The trip is now fully subscribed (there are 68 Penge riders going to this one) but if you want to go, do not despair. We operate a reserve list and inevitably, people do drop out so there is still a good chance to get on the trip. To join the reserve list follow this link to sign up in Rider HQ
2020 will take us back to Flanders but this time to ride the Gent-Wevelgem sportive and watch the professionals suffer the next day.
The sportive is a super ride. It’s a spring classics greatest hits: rolling rural roads, some canal path action, crosswinds and a scattering of leg busting climbs (one of which has cobbles – the iconic Kemmelberg). There are four rides to choose from (60km, 90km, 140km and 215km) which means there’s a distance for every Penge rider whatever your ability. Note that the shorter distance has no cobbles given that it excludes the Kemmelberg. You can read more about the sportive here: http://www.gentwevelgemcyclo.be/en/
The whole weekend will cost circa £290 with some extra for food and drink in Belgium. To join the reserve list sign up on RiderHQ
Here’s the draft plan:
Friday – leave SE London by coach no later than 9am on the morning of Friday 27th March 2020 and head to Kortrijk which will be our base. Our bicycles will be transported separately. We’ll likely be staying at the Kortrijk youth hostel which, if it’s anything like the one we stayed in during our recent trip to Ghent, will be perfect for us. We’ll need to sign on for the sportive at some point during the day.
Saturday – we ride the sportive which starts and finishes in Wevelgem (a flat and fast 8km from Kortrijk). On Saturday evening we’ll celebrate our successes (or otherwise) in true Penge style.
Sunday – you’re spoilt for choice. You can ride out to watch the female/male pro-race (the Kemmelberg and/or Baneberg are good places to watch). You could ride out to Oudenaarde or Roeselare to visit one of the cycling museums. If you’re feeling energetic the Johannes Museeuw classic may be running that day (to be confirmed) – this sportive takes in some of the Flanders climbs that we love so much. Alternatively you could spend the day hanging out in Kortrijk which among other things has a great tattoo parlour, a boutique coffee shop, a brutalist skateboard park and of course a few bars.
Monday 30 March 2020 – we’ll check out of our accommodation and leave for home probably stopping off in Ypres for lunch. All being well we ought to be back at Lower Sydenham for around 7 – 9pm.
The approximate cost for this trip is £290 which will include transport for you and your bicycle, your accommodation, the majority of your meals and other bits and pieces.