Biking in Belgium and Brussels

I was hoping to get this up before the Tour de Flanders, but it slipped my mind. This is a posting from Dave, who is now back in Milwaukee about his biking experience here in Belgium and France. Some very stunning pictures that you can click to enlarge.

Hey STUDS, I am sending some photos of biking related stuff and some info on where to go and what to do.
The first couple of photos are of the Foret de Soignes or as I called it, the forest. It is not too far from Stokkel. I don't know if your new members are more into mountain biking or if they are roadies....but there is good off road biking in the forest.

I am also sending photos of the Tour of Flanders. This is a pro road race that starts in Brugge and ends in Ninove, which is not too far from Brussels. The cool thing about this race is that on the day before the pros race they have an organized ride for citizens on the same course. You can ride all or part of the route. I did the 75K route and it was quite challenging with lots of cobblestones and hills. The website is here and it was fun to photograph this race.

I am also sending photos of the Tour de France. We saw three stages when we were in Europe. One ending in Ghent, one in the French Alps and the final day in Paris. The photos are of Michele and I biking in the Alps. We booked a non guided week long tour with a company called Cyclingclassics.com. It was the best vacation of my life.

Their is an English speaking mountain bike club called Brussels International group of Mountain Bikers. They are a good bunch of guys and a great resource for biking in Belgium.