Ronde van Vlaaderen /Tour of Flanders sportive 2013

There's been threads for the previous editions (and this year Retro) but AFAIK nothing for 2013. Who's going?

Registrations.

Me

Me

Wow. Massive turnout then.
Anyone London- based driving there by any chance? With room for a passenger and a bike?

me. Am going with clubmates on the SportsTours bus thing - boys on the bus etc etc.

Did it last year, really enjoyed it. Watching the racing the next day is ace, Belgian people are crazy about it all.

I'm having issues with their website... Not really interested in a package (I've got accomodation sorted) but I'll look into it.

I'm doing again this year

Wow. Massive turnout then.
Anyone London- based driving there by any chance? With room for a passenger and a bike?

You could take the train to Folkestone, shuttle to Calais and ride to the nearest Belgian train station.

this looks quality.
without being able to do any research (at work and majourly busy) how 'easy' is it do this?
in terms of:
a) how to get to the start
b) how expensive is accommodation
c) can you do it without a car?

i'm keen to do this but can't help thinking that it will be nigh on impossible to just turn up with my bike at calais and hope to get to the start, do the ride, then stay somewhere etc (how would i carry my spare clothes?!)

unfortunately i think i'll have to accept that it will be too hard logistically....unless i'm wrong

I did it last year by train, get eurostar to brussels, then train to bruges. Overnight in Bruge do the sportif next day finish in Oustende, train back to bruge another night. Watch the start of the race go to Brussels watch the rest of the race in a bar, eurostar back to London, brilliant weekend!

Driving over this year as its turning into a family outing

thanks for this buddy. i'll have a look at prices etc later and see if i can squeeze it in. would be well up for this tho

If you're willing to pay for the Eurostar it can be pretty easy. From Brussels you can take the train to, say, Ghent, spend the night there and ride to the start (30k or so?).
Thing is, Eurostar was already pretty expensive a month ago, as it's Easter. It's probaby £250 now.
I thought about riding from Dunkirk to Ghent but I'm not sure I want to ride that distance the day before. Maybe I could board a Belgian train, as Ludwig suggested.

http://www.loughrigg.org/b-rail/full1.gif

thanks for the replies guys

Decided to do the medium route as it starts and finishes in the same place...........and booked a ferry for £45!!!!! bargain....http://www.ferryonline.co.uk/dover-calais-ferry.htm?gclid=CIOM3NyN6LUCFaTMtAodKSAAyQ

Spare seat? Assuming you're driving...

Pm'd LOLO

1. Look out for me. Most likely be pulling Geraint over the Paterberg the day after as well.
   

Ha, Major fookup on my part, forgot to register, anyone not going and have a spare number? (blush)

Tonyme, previous years you could register on the day. Last year I missed the registration point - it had moved to a football stadium outside Bruge, I was in a large group cycling at 20mph or so, and I was 15 miles down the road with 45 euros burning a hole in my pocket before I knew it! I rode the full distance. I was (understandably) refused entry to some of the feed stations. However, it was doable, although a little tired (to say the least) by the end.

Thanks Al, I think thats what I intend to do,with this cold weather I cant see 16000 people turning up

just take enough food. I avoid the feedstations anyway as they are a mess most of the time. There are plenty of small stalls at the side of the road you can buy water/coke/mars bars from

is there a Flanders race on tommorrow?
womens wiggling team and all that?..........

Yep
http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/tour-of-flanders-women-start-list

nice work ,brits day off it seems in wiggle,
they will rock it on monday I guess