Generic Touring Thread

Just got back from an absolutely lovely weeks tour around Belgium. Bit of a write up below for anyone interested in heading to the area!

Day One - Dunkirk to Nieupoort. (about 40 miles)
Classic ferry from Dover to Dunkirk. Was pissing with rain and generally not a nice few miles ride from the car to the ferry port. Relatively easy through port, onto ferry. Waves were mental, ferry all over the place. Once we landed, met with torrential rain for about 10 minutes, followed by nice weather. They're doing a lot of work on the roads around the port, so be warned. Easiest is into Loon-Plague and along from there.

Rode along the coast which was nice once past Dunkirk town, following the coastal route along the paths and dunes. The ferry docked about 4pm, so we were in a small hurry to campsite that we'd booked, but nothing too mad. Got to enjoy De Panne and the promenade which were nice. Didn't really go into Nieupoort due to time / getting to camping etc which was a shame as it looked alright.

Day Two - Nieupoort to Bruges (about 25 miles)
Short day, along the coast to Oostend then inland to Bruges along a canal path. Our first taste of what was to be MILES of Jaagpad / towpaths.

Bruges was nice, had a beer and some lunch, then went to campsite to sort out tents etc. Then walked back in for a day in Bruges on foot. Saw some things, had some lunch, enjoyed a few beers etc before walking back to the campsite. Was a very busy place.

A strong recommend for 'T Spaans Tolhuis in Plassendale. Lovely owners, good coffee and very nice setting.

Day Three - Bruges to Antwerp (about 65 miles)
Back to the canals and paths for a very long time, passing lots of nice towns and places, swinging into Maldegem for bakery goods. Route 24 cafe in Assenede also recommended.

Not much to really add, just lovely paths and people. Once in Antwerp, setup camp just outside, then got the waterbus in. It was €1 for a return to the centre, which was great. Antwerp was nice, saw some sights, had some dinner etc before waterbus back and a beer at the campsite.

Day Four - Antwerp to Overijse (about 50 miles)
Leaving Antwerp, went through the St Annas tunnel which was brilliant. Lift down, nice path under the river, then following the locals took the escalator up with bikes, which was unusual but fun! Through the centre collecting pastrys and along more paths. We passed the airport which had a spotters platform that was pretty fun.

It rained ALL day though and was a bit bleak. Passed through some lovely parks and woods though, all with paved cycling paths which was glorious. Setup camp, walked into town for dinner and drinks in the rain, bit miserable. Lovely town though. A man took pity on us and drove us back to the campsite which was nice.

Day Five - Overijse to Brussels (about 20 miles)
Short day, we had an AirBNB booked in Brussels for the night to spend a day exploring. Turned out great as it was a sunny day so we could dry all our stuff in the garden etc, was fantastic!

Explored Brussels which was nice, lovely city, had a proper tourist day before watching Scotland draw with Switzerland back at the airbnb with a Chouffe (my new favs).

Day Six - Brussels to Moen (about 70 miles)
Longest day of the tour, more paths, more canals, more towns, all absolutely lovely. The people are so friendly and chatty too.

Campsite was best of the tour, (Camping Zennijs). They gave us a discount and a free beer for arriving on bikes which was fantastic. Wandered into Moen for some Mussels etc, nice place.

Day Seven- Moen to Ipres, sort of (about 65 miles)
Plan was to ride to Ipres to witness the Last Post and visit the city etc, but there was a big 5 day car rally going on we found out, so no space at the campsites, or any emergency hotels etc within budget. This was a shame, but we carried on past to Lo Renigne which was nice, and had space in the campsite. Wandered to a small town nearby on the canal for dinner.

This day had its merits though, One, we passed the Roubaix velodrome, of which you can just enter and ride around, which was FANTASTIC. Spent a while doing laps etc. Had a coffee there too. The second one being the Kemmelberg climb. 23% climb on cobbles. It was HORRIBLE on loaded tourers, but also pretty fun and not quite as bad as we thought it might be. Nice to tick it off though!

Day Eight - Lo Renigne to Dunkirk (about 40 miles)
Last day, back to the campsite. More canals and paths and lovely towns, before back to the ferry.

All in all, a lovely week. Flanders is pretty flat, there are more paths and canals and bike superhighways than you can possibly imagine. Almost to the point its a bit samey.

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