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Location: France and Belgium
Dates: April 4-9, 2012
Length: 6 days/5 nights Price: $2,800 (USD) (
day trip also available)
Ride the cobbles in Northern France and throughout Belgium while adding some bonus base miles to your spring training. Get an early start on the upcoming season when you join us for the 2012 Paris-Roubaix. With dozens of cobbled sections, you will soon discover your favorite set of stones. After we ride the rough, uneven cobbles in France, the sections in Flanders will seem smooth.
Mud, rain, and puddles are common reminders that you are in Roubaix. Join us and find out for yourself! Bicycle trips are being booked to watch the 2012 Paris Roubaix and the 100th anniversary of the Grote Scheldeprijs.
The sprinter-friendly Scheldeprijs will give you a taste of racing action immediately upon arrival. On the first day of your cycling tour we will bring you the sidelines of this one-day race where you can hear the crowd cheer, ring your cowbell, and experience European racing first-hand while watching history in the making.
While in Belgium and France feel submerged in culture and get a taste of times past with a visit to the Ronde van Vlaanderen Cycling Museum. After spending an afternoon learning about rich cycling history sit down in the café with a hearty Belgian beer.
By staying in the heart of Flanders during your cycling vacation you will be able to ride some of the legendary routes used in the Spring Classics including many rough, cobbled climbs. After riding some of the famous routes in Belgium, we will move to the rough edgy cobbled sections in France, before ending with watching the 2012 Paris-Roubaix live.
This is a sample itinerary of what you can expect on the Rumble in Roubaix bike trip. It may be changed at any time due to weather and race dates among other reasons. Day 1: Arrive in Brussels, Belgium. Upon early morning arrival at the airport, bike and gear transport to our accommodations in southern Belgium. Head to the Grote Scheldeprijs to watch the finish of this great semi-classic race. Assemble bikes, settle in, and take a short ride if time allows.
Day 2: Morning ride on isolated, country roads 40-50 miles. Visit the city of Kortrijk in the evening for shopping, exploring museums, and sight-seeing.
Day 3: Ride around the heart of Belgium and climb a few lengendary hills and get to love the cobblestones! Plan on being on your bike for 40-50 miles. Optional brewery tour and sample some of the regions best brews.
Day 4: Drive to Northern France, then ride the last few sections of rough cobbles 55-65 miles. Watch for pros riding on the course since it's common to see the pro's pre-riding the course before the Hell of the North. You might be lucky enough to even get an autograph. Experience the cobbles of Northern France which are much different than the Flanders cobbled roads. Group dinner and time for recovery in the evening.
Day 5: After breakfast head to our first prime cobblestone viewing location to watch the 2012 Paris-Roubaix. Anxiously await the leaders and cheer them on as the excitement builds when the sponsor cars speed by. Bring a cowbell and your outside voice. Enjoy a deluxe picnic lunch in the crowd of race fans, and get ready to watch the race at two cobbled sectors including the trouée d'Arenberg and the finish at the Roubaix Velodrome.
Day 6: Breakfast and early morning transport as we head back to the Brussels, Belgium airport for early international flights.
Race-Only Package
Location: France and Belgium
Dates: April 7-8, 2012
Length: 2 days/1 night Price: $400 (USD)
Do you want to watch the 2012 Paris-Roubaix but can't get away for the entire week? Join us for the race only and enjoy an all-inclusive Roubaix package.
On Saturday afternoon, meet us at our Belgian hotel near Roubaix, then have dinner with the group while talking tactics and strategies of this year's race contenders. The next morning load up the van after an early breakfast, and head to the best cobblestone sections near Roubaix, France. View the race at various turning points including the trouée d'Arenberg before making our way to the velodrome in Roubaix.
Race-Only Package includes lodging Saturday night, double occupancy, at our four star host hotel, transportation along the race, and three meals. If you would like to stay with us Sunday night we can make the arrangements for you. Just ask when you sign up.
Inclusions
- Knowledgeable guides and staff who have a passion for cycling
- Local English-speaking guides
- Van support during rides, stocked with snacks and bottled water
- All lodging, double occupancy, at authentic rural bed and breakfasts (where possible)
- Standard European breakfast each morning
- Traditional Flemsih lunch and dinner (except where otherwise noted)
- Transportation to and from the Brussels, Belgium airport
- Transportation of luggage, gear, and bikes during the tour
- Secure storage of your bike when not riding it
- An abundance of Belgian culture
Exclusions
- Airfare to/from Brussels, Belgium
- Gratuities for guides and leaders
- Single Supplement (when available)
- Miscellaneous personal expenses
Traveling With Your Bike
We recommend that you bring your own bike on vacation, however if your airline will charge you an excessive amount, you don't have a bike box, or you don't want the hassle of traveling with your bike, a road bike can be rented in Belgium. If you are interested in this option please let us know when you sign up. Many times the rental fee will be about the same as the airlines charge to travel with your bike.
What To Bring
Please bring the appropriate riding gear for all weather conditions including rain, cool temperatures, and brisk winds. All mileage is dependant on weather conditions. Besides a cowbell for cheering on your favorite rider and a pair of comfortable walking shoes, you may want to check our
travel tips for advice, training tips, and a packing list for other recommendations. A helmet is mandatory on all rides.
When To Register
In order to receive the best pricing and reserve your spot, please sign up now. There is still room left for the 2012 Rumble in Roubaix tour. Trip Insurance
Although we do not require the purchase of trip insurance, we strongly recommend it for your cycling tour. Trip cancellation insurance will reimburse you for any travel expenses that you have paid, and cannot obtain a refund for. If your flight is delayed and you miss your connecting flight what will you do? If you travel with your bike and the airlines damage it, what will you do? If your bike or helmet is missing and you can’t participate in the tour you signed up for, what will you do?
The right plan will also reimburse your costs for work-related cancelations and provide medical coverage anywhere in the world. Even if you have your own health insurance in the United States, you won’t be covered internationally. This alone is an excellent reason to inquire about trip insurance. For around $200 you can insure your trip and have peace of mind while traveling. If you choose not to obtain trip insurance you will need to sign a waiver that you assume any financial loss you may incur, which may be higher than your original trip fee. Call us at 720.295.0758 and we can give you a quote over the phone.