Anyone toured Flanders?

[Gotte]

My friend and I are starting to plan next year's tour. As the title suggests, it'll be in Flanders.
I've been to Flanders a few times and like it, but have never cycled there. Anyone have any experience of the area as a cyclist? My friend and I are interested in seeing the WW1 sites, and will probably doing some kind of loop from Zeebrugge, towards Ypres, and back (though it would maybe be nice to take in Ghent, as well).
I'd be particularly interested in hearing about accomodation anyone's stayed in there.

 

[ComedyPilot]

Try camping or use volunteer experiences like couchsurfer or warmshowers.

 

[rich p]

My friend and I are starting to plan next year's tour. As the title suggests, it'll be in Flanders.
I've been to Flanders a few times and like it, but have never cycled there. Anyone have any experience of the area as a cyclist? My friend and I are interested in seeing the WW1 sites, and will probably doing some kind of loop from Zeebrugge, towards Ypres, and back (though it would maybe be nice to take in Ghent, as well).
I'd be particularly interested in hearing about accomodation anyone's stayed in there.

I did a 6 day tour there in the Spring of this year, staying in hotels and B&B's.
Here is a link to my write-up if you're interested:-
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?o=RrzKj&doc_id=4925&v=5C

I can tell you where we stayed if you like.

The ferry went to Dunkerque from Dover not Zeebrugge.

 

[andrew_s]

I've been 3 or 4 times for long weekends: ferry to/from Dunkerque, staying in Poperinge (hotel), Ypres (rented house) and Bruges (YH). Campsites are fairly sparse in that part of Belgium. I know of one at Kemmel, and one at Ypres which seems to be just outside the SE corner of the moat by a running track.
For cycling, the area south of Ypres is nicer than that to the north as it's not as flat. The larger roads virtually all have (compulsory) cycle tracks down the side. These are often fairly narrow, and made of concrete slabs with slightly uneven joints. The smaller back roads are quiet and nice riding, but many of these are concrete slabs too. North of Ypres and around Bruges there are good canal paths to follow.

 

[Gotte]

Rich P. Had a quick look at your writeup and will read fully later when I have time to enjoy it fully. Looks like a good route, and six days is about right for us.
I would be interested in knowing where you stayed, as recomendations are always useful.
many thanks.
Thanks for the input, Andrew. We're not looking at Camping, but the info on the roads is certainly useful.
Any of you utilise the canalside routes. I've seen some, and they look really nice.
Again, many thanks.
Phil

 

[rich p]

These were my stop-overs FWIW.


http://www.priceline.co.uk/hotel/en/20580/driekoningen_hotel.html in wulveringem near Veurnes
Not cheap but a superb restaurant

http://www.sultan.be/ in Ieper
Cheap and very central

http://www.latemberg.be in Latemberg
Excellent private B&B in a classy new house

http://www.fajalobi.be/ in Gent
Quirky, cheap B&B with a Surinam flavour!

http://www.hoteldepauw.be/ in Bruges
Nice small hotel, well appointed, not far from the centre

Every one was different but good.

 

[Domestique]

We did a five day break in Ypres in September. Ferry from Dover to Dunkirk then a five hour ride into Ypres on very quiet roads.
Hotel Sultan a big thumbs up from us, right on the square opposite Cloth Hall (peace museum).
We used the cycle route network to get around, but you will need the maps Westhoek Zuid and Noord available from tourist office. Also a couple of nice day rides we found interesting, Ypres Salient and the Vredes (peace) route.
This website is also good for route planning.
http://www.fietsnet.be/routeplanner/default.aspx
Also Belgium tourist board for free brochures etc.
http://www.visitflanders.co.uk/
This map for route from Dunkirk.
http://www.mapsworldwide.com/sku_624.htm
Have fun, we where both won over by how nice Belgium is.

 

[srw]

Zeebrugge and Ypres (and Ghent and Holland) are within an easy day's ride and back of Bruges. Off the main roads, Belgium is very friendly for bikes. The signposted routes are in general very direct, although a few are a little more rutted than you'd like - though they are indicated on the maps. And the "Belgian hill" (wind) can be a bit of a pain.

We stayed in a lovely self-catering place about 10 miles out of Bruges, which was very good value.