The Experience
What makes cycling awesome reaches a crescendo in Flanders. The roads of Flanders are winding, narrow and brutal and Flandriens ride with grit and determination. The road and gravel bike routes are peppered with cobbled climbs from a time long gone, asking to be conquered in three- and four-minute bouts of intense and concentrated effort.
Our Religion
The region’s races, such as De Ronde or Ghent-Wevelgem weave between farmers’ fields and villages from the middle ages. In Flanders, cycling is not a sport – it is a religion. So don’t be surprised when you hear locals cheering you on, even when you’re a visitor to these sacred roads.
Recommended Routes
We recommend the following routes which start at the Flandrien Hotel (Komoot Account Required):
Taster Route – De Muur – 38km (easy)
Flandrien Route – Oude Kwaremont – 3 Cobbled Segments – 70km (moderate)
Best of Flanders Cobbles and Climbs – 9 Cobbled Segments – 77km (challenging)
Foreest – Taienberg Loop – 75km (moderate)
Wallonia – Tour de Collines – Beautiful Scenery – 80km (no cobbles)
Kanarieberg – Koppenberg Loop – 114km (challenging)
If you want a real adventure, then take on the Flandrien Challenge with a 3-day stay.
New to Riding on Cobblestones? See this article and video by Koen de Kort previous winner of the U23 Paris-Roubaix and professional cyclist at Team Trek-Segafredo – How to Ride the Cobbles. And for bike setup, watch this video from our friends at GCN – How to Setup Your Bike to Ride on Cobbles. We strongly recommend the use of tubeless, sturdy and higher volume tires such as the excellent Challenge Paris-Roubaix TLR (27mm) and Strada Bianca TLR (30mm). On the worst cobbled sections, tires should be ridden at 4.5/5 BAR (65/75 PSI) for TLR/clincher and 5/5.5 BAR (75/83) for tubulars. In dry conditions, pressure can increase up to 6/6.5 BAR (90/100 PSI). However, higher pressure is not recommended since the tire won’t absorb impacts, causing more punctures. We also advise the fitting of firm-holding bottle cages or you are likely to see your bottles go flying! Custom Wheelsets: For the ultimate in peace of mind we recommend a set of hand built wheels crafted by our highly skilled in-house wheel builder and mechanic Maxime De Gauquier of Havik Cycles. Max’s carbon wheels are specially constructed for the rigors of the cobbles using only the best Belgian-made spokes & hubs laced to tough & light carbon rims. They can be pre-ordered and fitted to your bike upon arrival at the Flandrien Hotel. And they are beautiful too!
