Flanders and Little Taste of Cobbles

It is 2 o’clock and we just rolled in after a really awesome ride through Flanders. The group of fifteen of us started the ride, making our way out of Izegem and through a number of different little towns. All of them have really narrow streets, some of which are laid with bricks, and twist through houses, businesses, and churches. It is a whole new type of riding than back in the states. Instead of really wide roads they are very narrow one lane farm roads which have twists and turns everywhere. Usually back in the U.S. I am very good with a sense of direction, but here there are no mountains, sun, or other large land marks that I can get a sense of direction from.

Half way through the ride we found our way to the city Kemmel where the climb of the Kemmelberg is. The climb was fairly steep and cobbled so it wasn't easy, and finally when you catch your breath you had to go down the backside which was even steeper and cobbled. Next we rolled to a walled city which was amazing. Here is a picture of the city after we crossed inside with the main church directly ahead.

The rest of the ride was pretty calm; except for the ridiculous headwind that we had to battle all the way back to Izegem.