Trip Itinerary
Day 1: We rendezvous at our accommodation in Deinze. A group transfer from Brussels International Airport is provided in the early afternoon. After dinner we have a briefing from our guide along with a glass of Belgian beer.
Day 2: Bike via Zingem, Bosmolen and Doorm, with lots of cobbled sections, including hills such as Molenberg and Wolvenberg. A great introductory loop, with a bit of everything. Ride distance: 100 kilometres.
Day 3: Another great loop from Oodenaarde, with hills such as Haaghoek and Vesten and Muur, as well as welcome cafe breaks. Returning to the CRVV at Oudenaarde, we have a guided tour around this unique Tour of Flanders exhibition by Freddie Maertens. Ride distance: 130 kilometres.
Day 4: A relatively flat ride today. We follow the River Lys to Kortrijk and continue to Roeselare, where we visit the National Cycling Museum. Returning to Deinze via Ooidonk Castle, we then have a late afternoon visit to the Contreras Brewery, to learn about (and taste) Belgian beer. Ride distance: 100 kilometres.
Day 5: We cross to France today to ride part of the Paris-Roubaix, one of the world's classic races. We try out several of the gruelling cobblestone sections which make this race one of the toughest in the calendar. Crossing the finish line in Roubaix, we can shower in the old velodrome before transferring back to Deinze. Ride distance: 130 kilometres.
Day 6: An easy ride takes us to the CRVV in Oudenaarde, where we take lunch with former World Champion Freddy Maertens. Freddy will then join us on a ride through Nederename and Gavere to the Eddy Merckx Velodrome. Here, we swap to track bikes for an hour's introduction to track racing. After a shower we have a tour of the old city of Ghent and take dinner in a restaurant. Ride distance: 80 kilometres.
Day 7: On this final day of riding, we tackle 11 hills at the heart of the Tour of Flanders. We ride classics like, Koppenberg, Kluisberg and Paterberg, finishing in the market place in Oudenaarde with a celebratory beer. Returning to Deinze, we have a final traditional Flemish dinner.
Day 8: After breakfast, we have a group transfer to Brussels International Airport, where KE group package services end.
