Flanders: an All In cycling destination Accessible Travel Info Point – Visit Flanders www.accessibleflanders.be – www.cycling-in-flanders.be 1 Table of contents 1. Spend a night on the track of the cycling races ........................................................................ 4 2. The cycling races per province: rental, routes and sightseeing ............................................... 5 2.1. Flemish Brabant and Brussels ................................................................................................. 5 2.2. Antwerp ................................................................................................................................... 8 2.3. Limburg .................................................................................................................................. 10 2.4. East Flanders ......................................................................................................................... 13 2.5. West Flanders ........................................................................................................................ 16 3. Breaking new cycling ground ..................................................................................................... 19 4. Events and competitions ............................................................................................................ 20 5. Useful addresses and links .......................................................................................................... 21 2 Introduction Flanders is the cycling races and the cycling races are Flanders. Whether you prefer to do the pedalling yourself, control the cranks of your hand bike, or cheer on your heroes while enjoying a regional beer or the traditional Flemish bag of chips, Flanders and the cycling races have much to offer you. We would also like to offer you, in this brochure, a fine selection of well-kept cycling paths, places where you can rent a special-needs cycles, accommodations and all the sights to see that are related to the cycling races or are located within the vicinity of the most important competitions, etc. This information is always based on objective expert research or on the positive experiences of disabled visitors. Some routes have also been tested by our staff. You can always ask for additional information and submit your own tips and experiences. 3 1. Spend a night on the track of the cycling races Why not spend the night following in the footsteps of your cyclist heroes? Flanders has a whole range of excellent overnight accommodation to offer. Want to hear the starting pistol? To be there for the end of the race or to stand guard at one of the mythical hills along the way? Whether you have disabilities or not, everyone deserves a cycling holiday! The brochure "All in, accessible holiday accommodation in Flanders and Brussels" produced by the Accessible Travel Information Point provides you with a comprehensive overview of all the holiday accommodation awarded the accessibility label A (basic accessibility) or A+ (comfortable accessibility). The brochure sets out in detail what you can expect in terms of accessibility. From the front door to the smallest bedroom, everything has been investigated and assessed by experts. You can download the brochure or view it in a scrollable version at www.accessibleflanders.be > Publications. You can, of course, always request a printed version from the Accessible Travel Information Point. 4 2. The cycling races per province: rental, routes and sightseeing Would you like to take to a bike to experience live the roads on which the cyclists whiz by? Or do you prefer quieter routes without cobbles and hills? Whether you are looking to rent a special-needs bike or find easily accessible cycle paths, there is sure to be something for you to enjoy! Cycle paths are there for everyone, but the bike routes given on the next few pages have been specifically selected because they are also easily accessible to those who are less mobile. Moreover, you can also find out where you can rent special-needs bikes. If you also like to visit museums or go sightseeing, then the tips on the following pages are definitely worth taking a look at! If you are looking for more tips on accessible cycling paths or the sights to see, be sure to have a look at the info packets ‘Accessible walking and cycling in Flanders and Brussels’ and ‘Accessible daytrips in Flanders and Brussels’. Request a copy from the Accessible Travel Info Point or take a look on www.accessibleflanders.be. 2.1. Flemish Brabant and Brussels (Brabantse pijl, Druivenkoers, GP Jef Scherens, Brussels Cycling Classic,…) Cycle routes Accessible without limitations: 7 ideas for accessible cycle routes and walks Hageland is an ideal region for walks and bike rides. Seven accessible routes have been worked out to give the elderly, small children and anyone with a disability access to sign-posted routes. These easily doable or passable routes are designed for everyone using specially adapted aids to move around, not only those with a disability but also the elderly with a walking frame or parents with a child buggy. Rolling landscapes, green valleys, ancient cities and town centres are just waiting to be explored. They are encompassed by the cycle routes in Zoutleeuw, Linter, Geetbets and Tienen and walks in Tienen, Linter, Kortenaken and Geetbets. In addition to routes, you can also find all kinds of practical information for preparing your trip. Toerisme Vlaams-Brabant Tel: +32 16 26 76 20 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.vlaamsbrabant.be 5 Unlimited There are accessible cycle routes starting from the park ‘Het Vinne’. The bike rental firm has some special bikes for people with a disability: a wheelchair bike, a duo-bike, tandems and bicycles with a low step. It is recommended you book the bikes by e-mail or by calling the phone number indicated below. In addition, wheelchair users can also follow a sensory experience path along a stream called the Sint-Odulphiusbeek, and you’ll use your senses to enjoy the natural beauty of this location. An all-terrain wheelchair is available for the walks around the lake. Provinciedomein Het Vinne Ossenwegstraat 70, 3440 Zoutleeuw Tel: +32 11 78 18 19 Fax: +32 11 78 42 36 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.vlaamsbrabant.be/zoutleeuw The ‘Lustoordroute’ scenic route in Gooik The rural town of Gooik has developed a cycle route through the rolling farmland of the Pajottenland area that is accessible to those with motor difficulties. This route consists of two loops, one 10 km long and the other 15 km, both of which are accessible to those using hand bikes, recumbent trikes, tandem bikes or wheelchairs. Enthusiasts can follow both loops for a 25 km trek. The starting point is the Koornmolen sports centre, which is also easily accessible. The large display panel shows clearly where there are inclines, where there are rest areas with a bench and which businesses along the route are accessible. There is a handy plastified walks folder to take you along the scenic route. You receive a detailed description of the trail with its sights and bottlenecks and a handy 30 by 40 cm map. The folder costs EUR 2 and can be obtained from the municipal sports service, where you can also find all the information on the Lustoordroute scenic route. Dorpsstraat 67, 1755 Gooik Tel: +32 2 532 14 02 Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.gooik.be/Wandel-en-fietsroutes.html Hiring bikes Almagic - electric scooter and cycle hire Almagic has 4 electric scooters for hire and all kinds of special-needs bikes (wheelchair bikes, hand bikes, tandem bikes, three-wheelers, joëllette wheelchairs, etc.). The hire charges are the same as those charged by Provelo (www.provelo.org). Bikes can be hired for a maximum of two weeks. Mimosalaan 7, 1150 Brussels Tel: +32 499 22 68 68 E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://www.almagic.org 6 Provincial park Het Vinne There are accessible cycle routes starting from the park ‘Het Vinne’. The bike rental firm has some special bikes for people with a disability: a wheelchair bike, a duo-bike, tandems and bicycles with a low step. It is recommended you book the bikes by e-mail or by calling the phone number indicated below. Provinciedomein Het Vinne Ossenwegstraat 70, 3440 Zoutleeuw Tel: +32 11 78 18 19 Fax: +32 11 78 42 36 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.vlaamsbrabant.be/zoutleeuw Must do’s! M Leuven M-Museum Louvain and M-Treasury of Saint-Peter are accessible for wheelchairs and has 3 wheelchairs and 20 mobile folding chairs. You can borrow the folding chairs for free according to availability and in exchange for an identity card. You should book these in advance. Do you have a visual impairment? Then you can discover the museum with the adapted 'Empire of Senses' tour (‘Rijk-der-Zinnen’-rondleiding). The theme, perspective or method of approaching the works of art changes every two months. You can find the dates of the 'Empire of Senses' tours on the website. Booking is essential. Leopold Vanderkelenstraat 28, 3000 Leuven Tel: +32 16 27 29 29 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.mleuven.be Sportimonium This sports museum is easily accessible for wheelchair users. Visitors to the Sportimonium come in through the Bloso domain’s main entrance (Tervuursesteenweg, no number) and drive to the beach- side car park within the Bloso domain. The access path, made out of clinkers, is difficult to navigate on your own.