Flanders in the Spring
Date: April 1-5, 2010
Length: 5 days and 4 nights
Price: $1950 (USD)
Celebrate Easter in Belgium in 2010! Not only is the racing world-class, but so is the chocolate. Sink your teeth into some of both. Our premier cycling trip, Flanders in the Spring will be sure to please any cyclist!
Watching the classic Tour of Flanders professional bike race will be the highlight that is sure to motivate you. Follow the race with us during it's 94th anniversary and experience the cobbles in person.
Several rides will be done in the Flemish Ardennes where the countryside is made of rolling landscapes and cobbled roads. You will stay in charming, local villas which are small in scale and will help you feel submerged in culture. This long weekend trip allows you enough time to experience genuine European culture without compromising extensive vacation time. Pair it with the Scheldeprijs pro race for a longer adventure and heighten your senses of pure riding pleasure.
The tour also includes participating in the ever-popular Ronde van Vlaanderen Cyclosportif along with thousands of other European cyclists. You will get a chance to ride the same cobbled climbs the pro's do! Ride the Ronde van Vlaanderen race course and climb many of the sections in this year's race. With thousands of other dedicated riders on the course, you will constantly be in the midst of the action. Attack on the hills. Fly down the descents. Prove your abilities to yourself. The devoted locals enthusiastically cheer on the side of the road while ringing cowbells as you struggle to get up the steep cobbled climbs. If you want to witness more racing, stay a few days longer and watch the Grote Scheldeprijs semi-classic race on the following Wednesday.
Climb the cobbles in Belgium while adding some base miles to your spring training. Get an early start on the upcoming season by joining us for this year's Tour of Flanders.
Itinerary
Thursday: Arrive in Brussels, Belgium. Upon arrival at the airport, bike and gear transport to the selected accommodations for your stay. Assemble bikes and take a casual ride (approximately 30-50 km/20+ mi).
Friday: Ride to the Ronde van Vlaanderen Museum (approximately 60-80 km/40-50 mi). Explore the famous museum then break for lunch. Arrive in Brussels for shopping and sight-seeing around Grand Place with an optional one-of-a-kind brewery tour.
Saturday: Climb the Cobbles! Ride with 15,000-20,000 other cyclists on the Ronde van Vlaanderen course including up to sixteen climbs! Choice of distances range from 45 to 160 miles. This is an unsupported ride, however there are rest stops available from the organizer along the route. This ride is unlike anything you have ever experienced. Ever!
Sunday: Ride to the race start to catch the pre-race action. Transition to a prime viewing location on one of the climbs while watching the pros fly up the hills that you were struggling on just the day before (approximately 60-80 km/40+ mi). After the race, head back to pack bikes and gear, unless you are staying for the Grote Scheldprijs Extension.
Monday: Early transport back to the airport, unless you are staying for the Grote Scheldeprijs Extension which will allow you to see a second Spring Classic race. Riding a variety of local routes in Flanders is on the menu for the day.
Other trip details
To secure your reservation please book at least sixty days prior to departure. Trips are capped at 14-16 people in order to keep the group size moderate and comfortable. Trips fill up so sign up early!
Spring weather in Belgium is very unpredictable. Please bring the appropriate riding gear for all weather conditions including rain, snow, cool temperatures, and brisk winds. You could be riding all day in unpleasant conditions. Please check our packing list for clothing recommendations. All mileage is dependant on weather conditions.
Register by:
- February 26, 2010 for Flanders in the Spring
- February 26, 2010 for Grote Scheldeprijs Extension
Discount Available: Sign up three or more people at the same time and you will each receive a 10% discount off of the regular listed price. Please contact us for more details. Registration must be done at the same time to receive the discount. Make sure all names are included on the registration form before signing up.