Gent / Ghent 6-Day (Zesdaagse Vlaanderen-Gent)

I think it was jonny who mentioned this on the Catford ride?
I just read about it being in November? Cavendish and Wiggans are supposed to be riding..
Anyone wanna Eurostar to Belgium for some 6-day action? If not this one maybe another one later?

it wasn't me who mentioned it hippy - but when is it? oh, and just read your nottingham ride - awesome stuff solo. did my longest ride on friday - 257km, fixed (though flat route). shit dude, we could ride to ghent

Gent six=you will have a wicked time!

jonny it wasn't me who mentioned it hippy - but when is it? oh, and just read your nottingham ride - awesome stuff solo. did my longest ride on friday - 257km, fixed (though flat route). shit dude, we could ride to ghent

Argh, ya put me to shame ya fscker! :D
Maybe we should resurrect the 320k/200mi challenge ride?
We could ride to Ghent. I have done before, in fact.. though not in one go! ;)

winston: have you been? any inside knowledge you wanna impart? I've seen some videos and the atmosphere looks mental!!!
I get pumped at normal track races and the Belgians have a reputation for takign their cycling very seriously.. would be great..
Hmm.. need to google stuff.. but damn.. need to work.. argghh.. stupid work getting in the way of a good holiday..

The ferry in the middle may slow us down a bit.

not that I could do this one.

i'd love to do this - from what i've seen it looks amazing!

Exactly when is it?

hippy
Argh, ya put me to shame ya fscker! :D
Maybe we should resurrect the 320k/200mi challenge ride?

not at all man, mine was a flat route. and having done it not sure I could do another 70 clicks. well at least not at this time of year.

just checked. the Ghent 6 happening weekend of 23 to 25 november so no good for me.

6 days, 23-25 = 3 days, which end to the other three days go?

TheBrick(Tommy) 6 days, 23-25 = 3 days, which end to the other three days go?

i think the other three days go before. academic anyway

boaring build up I suppose crowds only turn up when evry thing is getting going I guess then.

I've been many times....there is usually a reasonable British contingent in the crowd as it is the closest six day to British shores, so since we lost the "Skol six" from Wembley (which I have also been to!) in the seventies it's where British six-day fans go...and probably the reason the promoters often book British riders.

You used to be able to just turn up in your coach party and buy tickets for that evening, however I've been told that tickets are already selling out fast this year, so you'd be advised to book online here: http://www.sport.be/z6sdaagse/2007/eng/

Gent is a beautiful city with ugly suburbs, be sure to seek out the town centre and try a few bars. The track is one of the shortest on the circuit, which adds to the atmosphere, but don't spend too much time in the track centre if you really want to watch the racing, your neck will get tired from twisting, best sit down in the stands......the atmosphere is great, though it lacks the razzmatazz and lights and bands and discos of sixes like Berlin......don't attempt to speak French! do drink white beer. "blanche" "witte"

Used to be very smoky and have a constant "bad drains" smell...I'm sure this has improved.

It's been a few years since I've been, but am considering going this year as a clubmate is in the amateurs racing, which precedes the main event of the evening.

Usually you can get there Saturday evening, watch racing which finishes late, drive back to calais and get on an early ferry back on Sunday....involves one member of your party not drinking and staying up all night (girlfriend?)

The sunday (final) session is in the afternoon instead of the evening, so stay the night and you can see a second session and still be back in London Sunday night.

I would also recommend the Berlin six.....wicked, 15,000 capacity venue which is always full...big budget event and always top riders, book in advance and it could be cheaper than going to Gent, we've flown with a budget airline and stayed in a business hotel with cheap weekend rates (three ubahn stops from track and on same line from airport) and that worked out dead good value.

Berlin 6-day: January 24th until 29th..

Berlin and Gent are both great cities! Looks like I might have to book some Mondays off..
I'm sure the organisers won't mind if I sleep under a few seats in the 'drome..

Fantastic event, derny paced racing on a track this size is something to be seen and the beer oh the beer. Check out youtube for vids. Winston the arena has been spruced up including a proper sit down restaurant in the adjoining building. I would recommend some knowledge of tactics/scoring for the madison I remember as a newbie being totally bewildered. They used to run a coach/hotel package from Herne Hill but doubt they're doing anything this year. Winston let me know if you're going.

Hippy...we spoke about this the other day.

I looked into it a bit and its do-able...I got sidetracked (no pun intended) so never posted about it. Eurostar is do-able - Friday out, back Sunday night. Cheap and cheerful accommodation - works out around £200 plus entry to the track which is around €20ish. Plus beer...so double it. I'd be up for it.

Al - did you head down to HH on Saturday...I didn't see you. Alas too wet to ride. Off to Calshot in three weeks time :-) Did you buy a new wheelset?

Me and the missus went Eurostar to Brussels and onto Ghent on a very smokey and crowded local train but it worked out well. Went without booking any accommodation naively hoping for hostel but booked solid. The guy at the hostel was great and hooked us up with a decent hotel very close to the track after a few phone calls.

I suspected as much so saved my energy and went out on the road bike Sunday instead. No new wheels but have had an offer to settle from cabbies solicitor so should receive a cheque before X-mas. Calshots great can't remember have you ridden before? Are you going with a group?

Good move. Could have done with the lie-in :-(

Haven't been to Calshot before. Should be going with the guys from my club (West Drayton Mountain Bike Club) - it seems to be a reasonable regular winter trip for them. Really looking forward to it.

Good news about the settlement. We spoke about the Roval wheels the other week...I'd avoid...come in pretty heavy and are no great shakes for the price. Take a look at the new Mavic R-Sys wheels...I think that's where my money is going.

Back on topic - I looked on Laterooms and there were some central hotels for £45ish for a twin. Seems reasonable. Smokey from Brussells to Gent is the way to go.

It's that time of year again, unless ideal conditions on the morning sunny with a breeze any precipitation within a couple of days prior and it'll be off. I'm sure you're aware but the correct gearing for Calshot is essential. VCL usually do a few excursions to Newport or Calshot, as do De Laune.

Yeah...amazing really...no rain for two days but the morning dew and overcast conditions meant it was still wet at 11am. I reckon that's it 'til next year.

Calshot - low 80's is what I have been told...new 14T sprocket has been ordered.

Almost certainly for the 0900 session we'll keep trying for a while for the 1030 although it becomes so irregular that it's not worth much as part of any training schedule just a bit of socializing really. If you're interested I have a copy, or I should say Jos has a copy, on VHS "Racing to Nowhere" a short film about the London Skol 6 day from the 70's quite funny to watch.

al@creative Almost certainly for the 0900 session we'll keep trying for a while for the 1030 although it becomes so irregular that it's not worth much as part of any training schedule just a bit of socializing really.

Thanks...worth knowing...I have a few XC races coming up over the coming weeks (Gorrick, Thetford etc) so my training is changing somewhat. I can't see me getting down to HH 'til late November now and surely, there'll be little chance of riding then? Shame though...I was starting to find some form.

VHS - what the fuck is that ;-)

JimmyP Hippy...we spoke about this the other day.
I looked into it a bit and its do-able...I got sidetracked (no pun intended) so never posted about it. Eurostar is do-able - Friday out, back Sunday night. Cheap and cheerful accommodation - works out around £200 plus entry to the track which is around €20ish. Plus beer...so double it. I'd be up for it.
Al - did you head down to HH on Saturday...I didn't see you. Alas too wet to ride. Off to Calshot in three weeks time :-) Did you buy a new wheelset?

Ahhh... I knew it was someone on here! Sorry dude. That Nottingham jaunt fried more than my legs :)
I'd like to do this. What does "Brussels Any Belgian Station" mean on the Eurostar website? Does this mean you get the onward journey to Ghent included or something?
£129 for the cheapest option return tickets (non-flexible). Tickets to venue are bugger all, like 20-30 euro like you said, hippy's beer fund for the weekend £1200, food £900..

That's what I reckon...£129 for the Eurostar...£25ish per night for 2 nights...incidentals...bingo £200!!...plus beer...plus food...plus a bit - plus a bit more for you fella ;-)...

Edit...yeah it means you get any onward station!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-Tzlag651Q

one of my favourite videos.