While the pro riders chased over the Flemish hills like true lions and lionesses, we settled in the beautiful Flandrien Hotel In Parike, under the smoke of Geraardsbergen. Our goal here? Living like a pro for a while, including great care, delicious food and all that in the heart of the race. Because Flanders breathes cycling. In Dagboek Vlaanderen we take you on our adventure over 'de muur', over the Kanarieberg, the Oude Kwaremont and we imagine ourselves to be pros for a weekend. Read along?
Warm welcome
As the navigation indicates that we really should turn left, Neal and I look at each other. This little road? Well ahead then. We ride through arable land, just past Brakel. There's really nothing to be found here in the wider area, if you're not into cycling. After a few left-right-left turns, we reach a small roundabout in Parike and there lies our destination. The Home Away From Home For Cyclists, the beautiful Flandrien Hotel, run by Jamie Anderson and former sports director Bernard Moerman. We turn into the courtyard and everything breathes course. The beautiful mural depicting Briek Schotte and Alan Peiper, the former Peugeot Team car. Jamie welcomes us with open arms and basically everything we see is 'bike'.
Museum - Gallery & more
While Jamie explains the ins and outs of the hotel to us, I myself get a little distracted by everything around me. Left and right hang beautiful paintings, photographs, framed posters and I can't look anywhere without seeing a bicycle from the hotel's historic bicycle collection. Bikes with a story, about which more later. We check in, get to work preparing to welcome the rest of the guests and in the meantime, we just make a nice coffee. So far, it couldn't be better
Today's route
There is one place in Flanders that is sacred. No, it is not the home of Johan Museeuw, the lion of Flanders, or Eddy Merckx, the cannibal. The Kapelmuur in Geraardsbergen, or 'the Wall' for short, is the monument in the monument: the Tour of Flanders. Unfortunately, this climb is no longer always in the route, but still. Everyone must have ridden up here once. From the hotel, it is only eight kilometres to the foot.
Getting ready
As everyone trickles in, a total of 15 attendees at this event. The weather is fantastic, everyone is all set and can't wait to climb the Wall. Strong stories aplenty, but we'll see what's left of that at the top. We have the space here to tinker with the bike a bit more, everything is in place and so we really are ready as pros. After a brief intro by Neal and explanation of the rules and principles of riding in a group, we roll into the Flemish country. Let's go!
Leak!
Already after four kilometres, the first 'depannage' is needed. The roads are good, but still there are some pebbles and thus we have the first flat tube. Fortunately, we have everything with us and after a pit stop we can hit the road again. With the group we ride to the foot of the wall and everyone is a little bit elated. It's going to start!
The wall
Geraardsbergen's chapel wall leads from the centre of the small town up to the Chapel. At the top is the beautiful shrine. Where Tom Boonen seemed to be parked when Fabian Cancellara turned on. This is where everyone wants to stand during a race through. The climb itself is 1,200 metres long and from the centre you follow the 'wall' signs. Easy does it. The first 200 metres are relatively doable, but then it gets steep quickly and from 400 metres to the finish, it's 10 per cent and more what awaits you. 'That's not very steep, is it?' I hear some say now. No, it isn't. The important thing is that there are cobblestones on this little climb. That makes everything different.
Continuing through the landscape
After a short descent where there are some nice curves to work on your descent technique. Then we ride through typical Flemish villages. A church, a pub and a chip shop. It breathes culture here. Cycling culture. We turn over a less inspiring stretch of road. To make the bridge towards Taaienberg and Kanarieberg, we have to ride along the main N road for a bit. We have crossed the border with Wallonia here and, bizarre as it is, you notice it without even noticing it. The road is dramatic. After a few kilometres we see a sign to the right of the road: the Province of Flanders welcomes you. The road surface is immediately improved.
Canary and Bay Mountain
Today's route leads us to the foot of Canary Mountain. We won't ride it up, because then we have to take a loop back towards Taaienberg, which is exactly what we want. At the time we ride in this area, the E3 prize is also in full swing. The helicopter hangs close in the sky. A few times we think the course is overtaking us, but we just ride a different route. The big advantage? Along our route people are waiting for the race and on the Taaienberg the course is fenced off and people are cheering us on. It takes a while to get to the top, too. 600 metres long at 7.8 per cent average with peaks. Fulfilled, we reach the top. It is really enjoyable and this detail that you think you are riding over a course adds something extra to the 'pro for a weekend' feeling.
Back home
After Taaienberg, the route is still delightfully undulating. We pass villages and hamlets like Opbrakel, Nederbrakel to finally turn onto the courtyard of the Flandrien Hotel, satisfied after a ride of almost 60 kilometres. There, we are again warmly welcomed by Bernard and Jamie. Tapas is served and the final of the race is live on TV in the clubhouse. While some of us make some minor adjustments to our bikes, the first Kwaremont beers are consumed. Or a Recup by Bidon, because you still have to be fit for tomorrow! Dagboek Vlaanderen takes you on a journey again then.
