Audax rides

I signed up for them but it'll probably just be to allow myself to switch out some kit if I really wanted to, and a bit of an emergency food / innertube re-up if I need it.

Could even quick bivvy on the first night/morning rather than getting a room in Roubaix which lots of people seem to do, which would mean I could then ditch that stuff at a bag drop control later...

Roubaix

Thought the start was near Gent? Are you mixing up your Classics? :P

There's Puyenbroeck Camping 3k away from Wachtebeke that might be a good option if bivvying. Maybe I could take the same 'full winter sleep kit' that I carried for Transpyrenees last year and save on hotels.

haha, I mean because the start is at 2pm and Roubaix (250km in?) seems to be the last bit of civilisation before a bit of a barren night section.

A good chunk of the pack end up passing through mid to late evening on day 1, so I think a lot choose to kip in hotels there from a few ride reports I looked at

But then another one I read, they just slept in a graveyard somewhere

Day 2 is where all the climbing starts so I guess it makes sense - guess there's the luxury of 7 months to strategise though! :)

Oh you mean the first night 'during' the ride!

Yeah, clearly I've given zero attention to the route, like most things I ride. :)

Might keep my 47mm 650Bs for this event if I do enter. :)

Hah, amazing, might pack a spare tyre :)

"thank you for entering the Borders of Belgium 2020. Your entry form has been well recieved. Please remember to make your payment within 7 days!"

After the FOMO from the last running of the event it seemed silly not to.

Spare tyre is probably a good idea. I may or may not have a grasp of TL setups by then so dunno what I'll roll on. Sensible option is the Mason with normal 28mm tubed setup.

That nearby camping is 60EU cheaper than the B&B option nearby, so 1 tent + 1 person: 11 EUR.

I don't want to take a tent but I could take a large, comfy sleep pad for the bivvy and then send that off to the drop bag locations so I can bivvy again 'in style'. Going to depend a bit on temps and timings though but it's a thought. Otherwise it'll just be bivvy on the grass or if the weather is shit, i'll be scoping out hotels on the route.

Nice! Yeah, I'm excited to combine my twin loves of bikes and 8% Trappist beers.

Hopefully it'll be indian summer temps judging by some of the previous years, though my personal main memories of Belgian riding are smashing into 50kph headwinds with sideways rain, so let's see...

8%

12% but I can get on board with these light beers too. ;)

I've both frozen and got sunburned in Belgium so I have no bloody idea what to expect, as usual.

I can recommend an absolutely banging B&B for anyone riding BOB, it's very near the start/finish, not cheap but a lovely place and well worth the money - bonus being, it is also a quality restaurant so once you've finished you can have an excellent meal and they had a great selection of beers too.

https://www.booking.com/hotel/be/de-minnetuin.en-gb.html?aid=7342726;sid=ec5747526be6a6a7522dd808fc47cead

I saw that but at 110EU I will probably head to Ghent instead. I'm trying to convince my Belgian beer drinking mate to have a long weekend there for his birthday.

Entered BOB1000 last night.

Will get the train down to 'ull and overnight Ferry to Zeebrugge.

As the beds aren't available, I'm not sure yet what my sleep strategy will be. Don't really fancy the bulk of carrying bivy gear.

Don't really fancy the bulk of carrying bivy gear.

If I can carry it over the Pyrenees I'm not sure what you're complaining about :P

I'll probably go Eurostar, since I can just ride over, even though their booking system is shit and they're expensive.

I did the Dunkirk > Gent ride from the ferry port last year and it's not one I'd be that into repeating given the monotony, so think I might Eurostar it as well.

Ibis in Gent is cheap and has bike storage so might stay there and ride to the depart given it's at 2pm.

I'm thinking Wed night train over there, brewery tour ;), then sleep in and ride to the start. Could share a room to save cash? Don't worry, I'm not precious, if you're immediate response to that is to sick up a little in your mouth and frantically type 'no fucking way'. :)

For the return I'll need to see if my mate's gonna lock in his birthday over there in which case I'll hang around a bit.

Yeah I should be up for that, probably won't sort anything accommodation-wise for a few months but seems like a good idea - quick nightcap in Trollekelder is bound to set us up for a 1000km ride :)

Trollekelder

The last time I was in there I'm pretty sure there were half a dozen of us shirtless with some of the locals. I would like to visit again and remain fully clothed, especially before a 1000k :D

Is it wrong I'm more excited about this

than this

:D

Hahaha yes. The prospect of a quick Trippel at a control is also a very real threat : )

I'm already googling Westmalle-shaped bottle cages...

Nitto do some bottle cages that hold beer bottles. :)

Not sure the Belgians are into growler fills but just in case..
http://www.growlercage.com/

Or this?