Me, although I've not booked a ferry or registered yet.
Bairdy's Rolling Roadblock of Rock will be patrolling the Belgian borders, any requests for tunes on the ipod must reach me no later than two weeks before the start of the ride.
Hallo Gallo is already on the playlist.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTodWgXp4q4Bairdy's Rolling Roadblock of Rock will be patrolling the Belgian borders, any requests for tunes on the ipod must reach me no later than two weeks before the start of the ride.
Hallo Gallo is already on the playlist.
Something from The Boys Town Gang.
Looks like a great route. Unfortunately I can't fit this in this year ... how frequently is it run - every 2 years or whenever ?
Bairdy's Rolling Roadblock of Rock will be patrolling the Belgian borders, any requests for tunes on the ipod must reach me no later than two weeks before the start of the ride.
Hallo Gallo is already on the playlist.
Something from The Boys Town Gang.
Bairdy's Rolling Roadblock of Rock will be patrolling the Belgian borders, any requests for tunes on the ipod must reach me no later than two weeks before the start of the ride.
Hallo Gallo is already on the playlist.
Something from The Boys Town Gang.
Bairdy's Rolling Roadblock of Rock (not Cock!)
Bairdy's Rolling Roadblock of Rock will be patrolling the Belgian borders, any requests for tunes on the ipod must reach me no later than two weeks before the start of the ride.
Hallo Gallo is already on the playlist.
Something from The Boys Town Gang.
Bairdy's Rolling Roadblock of Rock (not Cock!)
I wonder if Belgium's ready for this ? ;D
Ferries are the lesser problem if you plan on using a trike. The route consists of a lot of converted railroads, nicely flat but with barriers preventing cars driving on them. On 2-wheels these barriers can be a nuisance, on a 3 wheels they are a problem.
A superb route but beware the Ardennes, make sure you have a nice time buffer before you enter the Ardennes.
From what has been said the route can obviously be done on a trike but there are questions about whether this is wise of efficient. I have posted about this elsewhere since I do not wish to derail the thread. https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=95641.msg1982781#msg1982781 many thanks for c ontributions thus far.Ferries are the lesser problem if you plan on using a trike. The route consists of a lot of converted railroads, nicely flat but with barriers preventing cars driving on them. On 2-wheels these barriers can be a nuisance, on a 3 wheels they are a problem.
A superb route but beware the Ardennes, make sure you have a nice time buffer before you enter the Ardennes.
In 2014, 2 velomobiles showed up at the starting line. Gabriële Patzner and a fellow German. The guy (I think his name is Hajo) made in 47.5 hours and was the second finisher. Gabriële had it difficult in the Ardennes, but finished extremely well in just under 71 hours. Neither gave remarks about difficulties to pass any barriers.
Needless to mention that both of them were very well prepared and riding a velomobile is a habit for them.
I ride a ICE trike but not that much. I did a 200 last year and that went well, but I will be thinking twice about riding the Borders of Belgium with my trike. Maybe on a 2-wheeled recumbent (like 4 other riders in 2014)...
Might go, seems like a bargain @ €10, I'll have to ride to the start and back though. Good job it starts in the north.
Dut,du,du...Dut,du,du...Cruising the streets.
This looks quite marvellous. I have entered :thumbsup:An alternative would be the Harwich to Hook: not sure if this is the preferable ride the other end?
I will probably get a train to Dover on Wed 31/8, then ride 150k from Calais (or less from Dunkirk) to the start.
Then ride back to Bruges (50k or so) on Sunday 4/9, stop overnight for beer and chips, ride/train home on Monday 5/9.
Might go, seems like a bargain @ €10, I'll have to ride to the start and back though. Good job it starts in the north.
Dut,du,du...Dut,du,du...Cruising the streets.
Aunt Maud taking the Wendy House option?
155k from the Hoek to the start, into the prevailing wind.
140k from Dunkirk to the start, with the prevailing wind.
Bring the music!Do you like disco?
What a beautiful route! I've cycled parts of it. Really nice! I suppose I can enter the unsupported event, even at this late a date?
I wonder if there are riders doing the BOB without a GPS device.If I use one, I will have less than a month experience with it!
In 2012 there were 2 riders without but in 2014 every rider had a GPS device.
The route is still hilly leaving Habay. Going to Bastogne is hard. In Bastogne is a ravel (an old rail road that is paved now, just for cyclists, no cars allowed) going to Gouvy (km 636), another foraging place. After Gouvy you continue to Sankt Vith, Manderfeld, Monschau, Roetgen and Wezet (Visé in French, km 780)[close 00:26 Sun] where there are shops.
From that point, the hills are over. The rest of the 220 km are flat, riding mostly along rivers and canals to Lommel (km 862), the second manned control.[close 06:30 Sun]
I'm more nervous about this than any ride for quite a long time.
Especially since I've returned from La Belle France even lardier than I went. *sigh*
l;did read
What a beautiful route! I've cycled parts of it. Really nice! I suppose I can enter the unsupported event, even at this late a date?
Yes! The Belgian rules state that any BRM up to 1000K is open for entry untill the start. Just the "extra's" (like accommodations, food or bagdrops) are optional and in most cases must be booked before the start.
In case of the BOB 2016 the full option is sold out. We accept bookings for bagdrops untill sunday 14/8.
Rohnny
What a beautiful route! I've cycled parts of it. Really nice! I suppose I can enter the unsupported event, even at this late a date?
Yes! The Belgian rules state that any BRM up to 1000K is open for entry untill the start. Just the "extra's" (like accommodations, food or bagdrops) are optional and in most cases must be booked before the start.
In case of the BOB 2016 the full option is sold out. We accept bookings for bagdrops untill sunday 14/8.
Rohnny
Rhonny, I'm cycling from Rotterdam, so I'll be able to pay at the start? I'm riding part of the route this weekend. Looking forward to it.
What a beautiful route! I've cycled parts of it. Really nice! I suppose I can enter the unsupported event, even at this late a date?
Yes! The Belgian rules state that any BRM up to 1000K is open for entry untill the start. Just the "extra's" (like accommodations, food or bagdrops) are optional and in most cases must be booked before the start.
In case of the BOB 2016 the full option is sold out. We accept bookings for bagdrops untill sunday 14/8.
Rohnny
Rhonny, I'm cycling from Rotterdam, so I'll be able to pay at the start? I'm riding part of the route this weekend. Looking forward to it.
Everybody is welcome to enter the event at the day of the start. (It's a Belgian thing: BRM up to 1000K must be open for entry untill the start date).
If you think about showing up on the day of the start, please come early so all administration can be finished without time pressure. The ride starts at 14h, but I will be there at 12h.
Rohnny
Rohnny:
I'm analysing a few sections of the routesheet (using Google streetview). So far your distances are spot-on, and the R, L, and arrows are perfect.
However, I'm looking at the "blue signs" sections in Flanders. Your sheet says
"==> xx = blue sign" and an example is
"R-> F Spoorzate ==> 91 984.6km"
Now, that right turn has no blue sign. And I see no sign to node 91.
I checked some near the start, and I could never find a blue sign with a number. There are blue signs (with cycle picture), but they give town names, so that is no help when reading the routesheet.
Also, many instructions only list the street name; these are often not displayed at the junction.
I'm a bit worried that these sections will be confusing, as there are lots of small turns in a short distance, and many of these signs are in the last 150km when we will all be tired!
Matt
...I'm sure we will be fine - but keep that phone switched on :P Thanks.
Just follow the distances and left, right or straight on arrows and you'll be fine!
And in case you really get lost, my phone number is at the bottom of every page.
Thanks Rohnny.
How many starters are you expecting?
(Looking for headwind shelter :) )
I was out, last minute check of some parts of the route.
At this moment my brother is riding (solo) the route. It is very hot at this moment and the wind is not in his favor for the first 560 km. But he's going strong and aiming for a finish friday morning. If he didn't find any issues, the route is final. If not, there will be small changes, but surely nothing major.
I had some mails about the GPX file being too big (certainly for older GPS devices)
After the return of my brother, I'll cut the route in multiple GPX-files and publish them on the website.
I send an email to those who booked a room near the start, so that is covered.
I will send an email to all the participants this friday (or weekend, depending if I need to do work out some issues with the route), with all the details.
Meanwhile, I keep an eye on the weather forcast for next week. It's pretty good. Hope it stays that way.
The phone stays on and fully charged, no worries.
I try to have enough possibilities for charging your GPS devices (or is that too much pampering? :) ) Just make sure you'll bring the right USB cables.
Just had a thought:
Do we need EN341* Hi-Viz at night in Belgium?
(like you need in France)
*That number may be wrong - my memory isnt perfect ...
Meanwhile, we are booked into the ex-monastery hotel in Ghent centre. The rooms sound a bit grotty, but an amazing building :)
Helmets were mandatory when I rode Brussels Paris Brussels last year. Are helmets mandatory for this event?
my 4 tracks for the whole 1002km have a grand total of less than 2000 track points. I'm not worried. There is, after all, a pretty blimmin thorough route sheet.
Now now you two!my 4 tracks for the whole 1002km have a grand total of less than 2000 track points. I'm not worried. There is, after all, a pretty blimmin thorough route sheet.
*fewer :-* :smug:
Quick coffee at Oppiter, 30 km from Lommel. Lovely balmy night for a dash along the canal.Don't fall in - it's dark!
Good luck to boab, mattc, et al still out there.No sign of mattc by the time I left, but the VC167 crew (plus D. A. L. E), Laid Back Rich and the Kingston crew, and the Bristol lot were all tucked up in bed, or drinking beers when I left.
Cannot believe no one thought to mention this drunken 1000k drunken loop of drunken Belgium to drunken me?! Anyone want to ride it DIY in the middle of winter...
Cannot believe no one thought to mention this drunken 1000k drunken loop of drunken Belgium to drunken me?! Anyone want to ride it DIY in the middle of winter...
Making such suggestions to certain AUKs is living rather dangerously as some just may take you up on the offer. TG has made daft riding suggestions before and some of us might just have taken him up on the offer. No names mentioned of course.
Can I add my thanks to Rohnny and his helpers for all the hard work they put in.
A brilliant weekend away. Highlights include the endless series of ridges after Hoyuet (admittedly this highlight is very much in retrospect), the lovely town of Monschau, the varied course, passing all the late night accordion parties on the canal run-in on night two, the beer and the company.
Lowlights were few but the headwind back to the Arrivee was hard. And was I the only one who was looking for a bridge, or maybe even a ferry, in Antwerp, not understanding (until I asked) that the reason I couldn't find these things was because what I wanted was a tunnel...
Tunnel:
I knew about this from reading the routesheet; I guessed Antwerp would be tricky, so that was one of the bits I "armchair recced" before the ride, and used to sanity-check my GPX file. [see my many anxious posts from a week ago ::-) ]
Anyone know if it's possible to purchase an ACP 1000k medal at this stage?
Anyone know if it's possible to purchase an ACP 1000k medal at this stage?
Dunno, did you finish on time? :demon: ;D (Just kidding!).
I'd just email Rohnny - he's a nice chap :).
Highlights:
(http://i952.photobucket.com/albums/ae7/fboab/20160903_212924.jpg)
Kanne by night?
I loved the escalator - I don't think even Perrin's thought of that one!
(https://c7.staticflickr.com/9/8371/28881560334_3b610a5d02_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/L1axEN)
(https://c4.staticflickr.com/9/8514/28884303563_a942b41bac_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/L1pB8R)
Lowlights were few but the headwind back to the Arrivee was hard.
Anyone got a good piccie of the "feature" that came just before that??
Lowlights were few but the headwind back to the Arrivee was hard.
See, I absolutely loved that wind. Felt so euro pro working with a roadie I'd never met before then solo TTing after my group (who turned out to be behind me). I arrived at the finish with one of the biggest shit eating grins I've ever had on the bike, probably only surpassed by the one I had two days before in the Ardennes.
(http://i65.tinypic.com/345hmar.jpg)
and the VC167 guys..Deano, D.A.L.E and Rob..Ah, that stings... ;)
and the VC167 guys..Deano, D.A.L.E and Rob..Ah, that stings... ;)
Oh yes, the ford. I didn't see the bridge and couldn't see any mention of the ford on the routesheet. So I backtracked and re-routed onto the main road.Lowlights were few but the headwind back to the Arrivee was hard.
See, I absolutely loved that wind. Felt so euro pro working with a roadie I'd never met before then solo TTing after my group (who turned out to be behind me). I arrived at the finish with one of the biggest shit eating grins I've ever had on the bike, probably only surpassed by the one I had two days before in the Ardennes.
(http://i65.tinypic.com/345hmar.jpg)
Bairdy was spouting similar sentiments at the arrivee. I genuinely cannot understand such talk: lunacy if you ask me. :)
Has anyone sent their track to the AAA man to ask about climbing points? I was going to, but there's nae point if someone else has already done it.I've made the enquiry. Will send him the tracklog when I get home later (estimates vary wildly across the mapping sites - gpsies gives over 9km, Strava only 5 - so we'll see what the official AAA-ified number is).
Does anyone know if this ride will automatically appear in our AUK List of rides for the 2016 season?
I'm counting on it to complete my SR and RRtY this year.
Thanks!
LBR
Results (with finishing times - shock horror) are at http://files.webklik.nl/user_files/2009_12/85505/BRM%202016/Wachtebeke1000%2020160901.pdf and have been cross-decked to AUK site.
Results (with finishing times - shock horror) are at http://files.webklik.nl/user_files/2009_12/85505/BRM%202016/Wachtebeke1000%2020160901.pdf and have been cross-decked to AUK site.Ta!
Second! Liam from Dulwich beat me.
I was just sticking to the schedule...
(Seriously though, have you checked the flyby for where I overtook you guys? :D)
Thank you Somnolent. :thumbsup:
What do I have to do about AAA points?
Second! Liam from Dulwich beat me.
I was just sticking to the schedule...
(Seriously though, have you checked the flyby for where I overtook you guys? :D)
Thank you Somnolent. :thumbsup:
What do I have to do about AAA points?
I've emailed my log to Snookie - I'll update here with any response.
We saw people quaffing booze at 11am in Antwerp so we adopted the when in Rome approach... ;DSecond! Liam from Dulwich beat me.
I was just sticking to the schedule...
(Seriously though, have you checked the flyby for where I overtook you guys? :D)
not sure how I managed the first AUK back status, given the aforementioned horror in the headwind. Actually I do know: it was not stopping for food after the last control (where Lindsay had bought me a coffee and pastry). After that I was holding out for a fritterie in Antwerp. But I didn't see one, so I just kept plodding on at my stately 17 kph hoping against hope for some triple fried loveliness further down the road.
Turnhout, that's when Bairdy and me slipped this guy the music for his film.
http://youtu.be/X6YzBdpmi-k
Turnhout, that's when Bairdy and me slipped this guy the music for his film.
http://youtu.be/X6YzBdpmi-k
Enjoyed that, even though I only featured once... :D
Here's a question - am I the only one who slipped in a Luxembourg visit on the ride? We got so close it seemed a shame to miss it out.
I saw over to what I think was Luxembourg, away to the right after a climb; I think it was on the road after Gouvy. It looked blinking hilly, which is what I remember from past rides in the Duchy. So that was not something I considered...
Turnhout, that's when Bairdy and me slipped this guy the music for his film.That is truly delightful! Thanks.
http://youtu.be/X6YzBdpmi-k
Was this rider the guy with the charity sign on his back?
Thank you Somnolent. :thumbsup:
What do I have to do about AAA points?
I've emailed my log to Snookie - I'll update here with any response.
There's definitely some points - there's a 200km stretch with 3000m of climbing - but I don't think there will be much more than that.
A pan flat start and finish, but lots of scenery in the middle. Overall not hilly enough for AAA, but that middle 600 is worth 7.5 AAA points.So points should appear in the near future :)
Still not done anything with my photos for this ride yet either, not sure what to do...Make a video?
We saw people quaffing booze at 11am in Antwerp so we adopted the when in Rome approach... ;DWe (Liamo & I) saw people quaffing booze at 7:33 in Turnhout. I opted for coffee. And beetroot juice. And a tow from me boys.
Good Lord.
That means I've managed a AAA SR this year :o
#WhodvethunkthefatbstardhaditinherStill not done anything with my photos for this ride yet either, not sure what to do...Make a video?We saw people quaffing booze at 11am in Antwerp so we adopted the when in Rome approach... ;DWe (Liamo & I) saw people quaffing booze at 7:33 in Turnhout. I opted for coffee. And beetroot juice. And a tow from me boys.
Was this rider the guy with the charity sign on his back?
If so, that was some recovery - he was trying to ponce a lift off me at Houyet :D.
Good Lord.
That means I've managed a AAA SR this year :o
Another vid here (FB link, but you're only missing punky Pet Shop Boys and Barry McGuire covers - and a wedding :o):He rode the big gravel!
https://www.facebook.com/andy.claeskens/posts/10208670011842687
Was this rider the guy with the charity sign on his back?
If so, that was some recovery - he was trying to ponce a lift off me at Houyet :D.
That's him, but he says he did pack.
Was this rider the guy with the charity sign on his back?
If so, that was some recovery - he was trying to ponce a lift off me at Houyet :D.
That's him, but he says he did pack.
He packed due to a failure with his GPS.
Reading this, I've decided I don't fancy The Highlands audax with pishy rain and full on hurricane force winds. Next year I'll be heading to Europe for a continental audax with great weather and great riding buddies. This summer, my buddy was great but the weather was God Awful.
Sent from my A0001 using Tapatalk
Is it just Matt who has been credited with the AAA points for this?
Is it just Matt who has been credited with the AAA points for this?
You may have to individually claim it from Steve - there's nothing to say it's that ride on your results, after all - "Overseas 1000" could be anything, and Steve won't necessarily know who rode it.
Yes, I believe that's right. Having reread Steve's email, there's nothing there to imply he'd go hunting down other riders.Is it just Matt who has been credited with the AAA points for this?
You may have to individually claim it from Steve - there's nothing to say it's that ride on your results, after all - "Overseas 1000" could be anything, and Steve won't necessarily know who rode it.
Right, assuming no one else is going to, I'll email the AAA man the list of riders and ask if he's willing/able to cross-reference the AAA points. I guess he's not an avid follower of yacf...
Hi Steve,
I rode the Borders of Belgium 1000 with Matt Chambers.
I understand he's claimed AAA for it- could I have some too?
Full list of AUKs on the ride:
Hi Lindsay,
My pleasure, and thanks for the list. I’ll add the AAA points for other people too if they ask me.
Steve
Looks like actual brevet cards are required for the ISR but I can't remember having received mine for this ride. I can see that I mailed Rohnny a year ago but no reply. Did you receive yours?
Yeah, I received mine. Not that long after the event IIRC?Ditto.
(I remember being very confused by this "province of Luxembourg" business :facepalm: ! )
(I remember being very confused by this "province of Luxembourg" business :facepalm: ! )
Details here:
https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=auto&tl=en&u=https%3A%2F%2Fbordersofbelgium.weebly.com%2Finschrijving.html
Open from January 2018. Only 20 places available with sleep stops (at least initially), but apparently unlimited registration until the day before if you do without / organise your own.
I'm definitely interested in this ride, though won't be able to commit until mid-2018.
Assuming I make my own sleep/eat arrangements it sounds like I will be able to get a place, yes?
*fluffs up bivvy bag*
*adds Belgian beer rack to bike*
*fluffs up bivvy bag*There's a Formule Un a few k from the route that makes an ideal sleep stop for the first night. Two of us used it: the first one arrived two hours ahead of me and left two hours ahead. Worked OK. Many riders seemed to go through the first night though. But a couple of hours kip and a wash make all the difference. (Not enough fr me to be quick enough so I was DNF, hence my interest in this again, but we'll see.)
. Which town is the Formula 1 in?not sure, might have been Kortrijk. TBH I was a bit knackered by then. And it was dark. It was by a roundabout. Remember that most F1 places are full most nights, it's very hard to just rock up.
Anyone know how much the organized version is going to cost?
[edit]Full options (2 nights) come to 120 euro, including a medal; single B&B is 35 euro, diner 10, dropbag 5.
Got the confirmation email and payment has been made so I guess I'm committed ;)
[/edit]
There's also a small but important typo on the English version: it says the 2nd stop is "around the 640 km mark", Dutch and Flemish riders have their 2nd stop at 840km.
Speaking of traffic laws, are using earbuds (music) while riding a bicycle allowed in Belgium? (not in France I believe, ie a no-go for PBP?)
Sorry dale, can’t help you there :)
Are clip-on aero bars allowed on this ride? I know they aren’t for PBP, but didn’t see it in the ACP rules...
Sorry dale, can’t help you there :)
Are clip-on aero bars allowed on this ride? I know they aren’t for PBP, but didn’t see it in the ACP rules...
In 2016 there was a guy with some preposterous swan-neck things. He was a menace to ride anywhere near. I'll see if I have a photo when I get home
Sorry dale, can’t help you there :)
Are clip-on aero bars allowed on this ride? I know they aren’t for PBP, but didn’t see it in the ACP rules...
In 2016 there was a guy with some preposterous swan-neck things. He was a menace to ride anywhere near. I'll see if I have a photo when I get home
Anybody unsure about riding this should just enter. It's a great ride. The southern and eastern sections especially will live long in my memory. But as has been said upthread, don't assume it's flat. And you might get some wind.
To top it all, Rohnny will supply you with a bottle of Chimay at the controls if you ask him nicely :)
Currently P&O from Hull have 2 adults with bicycles at £380, which is not too bad.Christ. You can fly to Brussels from Glasgow for about £9.
Currently P&O from Hull have 2 adults with bicycles at £380, which is not too bad.Christ. You can fly to Brussels from Glasgow for about £9.
I took the Brussels-London Eurostar for LEL, worked perfectly.
I took the Brussels-London Eurostar for LEL, worked perfectly.
Do you still have to take all the bags off the bike when they transport it?
Anything else which might have changed in the last 2 years?
Cheers, Dave C
For the last BOB I took the Eurostar to Brussels with a fully assembled bike, then an onward train to Ghent (just a change of platform at Gere du Midi). Stayed the night there, then cycled up to Watchebeke the following morning.
dave. I used the Eurostar from Lille - London last August, aand had planned to pop my bike on fully assembled (I was staying overnight in London so wanst fussed if the bike followed on a later service that day) however when I got to the station I was told that my bike had to be boxed in one that they supplied. They also had tools for the job (though no pedal spanner which made life slightly more difficult).I took the Brussels-London Eurostar for LEL, worked perfectly.
Do you still have to take all the bags off the bike when they transport it?
Anything else which might have changed in the last 2 years?
Cheers, Dave C
Did a nice man in uniform carefully wheel your bike down the platform to you?
(best moment of 2013* for me.)
I'm planning to train it from London. Note that they've changed the bike rules with the introduction of the new trains, so best check the Eurostar website for the latest.
As I'll be on the last train on Wednesday night, will probably overnight in Brussels and then only collect my bike from Eurodispatch on Thursday morning. The 'all Belgium' ticket is valid for 24h so will travel onto Ghent mid-morning.
I'm planning to train it from London.
Is anyone interested in joining 3 northern cyclists going from Hull on Tuesday 4th Sept 2018 in the P&O ferry to Zeebrugge. Then returning on Monday 10th Sept on the evening ferry to Hull arriving back on Tuesday 11th Sept?
We are looking for one rider.
Anyone who has already booked on and wondering how they are going to get there?
Is anyone interested in joining 3 northern cyclists going from Hull on Tuesday 4th Sept 2018 in the P&O ferry to Zeebrugge. Then returning on Monday 10th Sept on the evening ferry to Hull arriving back on Tuesday 11th Sept?
We are looking for one rider.
Anyone who has already booked on and wondering how they are going to get there?
I'm interested, how much and what flavour of northern are you?
The best kind!!
I have just obtained a quote from P&Q and they give us:
Out Tue 4th, Return Mon 10th, Standard Outside cabin (window). £384 between 4. With Evening all you can eat buffet, £536 between 4.
Quote
The best kind!!
I have just obtained a quote from P&Q and they give us:
Out Tue 4th, Return Mon 10th, Standard Outside cabin (window). £384 between 4. With Evening all you can eat buffet, £536 between 4.
That must be some buffet at nearly 40 quid a head!
I took the Brussels-London Eurostar for LEL, worked perfectly.
I will guess that's two buffet s one out and one back.
Btw I'm In promise no snoring.
We stocked up in the LIDL beside the ferry port in Hull, can't remember what we did on the way back.I will guess that's two buffet s one out and one back.
Btw I'm In promise no snoring.
Actually, yes Aidan you are right. Plus, I don't know what food is available near the ferry port. I imagine Zeebrugge is very commercial, docks warehousing etc. Not many bars or restaurants nearby to grab a bite to eat prior to departing?
Just a thought, please don't let me sway you either way. I'll be booking a buffet most likely. We used the Rotterdam/Hull ferry last summer and the buffet was useful for feeding up. We drove on that occasion.
We stocked up in the LIDL beside the ferry port in Hull, can't remember what we did on the way back.I will guess that's two buffet s one out and one back.
Btw I'm In promise no snoring.
Actually, yes Aidan you are right. Plus, I don't know what food is available near the ferry port. I imagine Zeebrugge is very commercial, docks warehousing etc. Not many bars or restaurants nearby to grab a bite to eat prior to departing?
Just a thought, please don't let me sway you either way. I'll be booking a buffet most likely. We used the Rotterdam/Hull ferry last summer and the buffet was useful for feeding up. We drove on that occasion.
We stocked up in the LIDL beside the ferry port in Hull, can't remember what we did on the way back.Picnic in the cabin.
We stocked up in the LIDL beside the ferry port in Hull, can't remember what we did on the way back.Picnic in the cabin.
I can't seem to find the online application page ???I had the same problem. On the home page of
I'm considering this ride. Anyone know how to get to the start from Brussels? Is it train to Ghent then ride? Or is there a more local station?
I'm considering this ride. Anyone know how to get to the start from Brussels? Is it train to Ghent then ride? Or is there a more local station?
I'm considering this ride. Anyone know how to get to the start from Brussels? Is it train to Ghent then ride? Or is there a more local station?
I'm considering this ride. Anyone know how to get to the start from Brussels? Is it train to Ghent then ride? Or is there a more local station?
https://www.strava.com/activities/695579893
After - https://www.strava.com/activities/702536099I'm considering this ride. Anyone know how to get to the start from Brussels? Is it train to Ghent then ride? Or is there a more local station?
https://www.strava.com/activities/695579893
Sort of thing that seems like a good idea at the start but less appealing after 1000km on the return journey.
23km and a free 40minute train ride over 70km seems like a plan.
I'm considering this ride. Anyone know how to get to the start from Brussels? Is it train to Ghent then ride? Or is there a more local station?
I usually take the train to Gent St. Pieters when I start in Wachtebeke.
Am I right in thinking the time is 75 hours
Hmm.
circumstances mean that Im thinking about this quite actively - I happen to be in That London TM until close of play on Weds 6th Sep and could go by train via Brussels. Im reasonably well versed now in getting my bike down to just under 58cm for Eurostar in a shoulder bag I got especially for PBP in 2015. Assembling is a bit of a chore, but less stressful than parting company with it.
Ive priced it out and Eurostar Weds/Mon staying over Brussels both ways isnt hugely expensive & I could do this on just 2.5 days annual leave.
The event looks fantastic and I have been known to appreciate the occasional beer
One thing to note if you're riding it; chuck a bell on your bike. You'll be riding on cycle paths and canals, so it'll come in handy. It's the one thing I wish I had when I rode it. Besides, I think it's law to have one.
(I've just taken delivery of a Knog Oi and although the company as a whole are a bag of dicks, designwise it's rad AF.)
Still not riding it. But keep casting a sideways glance at it in a 'could be swayed' kind of way. I think Dean and Rob are in a similar boat. It'll be a last minute thing if I do.One thing to note if you're riding it; chuck a bell on your bike. You'll be riding on cycle paths and canals, so it'll come in handy. It's the one thing I wish I had when I rode it. Besides, I think it's law to have one.
(I've just taken delivery of a Knog Oi and although the company as a whole are a bag of dicks, designwise it's rad AF.)
You are still not riding Dale aye? Space on the ferry still if you change your mind!
Just ordered mine, Natwest charged me £10. Paypal is soooo much better.
Just ordered mine, Natwest charged me £10. Paypal is soooo much better.
Smeth suggested he would go a group order, above your post, so that we all would share the bank transfer fee.
I would recommend signing up for Revolut
Has anybody booked accommodation afterwards yet?
I'm assuming I'll be full value, am looking for somewhere that is a short drive afterwards, but then has options for beer & food nearby :)
Has anybody booked accommodation afterwards yet?
I'm assuming I'll be full value, am looking for somewhere that is a short drive afterwards, but then has options for beer & food nearby :)
Trying to sort out getting to the event.
Eurostar London to brussels is £90 return + £30 each way for bike.
I see I can take the bike on euro tunnel for only £20 each way. That's some saving. Has anyone used trains to get from Calais to ghent with their bike? How easy is it, rough cost?
Or take car through tunnel for £120 return and drive up. Would be more attractive with 2 cyclists and 2 bikes
Thanks that's awesomeTrying to sort out getting to the event.
Eurostar London to brussels is £90 return + £30 each way for bike.
I see I can take the bike on euro tunnel for only £20 each way. That's some saving. Has anyone used trains to get from Calais to ghent with their bike? How easy is it, rough cost?
Or take car through tunnel for £120 return and drive up. Would be more attractive with 2 cyclists and 2 bikes
French railways from Calais to Dunkirk. Cycle across the border to De Panne, train from De Panne to Ghent. Belgian costs are low, € 5,- for your bike and something like 8-10 € for yourself. Alternatively you could take the train from Calais to Lille and change there to Ghent. Biketicket will cost more as it's an international connection.
I see I can take the bike on euro tunnel for only £20 each way. That's some saving. Has anyone used trains to get from Calais to ghent with their bike? How easy is it, rough cost?
However you can only do it on two specific trains in each direction - https://www.eurotunnel.com/uk/traveller-info/vehicles/bicycles/
From the description of a puck up point it seems they run a special van through the tunnel 2 times each way each day.However you can only do it on two specific trains in each direction - https://www.eurotunnel.com/uk/traveller-info/vehicles/bicycles/
6 bikes and riders max.
With all that space on the train let's make some more barriers to that healthy activity/transport option of cycling.
Humans are so stupid.
However you can only do it on two specific trains in each direction - https://www.eurotunnel.com/uk/traveller-info/vehicles/bicycles/I travelled with bike on Eurostar in 2015 for PBP. It was pretty easy and seemed to be able to book on any train... https://www.eurostar.com/uk-en/travel-info/travel-planning/luggage/bikes
And isn't the Eurostar with a bike a ballache?.
And isn't the Eurostar with a bike a ballache? I thought that was the general consensus from other threads.not hugely. You can either
And isn't the Eurostar with a bike a ballache?.
Easy enough but a bit of a wallet-ache. About £65 for me return to Brussels and £60 for the bike. I guess the part dissasemble/pack in their boxes might be hassle but I got one of the two "roll-on fully assembled" slots on each train.
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Simple Q. Will there be a route sheet issued? I don't want to have to rely solely on a Garmin..
Anyone want to chuck in contributions that would be great.
Anyone want to chuck in contributions that would be great.
I twisted my knee on Monday, fingers crossed that it seems to be recovering quickly & there are still a few weeks to go so I should be OK...
Anybody know when the final route will be published, I was talking to my riding buddy who was starting to drool over maps :)
The route will be published next week.
During route checking I came across a big difficulty that made me change more than 100K of the original route.
I rerouted and will check it out this weekend.
Awesome tracks & routesheet Rohnny - I'm still nursing a knee injury with rest, hoping to be on the start-line as it looks great!
In terms of the routesheet, I'm slightly confused by some control close times. It looks like all controls up to VISE have a min speed of 15Kph, but after that for Maaseik onwards it drops to 13.3kph? is that right?
Also, as a full value rider, I notice you have the time on routesheet at exactly 75 hours, not the 75hrs 11mins or whatever 1000/13.3 works out to be. I'm just wondering which is right so I can make sure i get the best value out of the ride :D
Your passage time at the controles is not that important, but let it be a guide for you. It is important to build up a good buffer on the first 400K. The next 350K will be... hilly. The last 200K could well be into a headwind. So the buffer is rather important.5am is very early, considering a 280km section to the next overnight control, will there be breakfast available at that control for riders staying elsewhere? As other accommodation will not do food that early.
If you leave the controle in Champlon (557K) before 5h on saturday morning you should be alright.
The tracks and route sheet could undergo changes if we encounter problems during our last checks this and next week. If so I will publish the updated tracks and routesheet and put the date of the update on the website.
Looking at the route... So tempting...
I've got no money!Looking at the route... So tempting...
Space on the ferry Dale!
I rode part of the route in the summer, about 300km on from Roubaix, so not the flat bit and was impressed by (a) the total lack of shopping opportunities and (b) the number of village high streets being excavated to a depth of several feet. So you will be hungry but will have lots of new black to look forward to. Unless of course they pour concrete slabs with ridges every 10m (Bump... bump... bump... ). Or lay cobbles (Bumpitybumpitybumpitybump). Also, keep an eye-out for badgers (live-uns, not squashees like we have in the UK). And wild boar...Cafe's ?
Your passage time at the controles is not that important, but let it be a guide for you. It is important to build up a good buffer on the first 400K. The next 350K will be... hilly. The last 200K could well be into a headwind. So the buffer is rather important.5am is very early, considering a 280km section to the next overnight control, will there be breakfast available at that control for riders staying elsewhere? As other accommodation will not do food that early.
If you leave the controle in Champlon (557K) before 5h on saturday morning you should be alright.
The tracks and route sheet could undergo changes if we encounter problems during our last checks this and next week. If so I will publish the updated tracks and routesheet and put the date of the update on the website.
Also I notice there is a huge gap between the 1st and 2nd control, are there plenty of 24 hour services along the route? or do I need to plan for a desert?
[And get a big takeaway in Ieper and carry the leftovers.
[And get a big takeaway in Ieper and carry the leftovers.
You've given me good advice (MP1017) and even lent me a bike to save my ride, (MC2018) but I'm not carting luke warm animal of indeterminate nature in my saddlebag. See pic above. I mean in the paper bag. Not your oppo.;)
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Wachtebeke
0km start: 09/06 14:00
close: 09/06 15:00
Adinkerke
127km open: 09/06 17:44
close: 09/06 22:28
Houyet
400km open: 09/07 02:08
close: 09/07 16:40
Martelange
497km open: 09/07 05:22
close: 09/07 23:08
B. de Champion
556km open: 09/07 07:20
close: 09/08 03:04
Losheimergraben
646km open: 09/07 10:27
close: 09/08 10:02
Vaals
711km open: 09/07 12:46
close: 09/08 15:43
Vise
742km open: 09/07 13:52
close: 09/08 18:26
Maaseik
793km open: 09/07 15:42
close: 09/08 22:53
Lommel
840km open: 09/07 17:22
close: 09/09 03:00
Meersel-Dreef
902km open: 09/07 19:35
close: 09/09 08:26
Wachtebeke
1000km open: 09/07 23:05
close: 09/09 17:00
After going through the route sheet I'm left wondering if the first control really is after 400km (Houyet)?
The "Verloren Gernoare" tavern in Adinkerke at 127km would make sense to be a control, but isn't labeled as such and doesn't show opening/closing times like the others.
Speaking of closing times, and knowing they're not strictly adhered to when it comes to homologation, how were they calculated? For Houyet for example I come to 14:00 + (400km / 15km/h) = 16:40 whereas the route sheet lists 15:40
Using the RUSA calculator (https://rusa.org/octime_acp.html) I come to:Code: [Select]Wachtebeke
0km start: 09/06 14:00
close: 09/06 15:00
Adinkerke
127km open: 09/06 17:44
close: 09/06 22:28
Houyet
400km open: 09/07 02:08
close: 09/07 16:40
Martelange
497km open: 09/07 05:22
close: 09/07 23:08
B. de Champion
556km open: 09/07 07:20
close: 09/08 03:04
Losheimergraben
646km open: 09/07 10:27
close: 09/08 10:02
Vaals
711km open: 09/07 12:46
close: 09/08 15:43
Vise
742km open: 09/07 13:52
close: 09/08 18:26
Maaseik
793km open: 09/07 15:42
close: 09/08 22:53
Lommel
840km open: 09/07 17:22
close: 09/09 03:00
Meersel-Dreef
902km open: 09/07 19:35
close: 09/09 08:26
Wachtebeke
1000km open: 09/07 23:05
close: 09/09 17:00
Good news on the weather front - dry thank God. 14/15 during the night. 24/25 during the day. Fairly strong winds though.... and few hedges in Belgium ::-)
http://www.meteobelgique.be/
BTW, I want to enjoy this, so I've booked the F1 in Lille. All rooms are twin, so if someone arrives there at the same time as me and wants to crash, then we can go halves on the room €20 :)
I'll be wearing a blue Audax UK top.
Ah, well, maybe I should just ride TCR instead of PBP, I'm going to need get a flipflop hub for that anyway...That's the spirit! :thumbsup:
Really enjoyed this (2018 edition that is), definitely recommended.
Many thanks Rohnny and crew. Great organisation and route.
Might post more later when had a good sleep
From there hooked up with wycombewheeler/HuffnPuff (I think) as well, but got separated from the Belgians in Roubaix when I led us on a wrong turn.
I then managed to introduce my front wheel to possibly the biggest pothole in Belgium with enough force to ding the rim and puncture the tubeless tyre right above the bead. After some faffing but with help from the others put a tube in and continued just the three of us through the night to Cerfontaine with occasional 10 minutes breaks to clear any dozees.
and stopped again in Ieper in a bistro with a perfect view of the cathedral that served spagbol within a few minutes of ordering. From there hooked up with wycombewheeler/HuffnPuff (I think) as well, but got separated from the Belgians in Roubaix when I led us on a wrong turn.don't think it was me, I stopped for dinner at a pizzeria at Roubaix at 10:50, I think i paid for that pace at the end of Friday, but on the flip side I did get plenty of sleep on friday night which lead to a great day on saturday.
...Also more roadworks than I have ever seen on a single ride...
Arriving in Vise on a dodgy rear tyre after the bike shops had closed and nursing it to lommel.
We had wind, we had rain, we had foggy frost and then we had a warm sun. We had roads that made you long for gravel, as that would have been an improvement, and we had cycling paths that were smooth as butter. We had pains in legs, knees, shoulders and asses, that mostly faded as time progressed. We had boulangeries at 7am that would only open at 7:30 and then we had wonderful veg curry at the control in Barrière de Champlon.Last time everyone had to claim separately. I think the section to consider is from roubaix to Vise. 535km for something like 7000m of climb.
In short, we enjoyed the ride, a lot :thumbsup:
A big thanks to Rohnny, Francis and all the other volunteers that made this happen!
By my reckoning this event would also qualify for some AAA points: track 3 (https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28340887) and track 4 (https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28340892) up to Signal de Botrange (km 116.6) would yield 4526 meters in 333km. Now I'm new to this AAA thing, is it simply a matter of mailing the AAA secretary this information once Rohnny publishes the homologations (http://www.randonneurs.be/page/results-2018)? Or should we coordinate something?
Ok we get the point but you have slapped down a very nice guy on the basis of a mass of knee jerk assumptions. I was thereabouts on that night and didn't leave a stronger, younger guy because he was seriously sleep depped as most of have been at some point. It would have been neither "gentlemanly" nor in the spirit of the sport, nor safe to push on.(click to show/hide)
I know Dave. I also thought he seemed a nice guy, but whether he's a nice guy or not is irrelevant.fboab. I don't know you, have never met you. Try posting your real name.
There are anecdotes all over this forum from relatively slow women who have struggled to get rid of 'gentlemen' on audax. I'm almost certain I've said so myself, it's certainly happened more than once.
If you ask someone to leave you alone and they don't, they are giving you no respect, and that's not gentlemanly, nor the action of a nice guy.
I wasn't there and I'm not Elizabeth, but I'm not alone in being a woman who is exasperated by men's assumption that they need looking after.
ETA : don't get me wrong, it's nice to offer help. But if it's refused, you should respect that refusal.
My mate (crashed out) has an unused jersey size 7 if anybody wants one I can put you in touch...What's that in real sizes?
My mate (crashed out) has an unused jersey size 7 if anybody wants one I can put you in touch...What's that in real sizes?
That's a dilemma. Just measured up some jerseys. Ideally I would want a 6. But i do have a jersey i wear thats probably a 7.My mate (crashed out) has an unused jersey size 7 if anybody wants one I can put you in touch...What's that in real sizes?
This page has a sizing table at the bottom.https://bordersofbelgium2018en.weebly.com/cycling-jersey1.html (https://bordersofbelgium2018en.weebly.com/cycling-jersey1.html)
My size 6 BoB jersey is basically the same as medium AUK and LEL ones. If it’s close, I can get him to measure up the size 7.
That's a dilemma. Just measured up some jerseys. Ideally I would want a 6. But i do have a jersey i wear thats probably a 7.My mate (crashed out) has an unused jersey size 7 if anybody wants one I can put you in touch...What's that in real sizes?
This page has a sizing table at the bottom.https://bordersofbelgium2018en.weebly.com/cycling-jersey1.html (https://bordersofbelgium2018en.weebly.com/cycling-jersey1.html)
My size 6 BoB jersey is basically the same as medium AUK and LEL ones. If it’s close, I can get him to measure up the size 7.
Also
List of finishers with their homogulation numbers is now published.
.......
Sounds a touch large, but PM me if you want to be put in touch anyway.
Don’t suppose you know if the results end up on my results by magic, or do I need to email someone?
Cheers
Can anyone explain the Code ACP column of the results table on the BoB website? Mine is "UK" rather than a number ???I assume that's what was filled in (or not filled in) on the entry form. I understand that the ACP code for Audax UK is 16000, and that certainly seems to be the case for the other AUK members.
Can anyone explain the Code ACP column of the results table on the BoB website? Mine is "UK" rather than a number ???I assume that's what was filled in (or not filled in) on the entry form. I understand that the ACP code for Audax UK is 16000, and that certainly seems to be the case for the other AUK members.
Worst case is when the brevet card comes in the post you can email a scan.Can anyone explain the Code ACP column of the results table on the BoB website? Mine is "UK" rather than a number ???I assume that's what was filled in (or not filled in) on the entry form. I understand that the ACP code for Audax UK is 16000, and that certainly seems to be the case for the other AUK members.
I guess it's a mystery. I emailed the Recorder but heard nothing and it's not on my results; am keeping fingers crossed but fear something has got lost in translation.
72 finishers I see, does anyone know how many started (over 100 I believe)?
What an awesome adventure that was. ....
Assuming I was last again I plodded on , once at the 710k control I saw a handful of riders set off, but two stayed until i’d eaten. We tried to form a group, I managed to be a similar pace as Dave_C and we stayed together until the end.
Not long after and the hills were done, We were still 3 hours over time, so pushed on using the tri bars to make up good speed. Dave is faster than me but company helps, we rode next to each other along the canals etc clawing back the time. Stopping for a picnic felt surreal and normal - thanks for the food Dave!
......
Thoroughly recommend event - just take note that it’s hard to get food/water!
Worst case is when the brevet card comes in the post you can email a scan.Can anyone explain the Code ACP column of the results table on the BoB website? Mine is "UK" rather than a number ???I assume that's what was filled in (or not filled in) on the entry form. I understand that the ACP code for Audax UK is 16000, and that certainly seems to be the case for the other AUK members.
I guess it's a mystery. I emailed the Recorder but heard nothing and it's not on my results; am keeping fingers crossed but fear something has got lost in translation.
I enjoyed our chat at the impromptu picnic also, these little things are what make Audax memories.
Have you ever heard the expression, "no means no"?While I agree in general, having felt like that on occassion, I think he did the right thing. You see, I stood right next to Elisabeth when she explicitly thanked Dave for staying with her. She thought she might not have made it to Champlon if he hadn't.
It's incredibly infuriating and patronising to be stuck with someone when you have requested to be left because they are 'a gentleman'. She's slower than you climbing, so couldn't ride away, and when she tried to be dropped you wouldn't leave her. You wouldn't have acted this way if she were a man.
Has anyone had their brevet card returned for this? I don't recall mine coming back to me. If it was a regular brevet I wouldn't mind, but it's nice to have a memento for an overseas ride.
Has anyone had their brevet card returned for this? I don't recall mine coming back to me. If it was a regular brevet I wouldn't mind, but it's nice to have a memento for an overseas ride.Huff n Puff had his returned, I've not had mine.
Wot WW said - thnx.
Any plans for BoB 2020?
Hi Rohnny,
I've got unfinished business with this, but if you decide to go ahead with it in 2020 let us know here if you need volunteers at all at any of the controls as if I can't ride it, could maybe help out.
Ivan
Hi Rohnny,
I've got unfinished business with this, but if you decide to go ahead with it in 2020 let us know here if you need volunteers at all at any of the controls as if I can't ride it, could maybe help out.
Ivan
I'm glad to see the bevet cards have arrived. As I said before the sending of the bevet cards is a thing of Randonneurs.be, not the organisers. I just asked nicely if they would send the bevet cards to the non-Belgian riders and they did. :thumbsup:
Try via email: randonneurs.be@hotmail.comI'm glad to see the bevet cards have arrived. As I said before the sending of the bevet cards is a thing of Randonneurs.be, not the organisers. I just asked nicely if they would send the bevet cards to the non-Belgian riders and they did. :thumbsup:
Is that just for BoB or did they send out other international brevet cards? I haven't had my card from the December Bruges ride, and am wondering if I should email someone and ask for it...
J