2023 Subscriptions martin Posted September 22, 2010 2023 Subscriptions Report Share Posted September 22, 2010 So who's interested? I've not done too many sportives, but then again, I can't imagine there are too many better than this one. (Tour of Lombardy might be, Paris Roubaix is done at the wrong time of the year, others cost too much money). De Ronde is cheap, easy to enter (EOL for goodness sake) and run off over hallowed ground. The event is very well supported / catered: well signposted, marshalled, great feed stations and there's even a beer and frites tent at the end. And of course, as Davy has already pointed out, you get to watch the pros do it the next day, while you're drinking some of the best beer going. Quite satisfying watching them walk up a hill you've ridden up. I've been twice, both times by overnight ferry from Hull. Boat goes to Zeebrugge, and it's less than an hour down to Brugge. We went overnight on the Thursday, rode Friday, did the RVV Saturday, watched the race Sunday, and then jumped on the evening sailing to get back home Monday afternoon. It's pretty easy to fly to Belge too, but then you've got the palaver of bikes, bags and maybe hiring a car. The first time we did the short version - approx 140km but including all the fun cobbled bits (http://www.sport.be/cyclingtour/rondevanvlaanderen/2008/eng/parcours/hellingen/). Great fun, authentic RVV weather (rain, wind and sleet). Logistically this one's easy to do, as it starts and finishes in the same place. We stayed in Brussels and drove to the start. Second time around we went for the full bhuna, starting in Brugge at 7 in the morning and ending up 255km later in Meerebeke. (It was sunny though, so not the real deal. Cobbles weren't nearly slippy enough). This is more of a challenge, since you end up about 150km away from your digs. For this we took the car down to the finish on the Friday afternoon, went for a loosener on a few of the climbs, and then took the train back to Brugge for an evening of carbo loading. Then when we finished the ride on Saturday we had the car waiting for a quick hurl back to the digs and beer. On Sunday it was up early to see the pros sign on and watch the depart. Back to the hotel for breakfast and then hop in the car for a trip down to watch the riders attack the Koppenberg (only 600m, but a max gradient of 22%). Cancellara snapped his chain on this one and had to pack the race. Once they were through we went on to the RVV museum in Oudenaarde (http://www.rvv.be/en/museum) to watch the last 4 or 5 bergs and the finale in their cinema. Or you could stand in their bar (pints pulled by Freddy Maertens, ex world champ). Either way, brilliant to be in a cycling crowd watching a race. There are lots of places to watch the race though. Geraardsbergen is a massively popular spot - big square, bars, huge video screens - at the start of the Kaplemuur. Some of my pics at and How about a Belgian evening to discuss? I have, sorry my children have the tour of flanders board game. (It's a belter, honest). We could meet down the clubrooms, or in a pub. Interest? M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James2764 Posted September 22, 2010 Report Share Posted September 22, 2010 Martin, Belgian evening sounds like a good idea. Think car and ferry sounds like best option. James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2023 Subscriptions martin Posted September 22, 2010 Author 2023 Subscriptions Report Share Posted September 22, 2010 Martin, Belgian evening sounds like a good idea. Think car and ferry sounds like best option. James Don't think there's a MacBraynes boat though, James. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2023 Subscriptions martin Posted September 22, 2010 Author 2023 Subscriptions Report Share Posted September 22, 2010 Newcastle - Amsterdam by dfds ferries currently £364 for 1 car and 4 people sharing a cabin, no meals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2023 Subscriptions martin Posted September 22, 2010 Author 2023 Subscriptions Report Share Posted September 22, 2010 Hull Zeebrugge by P&O £336 same deal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest EPCC Posted September 22, 2010 Report Share Posted September 22, 2010 I am up for it, we might even need two cars Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavieB Posted September 22, 2010 Report Share Posted September 22, 2010 Martin - cheers for taking up the reins, I'm feeling a bit guilty now. I was on some very bizarre ferry websites today , so you have got further than me. the one price I managed to get was a bargain at £864 per FOOT passenger, the other times I didn't even get that far A pub night sounds no' a bad idea once we get a committed group together to try and finalise plans if only to see this board game first hand. D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2023 Subscriptions martin Posted September 23, 2010 Author 2023 Subscriptions Report Share Posted September 23, 2010 £864 per FOOT Lucky I'm only a wee guy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2023 Subscriptions Tom Hill Posted September 23, 2010 2023 Subscriptions Report Share Posted September 23, 2010 Despite my harking at Dave, I am keen on this. Pub meeting sounds like a good start and i like the them of biere et frites!! It would certainly be a warm up for the Etape Caledonia!! Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavieB Posted September 23, 2010 Report Share Posted September 23, 2010 Tom, At least in Flanders you shouldn't have too much trouble absorbing the required amount of carbs. Make mine a Trappist. D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James2764 Posted September 23, 2010 Report Share Posted September 23, 2010 Was just having a look at ferry times etc. It seem's that P&O Hull to Zeebrugge sailing out Thursday 31st, back Sunday 3rd is only £236 for 4 berth cabin no meals, or £415.60 with all meals incuded. Sailing times are 18:30 - 08:45 going out and 19:00 - 08:15 returning. This is with a car and 4 sharing, seem's like a really good price. This was on P&O's own website. James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Posted September 23, 2010 Report Share Posted September 23, 2010 Sounds like a great weekend, I'll be up for it and will be a great motivator to get me out on the wet cold mornings over the winter as I am far from being able to do 250+ km's. Let me know when the night out is in the pub and I'll come across Alan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2023 Subscriptions martin Posted September 23, 2010 Author 2023 Subscriptions Report Share Posted September 23, 2010 Was just having a look at ferry times etc. It seem's that P&O Hull to Zeebrugge sailing out Thursday 31st, back Sunday 2nd is only £236 for 4 berth cabin no meals, or £415.60 with all meals incuded. Sailing times are 18:30 - 08:45 going out and 19:00 - 08:15 returning. This is with a car and 4 sharing, seem's like a really good price. This was on P&O's own website. James Hi James, big improvement on the price I had from anyoldferry.com (or something like that). Not sure about the grub on board. First time we went we didn't book the meals. 8 pints of hogaarden and a pasty seemed like a good idea at the time, although you'll have to ask Mark van Whitehead if the bottle of whisky chaser was wise. Second time we had the buffet dinner - no great shakes really, but it soaks up the beer. Could always take pieces and have a drum up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2023 Subscriptions martin Posted September 23, 2010 Author 2023 Subscriptions Report Share Posted September 23, 2010 Despite my harking at Dave, I am keen on this. Pub meeting sounds like a good start and i like the them of biere et frites!!It would certainly be a warm up for the Etape Caledonia!! Tom Tom - this picture on the left here is your actual RVV frites, snapped at the end of the ride. Doused in ketchup and mayo of course (a wee trick stevie blom taught me). You know you want to! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James2764 Posted September 23, 2010 Report Share Posted September 23, 2010 Looks like interest growing and 2 cars needed at least. Would be great to take a big group. Been looking at course and some of the climbs look pretty challenging to put it mildly not to mention the distance. James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James2764 Posted September 23, 2010 Report Share Posted September 23, 2010 Was just having a look at ferry times etc. It seem's that P&O Hull to Zeebrugge sailing out Thursday 31st, back Sunday 3rd is only £236 for 4 berth cabin no meals, or £415.60 with all meals incuded. Sailing times are 18:30 - 08:45 going out and 19:00 - 08:15 returning. This is with a car and 4 sharing, seem's like a really good price. This was on P&O's own website. James Sorry i forgot to price in bikes on roof or on rear, this increases price by £50 still not that bad a price though. James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavieB Posted September 24, 2010 Report Share Posted September 24, 2010 Great to see so much interest in this, it must be the lure of the hallowed ground James - fantastic work with the travel costs it is looking good. Will we let the post run for a couple of weeks to see if anybody else is interested before meeting up? The next obvious thing to consider is accomodation (location, budgets etc). I imagine the fellows who have braved the pave previously will have some thoughts on this as well. This is just like being at work - shameless delegation Davie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2024 Subscriptions Darryl Gunson Posted September 24, 2010 2024 Subscriptions Report Share Posted September 24, 2010 Hi Guys Definitely up for this. Count me in. Belgium night sounds just the thing. Where can I get a Leffe Blonde? D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenny Christie Posted September 24, 2010 Report Share Posted September 24, 2010 I would like this too, strong beer, chips and cycling. Three of my favourite things,... (in order) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2023 Subscriptions martin Posted September 24, 2010 Author 2023 Subscriptions Report Share Posted September 24, 2010 Woah now. I hope I'm not misunderstanding things, but wondering if might need two threads here: 1. people who are up for a night in the pub 2. people who want to smash it over the cobbles in Flanders Of course it's entirely possible that you, like me, fall in to groups 1 and 2 BTW, only 9 days to the first cross race of the season. Perfect prep for those Belgian bergs and cobblestones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2023 Subscriptions martin Posted September 24, 2010 Author 2023 Subscriptions Report Share Posted September 24, 2010 BTW Kenny Christie, is 52 Festive Road in Spam Valley, or have you moved? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2024 Subscriptions Darryl Gunson Posted September 24, 2010 2024 Subscriptions Report Share Posted September 24, 2010 1&2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2024 Subscriptions Darryl Gunson Posted September 24, 2010 2024 Subscriptions Report Share Posted September 24, 2010 1&2 No Just Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Richard Posted September 24, 2010 Members Report Share Posted September 24, 2010 BTW Kenny Christie, is 52 Festive Road in Spam Valley, or have you moved? 29 Acacia Road would be a more appropriate address. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest EPCC Posted September 24, 2010 Report Share Posted September 24, 2010 How many cars are we up to now and yes which one was drinking and chips as i am only doing the bike bit for the drinking chips chocolate and more drinking and a night out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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