Today we attempt to negotiate the bus routes and rain routes to get to Oudenaarde, site of the finish of our first Spring Classics, Tour of Flanders.
The alarm is set for 7 A.M. which is again entirely too early. I was up for an hour or so in the middle of the night so getting a full night’s sleep seems impossible for now. It’s only been a few days and I already don’t remember what we did for breakfast. A Nespresso before we left the apartment and maybe that was it?
We walk back to what is turning into our launch area, bus stop in front of the Canterbury restaurant where we met Paul yesterday. It’s located on a busy street alongside a wonderful scenic park and pond area. A bus shelter, thank you as it is cool, breezy and a bit “soft” as in misty. What will become a common connection, the 71 bus arrives, we get on, “Tap to Pay” with a cc and off we head to Brussels Centraal. It’s a relatively quick trip by bus, only about 4 kilometers thought the heart of central Brussels. There is a lovely picture opportunity in every direction the entire distance.
Off the bus and into the station we visited yesterday with Paul. We have tickets, now what? We spy a station helper, and he speaks English, so we figure out times and what platform. He has a phone app available to anyone with all the schedules, so I download that as it looks like it will be well used. We walk down a few flights of stairs and then find brekky! There are a few take out places inside for food and coffees. Yeah, I feel much better with some food in me.
There is an electronic reader board to view which trains are arriving, platforms, time of day, everything you need. Our train arrives exactly on time, to the minute. WOW! Easy boarding and comfy seating. And we are off for an uneventful hour and a half trip to Oudenaarde, about 80 kilometers.
The train rolls through and stops at various towns along the way and there are quite noticeable signs at each station to make sure you get off at your desired location. We are very early so there are not a lot of people on board who look like cycling fans so we can’t reliably depend on the “follow the crowd” method. There are enough though so yes, we do follow the crowd and I do have some memory of where we need to go based on my 2017 trip here.
Walking seems to be fundamental for this trip, at least the Brussels portion so far. Into the town center we stroll, talking to a couple as we go. They were part of a VIP meet up, so we say goodbye and we head to the Oudenaard Cycling Museum, which is also a bar and restaurant and has big TVs to watch the bike races. We find a nice little table with good viewing, and I order a Kwaremont beer. Both men’s and women’s races end here, the women’s starts here as well.
Another couple (Greg and Lisa Scott) sit at the table next to us and we start talking, they are from Australia of course. Their son is racing in Europe in some under 23 category I think they said. As we talk, I mention we know Bushy and Scotty, Oh Bushy, he’s a legend Greg says. Of course!! We talk for quite a while and then it’s time to walk up to the park area at the finish line. Two huge, big TV screens to track both the men’s and lady’s races, beverage vendors, food vendors and bunch of picnic tables for seating. The crowd is growing and it’s good we got there when we did to find a good seat. Time for another beer, some frites with mayo and a sausage roll, yum.
The weather is not so welcoming, it’s been cool all morning and now it is cool and significant constant drizzle. I am so glad we brought extra rain gear. We use my rain pants as a leg blanket for both of us to keep our legs dry. Hoods, caps, gloves are all appropriate.
As the race wears on and Mathieu van der Poel makes a decisive break up the Koppenberg cobbled climb with 40 K to go, I get restless and start to look for a good spot along the finish to watch and maybe get a video. I wander down the course to about 250 meters to go and find a cross over spot and then up the other side to the 150 meters to go area. This is it. Soon enough Mathieu rolls in and slumps down over the bike in front of me. He is minutes ahead of second place. Well, done Mathieu!
Time to walk back to the park and then start the stroll back to the train station and train ride back to Brussels Centraal and bus 71 to Flegey area and a warm cozy apartment.
As we get close to Brussels on the train, I hear an announcement for Brussels Centraal, wo, that was quick. We look around and are a bit disoriented, people are leaving us behind, so I ask a teenage if this is Centraal and he says yes, we get off, the train doors close and there we stand, we got off at Brussels Midi also known as Zuid (South). Not good. Centraal is not far, 2 k or so and we decide to walk, no luggage so not too bad. The area is a bit sketchy but it’s day light so still safe just not the upscale area we have seen up until now. We get to Centraal, a bit frustrated but such are adventures.
The 71-bus shelter is waiting for us, we hop on a very crowded bus, barely room to stand in the doorway and eventually arrive back at Flegey, our destination.
Except for sketchy weather conditions, Sunday has been a success. Check back again for the next installment, a casual day and bike ride around Bruges.