Lille to Hook of Holland

[lozfuller]

Thanks again everyone. Have opted to cycle from Hook of Holland (arriving there at 08.00 from Harwich) to Rotterdam and get the train from Rotterdam to Antwerp rather than Lille as that's a shorter journey with no changes. Then cycle to Ghent for the first night. Then Ghent to Middelburg for the second night and then to Brielle for the last night. Then get the Rozenburg to Maassluis ferry and then to Hook of Holland to get the 13.45 ferry back to Harwich. Could alternatively cycle to Maasvlakte and get the Maasvlakte to Hook of Holland ferry, but ferries from there are much less frequent.

In terms of 'island' crossings, looking to take the Breskens to Vissingen ferry for the first one, but for the rest to take the N57 bridge crossings, which would include the Western Scheldt storm surge barrier? (rather than the ferries).

Hopefully the above is a good plan, but open to comments around any potential banana skins!

 

[adamhearn]

Definitely a good ride there. We did some of it in reverse almost this time last year.

Hook into Rotterdam will not be a lot of fun - pretty industrial, fairly bland but you're heading for a train

We whizzed through Gent [on our way to Antwerp] but it seemed nice enough.

Middelburg is a nice place though when we arrived it was late (we misjudged how slow we'd be coming down the coastal route from The Hague with a challenging headwind) and as well as missing the last ferry, we also didn't have a place to stay. Being holiday season and a rather captive area, nothing was available. We did strike lucky and rented a private flat for a night so disaster averted.

The N57 route is pretty for a while but it felt pretty relentless [we were on day 4 averaging 90 miles/day so did not exactly have fresh legs].

We loved Bruges and would probably spend more time there should we go again.

The ferry crossing at Breskens-Vlissingen runs pretty frequently. The ferry crossing at Maassluis-Rozenburg [from memory at least] isn't as frequent but we only waited about 40 mins or so.

Pre-book your nightly stays (B&B) with:
https://www.vriendenopdefiets.nl/en/

 

[lozfuller]

Definitely a good ride there. We did some of it in reverse almost this time last year.

Hook into Rotterdam will not be a lot of fun - pretty industrial, fairly bland but you're heading for a train

We whizzed through Gent [on our way to Antwerp] but it seemed nice enough.

Middelburg is a nice place though when we arrived it was late (we misjudged how slow we'd be coming down the coastal route from The Hague with a challenging headwind) and as well as missing the last ferry, we also didn't have a place to stay. Being holiday season and a rather captive area, nothing was available. We did strike lucky and rented a private flat for a night so disaster averted.

The N57 route is pretty for a while but it felt pretty relentless [we were on day 4 averaging 90 miles/day so did not exactly have fresh legs].

We loved Bruges and would probably spend more time there should we go again.

The ferry crossing at Breskens-Vlissingen runs pretty frequently. The ferry crossing at Maassluis-Rozenburg [from memory at least] isn't as frequent but we only waited about 40 mins or so.

Pre-book your nightly stays (B&B) with:
https://www.vriendenopdefiets.nl/en/

Great, thanks Adam. I've already booked the stops on Booking.com but it's free cancellation so will take a look at that site.

 

[rickmd1964]

@lozfuller How was your trip in the end? I'm looking at a similar trip in June, arriving in the Hook on Thursday morning and coming back on the Sunday day crossing. So, 3 nights in all. I want to take in Ghent, but I am also looking for picturesque and easy routes. Im 60 and ride like a district nurse so not looking for any long legs.

 

[lozfuller]

@lozfuller How was your trip in the end? I'm looking at a similar trip in June, arriving in the Hook on Thursday morning and coming back on the Sunday day crossing. So, 3 nights in all. I want to take in Ghent, but I am also looking for picturesque and easy routes. Im 60 and ride like a district nurse so not looking for any long legs.

Hi Rick. I'm not going until July so I'm afraid I can't help you at the moment. Hope you enjoy your trip - you may be able to give me some tips before I go!!

 

[Gillstay]

we did a couple of days along the Belgian front line from the first world war. Very interesting, a bit of history virtually unknown in Britain.
Some very good wildlife as well. Impressed. Oh and great beer.

 

[Spartak]

https://www.komoot.com/tour/2061771...YNGCaFi1Cn3slAOhBKLCMRlFN4gKgO4xHfJN3L06XBIus

A quick search on Komoot throws up this route, passing thru' Ghent & Antwerp.

 

[Spartak]

As @The Crofted Crest remarked take euros in Belgium, lots of bars & cafes only take cash.
You should be okay in tourist spots but places out of town might not, I always check first ... 👍

 

[mjr]

Oh yes! If you've got time, and you should make some, go to Future Land on the Maasvlakte. It's the brand new, man-made Port of Rotterdam container terminal. Absolutely, bewilderingly fascinating!

Some huge sculptures around it and good cycleways, too. It is unusual. I wouldn't cut short a city visit to go there but it is more interesting than it sounds, I think.

I also suggest a coffee stop in the middle of Goedereede if you can. It is very cute, a preserved little harbour city, long bypassed, and one-time home parish of the only Dutch-born pope.