Just popping in to say hello from Belgium.

[Belgian John]

I just wanted to say hello, it's been a while since I've used any UK forum, but seeing that I'm a British citizen, albeit an expat living in Bruges, Belgium I thought I'd join up.

As most of you are no doubt aware of, Belgium, well especially the county of West Flanders, which is closest to the North Sea coast is a very low lying area. Thus, the magnitude of cycle networks and bicycles is vast. In Belgium almost every man, woman and child has at least one bicycle, with cycling enthusiasts, such as myself having many. I did at one time have up to five bicycles, but have sold a couple of them to buy my new recumbent and I can only ride one at a time anyway. I even had three at one time when I was still living in England.

Hopefully I'll be a regular on this forum, where I'll be trying to promote my immediate area in Belgium around Bruges and the coast, for no over reason apart from the reasonable beauty of the (flat) scenery, more so along the canals and the safe and vast cycle roadways which are away from other road users.

Here's a link to some great routes in my area http://www.gamber.net/cyclebel/w_fland.htm. If anyone's interested in coming over let me know as I can show the way and afterwards the first beers will be on me .

John

 

[cookiemonster]

Evenin' BJ.

 

[Aperitif]

Welcome to the bunfight Belgian John!
(Why is the café full of Belgiums today? )

 

[snorri]

Welcome Belgian John
I have just appointed you forum member with responsibility for advice on all Belgian cycling dilemmas.

 

[Belgian John]

Thanks for the welcomes and wow, responsiblities after my first posting.

 

[papercorn2000]

OK, do you know what they call a quarter pounder in Europe?

 

[mickle]

Welcome aboard BJ.

 

[ComedyPilot]

Bonjour John, welcome on board, enjoy the ride.

 

[rich p]

BJ, I was thinking of planning a weeks Spring tour in Holland but I could be persuaded to do Belgium instead. I'll be taking a couple of novice cyclists so the flatness would be a good start for them. What's the accommodation like in the area? Cheapish, clean, simple hotels sounds good.

 

[Cathryn]

Bienvenue!

 

[HLaB]

Welcome BJ

 

[longers]

Hello John ,
why do I keep thinking of Stuart Hall?

 

[Belgian John]

Thanks once again for all of the welcomes!

BJ, I was thinking of planning a weeks Spring tour in Holland but I could be persuaded to do Belgium instead. I'll be taking a couple of novice cyclists so the flatness would be a good start for them. What's the accommodation like in the area? Cheapish, clean, simple hotels sounds good.

There are numerous amount of good quality, clean and cheapish accomodation in the area, athough you need to know where to look to get the best value.
If you send me a PM I'll sort you out some links and I'd be willing to let you know the best places to visit too. Try and ad in a visit to Damme, with the tour and maybe also a visit over the border to Sluis in the Netherlands only a gentle hour's ride up a beautiful tree lined canal, from Bruges city centre.

 

[Over The Hill]

Hi

My burning question on anything Belgian is why do we say "Broooj" for Bruges but "Brugg" when on a ferry to Zeebruge. Do the locals say them each the same or differently?

 

[John the Monkey]

My burning question on anything Belgian is why do we say "Broooj" for Bruges but "Brugg" when on a ferry to Zeebruge. Do the locals say them each the same or differently?

Bruges (Brooj) is for French speakers, Brugge is for Dutch/Flemish speakers. Same place, two names.