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  #11  
Old 09-10-09, 19:19
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well blow me.. you can eurostar from london to lille

now we just need to figure out how on earth to get from Lille to the course.. buses and trains appear to stop at Cantons.. :/ grr.. wish my french was better...
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  #12  
Old 11-04-09, 23:35
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OK - I am trying to organize my trip and need some help with the Ronde. I have a conference in Birmingham from 8th-10th April. My plan at this stage is to fly into Brussels before my conference to watch the Ronde (and perhaps do the 75km sportif the day beforehand - I'd love to do the longer one but this would probably be my first outside ride for the season), present at the conference, and then make may way to Lille to watch Paris-Roubaix at the end of sector 5 as recommended.

Where would you recommend is the best place to watch the Tour of Flanders? I have previously been to Ghent and would like to visit Brugge, but I've seen the starts of stages of the TdF before and they're not that exciting and I am not an autograph hound, I'd rather see some good action, drink Belgian beer with the locals and tourists, and eat frites!
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  #13  
Old 11-05-09, 00:23
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Where would you recommend is the best place to watch the Tour of Flanders?
On the famous cobbled Kapelmuur climb in Geraardsbergen, Just 10 min south of Gent. The beer flows freely, and you can eat frites until blue in the face.

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  #14  
Old 11-05-09, 10:59
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If heaven existed, that would be it.
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  #15  
Old 11-05-09, 13:47
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Nice post RDV4...

Oh if I'm ever torn between the upcoming ski season and wanting spring to get here NOW!!!

Me and a mate are actually planning to drive/ferry down there...

Should be a kick-*** road trip
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  #16  
Old 11-05-09, 14:16
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Kappelmuur. Muur de Geraardsbergen. Grammont.

RDV is right. My wife and I have been at the top of the Kappelmuur for the last two editions of the RvV and it's a scene. I'll be there in 2010, although I may be a littlle wiped out. I'm doing the full course on Saturday. 240kms. Never ridden that far in a day....
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  #17  
Old 11-05-09, 14:57
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Kappelmuur. Muur de Geraardsbergen. Grammont.

RDV is right. My wife and I have been at the top of the Kappelmuur for the last two editions of the RvV and it's a scene. I'll be there in 2010, although I may be a littlle wiped out. I'm doing the full course on Saturday. 240kms. Never ridden that far in a day....
Good luck. Assume you'll give yourself ample time to "recover from the jetlag" before taking the line...
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  #18  
Old 11-05-09, 18:52
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The Kapelmuur it is then. Thanks RDV and Scott SoCal for your advice. I'll get my plans rolling now for flights and particularly accommodations.
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  #19  
Old 11-05-09, 21:24
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The Kapelmuur it is then. Thanks RDV and Scott SoCal for your advice. I'll get my plans rolling now for flights and particularly accommodations.

I don't know how long you plan to stay at any one location but if it is more than a few days you might try homeaway.com.

http://www.homeaway.com/

My wife has a home rented in Brugge, and a charming farm house in Eprave (Belgian Ardennes, 6kms fro Rochefort). She has discovered it is much less expensive to rent someone's house than stay in Hotels. Plus, we have become friends with the homeowners which is a nice bonus.
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  #20  
Old 11-05-09, 21:54
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Originally Posted by Scott SoCal View Post
I don't know how long you plan to stay at any one location but if it is more than a few days you might try homeaway.com.

http://www.homeaway.com/

My wife has a home rented in Brugge, and a charming farm house in Eprave (Belgian Ardennes, 6kms fro Rochefort). She has discovered it is much less expensive to rent someone's house than stay in Hotels. Plus, we have become friends with the homeowners which is a nice bonus.
I swapped houses with a family from Italy, It worked out great, they also left some nice Christmas tree ornaments as gifts when they left.
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