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4000-7000 FT
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225-300 MI
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5 RIDING DAYS
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2 RACE DAYS
Of cycling’s five Monuments, it is only Paris-Roubaix that elicits the infinite reward of being known first and foremost as it winner. Even its nickname strikes fear: l’Enfer du Nord, the Hell of the North. This is a race that if you fight it, it punches back harder and the only way to conquer it is to ride as hard as you can. To do this takes guts, to conquer it brings a lifetime of glory.
$6000TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
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Welcome to the Classics! Our warm up ride will take us to one of the few cycling cafés still in existence in West Flanders, De Buuzestove in Ichtegem, which we will visit as we ride the early portion of the Flanders course from Bruges. We’ll visit Excellor Bike Shop before dinner with local Chef Bernard Bonte.
Ride: 30 miles Overnight: Bruges/Hotel de Tuilerieen
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
DAYS
100 years ago “The Great War” ripped across Flanders, leaving scars that are still felt today. The city of Ieper has rebuilt itself as a peaceful retreat in western Belgium and has become a centerpiece of Gent-Wevelgem. Today will honor the lost soldiers of World War I as we ride the Gent-Wevelgem course and visit Tyn Cote cemetery, the Kemmelberg, the Menen Gate and the Flanders Fields Museum.
Ride: 50 miles Overnight: Bruges/Hotel de Tuilerieen
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DAYS
The Grote Scheldeprijs in Antwerp is Flanders oldest classic, first run in 1908. And while widely known as a sprinters race, there is always wind, rain, some cobbles and a tight finishing circuit to contend with. We are privileged guests of the organization at this race and enjoy podium side access for the sign on and Kwaremont beers in our finish line VIP booth. Some days its good to be king!
Race: Grote Scheldeprijs Overnight: Bruges/Hotel de Tuilerieen
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Its well known Belgium is two distinct lands- Flanders and Wallonia. Its felt in the language, food, landscape and personalities. Traversing western Flanders, the cobbles of Doorn and Donderij remind us of where we’ve been and the hills of Mont St. Auber- climbed in past editions of the Tour of Wallonia-introduce us to French speaking Belgium. The old center of Lille is perfect for a post ride beer and dinner this evening.
Ride: 65 miles Overnight: Lille/Relais & Chateaux Clarance Hotel
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Welcome to Hell! A day on the bike unlike any other. We don’t believe in competition for this ride- this is about your personal journey along the roads conquered by Merckx, Gimondi, Moser, Kelly, Ballerini and Duclos-Lasalle. And the lesser known champions- Demol, DeMeyer, Wampers. Their names are etched in the stone stalls in the velodrome, and it is our task, whatever it takes across how many sectors you dream of, to enjoy your accomplishment when you arrive in Roubaix!
Ride:35-80 miles Overnight:Lille/Relais & Chateaux Clarance Hotel
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In 1913, Flemish journalist Karel van Wijendaele created the Tour of Flanders “ as an event to unite all Flemish people.” 100+ years later, it is easy to see the success of his idea. Crossing back into Flanders via the Kluisbergen and Knokteberg, we’ll visit the memorial erected to honor van Wijendaele and to have more go at the Oude Kwaremont- why not? We’ll celebrate tonight with young Chef Jeremy Vanderbecke at his small restaurant Mets Gusta outside of Roubaix.
Ride: 45 miles Overnight: Lille/Relais & Chateaux Clarance Hotel
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DAYS
Since 1896, Paris-Roubaix has essentially remained unchanged. 27 sectors of grueling pave, a race no man wants to ride but everyone wants to win. Unlike Flanders, no one sets out to visit the towns, there’s no museum and there’s no reason to ride these roads but one day a year. Watching the race live, seeing the fatigue on the riders is something TV cannot depict. It’s an absurd spectacle, yet it’s entrancing. It’s enthralling. It’s mesmerizing. This is Paris-Roubaix.
Race: Paris-Roubaix Overnight: Lille/Relais & Chateaux Clarance Hotel
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
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Thanks for joining our trip. Riding and watching the Spring Classics is a dream many of us have shared. The iconic images in our memories, the stories, the races, the legends. Having experienced it changes our view on cycling and the sport and offers motivation for the next great adventure. Hope to see you in the Ardennes! Wherever you need to get to for your departure today, we take care of it for you.
A MULTILINGUAL DIALOGUE
A TASTE OF FLANDERS AND WALLONIA
PARIS-ROUBAIX SUNDAY
ONE DAY, ONE RACE, ONE CHAMPION
Dirk Demol. Jean-Marie Wampers. Marc DeMeyer. Servais Knaven. Johan Vansummeran. Matthew Hayman. These are the names of winners of Paris-Roubaix, a race that crowns a winner that isn’t always the strongest, but is certainly always the luckiest. Profiting from good timing, a lucky break, avoiding a crash or simply getting in a break that sticks, some years the Queen of the Classics crowns a king who’s one shining moment has arrived, forever to be known as a winner of Paris-Roubaix.
FEATURED Article
An Extraordinary Day in Hell
Its no secret that the Spring Classics are defined as much by Paris Roubaix and the Tour of Flanders as the grand tours are defined by the Tour de France….
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FEATURED Article
Fantastic Flanders!
FEATURED Article
Fantastic Flanders!
The legend of Edwig Van Hooydonck is one of many that has been carved out across the hills and cobbles of the Flemish Ardennes since the inception of the Tour of Flanders in 1913. That he cemented this legacy with…
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FEATURED Article
Riding the Crown: The Guts and Glory of Paris-Roubaix
FEATURED Article
Riding the Crown: The Guts and Glory of Paris-Roubaix
As German John Degenkolb crossed the finish line in the Roubaix velodrome, victorious in the 114th edition of Paris-Roubaix, his raised arms framed his dirt encrusted face surrounding blackened teeth howling from behind a glorious yell of satisfaction. After five…
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"YOUR EXPERIENCE REALLY MADE THE TRIP"
WILL MARXEN DENVER, CO“It’s been a few weeks since our trip to Belgium (seems like months). I was looking at our pictures again thinking back on all our great experiences. I wanted to write and thank you again for an amazing trip. Being a life long fan of these races and to finally go and ride the roads and see the races in person was truely amazing. The trip from start to end and everything in between was top notch. Your experience, knowledge, and race access really made the trip. Having Martijn along for the rides and doing the photo shoot with Iri and Jim were a couple of unexpected but really great moments during the week. Kim enjoyed the trip as much as I did. The trip worked really well for her staying in Ghent, Bruges, and Tournai. Writing this and thinking back, it is hard to believe we were there just a few weeks ago enjoying a great vacation. Again, thanks for a great trip.”
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