Nowhere in the world is 'the course' lived as much as here, in Flanders. Italians are passionate, Spaniards are loud, French are chauvinistic (and loud), but in Belgium, there lies the heart of racing. In the period between late February and early April, this heart beats louder than usual. With the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad as the starting shot and the Tour of Flanders as the absolute highlight. With each race, the Flemish cycling heart comes a little more alive. From Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne, the E3 Prize, Nokere Koerse, Dwars door Vlaanderen, the Scheldeprijs, Classic Brugge - De Panne. This is what makes Flanders so special, so beautiful and therefore a sought-after destination. We take you on a journey.
Everything starts in Oudenaarde
For those keen to get a quick course in 'direction', the Centre of the Tour of Flanders the starting point. Here you will soon learn everything about the Tour, its history, the winners and the most important part of cycling history. If you have your bike with you anyway, you can also start from here on one of the loops (red, yellow, blue) which lead you along the famous climbs of the Ronde. Everything starts in Oudenaarde, so the race itself too. While you're there: have a cup of coffee in the Peloton café and sit in the chair of your favourite winner or winner. Each chair has its own signature!
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The round is nothing without the Wall
If there is one place that epitomises perhaps the greatest shrine in Flemish cycling, it is The Wall. In cycling, there is also only one Wall. The rest are always mentioned in full such as the Wall of Huy, the Muro di Sormano and even the Berlin Wall. But speaking of The Wall, it is always about Geraardsbergen. Officially, it is called the Kapelmuur, which also refers to the chapel on top. In real life, it's long metres over chunky cobblestones. Are they the stories of the past, when the race fell into the fold here. Of that one elusive attack by Cancellara on cycling god Boonen. Of Museeuw, of d'n Eddy Merckx, of other Flandriens. The Muur is a place of pilgrimage for cycling fans and tourists. You must have been here once.
Old Kwaremont
When I take my place in the sponsor's tent on a Sunday morning, everything is still pais and vais. In a few hours, the riders and racers will bounce past here. Now everything still seems quiet. Coffee runs, croissant, newspaper. A Sunday in Belgium, as a Sunday should be. Out of the corner of my eye, I see a familiar movement. A pump being turned on, a lever going down. I look at my clock: it is 09:30. The first 'Kwaremont' has been tapped.
If De Muur is a holy place, the Oude Kwaremont is its naughty brother. With the change of the race course, the Kwaremont has become somewhat more important in ranking. The more than two-kilometre climb is the place to be during De Ronde. This is where you will see both the women's and men's race several times. This is where the blazing attacks are now set, because with the Paterberg a little further on, this is the moment to put the competition on the rack. And what a rack. The cobbles, the people screaming at you to the top. Halfway up at the village you think you're there, but then it continues. It's agony, but also enjoyment.
What's in a name!
If you think you don't quite come into your own on 'de Muur', 'de Kwaremont' or in Oudenaarde, the round always has something more up its sleeve. Did we mention the Koppenberg? This is the painful version of the Paterberg. Both dish up 20% to the climbers, but ai ai amai, this is no feast for the legs. Similarly, Taaienberg (Boonenberg), Berendries, Bosberg, Hotond, Ten Bosse and Wolvenberg are all challenges that will put your legs on edge. They are also exactly those names, which make you want to go back again and again. Because no matter how painful the Paterberg is, once you get to the top you think: I did it anyway!
Not enough yet?
If you still don't have enough, you can always get yourself crowned a Flandrien. There are several options for that, such as winning at De Ronde. An option that is also 'attainable' for the mere mortal lies in completing the Flandrien Challenge. Three days, all the hills and climbs from De Ronde and Gent-Wevelgem (and the E3, DDV etc). Everything, but everything. At the end, the reward awaits: you are a Flandrien(ne)!
If you like to take a faster route: you can quickly get into the moods by visiting the eponymous hotel in Parike (Brakel). Here, everything breathes course. Everywhere you look you see the heroes of De Ronde. Briek Schotte (Iron Briek), Wout van Aert, Marianne Vos, Johan Museeuw. The bike collection, one pillar of which is also the real Flandriens (and winners/winners) of De Ronde, complete the picture. And if Bernard also shares his knowledge of the Flemish race, you can rightly call yourself a Flandrien (for a day then. ahead).
Useful to know
- Watching the race is fantastic. Not only the Ronde, but also those other races. There really is something magical about the Ronde. Circle the first weekend of April in your diary and you're in for a treat.
- Cycling along the course in the days before the Ronde is possible. The Cyclo version of the Ronde is the Saturday before and is a mega happening. Want a little more rest? Then grab the Thursday or Friday before. Then the construction around the course is in full swing and you can already experience that atmosphere.
- Do you prefer just leisurely cycling? Then go cycling the loops of the Ronde on any other weekend. You can start at the Ronde Centre in Oudenaarde and the loops are well signposted
- Pressure in the tyres: if you ride your own bike and you've never ridden on cobbles before, you may be in for a harsh wake-up call. Because cobbles bounce, if you have too much pressure in the tyres. So let some air out for more comfort
- Catering opening hours: the Flemish catering industry is sometimes open or closed at the most irregular times. The Centre of the Ronde is almost always open, so you'll be fine there before or after the ride, but on the road it can still be searching. In Geraardsbergen, you will always have prices, especially in the main street. But beware: even there you can still sometimes be faced with a closed door due to periodic leave or other 'exceptional closure'.
- Cash: Always bring cash, as bancontact (as debit cards are called in Belgium) is not a sure thing.
- Cycling hotels: there is a large number of cycling-oriented hotels and guesthouses in the region. Besides the Flandrien Hotel there is also, for example, the Hotond Sporthotel (on the Hotond)
- Want to rent a bike? You can do so almost anywhere, including at the Flandrien Hotel. Only here for a day? Then also check out the Round Centre
- Routes for the three main loops can be found below
