As expected we have our last group ride from Brugge to the North Sea and back. Today's ride was about 60 miles. The Kirklands leave to set sail on Wednesday and but for perhaps an hour of cobble for Portland ,their riding is over after this excursion. The Hotairs tackle some of the Flanders tour tomorrow.
We left for Brugge by train and actually experienced no issues this trip. We met a few people who gave us some local information about crops and special events on the train. The gentleman was a doctor who likes lawyers. The woman a Brugge guide. Both are from Roselare,the location a traditional one day race with many TDF celebs a couple of days after the TDF each year.
School time madness
The ladies club at the station?
Food processor for animals
Roselare area
Train friends
Bike parking
We arrived in Brugge and promptly got off the node map. No explanation for the node break down but it should be noted than there was a small bonehead act(there always is one) did occur. Hotair did some bailout plans and left them in the hotel. Jackie had the original plans so it worked out. Regardless, we found our way to the nodes for guidance amidst a light rain. Along this way we encountered some international tourers and bike club at a cafe.
Rain fun begins
Got their attention
Random bike photo
Bike mecca
Waiting for draw bridge
?????????
Delighfully, the rain stopped and we approached and rode the North Sea in actual sunshine. Lunch was in Ostende on the ocean. As we meandered along we visited the De Hann, which consists of high end beach areas and enjoyed the sights. Then it happened. Without the node maps a bail out back to Brugge was attempted by memory and worked fine until we hit massive construction. As it turned out we did a bonus loop back to the same place a nice policewoman said could not be used to get to the Brugge area. Her words in a french tone: "Not possible". The ad hoc route was dead on and it was possible.
Playing his organ
Colored cats
Talk about sand castles
Art?
Drunk when each floor was built?
These are "camping" areas
Miniture golf in park
Random street art
Confirmed our bail out route!
Cool store found as we found our way
Big picture of the Stevio in Italy
Finally, back in Brugge we had a beverage/snack and saw the town. As for the snack we ordered it to go and sat down. It seems there is an extra charge to sit for each item. Oh well. After wandering with BOB, we had dinner. Hotair enjoyed a banana chocolate ice cream while the others.....drank. It was panned by the three who opted for the special salmon dish that was way to salty. Hotair had a simple chicken stew. However, how about a 5 euro Diet Coke? Yep a small bottle of what for many reasons was the worst beverage ever.
Not cool art in Brugge Centrum
This is what you see. Portland and Hotair are changed men for entering
Chocolate row
Old Triumph
New Porsche
BOB had a day! He experienced the sea, the Centrum(old city center) of Brugge, saw a car he liked and enjoyed the train. Very active day for BOB.
BOB becomes art
BOB and his buddy enjoying a beer
BOB in the Old Brugge
New car for BOB? NO
Waiting for the train
Tomorrow BOB rides some cobble and classic climbs of the Ronde. The Hotairs hope to do about 70 miles of the Flanders region. In any event.......
JUST PEDAL
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