ACS Cycling Trip 2015

Scheldeprijs

The countdown has started! Only 12 days left and we will start our journey in Mallorca. The cyclists took advantage of the nice weather last weekend, after these trainings they are ready to concur the Cycling Trip of 2017.

175 km and 3000 m altitude was the original plan... A few heavy discussions followed, as the cyclists were still tired from climbing the signal de Botrange. Luckily Thierry discovered a new shorter way to get to the beautiful Williers! A perfect start today, sunshine, sky full of hot air balloons, great surroundings, a couple of small mountains. After crossing the German part of Belgium, the cyclists arrived in Bastogne. At the stop the biscuits of Bastogne were waiting! The newcomers in the team showed off by quickly climbing all the mountains and applied for the title of "Berggeit". Arriving at Williers we discovered that our team all together was equal to the half of the population in Williers, no phone connection, no wifi,... but they served Orval :-)!

From the silent “Kempen”we headed off to Waimes. 172 kilometers of which the last ones would be very painful. In Limburg the cyclists adjusted to the region and slowed down their pace... Saving their power to reach the highest point of Belgium ‘Signal de Botrange’. They were suffering until the bitter end, luckily we arrived in a Welness hotel in which they could relax in the spa. They regained their power for tomorrow and are ready to go back to the Ardennes! The pictures are self-explanatory...

#belfort #brugge

#mas #antwerp

After enjoying a royal breakfast, our brave green dots took on the challenge to face another 200 km. Even after drinking St. Bernadus 12 the cyclists were suprisingly ready to discover a new beer Westmalle. One of our consulting team members wasn’t quick enough to get off his bike. He recovered quickly and went on towards Brugge, Ghent and even Antwerp. During our tour one pedestrian couldn’t resist our juicy watermelons and had a quick chat with Cliff. A delightful lunch was provided by our temporary help (Jill). After digesting the necessary carbs, they crossed the harbor of Ghent in style (transported by a ferry)...yes! A full 5 minutes of well deserved rest for those legs. Passing through Antwerp made Kristof really happy! He showed the other cyclists all the great spots. The MAS, the traffic jams and off course they passed the “St. Anna tunnel”. They slightly misbehaved but okay they were tired :-)! Wow, the view at our mansion embodies real flemish hospitality...this in combination with the local beer “Westmalle”...who needs golden spoons and rice? Isn’t it Cliff? ;-)

196 km, our cyclist suffered today! At the start of the day blue skies, sunshine, nice breakfast... what could go wrong? Off course one of the cyclists had to fall, and guess what, it was the Antwerp cyclist better known as Kristof! After this small fail they finally took off and the first fifty passed quickly. Passing the rue de coucou, they followed the nice ‘megafoon’ music and went straight to the stop at Blaton. After 120 kilometers Jeroen discovered that cycling pants have a back and a front... This forced him to “moon” for the whole crowd. Our cyclists felt like participating in “Paris-Roubaix” surrounded by all the cobblestones! Watch out for your “bidons”! We stopped in France for a quick drink and felt like V.I.C. (Very Important Cyclists) since the bar tender couldn’t resist to take a picture of us. His terrace was for the first time fully occupied. Afterwards we passed through the “Menenpoort” our final destination was within reach. Now we’re enjoying champagne showers, lovely beers and beautiful surroundings...

Lac de L'Eau de l'heure