Cycling In Flanders Fields. The place where over 100 years ago millions of young men, actually boys, gave their lives. A pointless war. Although you could say that of any war. It is the ground where the connection between the British and the Belgians is most felt. There are many references, with the most important being the ‘Plugstreets’. A misspelling that has remained to this day. Here cycling is cycling on a special place. Gent-Wevelgem, one of the first Flemish classics, passes right through this historic ground. The Cyclo of Gent-Wevelgem is rightly a beautiful route, crisscrossing Flanders Fields.
Photos: Mark Heij/Sander Kolsloot
Gent = Kortrijk
Of Gent-Wevelgem cycling is the traditional format for the high-point of the Flemish cycling season: The Tour of Flanders. Gent-Wevelgem is different. It is a beautiful mountain race that takes you to the most beautiful places in West Flanders (also known as the Westhoek). A special fact: the route does not start in Gent, neither the race version nor the tour.. The cyclo or tour starts and ends in Wevelgem, just outside Kortrijk. Typical Belgium, you might say. Especially in the race version, that has to do with money nowadays. Municipalities pay a hefty fee to be the start location.
Why do you want to take this route in particular? Not only because of the history, although that is one of the most important reasons. Because not only the Menenpoort but also the Brothers in Arms memorial are highlights on this route. Furthermore, there are many more highlights that you would like to experience. We will take you through this route from Ghent to Wevelgem.
Kemmelberg
The Kemmelberg is the toughest climb in Gent-Wevelgem. It is a gravel climb with percentages up to 20%. That's where the Wall of Geraardsbergen Je is jealous. If it also rains during the ride, it’s an art to get up on the saddle. After that, it’s downhill towards the ‘Plugstreets’.’
Menenpoort
During the ride you cycle through the Menenpoort. It is the city gate in Ypres commemorating the First World War. The gate contains the names of all the soldiers who died in the region. A gigantic monument commemorating a terrible war. Ypres itself is a beautiful and interesting town with an impressive historical market hall, coffee and lunch tents, and the ‘Biking Bar‘, a bike café.
Plugstreets
The plugstreets, or a misnomer for the word Ploegsteert. The gravel strips of Gent-Wevelgem with a historical significance. You drive through several of these strips where terrible fights used to take place in the past. One of the strips is the place where a football match was played during Christmas in 1914 between the two warring sides. England against Germany.
If the professionals
Race like the pros; the roads were closed off and you’ll get guidance and care during the race.
As with most cyclo races, you get care during the ride at certain checkpoints and there are guides to help you cross the finish line. That makes it even more special to be racing yourself. You feel like a pro.
Route Gent Wevelgem – Cycling in Flanders Fields
Would you like to drive this route yourself? Then use this route that we have created in Komoot. Handy, we might add. Combine it with a weekend in Ypres, where the market building on the Grote Markt and the large church are also well worth a visit. The museum ‘In Flanders Fields‘No further explanation is needed.
Do you want to be the cyclogenesis Riding? That is possible every year in different distances from 75 kilometers for beginners to 220 kilometers for the hardcore riders. More info can be found on the organization's website.
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.