Flanders. Here, everything breathes 'Koers'. You won't get any closer to cycling heaven. Local municipalities will probably still argue with each other about where the epicentre of the race actually is. For us, it's no matter. Oudenaarde because of the Centre of the Round. Geraardsbergen, because of the Wall, or Roeselare because of the race museum. It doesn't matter to us. If you want to cycle in Belgium then Flanders is destination number one. For a week-long cycling holiday or just a weekend's life as a pro. This is an ode to the hills of the Tour of Flanders. To the climbs with names like Taaienberg, Molenberg and Oude Kwaremont. But especially to the Flandrien.
Heads
On the edge of madness and genius. That must be a real Flandrien. Someone who figures out that it is good to ride a road bike up over cobblestones. That 20% is just enough rise to give spectacle, but also to cause pain. The Flandrien figured out, the Koppenberg, we have to have that. That's 'juust' what we need to bring the beauty of Flanders and cycling to the fore. Was he right? Yes, he probably did. In recent history, a finish of the Koppenbergcross is still in memory. One 'Mathieu' rode up there full throttle and once at the finish line, all he could do was fall off the bike. The Koppenberg has mythical status because in race form it is only climbed in 'the Ronde'. Clever minds, they certainly are.
Heavenly Wall
In many (faith) narratives, 'a wall' plays an important role. Often the wall is unbridgeable or used to complain against. Search on the words 'god' and 'wall' and a world will open up for you. For Flandriens, there is only one god, VDB who unfortunately is already in heaven. Climbing the wall is for many a trial, dedication to the faith called cycling. Could that be the reason it's called the Chapel Wall and on top of it many beat a cross in the chapel? Who knows. 'De Muur' is Flanders and it is a shame that De Muur is no longer a standard feature of De Ronde.
Belgian Beer
Perhaps the most famous mountain in Belgium does not owe that title to its difficulty or the fact that it is a decisive stretch in the race's finale. Ask any Fleming the gradient of the Kwaremont and a rapid 6.6% will flow out. Not coincidentally the percentage of the Belgian beer of the same name. Kwaremont, the village that gives name to the climb, the Oude Kwaremont. It's a speck on the map, not really amounting to anything. But the first weekend of April, this is holy ground. The faithful descend en masse to this stretch of over 2 kilometres. Where the heroism is up for grabs and the hangover comes later. Many will then have forgotten that De Oude Kwaremont only rises 4.6% and that there is also a Nieuwe Kwaremont.
Father
References to the Catholic faith are there for the taking in the region. The Paterberg or simply 'the Padre' is just visible from the Oude Kwaremont. Sipping a glass of the local barley beer, many will not see that the Pater is in short and severe pain. Who would have thought. It was there where Peter (or was it Padre?) Sagan showed his heels to Sep Vanmarcke. It was there that Kasper Asgreen showed he too had good legs, as did Flandrien-born Dutchman MvdP.
Hills of the Tour of Flanders
The hills of the Round come in many shapes and sizes. As with any spiritual movement, there are several chants, prayers or narrations. Basically something for everyone. For if the big chants are not for you, Paddestraat and Haaghoek are nice alternatives to still profess the Flandrien's faith. As a great thinker would say: go and multiply.
More info?
Also read our other blogs on Cycling in Flanders and the visit to the Flandrien Hotel.
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