Sunday, August 09, 2015

Belgium beer tour with Ciclisimo Classico, August 6-9, 2015

A new adventure this year- Belgium.  This is an area we have never visited or ridden in, yet is steeped in cycling, war, and beer brewing history.

August 6-7- A great flight over and a real treat flying first class from Boston to London; love those lay flat beds and premier cru rose champagne.  Once in Brussels we took a 3 hour train ride south to our first night's hotel in Clervaux, Luxembourg in the Ardennes, famous for the battle of the bulge.  This quaint village also hosted the UNESCO, Memory of the World, The Family of Man exhibit.


August 8- Clervaux- It was nice to sleep in, but our warm up ride was calling.  A short 12 miles and over 1,000 feet of climbing was a rude wake up call.  Welcome to Wallonia…

August 9- Our first real day of riding took us from Clervaux to the famous Achouffe brewery for our first beer tasting.  This famous brewery is known for it's gnome mascot.  This was a crowded, lively place, but the beers were good.  From here we rode rolling hills through farmland and forests to our lunch stop in La Roche en Ardenne.  A bustling tourist spot full of motorcycles, mountain bikes and a castle.  We were glad to stop and consumed a great pizza and half bottle of rose wine before completing our ride to Marcourt.  Tonight we will enjoy another beer tasting and a good night's rest.