Missed photo opportunities.
Spent three hours in Brugge today and moved on without any photograph whatsoever from that truly magnificent city.
Had a good time however, that is no excuse, but a possible explanation.
Started from Oostburg at about 10AM, the ride to Brugge was fast and easy, the wind was a bit problematic the first few kilometres to Sluis, after that and along the canal down to Brugge things went very well. Had planned to take a photograph at the Belgian border, borders are no longer what they used to be however, and as a photo opportunity the border simply did not exist. No sign of it.
Stopped in Damme and had a look at the place, another photo opportunity missed. Was reminded that the Euro is still some months away, the waiter that served me sparkling water was in principle willing to take my Dutch money, since there was an ATM on the other side of the square, he suggested I used that instead to get Belgian money. Those of you crossing borders between Holland, Belgium, France and a few other countries next year, will not have that problem.
Came to Brugge at 11:50 and first met Luc, had agreed to meet him and Wouter after their comments on the Riding to Aix site. All three of us ended up having lunch together. Great meeting, and also most useful in particular for the information Wouter had about the route onwards through France.
Left Brugge finally around 15:15 and moved on in the general direction of Kortrijk. That was a new experience, with the wind coming from behind. Did 25-28 km/h for long periods of time, also since the landscape slowly changed and became a little hilly, the cycling became more varied.
Made it to Kortrijk after a total of 4 hours 10 minutes on the bike, total distance 92,7 km, and average speed 22,5 km/h. The Route66 bike planner claims the distance is about 10 km shorter, however that requires cycling along road N50, which is not the place to be on a bike in Belgium if that can be avoided. Cars doing anything from 100km/h upwards passing by all the time, and the noise level is extreme. Gave up the idea of using defined bike routes, partly because they in my opinion turned out to be more or less unmarked, and used local main roads instead. Required some map reading but went without any real problems.
Also Belgian bakeries can be warmly recommended. At least one in every village of some size, and with excellent foodstuff that feeds the hungry biker.
The bike had another day with no problems whatsoever, the rider is also doing reasonably well. The Belgian bakeries may have something to do with that.
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