreed on Facebook. We´re very much a geared club but there are a couple of fixed gear enthusiasts, including one who sometimes turns up for club rides with a fixie.

The whole lockdown malarkey is a massive piece of hyperbole. Offices, schools and the underground railway were shut for three days following the Paris attacks but now it´s just business as usual with about a thousand squaddies spread across the city getting bored and freezing their bollocks off outside key buildings. In this country all members of the police are armed anyway. The Interventie Korps (the ones with automatic weapons and body armour) are still outside government buildings (as they had been since the Charlie Hebdo atrocity) but surely not 10,000 of them. Oh, and private (unarmed) security are stationed outside supermarkets to check bags if they can be arsed.

Thank you very much f0r your message, it is very helpful!

Once I set foot in Brussels, I will go on a tour with my bike and go hunt some cyclists. I need to acquaint myself with as many as cycling shops and riders as possible!

I'm really looking for a group with whom I can ride and explore the outside and inside of Brussels. I'm a bike messenger/courier here in London and have been racing nationally as well and done some alleycats and street competitions. I am sure I will be a great addition to your group. I do not mind cycling with geared bikes at all! I do not have that 'stereotypical hate' towards them.

Do you also know any essential bike shops I need to go too? Here in London, the symbolic shop of cycling is Look Mum No hands. Do you know any of that kind in Brussels?

Thanks,

By the way, do you speak French?

To be honest with you I hardly ever go to bike shops in the Brussels region as I prefer the cycling supermarkets in Flanders, especially Van Eyck, but I´m sure my clubmates will be able to help you.

http://www.vaneyckstore.be

I speak French and a bit of Dutch.

When are you moving then?

Merci,

J'arrive le 5 janvier. Il va falloir que je rencontre le groupe.

Bien sur, tu est bienvenu. Tu veux rouler avec nous le 9 ou 10 janvier? Comme c´est plein hiver on demarre plutot vers 09h30 mais il faut malheuresement verifier sur Facebook. En mauvais temps il n´y a presque personne, seulement quelques fanatiques de la Regle Cinq. Normalement le point de rendez-vous est 50°48'24.0"N 4°22'41.7"E.