 You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
Bonjour All,
I have recently moved to Belgium (nr Mons) for the next couple of years and i'm searching for anyone with knowledge/experience of any mountain biking in the area?
I've tried the standard Google searches and am on the lookout for a local group but thought i'd check with the hive mind as well. I'm happy with any XC pootles or even gravel rides, jump parks are a bit beyond me. Grateful for any info otherwise i'm going full roadie.
Cheers
Chris
My mate is a roadie over there, but does get some XC in if the weather is bad. You are looking at flat flat flat.
Lots of good biking down in the Ardennes, they used to hold an MTB World Cup is Houffalize - saying it's flat it's a bit like calling the Alps a bit bumpy.
You're not a million miles from the area where all the Belgium classics bike races are. The gang that organise the sportives that run alongside them have definitely put on some gravel events in the area, here's a useful website. https://www.flandersgravel.cc/
As above some great riding in the Ardennes. I've ridden around Vielsalm and Malmedy. Both had plenty of elevation and good enduro style runs in the woods.
Belgium is in fact ace.
Check trailforks if you haven't already
There is (or was) a mainly expat riding group called BigM
As said before Ardennes.
My knowledge is nearer Brussles but you habe Overiijse and Foret de Soignes.
I'm sure most places have marked trails.
I rode with BigM once in Zonianwoud. Life got in the way (job, baby, renovations). They were really nice and I would like to rejoin them this summer.
I saw they also ride in other parts of Belgium. I remember seeing rides listed in Waterloo, Overijssel, leuven and in the Ardennes.
If you fancy a ride nearer Brussels area (MTB, road) feel free to get in touch. Mail in profile)
Lovely area for road riding either going south to the real ardennes or North Pays the Colinnes is lovely and the nearby flemish ardennes is where cycling history is made.
On the mountain bike front there is more forest riding just across the border in France and the old Terrils(mine refuse) are fun playgrounds. Again Pays the colinnes and area around Geraardsbergen can be fun. Don't expect long climbs and you will have to accept some tar and concrete to link up the nice bits.
Have been away from the area for about ten year, try mountainbike.be for calendar and dutch forum
www.bigm.be for an anglophone group who are mainly Brussels/Tervuren based. Weekly rides are usually in that area but at this time of the year the weekend rides can be in different parts of the country so they aren't a bad place to start
VTT Belgique on Facebook isn't a club but has members from all of the country. It's francophone group but if you posted a question about clubs in English I'm sure you would get an answer
I get the feed from Cycling Vlaanderen on FB, they have regular MTB sessions and races.
On their website they have this link from the front page, MTB festival next week:
MTB Festival
If your into MTB and a little gravel, then maybe cyclo-cross is the answer?
Belgians always sent a good contingent to MTB single speed events, you could make some contacts that way.
Spot on, thanks all for taking the time to reply. I'm in for the Flanders Gravel ride and i'll give BigM a shout too.
Chris