Flanders or the Somme?

fietslogies · Post by **fietslogies** » 24 Dec 2008, 4:32pm

Two of my cycletrips on Bikely / Bikeradar might be of a little help :

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Boezinge-Ieper-Langemark-Staden and http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Ieper-Diksmuide-Nieuwpoort-Diksmuide-Lo-Veurne-Nieuwpoort

In the descriptions, you will find some additional links to other useful local information.

Nearly all memorials, graves, cemeteries, sites (trenches, shelters, craters, ...) and museums in the south of West Flanders are presented here : http://www.wo1.be/eng/mainnav.html

Regards,
FL

Gotte · Post by **Gotte** » 25 Dec 2008, 9:17am

fietslogies wrote:Two of my cycletrips on Bikely / Bikeradar might be of a little help :

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Boezinge-Ieper-Langemark-Staden and http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Ieper-Diksmuide-Nieuwpoort-Diksmuide-Lo-Veurne-Nieuwpoort

In the descriptions, you will find some additional links to other useful local information.

Regards,
FL

Thanks for that, much appreciated. I'll check them out.

andy_scot_uk · Post by **andy_scot_uk** » 26 Dec 2008, 9:22pm

never been to Flanders but my Somme trip is detailed here

http://arwallace.com/2007/somme

Hope that helps.

simonhill · Post by **simonhill** » 27 Dec 2008, 10:11am

Quote: "I've been to Flanders a couple of times, and know it pretty well, but I've never been to the Somme. "

Surely that makes the Somme a no brainer!!

I cycled to Albert (one very long day from Dieppe) and camped there for a few days - you could B&B/hotel, etc. From that base, I was able to explore all the main sites around the Somme (although strangely, of course, the actual Somme is some way away).

Do your research beforehand so you can plan your rides. It was 15 years ago that I went, so I can't remember all the places I went to, but there was plenty to see and well worth the visit.

Go on, be bold, go somewhere new.

frank · Post by **frank** » 27 Dec 2008, 7:30pm

Try this link it is good accomodation on the somme, I have stayed here camping a few times .
http://www.lesgalets.com/

dannyb · Post by **dannyb** » 29 Dec 2008, 12:33pm

Cycled around Arras, Albert, Somme battlefields a couple of years ago. We did a bit of research first - both the grandparents of my cycling companion had fought in this area.

A few things we discovered.

1. There are small cemetries everywhere. We spent a lot of time exploring these and found them very moving and powerful experiences. We often made detours down tracks that had cemetries signposted.

2. Parts of the area have long climbs rather than steep hills.

3. There is a fantastic canal to cycle along that goes through Arras - we did a few miles along that as well - one particular part of it had dozens and dozens of kingfishers

4. As per France in general - if you're out in the countryside, then make sure you've got enough grub because EVERYTHING can be closed in the evening, Sundays and so on!

Danny B

Gotte · Post by **Gotte** » 30 Dec 2008, 7:13pm

simonhill wrote:Quote: "I've been to Flanders a couple of times, and know it pretty well, but I've never been to the Somme. "

Surely that makes the Somme a no brainer!!

Go on, be bold, go somewhere new.

Sorry, I should have explained better, I have been a couple of times, but never cycled, and my friend has been to neither. I wouldn't like to take him somewhere where the whole WW1 "experience" (a terrible way of putting it, I know) were not as good.

Of course you're right about being bold and trying something new. That's how I normally run, but having only a week or so this year to tour, it's important for us to find the right place.

I suppose I'm just making sure it will be as good in France as I know it is in Belgium.

Again, many thanks for the input.

Phil

simonhill · Post by **simonhill** » 31 Dec 2008, 11:02am

Point taken.

I have cycled around the Ypres area, but again it was some time ago. However, earlier this year I cycled through that area coming back from Brussels. Maybe it was the howling wind and driving rain (in July) but it all seemed a bit flat and desolate. As someone above said, the area around the Somme (and from memory I agree) is much 'nicer' countryside to cycle in and there is definitely plenty of WW1 stuff to see.

Then again...............you can't beat the Last Post at the Menin Gate!

Cyclefrance · Post by **Cyclefrance** » 2 Jan 2009, 9:58am

I only just caught this request - haven't been on the site for a few weeks.

You may find my websites of interest as we have done the Somme and Ypres a few times now - 2006 and 2007 being the last two occasions - the sites contain route details we used, plus I've included B&B details in case these are of interest - there are also links to other sites that offer even more information. If you want to ask me any questions then there's an email link from the site. Don't forget to check out 2003 as well if you want info on Vimy Ridge.

http://www.geocities.com/cyclefranceuk

All the best

Gotte · Post by **Gotte** » 3 Jan 2009, 9:55pm

simonhill wrote:Point taken.

I have cycled around the Ypres area, but again it was some time ago. However, earlier this year I cycled through that area coming back from Brussels. Maybe it was the howling wind and driving rain (in July) but it all seemed a bit flat and desolate. As someone above said, the area around the Somme (and from memory I agree) is much 'nicer' countryside to cycle in and there is definitely plenty of WW1 stuff to see.

Then again...............you can't beat the Last Post at the Menin Gate!

Wow, that weather sounds bad. My friend and I have been away a few times, usually to Germany (went to Dresden last year down the Elbe, now that was a stunning tour) and we've always had outstanding weather, even when the forecast was against us. One of my worries about Flanders is that the few times I've been there, it;s either been raining or threatening to rain. The first time, the day started bright, sunny, a lovely autumn day, by noon, rain was sweeping in, obscuring the trees, blotting out the land. Our boots were claggy with that sticky blue-white clay from just getting off the bus, walking round a monument and getting back on again.
I can imagine it being pretty gruesome on a bike in those conditions.
Maybe we should aim a little farther south (though I imagine the Somme will be equally prone to horizontal rain, though maybe it loses a little bit of its bite seeing as its a little further from the North Sea.

Gotte · Post by **Gotte** » 3 Jan 2009, 9:56pm

Cyclefrance wrote:I only just caught this request - haven't been on the site for a few weeks.

You may find my websites of interest as we have done the Somme and Ypres a few times now - 2006 and 2007 being the last two occasions - the sites contain route details we used, plus I've included B&B details in case these are of interest - there are also links to other sites that offer even more information. If you want to ask me any questions then there's an email link from the site. Don't forget to check out 2003 as well if you want info on Vimy Ridge.

http://www.geocities.com/cyclefranceuk

Thanks for that, a great resource. I'll give it good read and will no doubt be back with a raft of questions.

All the best

hondated · Post by **hondated** » 25 Jan 2009, 6:53pm

I too have only just seen your message and for the last few years ,on my motorbike I will admit, I have made a pilgrimage to Albert with mates who have not been over to the area.
Everyone of them have found it a moving experience and felt humbled by what our troops had done to give us the life we all have now.

I have read since that th engineer wanted the Thiepval Memorial to appear that the fallen had stepped straight into heaven and without knowing that previouslt that is exactly what I felt.

If you go to Albert, there is a terrific underground museum there and it is a great vantage point to go to more areas of interest. Definitely worth a visit.

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