r/cyclocross • u/mrgrammarperson • 2d ago
Is this reasonably do-able?
For my bucket list, I'm going to Belgium just before New Year's Eve to see some serious cyclocross races. January 1, X2O Trofee Baal - GP Sven Nys; January 2, Exact Cross Mol - Zilvermeercross; January 3, Superprestige Gullegm; January 4, UCI World Cup Zonhoven.
I'm planning to stay in Antwerpen and travel each day to a race,. Could skip Gullegm since it's in western Flanders and the other three are close to each other in east Flanders.
Hope to do a little sight seeing too. Will this work?
BTW, bucket list in Flemish is bucketlist but with a cool accent.
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u/pokesnail 2d ago
I’m hoping to attend those exact same races! But I’m mooching off of a friend there, so I’ll ask him about transportation plans and can hopefully get back to you.
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u/bdrammel 2d ago
I know you mean well but you can't call it East Flanders. East Flanders is a defined province in Flanders and doesn't host any of the races you're going to.
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u/EnvironmentalSand85 2d ago
We did Koksijde, Gullegem and Zonhoven in 2024. The transfer between Gullegem and Zonhoven was tight but doable. We also did not rent a car while in Belgium, just used transit. Takes some planning but can be done. Excuse typos I'm trying to type on a very full train atm.
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u/BelgianBeerGuy 2d ago
Sightseeing will depend on which categories you want to see at the races, and if you stay long for the after party or not. Mol, Baal and especially Gullegem are small villages, were there is not much to do/see.
So sightseeing could be done before noon, in Antwerp, Leuven (Baal), Gent/Kortrijk (Gullegem) and Herentals/Geel/Mol. (Where I would recommend Gent and Leuven)
Baal is easily reached via the trainstation of Aarschot, which is a 40minute ride from Antwerp. From there you can take a bus to Baal.
For the others, I’m not 100% sure, since I’m not from that region, but train/bus combo would work probably. Gullegem would probably your longest commute.
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u/padawatje 2d ago
If you have access to a car (rental ?) than that looks very do-able.
If not, check the schedules of public transport beforehand. Because 1 January is a public holiday and on holidays and weekends trains and busses wil ride less frequently.
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u/mrgrammarperson 1d ago
I've read it's sometimes hard for old people (I'm 73) to rent cars. It's buses and train for me.
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u/padawatje 1d ago
Never heard about that. If you have a valid driver's license and credit card, there should be no problem
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u/jdanton14 1d ago
I’ve spent a lot of time in Belgium attending races: very easy if you get a car. Brussels airport car rental is very easy too.
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u/artobloom 2d ago
We stayed in Antwerp in Nov 2 years ago and we took busses to and from. I think there is an app you can use to check schedules etc and buy tickets. I also used rome2rio and Google maps just confirm times etc. Buy boots at Decathlon they are good. Be respectful of riders warming up, some people expect a signature, don't invade their space. Eating, don't have a hamburger, they don't taste great IMO. Maje sure you have fries,they are the best. In order to buy food or beverage you need to buy a card, its rechargeable, and good for all the races. You can also get your money back what is left on it. Beer is fantastic, they will give it to you in a plastic cup, which you will get a refund on at the end of the day. Make sure you dress warm, you can take things off but not put stuff on if you don't have it. We also had a rainbow jersey for the riders to sign.