London  Netherlands  Belgium & Luxembourg  Rhine & Mossel  Switzerland  France  Munich, Salzburg, Innsbruck  Denmark & England 

Greetings,

Thanks for taking a look at Handlebar Highlights Belgium Edition.

The People 

If one thing sums up my experience in Belgium I would have to say it was "The people were awesome". I have had good experiences in the other countries don't get me wrong, but the number in Belgium was significant. A few examples. Well biking out of Brussels I stop to look at a map and Florence approaches me all excited about what I am doing so she gives me a phone # and email to get a hold of her. (Must not have looked like a Psycho that day) I stop to watch the tour, and decide to grab a beer at one of the stands, I chat a bit with the bar tender (local non profit group making money) about where to eat etc. and he buys me my first beer. I am biking to Gent and I am stopped at a corner looking at a map selecting the next direction (okay I was lost) and a guy in his car turning onto the road from the other side actually drives out of his way parks, and comes over welcomes me to Belgium and then provides me with directions. The lady at the campground grocery store adopts me and asks me if I need anything explained, and is careful to point out when I am trying one of the local brews that the one I had picked was called the Devil so I should be careful. (8.5% Alcohol by Vol) Wim, Geert, & Luc hear me talking prior to the start of the Tour and they start to talk to me (Archeologists taking afternoon off to watch the race) they give me a beer and provide me info on the race. After the race they ask me to stay for another beer and so they buy me another. I did however not want me to reflect poorly on all of you and make them think all Americans are cheap so I bought the next round (remember that when the broke unemployed guy gets back and you can pay him back for keeping your image up) and others......

Tour de France 

What can I say it is no RAGBRAI but it was still entertaining.
I do however want to share the experience so if you ever have the opportunity to catch a day you know what to expect. I arrived early enough at Keneeslar to scout out the route and chose a spot. I was however surprised when people started staking out the curb spots an hour and half prior to race time, but I joined in after waiting on the curb with thousands of other people. Approaching the expected arrival time cars started to past, and I soon expected the race, but then I received a translated radio report from Wim, and they were about 50 minutes away. Once that time approached we started receiving sponsor cars etc., in parade style. Once the parade was over I was hitting 3 hours of curb time, but the race was upon us the lead pack of 8 or so pass, then a bunch of chase vehicles, once they were gone the pack arrived then they were gone all total less than 30 seconds of race after 3 hours of sitting.
To say the least I don't think it should be considered a spectator sport.

A Rainy Day in Luxembourg 

Here is a little sample of my timeline called DESTINY. I arrived in Luxembourg to start my Rhine & Mossel Valley tour. I hop of the train to a rainy dreary evening and a flat tire. So I called it a hotel night walked across the street and checked in at the Best Western. Woke up the next day to a dreary day, but still went out and did some sightseeing. It started to rain on my return to the hotel and so I called a rain day, and hit a local supermarket for snacks. (supermarkets are great they provide a little glimpse into each countries eating habits) A couple glasses of a Cabernet from a Vineyard in the Bordeaux area that I plan to visit and a hot bath. Then I felt like a run so I did 7 miles or so around the old ramparts of Luxembourg that are now all parks. A little CNN & MTV, and a walk for dinner at a nearby Pizza place and that's how I spent a day on DESTINIES time line.

Basically as a whole Belgium has the people, and Luxembourg city is beautiful well providing an awesome look at an old fortified city. (Gent & Bruge are beautiful also just rainy most days I was there)

I hope you enjoyed the Belgium & Luxembourg edition of Handlebar Highlights.

Later,
DUKE

Date	From	To	Miles
7/6	Brussels	Beersel	6
7/7	Beersel	Gent	63.77
7/8	Rain Day
7/9	Gent To Kensseelar & Back	Tour de France	46
7/10	Gent to Bruge & Back		55
7/11-7/12	Rain Days & Bike Repair
7/13	Camp to Gent Train Station	Train to Luxembourg	2.94

For comments or letters to the editor please email duke@systemscoach.com