Travel Tips
Our travel tips are broken into four sections; a recommended packing list, advice on how to pack your bike, some training tips, and some miscellaneous stuff at the end.
Packing list
We run our tours where the cycling is the best place on earth to spend a wet, cold spring day on your bike. Be prepared for riding in Belgium in rain, or damp, chilly air. There are plenty of warm, sunny days too, but they are not the norm. If you are lucky enough to experience one, you will be pleasantly surprised. Since you will be riding every day, weather permitting, most of your luggage will consist of riding clothes. If you need a bigger wardrobe it's a great excuse to buy another cycling top to add to your t-shirt collection.
Items to pack on your spring trip to Belgium:
Riding Clothes
- Helmet (mandatory)
- Headband and/or warm hat
- Microfiber base layers
- Long and Short sleeve jerseys
- Vest or rain jacket
- Full-fingered gloves
- Bike shorts with a good pad
- Arm warmers, leg warmers, knee warmers
- Knickers or tights
- Bike shoes and socks
- Shoe covers or booties
- Small daypack for the follow vehicle
Casual Clothes
- Jeans, pants, or shorts
- Warm jacket or fleece sweatshirt
- Long and Short sleeve shirts and sweaters
- Comfortable shoes for walking (and waiting at the race)
Other Items
- Passport
- Euros before leaving the country
- Supplements and energy bars
- Powdered energy drink mix (in a double Ziploc bag to prevent spillage)
- Water bottles (minimum of two)
- Camera and batteries/memory cards
- Compact Umbrella for watching the race
Packing Advice
Do you want to travel with your bike? Here's our best advice we have learned from traveling all over the world with our bikes.
Measure twice: Either with a permanent marker or electrical tape, mark the position of your seat height. Or, use a tape measure and write down the measurements. Also note the spacer arrangement on your stem so you can replicate it later.
Required Tools: Gather the tools you need to dismantle your bike; most likely 4, 5, and 6 millimeter wrenches along with a pedal wrench. After your bike is packed, wrap your tools in shop rags to prevent your frame from getting scratched and place them in your bike case. Some bike parts may require a unique tool, so make sure that you have the right tools with you to reassemble your bike when you arrive at your destination.
Use a bike box: To prevent damage, we recommend a hard shell case, but there are soft sided cases that can be used as well. If you have a buddy who can lend you a case, try borrowing one first. If not, make a trip to your local bike shop and inquire about renting one. Many bike shops will rent a case for your cycling vacation. Plan ahead and reserve one early. If you need to buy a case check with local bike shops or online retailers. There are many brands to choose from. It's a good idea to practice fitting your bike in the case to ensure everything fits properly. Also review airline policies for bike case sizes since regulations change frequently and each airline is very different. A few inches too big could mean your bike may be left at the airport.
Packing everything tight: We recommend putting your helmet and cycling shoes in with your regular luggage in case your bike gets lost in flight. This allows you to ride during your cycling vacation, on a rented bike, without interrupting your itinerary. However we do recommend putting certain items in with your bike; powdered sports drink, extra tubes and tires, tools required to reassemble your bike, etc. Do not pack CO2 cartridges in with your bike. They could explode and damage your bike.
Expect an inspection: The TSA often inspects bike cases. Be prepared for an inspection and make it easy for them to repack the contents of your bike case after an inspection.
Training Tips
Terrific training tips from your trip leader:
For complete training guidance we would strongly recommend a coach! For general purpose these tips will get you by and nothing replaces time in the saddle.
Distance
We will be covering 200-300 km/125- 190 miles in cold weather over the whole trip, you should prepare for this by doing at least a few rides outside in the cold at home. You should also be prepared for a big 6-8 hour ride on one day. For example here is the training one of our lead guides will do:
"...I will get ready for this by riding the trainer indoors (or a spin class) twice a week and a long 4-5 hour ride on the weekends. As we are traveling in April, I would be well into this program at the end of Feburary. Prior to March I would be attending at least one spin class (or indoor trainer session) and 2-3 hours outside on the weekends..." John C, trip leader
We recommend doing at least this if not more.
Effort
If you don’t have the time for the long rides on the weekends, you can certainly replace that with effort. The spin classes we attend in Boulder also provide quite a bit of effort but have to admit that the indoor trainer is a time for easier spinning. Studies have shown 30 minutes of intervals (1 on 2 off) is the same as 2 hours steady riding.
Recovery
The best part of training is the recovery phase! Make sure to stretch after every winter ride. A good night’s sleep after a hard workout is very important to realizing gains from the effort. Perhaps the week before traveling to join us you can skip one or two workouts to make sure you are fresh.
Miscellaneous
Passport Rules
Every traveler to Belgium will need a valid passport to enter and leave the country. If you need to update or apply for one please allow 6-8 weeks prior to trip departure for the process. A visa is not required for stays of less than 90 days.
Money
Belgium and France (and most of Europe) use the Euro as their currency. It’s a good idea (and probably cheaper) to have some Euros with you before you leave the country. If you need to buy food or drinks at the airport when you arrive you will be prepared.
Other Notes
Gearing – we recommend a 39-24 or 25 as the very minimum, the hills are short but steep!
Please be prepared to change a flat (ie, tubes & pump) as you would at home. Do yourself a favor and put new TIRES & TUBES on prior to departure, there's nothing like shakey hands in the freezing cold to slow down your tire change. Get a tune-up before the trip to make sure your bike is in top working condition.