Tour de Bretagne

Stage 1, Sunday: Dunkirk port to town

distance 19 km; climb 70 m

Meet the Glaudax brothers (aka Richard & Tony) on Sunday morning outside the Dover Central Premier Inn where you can stow your luggage on our van before boarding the 12:00 ferry to Dunkirk. We arrive at 15:00 and pootle into the town centre well in time for drinks, a relaxed evening meal and an early night if required in advance of a longer day in the saddle tomorrow.

Night 1: ​Hotel Cargo

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Stage 2, Monday: Dunkirk to Bruges

distance 74 km; climb 340 m

​Just 2km out from the hotel​ we hit the fabulous EuroVelo 12 North Sea Cycle Route which we follow for 50 km to Ostend, where we turn right onto a canal-side route all the way to Bruges – it really is as simple as that! We cross the border into Belgium at 15 km, and soon after that an early coffee break can be taken at De Panne. There's a free ferry across the Yser estuary at the halfway mark, and Middelkerke shortly after that is a good place to stop for lunch.

Bruges is a place that lives and breathes history. Visiting this historic city means travelling back in time to the Middle Ages. It's one of Europe’s best-preserved cities, evidenced by its historic city centre, the entirety of which has been designated a UNESCO world heritage site. The iconic spires of its cathedral and bell tower, its cobbled streets, winding canals and whitewashed façades are almost painfully picturesque.

Night 2: Hôtel du Théâtre

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Stage 3, Tuesday: Bruges to Ghent

distance 49 km; climb 200 m

​Today is an almost entirely car-free day of pan-flat and peaceful pedalling beside the Bruges-Ghent canal. We've slotted a couple of spurs into the route at Aalter where you could either do coffee at the Café Vitesse bike shop or lunch at Kasteel Nobelstede, a typical Belgian restaurant.

Ghent is another iconic Flandrian destination boasting the Castle of the Counts, three iconic towers, medieval streets and buildings, and the confluence of the Leie and Scheldt rivers. In the past half century, Ghent has transitioned from a rough, industrial city to become one of Europe’s best-kept secrets. The old factories have given way to a vibe that is bursting with energy, courtesy of the city’s creative talents and port. There is a huge range of cafés, restaurants and cultural centres.

Night 3: Hotel Gravensteen
 

Stage 4, Wednesday: Ghent to Oudenaarde

distance 35/73/90 km; climb 180/500/630 m

There are three choices of route today: short and flat by the river Scheldt, or two longer lumpier options for those with the legs! The Flemish Ardennes and bicycle racing are inextricably linked, providing the traditional backdrop to Flanders’ spring classics. Cobbled climbs include the Paddestraat, Molenberg and Kerkgate, all three of which feature in today's longer routes.

Oudenaarde is a cycling Mecca. For a century now its undulating roads, cobblestones and hills have played crucial roles in Flanders’ spring classics. Those riding the shorter route today, as well as stronger faster riders on the longer routes, will have time to visit the highly recommended Tour of Flanders Centre which covers this extensive history from start to finish.

Night 4: Leopold hotel

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Stage 5, Thursday: Oudenaarde to Ypres

distance 67/90 km; climb 340/540 m

Another knotty choice faces riders at the start of the day. The longer hillier option is an absolute must for Belgian bike race fans, featuring three legendary and progressively tougher challenges: Oude de Kwaremont​, Paterberg and the mighty Koppenberg, listed as a national monument and "probably the most difficult climb in the region, combining maximum gradient of 20% with rutted, worn cobbles and a constantly greasy surface. There's no shame in having to stop. Better men than us have had to walk up here. Legend has it that the climb was introduced to the Tour of Flanders organisers by 2 time winner Walter Godefroot, but only after he'd retired so he wouldn't have to race up it." Cycling in Flanders

The remainder of the route is rather tamer, with plenty of coffee and lunch opportunities in Kortrijk or Menen, and passing by British and Canadian war memorials and cemeteries as we approach Ypres in good time for the highly moving last post ceremony at the Menen Gate, a daily tribute to the fallen.

Night 5: Albion hotel

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Stage 6, Friday: Ypres to Dunkirk port

distance 70 km; climb 260 m

It's a pretty flat and hopefully easy ride back to Dunkirk, unless we are facing a ​headwind, not entirely unexpected in this wide-open country. Soon after we cross back into France we roll into Bergues, handily placed for restorative coffees and pastries. Also known as the “other Bruges of Flanders”, this welcoming little town was extensively restored after the war and is full of character with its fine Flemish-style houses, its belfry and the remains of the medieval ramparts. We then take an off-road route into central Dunkirk and thread our way out of town back to the port for the 16:00 ferry service, arriving back in Dover at 17:00.

 

Congratulations, you've completed Glaudax Internationale!

 

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We acknowledge Visit Flanders and French Moments for some of the information given above.

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