Day 7 Gent to Bruges

Gent to Bruges 57 kms

On the last day of our ride, our touring group split into three. Some went by taxi back into Gent to explore the city and then to catch a train to the boat in Bruges; some decided to stay on the boat and do a short ride in the afternoon; whilst the best people chose to ride the full distance to Bruges. This group included the three smiling girls from Brazil: Carol, Carolina and Chris, and of course us.

The day began as a 5 layer day, but I had to remove one layer as the sun came out a bit and the pace was quite fast. We stopped at the Weird Bicycle Museum, but to our disappointment it wasn't open. So we had to do our own weird stuff on bikes. 

Fortunately we missed the heavy rain that followed by ducking into a nearby cafe. We met the boat 38 kms up the road, had lunch and set off for Bruges with the girls and our other three friends: Ann, Janet and Karin. After 12 kms it started to rain. We spent an amusing few minutes getting Karin into her poncho, thus getting everyone drenched. It may have even hailed a bit.

It then proceeded to rain for the rest of the 10 kms into Bruges. The Brazilian girls rode off as they were much quicker than the rest, whilst we proceeded to freeze our hands in wet gloves and arrived at the boat's destination before it. 

We all took refuge in the nearest cafe, dripping water over everything.  After a hot drink to revive our cooling spirits, the boat arrived and we are now holed up in our cabin, drying out. After 350 flat kilometres across the Netherlands and Belgium, with a fun group of people, we will we party tonight.

Just about to set out from our crappy dock just outside Gent, to cycle to Bruges. Brenda and me and two of the Brazilians, Chris and one of the Carolinas. The other Carol was missing. Everyone else decided that they were going to stay on the boat until until a little later.

Our first stop, Gekke Fietsen Wierd Cycle Museum. Unfortunately we couldn't track down the owner, so we could not get up close to the wierd cycles the man had collected.

We made up for it by riding the tandem bike parked out the front. The lack of pedals and chains made it difficult to make much progress.

The rain was not dampening the enthusiasm of the Brazilians. It was bucketing down.

Had to get another shot of the girls in their special cycle shirts.

A temporary reprieve from the rain.

We stopped for lunch and picked up Karin, Ann and Janet to ride into Bruge. Eveyone else stayed on the boat. Some people were put off by a little bit of water.

Bruges - a ride to Enzo's and back from our house in Urangan. Same distance.

10 klms to go and the Brazilian girls decided to ride off by themselves and find a bar in Bruges. The old fogeys carried on towards the boat.

Oops! Seems like we beat the boat to the dock, so we found a cafe. We were all recovering from the rain and the cold. Fortunately the restaurant was welcoming and warm.

The Brazilian crew, along with our guide, Arie, and Emile, our funny and interesting chef, on the left. Tour over! 

Welcome to Bruges. Looking across the Lake of Lovers. It was a very sad story about Romeo and Juliet like figures from history who were also totally made up.

A building that is also a loch.

The municipal chambers. Sorry, It only just over 100 years old. Bruges is a little like being in a fairy tale. Apparently Hitler wanted it destroyed, but the General in charge of the operation ignored the order. Her was later executed for insubordination.

The church inside the market square built in bluestone.

Ride Notes

Quite a nice ride into Bruges. Flat as a tack, of course, but plenty of tree lined cycle paths and canals or rivers close by.

No where to hide from the rain, but we soon dried out. And our fingers eventually thawed, so all good.

The dock was only 20 minutes walk from the centre of Bruges.

Overall, a worthwhile trip.