Itinerary
Wednesday 7th of September : Arrival day
Travel to Oudenaarde
Please make your own arrangements to arrive at our hotel in Oudenaarde today. Our team will be available to meet you at the hotel. If you plan to fly then we offer airport transfers for you, your luggage and your bike from Brussels International airport.
Airport Transfer from Brussels Zaventem (International) Airport
Our Transfer will depart from Brussels Zaventem airport at 1300 (1pm). You should book flights to arrive into Brussels by midday, to give yourself time to clear passport control and collect your bags.
Our hotel
We are staying at the Hotel Leopold in Oudenaarde. Your stay will be for 4 nights and will be on a half board basis so with breakfasts and evening meals included.
What about my bike?
You can bring your own bike as we have made arrangements to transport bike boxes on our airport transfers. Alternatively, you can rent a bike with us for the weekend. Our mechanic will be available this afternoon at the hotel to assist you with fitting your rental bike or building your own bike after travel. Bikes can be safely stored at the hotel.
Check out our bikes and bike rental page here
This evening we’ll have the evening meal at the hotel.
Thursday 8th of September : Day 1 > 75km and 914 metres of climbing
After breakfast we will transport you over to Ypres from where we will start today. Your bike is loaded onto our bike carrying vehicle and the transfer takes about 1 hour.
Kick off the Flandrien Challenge by conquering the 9 segments in the Kemmelberg area. The roads of the Westhoek are an under-appreciated hotbed of cycling. On these muddy farm lanes, through the constant wind, Flandriens like Frank Vandenbroucke, Johan Museeuw and Johan Bruyneel honed their craft. The area is also rich in history with the fiercest fighting of the Western Front in World War One taking place in a small, idyllic area. Today, however, the scenery is placid and beautiful.
Our route begins in Ieper, under the Menen Gate, a memorial to some 54,395 soldiers who perished in the fighting and have no known grave, before heading South and East into no-mans land and past several other memorials before we arrive at the Kemmelberg for the first of two ascents. In between you can enjoy the experience of Gent-Wevelgem as you climb and descend the numerous small ridges in the area, all with a different view across Flanders Fields.
Flandrien Challenge - Day 1 | Cycling in Flanders
Friday 9th of September : Day 2 > 190 kilometres and 2,392 metres of climbing
After the appetiser we served up in the West, are you ready for your main course? Taking in 12 climbs and 7 cobbled sectors, as well as countless unheralded ups and downs, day 2 of the Flandrien Challenge is where you'll really earn your spurs as a True Flandrien. 190 Kilometres and 2,392 climbing meters beginning with a coffee at the Centrum Rode Van Vlaanderen before sending you to the cobbles of the Nokereberg and back across the Schelde into the beating heart of the Tour of Flanders! From there, you'll take the scenic route South to Geraadsbergen for a showdown with the Muur and Bosberg before winding your way back via historic ways like the Molenberg, Kerkgate and the Wolvenberg. There are times when you'll be almost able to see the finish in the last 50km but remember a True Flandrien never gives up and can reward themselves with something stronger than coffee back at the Centrum Ronde Van Vlaanderen's cafe.
Flandrien Challenge - Day 2 | Cycling in Flanders
Saturday 10th of September : Day 3 >142km and 2232m of climbing
There's no let up on Day 3 of the Flandrien Challenge, it may be "only" 142km long but today boasts almost as much climbing as Day 2 in addition to the legendary combination of Oude Kwaremont, Paterberg & Koppenberg. Just stay focussed on your personal monument and your place on the wall of fame! To concentrate on the three biggest names alone would be a mistake, however. The route contains no fewer than 23 climbs and the gradients on this route are consistently steeper than on the previous 2 days. If after the Koppenberg you still have the motivation to forget you're only 2km from the finish line and carry on to climb Steenbeekdries, the Taaienberg, Eikenberg and the lesser known but no less brutal Ladeuze, then you will have without doubt earned the title of a True Flandrien!
After today’s ride we will go to the centrum Ronde van Vlaanderen to validate your achievement with photos of your cobble on the wall in the Café.
Flandrien Challenge - Day 3 | Cycling in Flanders
Sunday 11th of September : Departure day
After breakfast it’s time to go home. We will run one transfer to Brussels International Airport at 0800 (8am) for those that wish to use this service (please select at checkout).
The transfer takes between 1 and a half and 2 hours, so we suggest booking flights to depart from Brussels after midday.
