Vol. 41, No. 12
Cascade Affiliated International Tours Beer, Bikes & Belgium Tour
Belgium and the Netherlands for 2012 UCI World Championships
W
e are pleased to announce a special cycling trip that has just been announced for Cascade Bicycle Club members. This exclusive, one-of-a-kind cycling tour is a celebration of Beer Bikes and Belgium. We will pedal on some of the finest roads in Belgium, experience the thrill and excitement of the UCI Men’s Road World Cycling Championships, and get introduced to the breadth and depth of Belgian beer making. Perhaps you have heard of Belgium’s greatest cyclist, Eddy Merckx, you might have heard that the chocolate is outstanding, and maybe you are aware there are more than 400 different beers made in Belgium. This tour will give you a taste of all this and more. This small county the size of Maryland is split into two distinct regions. The northern part of Belgium is known as Flanders and the language spoken is Flemish, a form of Dutch. The southern part of Belgium is known as Wallonia and is inhabited by the French speaking population. Towns have quaint medieval squares, tree-lined canals, gorgeous architectural facades, world class museums and friendly outdoor cafes perfect for sampling local brews, making this a memorable cycling vacation. The Beer Bikes and Belgium cycling tour will start in Flanders as we ride the worn cobblestones in Belgium and climb the legendary Koppenberg, Kemmelberg, Bosberg, and de Muur van Geraardsbergen (MuurKapelmuur) which are used in the Tour of Flanders. Most rides will be approximately 40 to 50 miles with short, steep climbs thrown in along the route. The Flanders region is mostly flat and at sea level, allowing fit riders to enjoy the scenic beauty of the region without suffering on long, continuous climbs. After our days in Flanders, we will transfer to Wallonia and ride in the hilly Ardennes, home of the Liege-Bastogne-Liege. This extraordinary Spring Classic race is equipped with challenging terrain, cobbled roads, and steep climbs. The countryside is showcased by lush green forests and rolling hills, allowing you many photo opportunities while enjoying the valleys and landscape along the Meuse River basin. When we finish a ride, we will recover the true Belgian way… with beer! For beer lovers on the tour you will visit distinctive regional breweries characteristic of the area. Raise your glass to a hearty Belgian beer at each brewery we visit and learn about the various types of the world’s best beer. Belgium has enjoyed an unparalleled reputation for its specialty beers dating back to the Middle Ages. Connoisseurs favor Belgian beers for their variety, real flavor and character. The choices are endless when you consider raspberry beer, white beer, chocolate beer, geuze beer, cherry beer, brown beer, Trappist beer and, of course, the beer that Belgium is most famous for - the lambic beer. This unique variety is made with an ancient style of brewing depending on spontaneous fermentation to produce a bone-dry, profoundly tart, and a naturally effervescent drink that improves with years in the bottle, much like wine. While visiting breweries we will earn specific techniques used to make a beer distinctive
Beer, Bikes & Belgium Tour Itinerary Date: Sept. 17-24, 2012 Length: 8 days/7 nights Location: Belgium and the Netherlands Pace & Distance: 30-50 miles a day depending on interest and fitness level. A unique trip for any moderate-level club rider who wants to experience the cobbled road of Belgium, watch professional racing, and sample some of Belgium’s finest beer. Group size: 8 minimum, 16 maximum
to each community. Brewery entrance and samples following the tour are included in your tour. Every night with dinner you will be given a chance to sample another brew that complements your meal. If the unparalleled riding and superb beer is not enough, we still have more to offer. We will look at cycling history at the Ronde Van Vlaanderen Cycling Museum where you can interact with many exhibits, attempt your trivia knowledge, and even practice riding a bike over cobblestones. This year we also have the excitement of watching the UCI Road World Championships in the Netherlands. During the men’s time trial and road race we will be along the course and will be able to watch elite pro racing live and in person. This is a chance to watch the best cyclists in the world compete before your eyes. In between riding and watching racing you can wander the historical district of Liege, stroll along the Meuse River, visit St. Lambert Square, or tour an art museum. The options are endless in this 1,000 year old city. Let us take you on your next cycling vacation by introducing you to a sampling of what this little country has to offer. Belgium is a cycling paradise with its quiet streets, narrow roads, and cycling-specific routes, outstanding beer, mild temps, and an inviting atmosphere. At Finish Line Cycling we strive to satisfy your hunger for a grand cycling vacation, and your thirst for fabulous Belgian beer. We are a family owned business with a passion for cycling and have devoted ourselves to taking fellow cyclists on bike trips we also enjoy. We have been riding for as long as we can remember and enjoy the fitness cycling brings to our lifestyle. Although we used to race we are now content on training with our club, and leading tours. For more details please see itinerary in this newsletter or visit our web site at http://www.bikebelgium. com/cascadebeer.aspx. If you prefer, you can call us at (720) 295-0758 and we will be happy to answer any questions.
“Creating a Better Community Through Bicycling”
Day 1: Upon early morning arrival at the Brussels Airport, transport of bike and gear to our hotel accommodations in Oudenaarde. Group introductions, assemble bikes, settle in your room, and have lunch. Warm-up ride of approximately 20 miles at a casual pace, followed by a large welcome dinner including a gastronomical affair, with distinctive Belgian cuisine. Day 2: After breakfast we will ride part of the Tour of Flanders race route, including the legendary Koppenberg, Kwaremont, Paterberg climbs. Even though there are a number of climbs today, they are all very short and manageable. From the base of the climb you can see the top and it’s OK to walk with your bike! Many have smooth pavement while others are rough and cobbled. Get a true sense of what the pros feel when they race up them. We will stop for lunch in a small village along our route look around and eat lunch at your own pace, wherever you’d like to. We will regroup before heading back to Oudenaarde. Approximately 40-50 miles of riding with a longer mileage option. Visit the Ronde Van Vlaanderen Cycling Museum. Later in the day we will relax during our first local brewery tour at regional brewery before heading to dinner. Day 3: Short, easy ride in the morning of approximately 20-25 miles before we head to the Netherlands to watch the UCI Road World’s Cycling Championships. Bring a comfortable pair of walking shoes and a cowbell to cheer on the world’s best cyclists. The Elite Men’s Individual Time Trial will finish on top of the Cauberg, a steep climb with a max gradient of 12%. This famous hill is also used in the Amstel Gold Spring Classic race every year. We will watch the final kilometers of this 45km time trial with thousands of our newest Dutch friends. Group dinner after the awards presentation where we can discuss techniques and efforts of the elite riders we just watched battle it out to the finish. Day 4: Breakfast in our new hotel, then bike ride on a section of the LiegeBastogne-Liege route. More hills today but still a moderate ride, averaging about 40-50 miles. Some cobbles, some climbs. Another brewery tour is on the agenda for the afternoon. Enjoy the differing landscape of the Liege Province with the lush green forests of the Ardennes, narrow roads, and peaceful countryside. Dinner in the heart of Liege. Day 5: Day off of bike to explore on your own in the historical district of Liege, or optional bike ride will be planned. Stroll along the Meuse River, ride around the university grounds, visit St. Lambert Square, tour the art Museum, or take pictures of the Palace of the Prince-Bishops. The options are endless in the 1,000 year old city but don’t forget to buy some
chocolate. For those who would like to get a few more miles in we will organize a ride leaving in the morning immediately following breakfast, and continue riding another portion of the Liege Bastogne Liege course. We will regroup for dinner late in the day. Day 6: Ride near Liege on flat roads with moderate hills, approximately 40 miles with longer options available. For some cross training, climb the 400 stairs of Montagne de Bueren up to the Citadelle. Bring your camera for the best panoramic views of the city. We will visit another distinctive brewery to taste more local brews. Day 7: After an early breakfast we will head to Marché de la Batte along the Meuse River in Liege. The market is one of the longest in all of Europe where fresh produce, clothing, and food are the center of attention. You will have a chance to pick up some snacks to eat while watching the race later in the day. After our stop we will continue on to Maastricht, in the Netherlands to be in the start town for the UCI Road World’s Cycling Championships. Today is a day off our bike as we get a once-in-a-lifetime chance to watch the long 267km Elite Men’s Road Race. After the men leave town, we will head out along the race route to watch the five laps they complete before a winner is declared. Afterwards we will pack gear and bikes and have final dinner as a group. Day 8: Breakfast at the hotel, goodbyes, then morning transport back to the Brussels, Belgium airport for early international flights.
Pricing $3,700 double occupancy $500 single supplement $375 road bike rental (if needed) The minimum number of riders required to run this tour is eight.
Registration Sign up online through Finish Line Cycling: www.bikebelgium.com/cascadebeer. aspx
Cancellations Finish Line Cycling lists booking conditions and the cancellation policy on their website at www.bikebelgium.com/terms.aspx
Trip Inclusions All lodging, most meals, transportation of all luggage, gear and bikes, entry fees into breweries, supported rides, local Englishspeaking guides, first drink at meals, and so much more. Find out the details at www. bikebelgium.com/cascadebeer.aspx
Trip Exclusions Airfare to/from Brussels, Belgium, gratuities for guides and leaders, single supplement, bike rental, miscellaneous personal expenses are not included.
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