Trip to Spa - any advice?
Discussion
I'm off to Spa next week to help a friend who is racing out there. The route will be Dover-Calais and on from there.
I've never driven in Belgium before - if anyone has any advice I'd be grateful to hear it, thanks. What's the situation with speed cameras, speeding, general driving standards and so on?
I've driven in France and Germany frequently so can't imagine it's that different. However last time I was in France there was a small run-in with Les Flics which involved a fine that still smarts a little. The silver lining to the cloud was that no points appeared on my UK licence. Is it still the case that points don't transfer across, or has this changed?
Route-wise, it looks like the A40 to and around Brussels and then the A3 around Liege looks sensible - is there a better option? Also, how nutty does the Brussels ring-road get at rush hour?
All advice welcomed, thanks.
I've never driven in Belgium before - if anyone has any advice I'd be grateful to hear it, thanks. What's the situation with speed cameras, speeding, general driving standards and so on?
I've driven in France and Germany frequently so can't imagine it's that different. However last time I was in France there was a small run-in with Les Flics which involved a fine that still smarts a little. The silver lining to the cloud was that no points appeared on my UK licence. Is it still the case that points don't transfer across, or has this changed?
Route-wise, it looks like the A40 to and around Brussels and then the A3 around Liege looks sensible - is there a better option? Also, how nutty does the Brussels ring-road get at rush hour?
All advice welcomed, thanks.
2Btoo said:
I'm off to Spa next week to help a friend who is racing out there. The route will be Dover-Calais and on from there.
I've never driven in Belgium before - if anyone has any advice I'd be grateful to hear it, thanks. What's the situation with speed cameras, speeding, general driving standards and so on?
I've driven in France and Germany frequently so can't imagine it's that different. However last time I was in France there was a small run-in with Les Flics which involved a fine that still smarts a little. The silver lining to the cloud was that no points appeared on my UK licence. Is it still the case that points don't transfer across, or has this changed?
Route-wise, it looks like the A40 to and around Brussels and then the A3 around Liege looks sensible - is there a better option? Also, how nutty does the Brussels ring-road get at rush hour?
All advice welcomed, thanks.
Unfortunately the drive to Spa is mind numbingly boring. I've never driven in Belgium before - if anyone has any advice I'd be grateful to hear it, thanks. What's the situation with speed cameras, speeding, general driving standards and so on?
I've driven in France and Germany frequently so can't imagine it's that different. However last time I was in France there was a small run-in with Les Flics which involved a fine that still smarts a little. The silver lining to the cloud was that no points appeared on my UK licence. Is it still the case that points don't transfer across, or has this changed?
Route-wise, it looks like the A40 to and around Brussels and then the A3 around Liege looks sensible - is there a better option? Also, how nutty does the Brussels ring-road get at rush hour?
All advice welcomed, thanks.
You will know as soon as you cross into Belgium because the road surface will suddenly become dreadful with pot holes and patches with rough or no concrete on them.
To compound matters the majority of the route is 2 lanes and they are usually full of lorries who will try and overtake each other despite the fact that they all have the same top speed.
You will probably find yourself sitting behind some Polish lorry at 50 mph for mile after mile until he gets to a slight downhill section where he can eventually overtake the lorry in the inside lane.
Seriously it's a very dull tedious drive. The only redeeming thing about it is that Spa is at the end of it and that's great.
2Btoo said:
I'm off to Spa next week to help a friend who is racing out there. The route will be Dover-Calais and on from there.
I've never driven in Belgium before - if anyone has any advice I'd be grateful to hear it, thanks. What's the situation with speed cameras, speeding, general driving standards and so on?
I've driven in France and Germany frequently so can't imagine it's that different. However last time I was in France there was a small run-in with Les Flics which involved a fine that still smarts a little. The silver lining to the cloud was that no points appeared on my UK licence. Is it still the case that points don't transfer across, or has this changed?
Route-wise, it looks like the A40 to and around Brussels and then the A3 around Liege looks sensible - is there a better option? Also, how nutty does the Brussels ring-road get at rush hour?
All advice welcomed, thanks.
Firstly you'll enjoy it - I've just finished a 2,000 mile road trip around Europe (including Belgium) and the drivers are markedly better than the UK (more indicating, better lane discipline, much less aggression) and the roads are in a different league (quieter, better marked, more sensible speed limits).I've never driven in Belgium before - if anyone has any advice I'd be grateful to hear it, thanks. What's the situation with speed cameras, speeding, general driving standards and so on?
I've driven in France and Germany frequently so can't imagine it's that different. However last time I was in France there was a small run-in with Les Flics which involved a fine that still smarts a little. The silver lining to the cloud was that no points appeared on my UK licence. Is it still the case that points don't transfer across, or has this changed?
Route-wise, it looks like the A40 to and around Brussels and then the A3 around Liege looks sensible - is there a better option? Also, how nutty does the Brussels ring-road get at rush hour?
All advice welcomed, thanks.
Regarding speed, the limit (unless otherwise indicated) is 130kph which isn't really that far off what you'd cruise at on a de-restricted Autobahn at the time of day you infer, so there's not much point taking chances given the modest distance to Spa from Blighty.
I've driven round Brussels in rush hour on a few occasions and always been caught in queues, but I don't know if I was just unlucky or not. If I'm going to Spa now I tend to leave after work, so I hit Brussels when rush hour has died down.
Belgian drivers are terrible. Every time I come across a B plated car with the red letters of doom, the driver is doing something stupid in some way or another. Keep this in mind and you will be OK!
Agree on the road surface, the roads in BE are terrible. If you're going around Antwerp, expect heavy traffic and delays. Its ring road is usually terrible.
Spa circuit is awesome though. The best I've been to - from many viewing points you can see other parts of the track in the distance which is very cool. You'll enjoy it
Agree on the road surface, the roads in BE are terrible. If you're going around Antwerp, expect heavy traffic and delays. Its ring road is usually terrible.
Spa circuit is awesome though. The best I've been to - from many viewing points you can see other parts of the track in the distance which is very cool. You'll enjoy it
RobM77 said:
Regarding speed, the limit (unless otherwise indicated) is 130kph
*Cough* 120 kph in Belgium.The Belgian coppers aren't as speed obsessed as the Brits and so don't seem
to get their books out until somewhere faster than 150 kph.
No smart motorways in Belgium, so no wall to wall speed cameras, either.
Brussels ring road can be tricky at times, so suggest the E42.
Lille, Charleroi etc. It's only 16 km longer than the E40 route,
but Lille takes some care to navigate.
dcb said:
RobM77 said:
Regarding speed, the limit (unless otherwise indicated) is 130kph
*Cough* 120 kph in Belgium.The Belgian coppers aren't as speed obsessed as the Brits and so don't seem
to get their books out until somewhere faster than 150 kph.
No smart motorways in Belgium, so no wall to wall speed cameras, either.
Brussels ring road can be tricky at times, so suggest the E42.
Lille, Charleroi etc. It's only 16 km longer than the E40 route,
but Lille takes some care to navigate.
Sorry! We went through five countries so I'm getting confused. I've proved your point though as I wasn't pulled over! Swanny87 said:
Massive potholes on motorways are to be expected. Roadworks taking place and warning upcoming traffic as an afterthought. Literally 1st sign for roadworks, 100m later, the cones...
I'm not doubting this, as you're the second person to mention it, but I genuinely don't remember potholes on the motorways in Belgium on the way to Spa. We drove home from Rochefort in the Ardennes on Sunday and I just remember a peaceful smooth cruise, although admittedly we went via Lille instead of the OP's suggested route. The most noticeable thing was arriving back in England and noticing how much noisier the motorways were and how much rougher the surface was in terms of patchy repairs, cracks etc.Thanks for the answers guys. All much as I expected.
Thanks again.
dcb said:
Brussels ring road can be tricky at times, so suggest the E42.
Lille, Charleroi etc. It's only 16 km longer than the E40 route,
but Lille takes some care to navigate.
This is the alternative - stay down in France for more of the journey. How much of a hassle is Lille? More or less of a hassle than Brussels? From the map it looks like you just stick on the E42 all the way, or isn't it that simple? It looks like a more scenic route, and driving scenic routes in Europe is always enjoyable. Lille, Charleroi etc. It's only 16 km longer than the E40 route,
but Lille takes some care to navigate.
Thanks again.
A16 French coast road, E42 all the way to junction 10 or 11, choice is yours.Potholes? Country roads tend to be very yUK like but the Autoroutes are mainly very good, apart from one concrete section where road noise can be a bit annoying. Sorry cant remember the name of the area but the rail line runs parallel to it.And yes, its 120kph all through Belgium btw, but it is around 150 and beyond where fines get thrown about..240 and they dont bother
Lille ring road is easy. It's not Paris' Peripherique!
I regularly drive around Lille, Mons, Charleroi. The roads are fairly good, EXCEPT the E42 when you cross the French/Belgian border beyond Lille towards Tournai. There, the road is absolutely CACK! You'll be playing dodge the mahoosive pothole at 75mph!
There are cameras around and the Police do patrol regularly, but just don't go mad and they won't nick you. Simple as.
Enjoy Spa. It's a GREAT circuit. (I was last there for WEC 6h in May)
I regularly drive around Lille, Mons, Charleroi. The roads are fairly good, EXCEPT the E42 when you cross the French/Belgian border beyond Lille towards Tournai. There, the road is absolutely CACK! You'll be playing dodge the mahoosive pothole at 75mph!
There are cameras around and the Police do patrol regularly, but just don't go mad and they won't nick you. Simple as.
Enjoy Spa. It's a GREAT circuit. (I was last there for WEC 6h in May)
Back now, many thanks for all the advice given. FWIW, I went via Lille on the way out and Brussels on the way back. There's not much to choose between them I now understand.
Yes, Spa is a great circuit. Yes, the drive there isn't fascinating, but it's always a pleasure to drive fast on decent roads around other drivers who drive well (the Belgians seemed to drive just fine to me, although that may be because I am used to the imbeciles who take the wheel in East London). I did come across one police motorbike while pedalling at somewhere around 160kph and he put his lights on, waved with his hand to indicate that I should slow down and buzzed off into the distance! All fine by me!
Yes, Spa is a great circuit. Yes, the drive there isn't fascinating, but it's always a pleasure to drive fast on decent roads around other drivers who drive well (the Belgians seemed to drive just fine to me, although that may be because I am used to the imbeciles who take the wheel in East London). I did come across one police motorbike while pedalling at somewhere around 160kph and he put his lights on, waved with his hand to indicate that I should slow down and buzzed off into the distance! All fine by me!
5potTurbo said:
Lille ring road is easy. It's not Paris' Peripherique!
I regularly drive around Lille, Mons, Charleroi. The roads are fairly good, EXCEPT the E42 when you cross the French/Belgian border beyond Lille towards Tournai. There, the road is absolutely CACK! You'll be playing dodge the mahoosive pothole at 75mph!
Now that was absolutely spot on, in every single respect. There speaks a man who knows .... I regularly drive around Lille, Mons, Charleroi. The roads are fairly good, EXCEPT the E42 when you cross the French/Belgian border beyond Lille towards Tournai. There, the road is absolutely CACK! You'll be playing dodge the mahoosive pothole at 75mph!
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