In the current era, the Tour of Flanders is synonymous with the duo of Oude Kwaremont and Paterberg. Previously, the decision was made on ‘De Muur’, but with adjustments to the course, the left-hand direct ascent from Kwaremont and the hard right from Paterberg are enough for many to reach the finish line in eight seconds. A brilliant duo. In popular parlance, it is also known as ‘De Kwaremont’ and ‘De Pater’. The classic ascent over the Paddestraat, followed by a right turn onto the 2.2-kilometer-long Kwaremont. During the course It stretches for three to four rows here. The VIPs have the best view, because from the various tents they can see the riders and riders-in-training conquering the Kwaremont and, in the distance, also the Pater on their way up. On a clear day, it’s a particularly beautiful sight. Here, the heart of the Tour beats.
If you’re going on a trip in Flanders, you’ll need to be properly dressed. Check out our clothing tips here (and be sure to pack everything in our handy packing list)
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Beautiful entrance
Anyone who wants to cycle in Flanders and join this wonderful Ronde duo can meet their needs in various ways. Because the different routes that depart from the Centre of the Ronde in Oudenaarde Everyone takes the most beautiful climbs along the way. The blue loop definitely includes the two mentioned climbs in the route. How we got there ourselves is a story in itself.
Cold start
While the sun has been shining brightly over the past few days, we are surprised on Sunday with a refreshing welcome. A mysterious mist hangs over the Flemish fields. The arm and leg pieces are taken out of the bag. Here and there I even spot a long skirt. Secretly, I’m also blowing a little cloud. The air is cold. A bit colder than the previous days. Yet I let the leg pieces stay in the bag myself. ‘The sun will come through soon,’ I tell myself encouragingly. The menu for today is slightly lighter than the previous day. Caneberg, Old Kwaremont, Paterberg and (again) the Taaienberg. It could have been less. According to some, there are still a few ‘non-significant’ hills in between. It’s just what you don’t call significant
From the departure point, immediately go up
Under guidance we are once again touring the beautiful courtyard of the Flanders hotel off. It’s then a short walk to the church, left, right and we go straight up. I took the lead myself to get warm. We are on the long-short course today, so a bit of speed is required. Still, my body isn’t quite digesting that cold start very well. In the heart of the race, my own heart beats a little too loud for the time of the morning. The cold has indeed disappeared, because the effort ensures a good warm-up of my body.
Hop-Hop-Houppe!
Where most climbs in this region are short and intense, there is a welcome exception. The Hoppeberg or d’Houppe. It should come as no surprise that this hill is not located in Flanders, but in a piece of Walloon territory, where we already have Previously I’m referring to this climb. This climb is almost two kilometers long and there are some nice switchbacks in it as well. With an average of 4.5% and a maximum of just over seven, it’s not a tough climb either. A nice training climb where you can put your skills to the test!
As a canary
While we are mainly busy preparing for the Kwaremont (the surprise will be huge), we still have to overcome a number of other, not particularly significant hills. The climb from Crimont is, with its two kilometers in length and an average of three percent, an annoying interruption. The Kanarieberg, which has only recently made its debut in the Round, On the other hand, it is of a different caliber. Here it is 1200 meters uphill. At the sign ‘Muziekbos’ turn right, and the trouble begins.
The Kwaremont – Down
After everyone has gathered again, we head into the foggy Flemish countryside towards the foot of the Kwaremont. At least that’s what we’ve been told. Routemaster Neal has neatly incorporated the Kwaremont and Pater trails into the route plan, and the rest is history. We drive along a wide provincial road where we turn right and then left. It’s already striking that there are many people huffing and puffing up this stretch of gravel. As we bounce down the ‘Strava Finish’, it becomes clear. We’re going to bounce down this stretch painfully for 2.2 kilometers. When we pass the village of Kwaremont, it really hits home. What’s also nice: because almost no one does this, you quickly rise high in the Strava rankings. After all, who would also go down….
Paddestraat – Kwaremont – Pater
In the end, we’ve seen enough. At the bottom are photos being taken at Paddestraat and the start of the climb. The on-duty sign-off officer helps us get back on track. He does his job with aplomb. Fortunately, we now know what’s coming next. The climb, at 2200 meters in length, is one of the longest in the circular course. The trick lies in a few things:
- The gravel paths: the first section is still paved, but after only a few hundred meters, on the steepest section, the gravel paths are in a state that is typical of gravel paths: broken and uneven.
- Steepness: just before you reach the gravel roads, the climb increases even more, reaching over ten percent. Oh dear. It’s a real struggle here. During the race you can’t even sneak by by riding in the gutter.
- Long climb. Once you are almost at the top, the climb continues. Just like the cobblestones. It’s not as steep here anymore, only three to 4 percent, but it really hurts.
Once we’re up there, we turn left again onto the provincial road and then turn left into the field again, just like the pros do. Then a fairly steep descent follows to the foot of the Pater. Although I’d like to stop there for a photo, I’d rather take my speed with me. I’ve ridden the Kwaremont – Pater combo quite a few times. Not a fun ride and I remember the Paterberg especially well. Steep, steeper, steepest. Now I also understand why you can see the riders so well from below the Kwaremont. Because they practically stand still on the steepest part of the 18%.
Inner tube – Boonenberg
What is beautiful to see: on top of the Paterberg Everyone has strong stories or lame excuses. One claims that he’ll make it to the final in VDP or WVA. The other claims that he had to quit because he just made one wrong turn for him. The truth will be more fragile, but this is what a tricky climb with a cyclist does. It creates beautiful stories. Just like the effort hotel owner Jamie makes to help a Belgian rider with his chain problems. Just wiping the entire bottom bracket off, necklace On, tighten the crank and you're done. Absolute class, because the rider in question could have called a taxi instead. Then the exercise would have ended.
While everyone then comes across a lot less Grinta on the Taaienberg, which in reality also turns out to be a tough mountain, friend of the show Maarten Visser gets a phone call. The neighbor from Nijverdal calls. With the classic words ‘yes, I’m just driving on the Taaienberg’, the conversation is one for all eternity. That he seems to need a inner tube and that that one is still available too, that makes the story complete. ‘Boonenberg’ has been downgraded to ‘Bandenberg’ here. Inner tube, though. That we then still drive up to Tenbosse, I almost forget to mention. The call from the beautiful Flandrien clubhouse is too loud.
Flandrien for a weekend
Where are the men of the boys supposed to be separated? And how does that saying apply to the ladies? Is a Flanderian a ‘real man’, or is everyone who rides one of the circuits of the Ronde a real Flanderian? We will never really know. What we do know is that three days staying in the Flandrien Hotel That feeling can evoke it. The feeling of being a professional for a moment. Or better: a real Flemish (or Flemish-born) person.
Route
Would you like to try driving all the routes of our Flandrien Weekend yourself? Then take a quick look at our Komoot page for the routes. Friday en Saturday And of course, today’s route. We’ve adjusted it for you this time so that you don’t have to start heading in the wrong direction towards the Kwaremont. That would never happen again. Would you like to go to the Flandrien Hotel for a weekend too? Or would you like to join us next year? Send us an Message and we will keep you informed or provide you with the right information.
Questions & tips
Do you have any questions about this route, or have you been there yourself? Share them here. We read everything and usually respond within a few days.