Author Topic: yACF "Blunder through Belgium" 2008? (Read 9803 times)

Regulator · « **on:** 30 April, 2008, 02:39:39 pm »

Following the success (I think) of the ACF Tour of Malta, I want to raise the possibility of a trip to Belgium in September. One week of cycle touring, staying in youth hostels or camping cabins, averaging 30-40 miles per day.

Suggested itinerary:

Day 1: Eurostar to Brussells. Cycle Brussells to Ghent

Day 2: Ghent to Bruges

Day 3: Free day in Bruges.

Day 4: Bruges to Ypres

Day 5: Battlefields and cemeteries Day

Day 6: Ypres to Dunkirk

Day 7: Dunkirk to Calais: Ferry to Dover and train to London

Anyone interested? Ideal first tour for those who haven’t toured overseas before. Cost likely to be around £200 plus food.

Greenbank · « **Reply #1 on:** 30 April, 2008, 02:45:53 pm »

No airport baggage handlers I see.

Not sure how many bikes Eurostar can take on one train (might be worth asking them), plus it's £20 a pop to book a bike onto a specific train (otherwise it'll be delivered within 24 hours).

Bruges is excellent. I was there last weekend.

Andrij · « **Reply #2 on:** 30 April, 2008, 02:46:43 pm »

Interested. The timing appeals, as I was thinking of a cycling holiday in September.

mike · « **Reply #3 on:** 30 April, 2008, 02:48:40 pm »

flat cycling, chips and beer? Definite mabey.

Greenbank · « **Reply #4 on:** 30 April, 2008, 02:49:23 pm »

Don't forget the mayonnaise.

mike · « **Reply #5 on:** 30 April, 2008, 02:49:53 pm »

I'm on a diet... One of the three had to go.

токамак · « **Reply #6 on:** 30 April, 2008, 02:50:03 pm »

Sounds fab. I'm touring Belgium (Flanders) and Holland in July/August and doing London to Paris in September! I doubt I could get the time off work for this one too, but I'll watch this space...

Notsototalnewbie · « **Reply #7 on:** 30 April, 2008, 03:07:37 pm »

Flat cycling do you say? I'm interested.

Although late September (22-26) is not great for me from a work point of view, so it depends when you are thinking.

Regulator · « **Reply #8 on:** 30 April, 2008, 03:15:10 pm »

I was thinking last week of August or first week of September.

And I would say 'flattish' cycling - more 'rolling countryside' than real hills or mountains...

peliroja · « **Reply #9 on:** 30 April, 2008, 03:24:48 pm »

Sounds good, but not good timing for me

And I won't have any leave left by then. Shame.

Notsototalnewbie · « **Reply #10 on:** 30 April, 2008, 03:32:16 pm »

Flattish'll do.

Last week in Aug/first in Sept would be perfect for me workwise.

Aw that's a shame Peli.

Sergeant Pluck · « **Reply #11 on:** 30 April, 2008, 03:37:59 pm »

I'm (provisionally) in.

Mrs Pingu · « **Reply #12 on:** 30 April, 2008, 03:38:46 pm »

Gits. I love Belgium, but I think we will be in Germany in September.

Wowbagger · « **Reply #13 on:** 30 April, 2008, 03:44:20 pm »

Mrs. Wow and I were considering going in this direction at about this time anyway. It sounds like the sort of thing we might well like to do. Interest registered.

Sergeant Pluck · « **Reply #14 on:** 30 April, 2008, 03:46:32 pm »

Can we have a register of known snorers please?

Ivo · « **Reply #15 on:** 30 April, 2008, 03:47:18 pm »

There's still a ferry several times a day from Ramsgate to Oostende. So you could turn things a bit around, starting out from Oostende.
I'd give Brussels a miss when starting out from Oostende but in stead include the Ronde Van Vlaanderen centrum and the old town of Doornik/Tournai.

clarion · « **Reply #16 on:** 30 April, 2008, 03:47:28 pm »

I don't think I'll be able to get the leave, even if (DV) I am in work right then.

If I'm not in work, I'll have sold all my bikes to afford food...

Sergeant Pluck · « **Reply #17 on:** 30 April, 2008, 03:54:30 pm »

Can we have a day or two with a higher mileage?

Regulator · « **Reply #18 on:** 30 April, 2008, 04:02:42 pm »

Quote from: Ivo on 30 April, 2008, 03:47:18 pm

There's still a ferry several times a day from Ramsgate to Oostende. So you could turn things a bit around, starting out from Oostende.
I'd give Brussels a miss when starting out from Oostende but in stead include the Ronde Van Vlaanderen centrum and the old town of Doornik/Tournai.

I'm double checking this but I think that TransEuropean Ferries won't carry bicycles

Regulator · « **Reply #19 on:** 30 April, 2008, 04:04:41 pm »

Quote from: Sergeant Pluck on 30 April, 2008, 03:54:30 pm

Can we have a day or two with a higher mileage?

I was going to suggest that we adjust the mileage on a day by day basis. There are normally plenty of places to go and things to do between the overnight stops. Also, I've planned two 'in town days' - these could be used by the keener cyclists for trips out into the surrounding countryside.

Regulator · « **Reply #20 on:** 30 April, 2008, 04:05:55 pm »

Quote from: Sergeant Pluck on 30 April, 2008, 03:46:32 pm

Can we have a register of known snorers please?

FatBloke · « **Reply #21 on:** 30 April, 2008, 04:32:31 pm »

Quote from: Sergeant Pluck on 30 April, 2008, 03:46:32 pm

Can we have a register of known snorers please?

Commonwealth and Olympic games silver medallist here!!

I'm interested too!

Wendy · « **Reply #22 on:** 30 April, 2008, 04:36:26 pm »

I'm interested, might be bad timing with miniMikey no.2 due around that time though.

FatBloke · « **Reply #23 on:** 30 April, 2008, 04:48:06 pm »

Quote from: BentMikey on 30 April, 2008, 04:36:26 pm

I'm interested, might be bad timing with miniMikey no.2 due around that time though.

When there's women giving birth, another country is a good place to be IMO!!

Notsototalnewbie · « **Reply #24 on:** 30 April, 2008, 04:58:54 pm »

Mikey, you are sooo dead if you come, Mrs Mikey will have your guts for garters!

I do bad things to people who snore. Just ask Mr NSTN.