Cycling In Flanders fields. On the spot where over 100 years ago millions of young men, boys actually, lost their lives. A pointless war. Although you could say that of any war. It is the ground where the connection between the British and Belgians is most felt. There are many references, the main one being the 'Plug Streets'. A corruption that has remained to this day. Cycling here is cycling in a special place. Gent-Wevelgem, one of the first Flemish classics passes right through this historic ground. The Ghent-Wevelgem cyclo is rightfully a beautiful route, right through Flanders fields.
Photos: Mark Heij/Sander Kolsloot
Ghent = Courtrai
The Ghent-Wevelgem cyclo is the traditional format for the high mass of the Flemish cycling season: The Tour of Flanders. Gent-Wevelgem is different though. It is a beautiful hill ride that takes you to the most beautiful places in West Flanders (aka the Westhoek). One special fact: the route does not start in Ghent, neither the race version nor the touring version.... The cyclo or tour ride starts and ends in Wevelgem, just outside Kortrijk. Typical Belgium you might say. Especially in the race version, this has to do with money these days. Municipalities pay big money to be the starting point.
Why you necessarily want to drive this route? Not just because of the history, although that is one of the main reasons. Because not only the Menin Gate, but also the Brothers in Arms memorial are highlights on this ride. Apart from that, there are more highlights you might want to take in. We take you through them on this Ghent-Wevelgem route.
Kemmelberg
The Kemmelberg is the toughest climb in Gent-Wevelgem. A cobbled climb with percentages up to 20%. There, the Wall of Geraardsbergen envy. If it is also raining during the ride, getting to the top in the saddle is an art. Then it's downhill towards the 'Plug Streets'
Menin Gate
During the ride, you cycle through the Menin Gate. It is the city gate in Ypres commemorating World War I. The gate contains all the names of fallen soldiers in the region. A huge monument to the memory of a terrible war. By the way, Ypres itself is a beautiful and fun town with an impressive historic market hall, coffee and lunch bars and the 'Biking Bar', a bike cafe.
Plugstreets
The plugstreets, or a corruption of the word Ploegsteert. The gravel strips of Ghent-Wevelgem with historical significance. You ride through several such strips where terrible battles were fought in the past. One of the strips is where a game of football was played during Christmas in 1914 between the two warring sides. England against Germany.
If the professionals
Ride just like the pros, the roads were blocked off and you get guidance and care during the course
As with most cyclo's, you get care at certain posts during the ride and there are guides to help you cross. That makes it even more special to be racing yourself. You feel like a pro.
Route Ghent Wevelgem - Cycling in Flanders Fields
Want to ride this route yourself sometime? Then make use of this route we put into Komoot. Handy, even if we say so ourselves. Combine it with a weekend in Ypres, where the market building on the Grote Markt and the big church are also worth a visit. The museum 'In Flanders Fields' needs no further explanation.
Do you want the cyclo version ride? That is possible every year in different distances from 75 kilometres for the beginner to 220 kilometres for the die-hards. You can find more info on the organisation's site.
