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. Ghent-Wevelgem, one of the first Flemish classics passes right through this historic ground. Mark Heij rode the route for us and took some nice pictures in the meantime. Fine start for our new explorer!
Text and photos: Mark Heij
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 South Flanders. What is funny (more cycling races in Belgium have that) is that the race itself does not start in Ghent. Neither the race version nor the tour race. The tour starts and finishes in Wevelgem, just outside Kortrijk. Lovely this.
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. Still, what else is there?
Kemmelberg
The Kemmelberg is the toughest climb in Gent-Wevelgem. A cobbled climb with percentages up to 23%. The Muur van Geraardsbergen is jealous of that. If it also rains during the ride, as Mark had this year, then 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. A gate in Ypres commemorating World War I. The gate contains all the names of fallen soldiers in the region. A gigantic monument commemorating a terrible war.
Plugstreets
The plugstreets, or a corruption of the word Ploegsteerts. The gravel strips of Ghent-Wevelgem with historical significance. You ride through several such strips where terrible fighting took place in the past. One of the strips is where football was played during Christmas between the 2 warring sides.
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.
