Short Ypres roadtrip
Discussion
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!
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!
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