Jim's Holidays: E3 Saxo Classic 2024

I bump into Simon en route to St Pancras meeting Pete at Stratford and Alan at Dover station. With us all together we cycle to Dover port for the usual shenanigans finding the truckers check-in and security trying to find the x-ray machine operator. Easy crossing to Dunkirk and we take a good route out of the port, with just one slidey mishap, and along the canal onto our gite at Bergues arriving just as the sun is setting along the canal. We are all in the same room but spacious enough. We dine at a good restaurant in town and following another mishap and after a mini pool competition drinking strong Trappist beer we turn in. Thursday we are up for breakfast and soon out on the road. It's a chilly wind but we soon warm up. Look around Bergues ramparts and towers, another mishap involving chain and bird poo, then into the countryside going through small towns and villages so an enjoyable days riding. We head for the Trappist cafe at de Vrede where we have another mishap and where we sample the beer and get some bottles in for later. Apparently only a few places can be called Trappist breweries. Then into Ypres (or Ieper) for lunch next to the Menin Gate which is unfortunately covered by scaffolding and sheets. After seeing the water filled crater created by WWI allied miners tunneling under a German held hilltop then blowing the top off, locals told us that all the ponds round here were bomb craters, we drop down to the rive. It's a long way along the river Leie - La Lys past Wevelgem and then drop down to Bellegem where we make ourselves at home in our lovely house although we have to ask the owner to bring sheets and towels. We dine at a local restaurant where I stock up on pasta and after a vigorous evening discussion back home over Trappist beers we turn in to sleep well after the 63 miles cycled.

Friday is race day! Although Alan declines and reclines on the sofa instead, So Simon, Pete and myself head into Harelbeke to catch the atmosphere at the start line but we are an hour early due to my UK / Belgian time confusion. Anyway it's good to spend a bit of time here seeing the team presentations and the hordes of spectator. And I get interviewed by the local largest selling Flemish newspaper. Soon enough the riders are off for the E3 Saxo spring classic race which our reason for coming. Then we race to the race by taking the canal to Russeignies then up the hill towards Kwaremont. It's a steep hill and we hop off towards the top where the crowds are stood at the side of the road to take our place. The excitement builds then the riders come past in a few groups. Then with the hordes we go to the top of the hill and hang around the pub drinking beer, eating frites and watching the race on the big screens. There's a sprinkling of rain but we have been lucky so far. As the race approaches again we go down to stand right on the cobbled road to await a more strung out race. Both physically and mentally by the looks on some faces. We then descend down the pave for what must be a mile until we reach the smooth tarmac of the main road and glide down to meet the river again. By this time it's raining with the wind driving it into our faces. Soon enough we're home to dry our clothes, shower and eat the delicious meal that Alan's cooked up for us. It's our last day and we're on the road by 9 into a cold and very windy ride so it's tough going. We stop off to see the medieval bridge towers at Kortrijk then on to Passchendaele. The wind is worse (later I see it's about 20 mph all day) and of course into our faces so Alan and Pete decide to get the train from Ypres especially as heavy rain is forecast. Simon and I head into the wind again and at times struggled to keep going but we helped each other out taking the lead when the other was flagging badly. Although spots made me put my rain jacket on a few times the anticipated rain never came although we did get hailed on which having a bite to eat next to a closed church. Eventually we get to Bergues and then it's the final slog to the ferry at Loon-Plage. Unfortunately trains have let Pete and Alan down so they miss the scheduled one which Simon and I board to drink the last strong beers whilst leaving the continent. We have a few tucked away to remind us of our trip when back in London. Another quiet and easy crossing and at Dover catch our train to Waterloo. Then head south where we part just before Brixton. We do keep tabs on the others who have got the ferry home too. So all in all a great trip and Simon pops round the next day to wish me happy birthday and to recount a few of our anecdotes.