Five Countries 2008

On the continent again, this time Belgium had the pleasure of our company, the little village of Houfalize, the Mountain bike capital of Europe, so we turned up on road bikes! This year we did things different, basing ourselves in one place and having rides out and back every day, we visited France, Germany, Holland and Luxemburg but back in good time every day for tea as the whole place shut at 10pm.

Day 1 The ride to France took us due south from the base camp, though Bastogne and down to the French border where we literally dipped a toe into France at a place called Willier, thoughtfully someone had put a nice café their so we pilled on mass into the place and had lunch, not the best of ideas as it was a 5 mile hill to get out of the place and back up into Belgium still very hilly in the whole region and about 100 mile round trip.

Day 2 Today took us from base camp through an edge of Luxembourg and into Germany, a little place called Dasburg, a dangerous decent into the village nearly lost two riders as it was a 3 mile decent down switchbacks. Again someone had thoughtfully put a biker’s café on the border for us to have lunch but all the other bikers had engines which we didn’t see as very fair. After lunch the 3 mile accent of the switchback hills took place, a steady ride back to base camp where we descended at speed into the village to be met head on by a carnival, being pelted with boiled sweets, confetti and flour, not what we expected!

Day3 The dread of day 3, traditionally the hardest day one way or another, this year wasn’t raining but was the longest day ever. We crossed from the eastern border of Belgium all the way to the western border and into Holland, reaching the half way point at 2pm, a worrying thought, no support vehicle and the return journey to be made. No time for lunch other than huddled outside Aldi trying to cram as many calories in as possible. The return journey took in many hills, the first of which was a 5 mile climb out of Liege. The longest day ever in the saddle, 115 miles and back to Houfalize for 8pm. Where we had to go straight for food with bikes so we didn’t miss the restaurant opening hours.

Day 4 A trek though the heart of Luxembourg, much loved by the team as it has probably the best quality roads in Europe. Some big hills again but not a big mileage. By lunch we had done a good proportion of Luxembourg and headed back into Belgium. Another tour over, ready for home and the 12 hour car journey back.