October's ride for beer: Harwich, Bruges and Westvleteren, 28-30 October

[frank9755]

Same ride but a new thread as it has changed significantly: we have decided to do the ride to Harwich during the day (Friday 28th) and therefore miss out the night in Delft

Friday 28th Meet at HPC at 9am, ride to Harwich, get the overnight ferry (dinner on the boat; it's pretty good)

Saturday 29th Arrive at Hoek and set off for Bruges (about 80 miles)

Sunday 30th Lunch at Westvleteren then 6:01pm ferry back to Dover and train onwards.

This does mean that people who can't get Friday off could join by getting a train (or otherwise) to Harwich.

Frank

 

[Davywalnuts]

Am a defo no go for the whole ride, but very likely to join you for most/part of the way to Harwich.

 

[PoweredByVeg]

How I wish I was coming, you do know that Westvleteren is the home of the Saint Sixtus Trappist brewery BEER!

That stuff is soooooo rare

 

[frank9755]

Here are the suggested routes.

London-Mersea
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/783188
I've ridden this as far as Maldon but not from Maldon to Mersea. Am not sure where exactly the ferry leaves from so Stu, you may want to have a glance to check it is right

Brightlingsea-Harwich
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/783195
I've not ridden this before. Stu, again I don't know exactly where the ferry docks; if you could cast your eye over it that would be good.

Hoek-Brugge
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/783230
I've ridden the first and last half dozen miles of this but not the bit in the middle! I went for the Zeelandbrug rather than the outer dam / bridge as it is likely to be more sheltered. That adds about 10 miles on to the route. But, if its a nice day we can do the other one.

Brugge-St Sixtus Monastry
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/783240
Not ridden this. Els, you might have views on whether this is the best way

St Sixtus-Dunkirk
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/783243
Again, not ridden this so any comments welcome.

Frank

 

[StuartG]

Frank,

Your ex- London to Maldon route appears to be the same as Del's. The last two Maldon - Mersea runs have taken the more northerly (and quieter?) route via Tolleshunt Major to Tolleshunt D'Arcy.

Re the Ferry departure point - you have it approximately right - we used to trudge (and have to carry) our bikes across a quarter of mile of nasty gritty sand from the end of the path off the road. Last time when we arrived in Brightlingsea the Harbourmaster said there was a different hardstanding approach so I'll get my googlemap out and find it. The beer is on me (it will be a late liquid lunch time in Brightlingsea) if I don't!

Brightlinsea to Harwich is what we did in 2010 (except we were starting from the other side the creek because of the tide). So that's OK except AFAIR the ferry terminal is somewhere between the 18 & 19 mile mark - and not in Harwich itself. Its bound to be prominently marked so nothing possibly could go wrong ...

The forecast for the weekend appears to be high pressure and the wind is threatening to be behind us in Holland. Erm - I have three cats if you want more ...

 

[StuartG]

I presume you know this page: http://www.brightlin....org/ferry.html which says it is 'Dial-a-Ferry' so I guess you have cleared it with him that he will be available Friday afternoon and how much notice he wants of our exact arrival time.

PS I think I've found the easier way to the beach ...

Re Harwich: You can see the ferry parked in the middle next to Harwich International Rail. So its just a case of taking an early left on Parkeston Road from the B1352: Google Map Link

 

[frank9755]

OK - do you think that northerly variation will be better at the end of Friday afternoon? In which case lets do that.

I've pencilled the ferry in for 3pm. We can be a bit earlier or later - but we don't want to leave it too much later in case they pack up and go home!

 

[StuartG]

It is flat and with the wind behind us we will just fly either way. But the northerly route looked pretty in the dark. One wonders at what it is like in the light ... 3pm looks fair if you kick off at 9am. Brightlingsea might be a nice place to rest up a little if we have had to dash ... not much between that and Harwich.

 

[swarm_catcher]

http://www.routeyou....westvleteren.nl

This route from Bruges to Westvleteren adds around 10km. It may provide more interest than cutting straight through. Haven't done either route myself, mind.

Westvleteren to Dunkirk is probably fine.

I've just read that for the first time the trappist will be available in Colruyt, one of the supermarkets. But it has all the usual restrictions. You need to buy a magazine with the token, early November. Then you can buy one box of six, one box per person.

Bumped into this, inspiration for the next trip:
http://cyclistestrappistes.wordpress.com/

 

[frank9755]

Excellent trip!


And thanks for the suggested variation.

I fear we won't be able to carry any away with us. Just have to be content with sampling some with lunch. (Unless I bring the tourer...)

 

[StuartG]

I fear we won't be able to carry any away with us. Just have to be content with sampling some with lunch. (Unless I bring the trailer...)

FIFY

 

[User169]

Don't forget to check out De Struise' beer shop.

Address is: Burg 15, Brugge

 

[swarm_catcher]

HPC start 8AM Friday? Oh no, it is beginning to sound real!

 

[frank9755]

What time do people want to meet? We had said 9 but 8 would maximise daylight.
TMN, you are coming from furthest; what's your preference?

 

[StuartG]

TMN,

That's a 7.15am start from Sydenham ... we are looking forward to welcoming you Thursday evening. I'll be at the exit of platform 1, probably on my Brommie.