Flemish NRttK

[BalkanExpress]

swarm_catcher

Apologies if you are already aware but this might be useful for route planning.

http://www.fietsnet.be/routeplanner/default.aspx

Put in start and finish and then follow the signposts number to number. Unless like me you are in the habit of missing a sign post.

I am very tempted to join (familly commitments permitting) as the logistics are simple enough for me - cycle the two miles from home to the Grand Place

 

[swarm_catcher]

Thanks BalkanExpress. I knew of the site but had never used it. You've promoted me to try creating a route and it looks good but longer by about 30km. I'll put it on my GPS anyway.

I wonder if you had a look at the original route and seen anything that you would advise against?

Hope you can make it ...

 

[Dogtrousers]

Not really on topic for the thread, but not really worth a thread of its own. On the night of Saturday 3rd/morning Sun 4th August a couple of friends and I will be cycling from the small Normandy town of Bréhal to the port of St Malo, past Mont St Michel. This will be exactly like a FNRttC except for a few minor details such as: it's not on a Friday, won't have a half way stop, and won't have TECs, wayfinders or any discernible organisation whatsoever and may well get lost. But apart from that, identical. In the unlikely event that anyone is in the area you are welcome to join us.

 

[BalkanExpress]

I am not very tech savvy (no gps) and have failed to open the file.

If you could put it on bikely or similar I will try and have a look (this is how I see FNRttC routes)

Also if anyone is thinking of coming over needs a bed the night before or after or somewhere to stick a bike Saturday during the day, there is room at our place.

 

[BalkanExpress]

. You've promoted me to try creating a route and it looks good but longer by about 30km. ..

I had a quick bash at this and have just over 130 kn from edge of Brussels to Ostend (Point 52 Vlaams Brabant to Point 8 kust via Brugge 4) .

To get out of Brussels I'd suggest via the Basilica and Grand Bigard which is a nice way to go (apologies if that is already the route).

 

[swarm_catcher]

I had a quick bash at this and have just over 130 kn from edge of Brussels to Ostend (Point 52 Vlaams Brabant to Point 8 kust via Brugge 4) .

To get out of Brussels I'd suggest via the Basilica and Grand Bigard which is a nice way to go (apologies if that is already the route).

No! This is good. I've had limited time to research the route, so I appreciate your feedback. I'd prefer to use the knooppunten route. Can you share the gpx file? Or is 52/8/4 all I need to know?

 

[User169]

I would be interested in coming on this ride, if I can find a relatively easy way to get to Brussel (no bikes on the Thalys unfortunately, but still need to check out one of the slower trains). What time to you anticipate leaving?

 

[BalkanExpress]

No! This is good. I've had limited time to research the route, so I appreciate your feedback. I'd prefer to use the knooppunten route. Can you share the gpx file? Or is 52/8/4 all I need to know?

I failed to up/download the file

In teh absence of tech support on my part I suggest you enlarge the map, click on the 52 by Brussels then the 4 in Brugge and finally the 8 in Ostende and it should do the calculation: add about 5 km to get out BXL and it should be good.

 

[swarm_catcher]

I failed to up/download the file

In teh absence of tech support on my part I suggest you enlarge the map, click on the 52 by Brussels then the 4 in Brugge and finally the 8 in Ostende and it should do the calculation: add about 5 km to get out BXL and it should be good.

Cool, I'll try it when back home tonight (or Monday). Thanks so much.

 

[swarm_catcher]

I would be interested in coming on this ride, if I can find a relatively easy way to get to Brussel (no bikes on the Thalys unfortunately, but still need to check out one of the slower trains). What time to you anticipate leaving?

Hi Delftse Post! We'll set off at midnight as per FNRttC model.

 

[User169]

Hi Delftse Post! We'll set off at midnight as per FNRttC model.

Plenty of time then for some pre-ride "carbohydrate loading" on the grand place!

 

[swarm_catcher]

Plenty of time then for some pre-ride "carbohydrate loading" on the grand place!

What an excellent idea. All of a sudden, I fancy waffles at La Chaloupe d'Or.

 

[srw]

I didn't know it was the longest tram journey in the world, but I was going to suggest the De Panne tram too. Once in de Panne you can hire a multi-rider bike. There are plenty of tandems, and I'm sure I remember an 8-person quadricycle.
The road from de Panne to France is very straightforward and pancake flat - most of the way to Dunkirk is easy riding on a quiet town road. It's also windy. If I were at a computer I'd post a photo of the customs post. It's now a chocolate shop.

If you use the fietskarte (available on paper at tourist info in Ghent, Bruges and de Panne), be aware that some of the segments are off-road. I remember a slightly surprising detour down a muddy track on a 1:4 gradient off a canal dyke, through a wood to the road.

Another time that multi-day tour would be attractive - the canals of Belgium make for great riding.

 

[rvw]

Herewith the aforementioned customs post:

And the waffles with which we stocked up just before!

 

[mmmmartin]

My attendance on this ride is now dependent merely on the weather. It wins over the competition for that weekend, which was to do a hilly 100k audax around Kent, or try to take some interest in football and go to Wembley and watch the mighty Tunbridge Wells team play.