INTRODUCTION

August 25, 2015

INTRODUCTION

Neal(Hotair) and Lenore Thomas start their preparations for a week together with Steve(Portland) and Jackie Kirkland based in Oudenaarde, Belgium to generally ride the Flanders region with trips to Brugge, Ghent, Antwerp,  the North Sea and in and around Flanders with Oudenaarde as the home base. The Thomases will conclude with a few days in Amsterdam as the Kirklands disappear for a Mediterranean Cruise(yuk). Portland is being guided by his new spouse to smooth relaxing waters after a week with Hotair.

Sometimes Europeans are shall we say non-capitalists. We will stay at a boutique hotel, Hotel Cesar, in the heart of Oudenaarde. Actually tried to prepay, but it could not be done. Seems the credit card company stated that it was a potential fraud purchase to the hotel while the the hotel was said to have reversed the charges by the credit card company. Sometimes you just cannot give away money. David Saveyn, known as Belgium, saved the day confirming all was well and the reservations attempted to be confirmed were verified.

Who is David(Belgium)?  He is a rider accidentally happened upon in Tempe AZ while his spouse Monika is here in the area on assignment from....yep you guessed it....Oudenaarde. He has become a PMBC weekend rider for his stay as a Mr. Mom for their young daughter Elizabeth while Monika works .  Where are the Dutch names? In any event Hotair's and Belgium's families have befriended each other.It is nice to  get local tips and a review of our planned schedule by Belgium locals.

Regardless, this odd quartet journeys abroad for sightseeing, quaint accommodations, fun riding and, of course, chocolate. The Town Hall and Hotel are picturesque and exemplify Oudenaarde which also presents some high end shopping for Jackie and of course all in dutch, a museum honoring one of cycling's monument classics, the Ronde Van Vlaanderen aka the Tour of Flanders. Needless to say the hills and cobble of the Flanders region await. So does the very flat areas of Brugge, the North Sea, Antwerp and Amsterdam.

It all begins as we depart on September 2, 2015 for arrival in Brussels the next day. Stay tuned and......

JUST PEDAL