Short Ypres roadtrip

[Nero44]

Just back from fantastic weekend on the continent, thought I would share some roads and some pictures. Only had 2 days, was planning on Brecon Beacons but weather looked rubbish. So booked Eurostar on Friday evening, 11am crossing on Sat and back Sun afternoon.

Did some research and forums here www.bestbikingroads.com were v helpful. Booked myself into the Hotel Albion in Ypres and had nothing else planned. Tip no.1 - make sure Sat Nav has both France and Belgium loaded. Thank god for iphones.

Right, so good roads:

D218 (from A16 signposted Loon Plage) to the coast. Then turn round and do it again, then take the D2 towards Bourbourg and stay on D2.
D947 (from top or from D2) to Steenvorde
D18 from Steenvorde to Wormhout
D55 from Wormhout towards St Omer (turns into D55E/D209.
D210 from Clairmaris to Arques
Then take D642 towards Hazebrouck, but take D138 at Wallon-Capel towards Morbecque. Turns into D946

Traffic free, Gendarme free and flat so can see for miles. There was a bit of mud on some parts of the road but nothing that made me turn 'Sport' off...

Had a route planned from Estairs to Haubordin, but time was against so headed up towards Ypres on A25. Made Ypres in time for the Last Post Ceremony, very moving and well worth attending. It would have been rude not to also sample Belgian beer and frites.

Had the next day free and after getting up early to wander around Ypres (worth doing as quiet), went to Hooge cemetery, Hill 62 and Sanctuary Wood, Tyne Cot and a couple of the smaller cemetaries and monuments. In retrospect wish I had booked a later crossing (and stayed another night) as there is so much to see. It's all unbelievably moving and sobering and there is an eerie stillness to the whole area. Didn't think I'd be taken in as much as I was. Hooge and Tyne Cot are must sees.

I've posted some pics below, and you'll see I found a friend at Sanctuary Wood. There was a classic bike tour at Tyne, some wonderful machines.

Hope this makes you book a last miunte crossing for a couple of days...it's worth it. Sorry pics aren't in right order!

[dcb]

Nero44 said:

It's all unbelievably moving and sobering and there is an eerie stillness to the whole area. Didn't think I'd be taken in as much as I was. Hooge and Tyne Cot are must sees.

Indeed. I expect the whole area to be very busy this year, in view
of the 1914 centenary events.

One BnB owner I talked to said all the "Old Colonels" are coming out
of retirement and visiting the area en masse. Book early.

I would also recommend the German cemetery at Langemark. It's a lot
smaller than Tyne Cot, but whereas Tyne Cot has about 12,000 in it,
Langemark has about *44,000* in it. A rightly eerie place and in my
view, right and correct that as good Europeans we show respect to
the folks that the Brit Tommy fought.

For roads, the N8 from Veurne to Ypres is worth avoiding, because it
is so rough. I usually use the A25 Dunkirk to Steenvorde autoroute,
then the Steenvorde - Poperinge - Ypres road.

It's always worthwhile getting a few crates of Belgian beer too.
Either they have lots of stuff not available in the UK, or it's
half UK prices. Either way, the Belgians win.

[entropy]

dcb said:

It's always worthwhile getting a few crates of Belgian beer too.
Either they have lots of stuff not available in the UK, or it's
half UK prices. Either way, the Belgians win.

Where exactly?

Bottles in normal shops cost the same in pounds.

Belgian stuff are the only beers I drink. Everything else tastes like piss.

[dcb]

entropy said:

Where exactly?

Belgium. Turn East out of the tunnel. It's about 30 minutes away ;->

entropy said:

Bottles in normal shops cost the same in pounds.

Nope, at least for anyone with eyes and has enough sense
to keep away from the usual tourist traps like Brugge.

For example, UK Tescos bring in Belgian beer to the UK and it runs about two quid a bottle,
+ / - a bit.

Same stuff in Belgium is about a pound a bottle.

Try here:

http://www.realtobacco.be/shop-selection.php

Although almost any booze shop in non-tourist Belgium will do.
Failing that

http://www.carrefour-calais.com/

has a pretty good selection, for a mainstream French supermarche.

[entropy]

dcb said:

Nope, at least for anyone with eyes and has enough sense
to keep away from the usual tourist traps like Brugge.

For example, UK Tescos bring in Belgian beer to the UK and it runs about two quid a bottle,
+ / - a bit.

Same stuff in Belgium is about a pound a bottle.

Try here:

http://www.realtobacco.be/shop-selection.php

Although almost any booze shop in non-tourist Belgium will do.
Failing that

http://www.carrefour-calais.com/

has a pretty good selection, for a mainstream French supermarche.

Note To Self: do not spend spare Euro's at Gare Du Midi