La Fleche Brabançonne. It sounds like a much more interesting event than the tough Dutch Brabant Pijl. What does it actually mean? Is it also typical for Belgium to have both a Brabant and a Walloon Pijl? Of course, it is also called Flèche Wallone there. That sounds even better. Just like the most important climb in the Walloon Pijl: Mur de Huy. The translation: The Wall of Hoei. Back to the Brabant Pijl and cycling in Flemish Brabant. Although the ‘Flèche Brabançonne is traditionally a warm-up for the Amstel Gold Race and other hill classics, this race has a beautiful signature that you want to ride too. Since its World Cup 2021 In Leuven, the ‘S-bend’ in Overijse is etched in everyone’s memory. With the next beautiful cycling route, you’ll ride like an arrow through Flemish Brabant. Enjoy it, will you join me?
OHL – Oud Heverlee
For the football fans among us, the name Oud-Heverlee will immediately evoke a certain feeling of familiarity. It is one of the components of the club ‘OHL’, not surprisingly ‘Oud-Heverlee-Leuven’. As with many associations, OHL is a fusion of various clubs from the region. Anyone with a basic understanding of the workings of football in Belgium will know that it revolves around squad numbers. Royal Antwerp has Squad Number 1 and is thus the oldest. OHL has number 18, making it also a veteran. Although, until recently, they used number 6142. Squad numbers are often manipulated, especially to prevent relegation or ensure promotion. Funny fact: OHL was under suspicion of gambling scandals, even reported to UEFA. That resulted in no criminal action. In 2019, OHL was taken over by a new sponsor: the gambling company King Power. Ironically?
For this route, the starting point is Oud-Heverlee, more precisely the Zoete Waters. Just those names alone, that’s something you can really enjoy, right? On the return journey, you can also stop here for a bite to eat and a drink, as there are several eateries nearby. The route heads west, over the Dijle River towards the hilly area just east of Brussels and then towards Overijse, where you briefly dip into the Walloon Region. The route is quite strenuous, with over 1,000 meters of elevation gain over just 100 kilometers. Also pay attention, as there are a number of beautiful gravel strips in the route. It’s fine to do with the race bike, but keep that in mind!
Between Town and Village
The fact that many names are reused around the world is evident in the village of Duisburg. Not to be confused with the German city of Duisburg. North Rhine-Westphalia. For example, there was once a story that a truck driver (before TomTom and Google Maps) had made a mistake between the villages. Soest in the Netherlands and Soest in Germany. A painful mistake of just a few hundred kilometers. Anyway, back to the route. You take the beautiful Vossemberg to Duisburg, which offers about 42 vertical meters at 1300 meters. With a maximum of 5%, this is a nice climb in the Flemish Brabant landscape. In the race they skip this section and head straight to Overijse.
Vossemberg, Tervuren, Belgium
• Distance: 1.3 km, Elevation difference: 42 m, Average gradient: 3.2 %
Koxberg, IJskelderlaan and Schavei
What’s in a name they would have thought. When you think of the IJskelderlaan, you probably think there must have been an ice cave nearby. The Koxberg probably refers to Mr. Kox? But Schavei? In the route we first pass the Schavei, which in 600 meters rises to about 35 meters into the air. That’s a good average of 5.9 percent. That’s already serious work. Then comes the famous S-bend, which is approached from the north in the course. It has a bit of a 10 percent incline, so you have to take a break for a while. If you’re already in parking position, you can ask for a refreshment at ‘Den Bonten Os’. Before we arrive in Overijse, we, like in the course, also take a break in the parking area. Hagaard That's a real punch climb. 10% with a maximum of 13 over 300 meters. Go on!
Deer, Moskes and more
Just like in the 2021 World Championships course, we head towards Moskesstraat. We do this via Hertstraat. Attention, this deer has antlers, because this climb is over gravel! Then through the countryside towards the east, towards Terlanen. There lies the next challenge. Head towards Moskesstraat (over the gravel!) and then down the Bollestraat. By chance, there used to be a Jan here and he didn’t have a caféWell, anyway. It’s just a short walk up the Neerpoortenstraat. From here, we’ll have to switch to French-speaking, because this section takes us through the roads of the Walloon Region. Via Hamme-Mille, we’ll then take beautiful paths of shells and gravel roads to the forest around Mollendaal. A beautiful environment. Via the forest near Heverlee, the fresh water awaits us again.
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.