{"id":6141,"date":"2022-04-13T08:21:11","date_gmt":"2022-04-13T08:21:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cyclingdestination.cc\/?p=6141"},"modified":"2026-10-05T14:34:26","modified_gmt":"2026-10-05T14:34:26","slug":"cycling-in-flanders-brabant-the-arrow-and-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cyclingdestination.cc\/en\/verhalen\/belgie\/fietsen-in-vlaams-brabant-de-pijl-en-meer","title":{"rendered":"Cycling in Flemish Brabant: the Pijl and more"},"content":{"rendered":"

La Fleche Braban\u00e7onne. It sounds like a much more interesting event than the tough Dutch Brabant Pijl. What does it actually mean? Is it also typical for Belgium to have both a Brabant and a Walloon Pijl? Of course, it is also called Fl\u00e8che Wallone there. That sounds even better. Just like the most important climb in the Walloon Pijl: Mur de Huy. The translation: The Wall of Hoei. Back to the Brabant Pijl and cycling in Flemish Brabant. Although the \u2018Fl\u00e8che Braban\u00e7onne is traditionally a warm-up for the Amstel Gold Race<\/a> and other hill classics, this race has a beautiful signature that you want to ride too. Since its World Cup 2021<\/a> In Leuven, the \u2018S-bend\u2019 in Overijse is etched in everyone\u2019s memory. With the next beautiful cycling route, you\u2019ll ride like an arrow through Flemish Brabant. Enjoy it, will you join me?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Brabant,
(c) Vlaamsbrabant.be<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

OHL \u2013 Oud Heverlee<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For the football fans among us, the name Oud-Heverlee will immediately evoke a certain feeling of familiarity. It is one of the components of the club \u2018OHL\u2019, not surprisingly \u2018Oud-Heverlee-Leuven\u2019. As with many associations, OHL is a fusion of various clubs from the region. Anyone with a basic understanding of the workings of football in Belgium will know that it revolves around squad numbers. Royal Antwerp has Squad Number 1 and is thus the oldest. OHL has number 18, making it also a veteran. Although, until recently, they used number 6142. Squad numbers are often manipulated, especially to prevent relegation or ensure promotion. Funny fact: OHL was under suspicion of gambling scandals, even reported to UEFA. That resulted in no criminal action. In 2019, OHL was taken over by a new sponsor: the gambling company King Power. Ironically?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this route, the starting point is Oud-Heverlee, more precisely the Zoete Waters. Just those names alone, that\u2019s something you can really enjoy, right? On the return journey, you can also stop here for a bite to eat and a drink, as there are several eateries nearby. The route heads west, over the Dijle River towards the hilly area just east of Brussels and then towards Overijse, where you briefly dip into the Walloon Region. The route is quite strenuous, with over 1,000 meters of elevation gain over just 100 kilometers. Also pay attention, as there are a number of beautiful gravel strips<\/a> in the route. It\u2019s fine to do with the race bike, but keep that in mind!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between Town and Village<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The fact that many names are reused around the world is evident in the village of Duisburg. Not to be confused with the German city of Duisburg. North Rhine-Westphalia<\/a>. For example, there was once a story that a truck driver (before TomTom and Google Maps) had made a mistake between the villages. Soest<\/strong> in the Netherlands and Soest in Germany<\/strong>. A painful mistake of just a few hundred kilometers. Anyway, back to the route. You take the beautiful Vossemberg to Duisburg, which offers about 42 vertical meters at 1300 meters. With a maximum of 5%, this is a nice climb in the Flemish Brabant landscape. In the race they skip this section and head straight to Overijse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vossemberg<\/a>, Tervuren, Belgium<\/p>\u2022 Distance: 1.3 km, Elevation difference: 42 m, Average gradient: 3.2 %<\/blockquote>