Borders of Belgium 1000 2016

[telstarbox]

However you can only do it on two specific trains in each direction - https://www.eurotunnel.com/uk/traveller-info/vehicles/bicycles/

[hippy]

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.

[Wycombewheeler]

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.

From the description of a puck up point it seems they run a special van through the tunnel 2 times each way each day.

I guess because while it is safe to ride your bike next to motor vehicles on national speed limit roads it is not safe around the train terminal *(ike the McD drivethrough)

[Graeme]

Just a reminder for those travelling by ferry from Hull: If you PM me to let me know you're passing, there could easily be tea/coffee/cake about 25km from the port on either outward or return legs.
G.

[jack_your_body]

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

[cygnet]

Eurostar =/= Eurotunnel

[D.A.L.E.]

And isn't the Eurostar with a bike a ballache? I thought that was the general consensus from other threads.

[Smeth]

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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[Bairn Again]

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

- pay (and can book in advance - the streaky bit though is that the bike and train bookings are with 2 different bodies the latter is Euro Dispatch iirc). 

- take your bike on in a bag but you need to get it down to 58cm length max.  I can manage this on my bike by removing wheels and handlebars.  Practically this also means removing saddle, pedals and securing the rear mech.  Of course youd need somewhere to carry / store the bag its carried in.  I bought one from Amazon pre PBP 2015.  Id recommend carrying a copy of the Eurostar guidelines (from their website) on the matter with you as there might be a jobsworth who will want to stop you.  Ive done this three times to Paris so 6 journeys and Brussels might be different. 

[Wycombewheeler]

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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£68 for me £60 for my bike. Less hassle than boxing and in boxing or driving in Belgium or finding somewhere to park at folkestone.

Although I checked with eurodispatch that spaces were available then booked my tickets then tried to book the bike on only to be told the last train to brussels each day can't take bikes.

Anyway bike will be in Brussels when I need to leave for ghent and dropping off and collecting is simple (now I know where to go in each station)

The bike costing the same as a person seems extreme but still compares well overall against taking the car through the tunnel and having to drive 100miles each side of the channel. I suppose peoplecwithvmore time might ride to and from the ferry. But i cant see any other method being cheaper and easier.

[aidan.f]

Simple Q. Will there be a route sheet issued?  I  don't want to have to rely solely on a  Garmin..

[Rohnny]

Simple Q. Will there be a route sheet issued?  I  don't want to have to rely solely on a  Garmin..

Of course there will be. A turn by turn route sheet will be available. I think the 2016 route sheet was 16 pages long!

[aidan.f]

Rhonny, Thanks I  should not have doubted.  I will have it strapped in front of the bars as  a stack of (waterproofed) pages. It's always satisfying as the pile reduces in thickness as you pedal round.

[Smeth]

Just starting a bit of research into what we'll be riding through. Nice to have some background on landscape and history. So far I've got as far (roughly) as North = Flemish, South = French. So from start to Lille probably mostly the former, then mostly French round the southern half then back to Flemish. I know the coastal resort road but not the quieter hinterland roads behind it that we will be taking. We pass the Ardennes obviously. I'll do a bit more looking at notable climbs, areas of natural beauty and national park type stuff. Also maybe note any points where we pass famous pave or ride classics "bergs" or bits of the "Ronde" etc.

Anyone want to chuck in contributions that would be great.

[D.A.L.E.]

Anyone want to chuck in contributions that would be great.

Simplistically yes, but language wise you're constantly switching between Dutch and French, with a bit of German thrown in too, which can get a little confusing. I walked out of a shop in a huff because the woman didn't know what I was talking about only to realise later I'd been talking (very poor) Spanish.

Saying that, most people speak some sort of English.

[D.A.L.E.]

Also, if the route is the same as two year ago, you can clamber down a grassy bank and head into Luxembourg, to make it a ride of 5 countries. Not sure how many people were daft enough to do it mind.

[Chris S]

Just you I suspect, D.A.L.E.

[Pingu]

Anyone want to chuck in contributions that would be great.

Important information: There's a farmhouse ice-cream shop on the road between Retranchement and Knokke 

[Bobby]

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

[Rohnny]

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.

[Bobby]

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.

I assume you found 100k with headwind so you’re changing it to have a tailwind? 

Thanks Rohnny, looking forward to it.

[Rohnny]

I assume you found 100k with headwind so you’re changing it to have a tailwind? 

Thanks Rohnny, looking forward to it.
[/quote]

No, just different hills 

[Bobby]

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

[LittleWheelsandBig]

For a 1000 BRM, the minimum average speed should be 15 kph for the first 600km, similarly to how PBP approximates 15 kph for the first 600km. The maximum time for a 1000 BRM is 75 hours, regardless of actual distance on the road.

[Bobby]

Thanks LW&B - Learn something new everyday

This is my first BRM over 600, and given my very recent knee injury I wanted to plan out a full value strategy that gives me most chance of success!