{"id":6141,"date":"2022-04-13T08:21:11","date_gmt":"2022-04-13T08:21:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cyclingdestination.cc\/?p=6141"},"modified":"2026-02-09T13:52:33","modified_gmt":"2026-02-09T12:52:33","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 Arrow and more"},"content":{"rendered":"

La Fleche Braban\u00e7onne. It immediately sounds a lot more interesting than the harsh, Dutch, Brabant Arrow. What does it actually mean? So is it typical for Belgium to have both a Brabant and a Walloon Pijl? Of course, it is called Fl\u00e8che Wallone there. That also sounds better. Just like the most important climb in the Fl\u00e8che Wallonne: Mur de Huy. The translation: The Wall of Huy. Back to the Brabant Arrow 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 wonderful signature that you will want to cycle too. Since the 2021 World Cup<\/a> in Leuven, the \u2018S-turn\u2019 in Overijse is on everyone's mind. The following scenic cycle route will take you through Flemish Brabant like an arrow. Enjoy it, won't you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

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

For the football connoisseurs among us, the name Oud-Heverlee will immediately ring a bell. It is one of the components of the club 'OHL', not surprisingly 'Oud-Heverlee-Leuven'. Like many clubs, OHL is an amalgamation of all kinds of clubs from the region. Anyone with a little knowledge of the workings of football in Belgium knows that it is all about tribal numbers. Royal Antwerp has Trunk number 1, making it the oldest. OHL has number 18, thus also an old-timer. Although, one played with number 6142 until recently. Tribal numbers are often juggled, especially to avoid relegation or ensure promotion. Funny fact: OHL was under suspicion of gambling scandals, even declared to UEFA. That did not result in criminal action. in 2019, OHL was taken over by a new sponsor: gambling company King Power. Ironic?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this route, Oud-Heverlee is the starting point, the Zoete Waters to be precise. Those names alone, you can enjoy that, can't you? On your return you can also stop here for a bite to eat and a drink, as there are several taverns. The route heads west, over the river Dijle towards the hilly area just east of Brussels and then towards Overijse where you briefly dive into the Walloon Region. The route is quite tough, with over 1000 altimeters in just under 100 kilometres. Pay attention too, as there are some beautiful gravel strips<\/a> in the route. Doable by road bike, but bear in mind!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

That there are many names reused around the world is evidenced by the village of Duisburg. Not to be confused with the German City in North Rhine-Westphalia<\/a>. For example, there was once a story that a truck driver (pre-TomTom and Google Maps) made a mistake between the village Soest<\/strong> in the Netherlands and Soest in Germany<\/strong>. A painful mistake of some few hundred kilometres. Anyway, back to the route. You pick up to Duisburg the beautiful Vossemberg, which presents some 42 altimeters in 1300 metres. With a maximum of 5%, this is a nice climb in the Flemish-Brabant landscape. In the race, they skip this section and head directly towards Overijse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vossemberg<\/a>, Tervuren, Belgium<\/p>- Distance: 1.3 km, Height difference: 42 m, Average slope: 3.2 %<\/blockquote>