In the vicinity of Parike, the village where it all began Flandrien Hotel The location is actually nothing special. There is no known tourist attraction nearby. There is no highway nearby, let alone a good connection to public transport. For fans of the race who want to ride in the footsteps of the Tour of Flanders, this is the paradise. Everywhere you go or stop, this part of Flanders is the race. You only have to cycle for eight kilometers and you are at the top of De Muur. Holy ground. A Small reconnaissance This was already shown earlier in the weekend.
The organization of the Tour of Flanders also takes this into account. In Oudenaarde, near the beautiful town hall, you’ll find the Tour Center. A small pilgrimage spot. Here you can feel the heart of the race beating. With memorabilia from this cycling monument, seats signed by great names like Hennie Kuiper, Johan Museeuw, Paolo Bettini, Tom Boonen, but also Marianne Vos. For those who want to be as close as possible to the gods on a bike, this is it.
Red loop of the Round
To get into the Ronde’s track, you can choose from several loops that all pass through sacred ground. As a true Flemish and wannabe pro, you have to breathe the course. We spend Saturday of this weekend on the red loop. 112 kilometers in length and along the way we drive over the Bosberg, the Berendries, the Foreest and the Eikenberg are part of the Ronde’s track. From narrow paths to wide roads. From short, punchy climbs to bouncing over the gravel on the wall and the Bosberg. It is a beautiful, yet monstrous route in everything.
Read also: Flanders part 1 en Flanders part 3
Strong Stories
When you hear Bernard Moerman talk, with a beautiful Flemish accent, you wouldn’t expect him to have been one of the important members of the race circuit for years. With his Cycling Center, he helped young riders from abroad and gave them a ‘home away from home’. A true character with a real love for the race. Full of stories. Not only about the race in Belgium. But also about sponsors in cycling, the frustrations of ‘not quite’ racers. Perhaps the funniest story is the purchase of the current hotel premises. While co-owner Jamie walks through the courtyard and exclaims: ‘oh, look at those gravel roads’, the real estate agent subtly picks up on this buying signal: ‘we can also pave those roads’.
Hill up – Hill down
In this part of Flanders there are actually no flat meters. We are traveling from Parike towards Geraardsbergen, over wide roads and rolling hills. Through the narrow streets of Geraardsbergen we head towards the wall. Holy ground for the cycling fan. Holy ground, actually for everyone. Then it’s on to the famous Bosberg. A gravel climb that almost no one else can match. In this stretch of Pajottenland you can enjoy 1400 meters. On this climb Flandrien Edwig van Hooydonck settled among the greatest of all time. We feel a bit less strong today, but it remains a magical part of Flanders.
Slap over the Haaghoek at ‘Horrorbeke’
We drive through the Flemish countryside and follow the river. The water meanders through the beautiful surroundings here. A number of sport fishermen interrupt the tranquility that prevails here. Only the murmuring sound of the group and the rattle of a single hub. Enjoying the moment. After turning and turning, we bounce over the Haaghoek. Here you feel the direction in all your fibers. Literally and figuratively. With the support of the Peugeot Team car, which you hear before you see it, you once again dream of bygone times.
Coffee with Mattentaart
In Oudenaarde, the real pros are passing by. They are in the middle of a scouting round. We also dare to take a spin, but this time through the beautiful Center of the Round. Of course, with coffee and a local treat: the Mattentaart. That is a protected name, just like Parmiggiano and Champagne. The real Mattentaart comes from Geraardsbergen.
The more kilometers you cover in the red loop of the Ronde, the more respect you get from the pro riders, men and women. Because you'll have to pedal over 200km+ of narrow gravel roads. Up hill, down hill. Turn after turn, turn after turn. With the Achterberg, the Onderbossenaar, the Berendries, the Valkenberg, the Steenberg and what else I haven't even mentioned yet, you'll have your hands full.
If God is in Flanders
A weekend in the Flemish hills is something special. Especially after surviving all those hills, because that’s what it’s like for many. Surviving. It builds friendships, good conversations. Stories to tell at home, years later. That can’t be without a cozy home. A home away from home. With Flandrien Hotel we end up getting our noses into the butter.
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.