Specialized E5 – Acqua e Sapone
Acqua e Sapone was a professional cycling team that looked like it had been beamed right out of a Marvel Comic. The team was built around the superstar Italian sprinter
Podcasts, Blog & Classic Bicycle Museum
This Cycling Life...
Welcome to our Blog & YouTube Channel This Cycling Life that is produced in our media studio at the Flandrien Hotel. Subscribe to the channel to receive updates about new content.
In addition to interviews, our blog features articles about classic bicycles from our unique museum collection, some of which have been featured in Cyclist Magazine.
#ThisCyclingLife / #flandrienhotel
GIOS Torino 1987 – Suntour Superbe Pro
GIOS Torino – 1987 This gorgeous 1987 GIOS Torino Super Record is a stunning example of Italian craftmanship and Japanese innovation. The bike was created at a time when there
Mathew Hayman – Colnago Extreme Power
Mathew Hayman is a true “Flandrien” in every sense of the word – and we’ve got one of his bikes! Hayman raced for Rabobank & Sky before joining Australian WorldTour team Orica
Pinarello Prince – Team Telekom
Pinarello Prince – 2001 Team Telekom was one of the most influential cycling teams ever. Founded in 1991 by Belgian team manager Walter Godefroot, the team took a few years (and
Chesini Recordman – 1988
Chesini Recordman – 1988 As a kid who was crazy about cycling, the 1984 LA Olympics are imprinted on my brain as an incredible spectacle of bike design & innovation.
Greg Lemond Z-Team TVT92
Greg Lemond Z-Team TVT92 – 1990 I still can’t believe this beautiful 1990 Team Z bicycle of Greg Lemond fame fell into my lap! It represents one of the finest
ALAN Super Corsa Alu
ALAN Corsa Super Alu – 1988 In 1972 Italian engineer Falconi Lodovico founded ALAN, the first company in the world to design and mass produce an all-aluminium bicycle frame. And not
Cannondale Saeco CAAD TT Bike
Cannondale Saeco Team CAAD TT Bike Every now and then we find an exceptionally rare classic bicycle for our collection. And this custom “Made in the USA” Saeco Team Cannondale
Chesini Innovation – La William Duvel Team
Our Chesini Innovation from 1992 is a stunning example of Italian craftmanship with a sloping geometry that was unusual for road bikes of the period. And something surprising – the frame was painted right here in Flanders!
TIME VXRS – Tom Boonen
The name ‘TIME’ conjures up images of French handmade works of art and the elegance of carbon, lugged frames.
And the most legendary TIME bicycle of all just has to be the VXRS Ulteam as ridden to World Championship victory by Tom Boonen in 2005.
Colnago C40 Mapei – Ferrari Collaboration
Mapei was one of the iconic teams of the late 1990s, dominating one-day races with the great Belgian and Italian classic specialists such as Museeuw, Bartoli, Tafi & Ballerini. And they took many of their victories aboard the Colnago C40
LOOK KG196 – Ahead of its time
Introduced in 1991 the LOOK KG196 was a radical creation of carbon kevlar, ceramic and aluminium that made other bikes in the pro peloton look positively obsolete.
Trek 5200 – Monocoque Innovation
The Flandrien Hotel's beautiful Trek 5200 OCLV from 1992 embodies some big cycling industry innovations - and remained almost unchanged for a decade.
Pinarello AK61 Dogma – Explosive Magnesium!
The Dogma name was first used on a Pinarello magnesium frame way back in 2003, a material the Italian company clung to for just a few years
Giant MCR – Why did the UCI Ban it?
The Giant MCR (Monocoque Carbon Race) was designed by the genius bicycle engineer Mike Burrows - but eventually banned by the UCI.
Cannondale CAAD3 Saeco – Bring on the Lion King
In the late 1990s the Italian Saeco team were setting the world on fire with a flamboyant guy named Mario “Lion King” winning on a “Made in the USA” Cannondale CAAD3.
Klein Quantum Pro – Aluminium Pioneer
The Flandrien Hotel's Klein Quantum Pro is from 1998 and boasts the industry’s first ever press-fit bottom bracket bearings and integrated headset fork with threadless aluminium steering shaft.
Giant TCR – First Generation – The First Compact Road Bike
Of all the bikes in our Flandrien Hotel collection, one of our favourites is this beautiful little Giant designed by British engineer and aerodynamics expert Mike Burrows.
Peugeot PY10 Race Bike – Peugeot Michelin Team Edition
Just amazing to finally get my hands on a Peugeot PY10 Team Edition Race bike as ridden by my cycling heroes Phil Anderson & Allan Peiper in the early 1980s. This 1984 PY10 was ridden by the team in races like the Tour de France and De Ronde van Vlaanderen, constructed from Reynolds 531 Professional steel tubing, the top frame material of the day.
Specialized Allez Epic Carbon – A Piece of Cycling Industry History
Sometimes a product embodies an historical event or shift, and that is certainly the case for our Specialized Allez Epic bicycle of 1989 that is part of the Flandrien Hotel collection.
Jeroen van Schelven
In this interview we speak to Jeroen van Schelven, entrepreneur & founder of Le Coffee Ride which is a business integrating a cafe, hotel and cycling apparel brand. Jeroen shares his experience of creating a start-up business focused on his passion for cycling.
Doug Ryder
In this inspiring episode of 'This Cycling Life Leadership Bytes' we interview Douglas Ryder, Team Principal at Team Qhubeka ASSOS. Doug talks about what leadership means for him, and the importance of purpose as a driver for both individual and organizational success.
Allan Davis
Allan Davis is a champion in every sense of the word. Known for his strong work ethic and sprinting ability, Allan started competitive cycling at the age of 10, and turned professional in 2002. Over the following twelve years he amassed more than 30 professional wins, with podiums in the World Championships Road Race and Milan San Remo.
Bernard Moerman
Bernard Moerman is co-founder of Flandrien Hotel, speaker, writer, executive coach and consultant in the field of organizational change and transformation. Prior to shifting his focus to the corporate sector, he spent more than two decades as a talent manager, mentor and Team Director in the world of elite-level cycling.
Raymond Vanstraelen
If we were to ask you to name living legends in the world of cycling, who would you say? Undoubtedly most of you would answer Eddy Merckx, Greg Lemond or maybe even Fabian Cancellara. But there is another person that should come to mind – Raymond Vanstraelen.
Tyler Hamilton
In this interview American former pro cyclist Tyler Hamilton talks about life after pro racing, and why he thinks so many cyclists struggle with the transition. He shares his own experience, and reflects upon what professional athletes might do better to prepare for such a critical life transition.
Mathew Hayman
Mat Hayman is a case study in determination and resilience. He won the Paris-Roubaix or “Hell of the North” after 15 attempts, and his philosophy of “never stop riding” has become a mantra for aspiring champions the world over.
The Biking Brain
In this talk Professor Jamie Anderson discusses the links between exercise and brain health - while riding his bike on stage. Jamie explains the unique way in which cycling can help us to perform at our cognitive best.
Adam Hansen
In this interview with entrepreneur & former professional cyclist Adam Hansen we discuss post sporting career transitions.
In the interview Adam explains why retirement can be much less difficult when it is planned as a process rather than an event.
Simon Gerrans
Simon Gerrans is an entrepreneur and Australian former professional road cyclist. In this interview he talks about what it takes to be a champion, the ingredients for a winning team culture, and the shift to a life beyond the professional peloton.