Kuurne-Kortijk-Kuurne

After a smooth journey on Eurostar and a regional Belgian train, I arrived in my home for the next couple of days, the Hotel Messeyne in Kortrijk, a cool Flandrian town famous for the site of a battle in 1302 when they beat the French.

Home for a couple of days

I thought I would chance my arm on check in and ask if I could keep my bike in my room, the very nice receptionist said I could as Team Sky!!! had the garage. Anyway, after checking in and putting the Merckx in a very nice oak beamed room, it was straight to the garage for some pro team stalking, the mechanics were v friendly and let me up close to the bikes, cue lots of photos...

Merckx in room thanks to kind receptionist

Luke Rowe's K8 with rear suspension!

Wiggins's F8 - post thr RVV trashing of the K8

G's K8 still on the team car

I nearly asked if I could take one for a quick spin

A small van to fix the bikes in

The mechanics even made time for this photo

Anyway, after much drooling, it was time for a ride. A gentle 30km out to Harelbeke and Kuurne along a river path, which being in Flanders came with cobbles. Nothing much to note on the ride other than it was good to be out on the Merckx in it's home country.

Luckily I didn't need to go to Brussels and back

The site of G's finest hour (so far)

First taste of the cobbles - nice even ones to start with

The local tourist hotspot

As is traditional in these parts, beer followed the ride in Gains Bar which subtitles itself beer and records - and both beer and records were spot on.

It was anything but rank

After a post pub detour via a fritte seller, I got back to the hotel at the same time as the Sky bus and whilst waiting for the lift, I was joined by Bernie Eisel (officially the best beard in cycling) and Andy Fenn, luckily, I was on the phone to Bluebell so didn't have the chance to embarrass myself by talking to them.

The Death Star

The Best Beard in Cycling ©

Tomorrow is when the proper action begins with a solid 100km over the old finishing route of the Tour of Flanders - many cobbles and climbs...