A week-long cycling holiday via three iconic cycle routes

Roman Helinski

David Peskens and Roman Helinski set off on rented e-bikes on a week-long cycling holiday through Flanders. They started their cycling journey in Antwerp after travelling from the Netherlands by train. Just outside Antwerp-Berchem railway station, they picked up two rental bikes from Bikepacking Belgium.  For six days, they cycled through Flanders via the Kempen Route, Meuse Route and Hilly Route to Leuven. From there, they took the train back to Antwerp - Berchem and returned their rented bikes. Along the way, they stayed at lodgings tailored to cycling tourists, ate local produce and documented their experiences.

 

*Tips and info on travelling with your bike on a train with Belgian railways can be found here.

Dutchmen David Peskens and Roman Helinski have been cycling all over Europe for over a decade for the magazine Fietsactief. They have made more than fifty cycling trips, including ten through Flanders. Peskens takes the photos and Helinski documents the stories.

Introduction to three wonderful iconic cycle routes

Roman Helinski - dag 1

Day 1: Antwerp - Lille

49km

Iconic cycle route: Kempen Route

Accommodation: B&B Stillant in Lille

Roman Helinski - Hollanders in Vlaanderen

Day 2: Lille - Houthalen

106km

Iconic cycle route: Kempen Route

Accommodation: Hotel de Boskar in Houthalen

Roman Helinski - dag 3_3

Day 3: Houthalen - Maasmechelen

56km

Iconic cycle route: Kempen Route

Accommodation: B&B Het Vuchterhof in Maasmechelen

Roman Helinski - 2

Day 4: Maasmechelen - Tongeren

56km

Iconic cycle routes: Meuse Route, Hilly Route

Accommodation: Gaudium XII in Tongeren

Roman Helinski - dag 5

Day 5: Tongeren - Boutersem

84km

Iconic cycle route: Hilly Route

Accommodation: Guesthouse Biolleke in Boutersem

Roman Helinski - dag 6_1

Day 6: Boutersem - Leuven

27km

Iconic cycle route: Hilly Route

Like David and Roman, would you like to explore this part of Flanders by bike?