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Rhodent in Flanders


pe3nguin

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Posted

I am toying with the idea of a thread which takes inspiration from fellow hubbers:
- Bonus & Wendy's thread dedicated to their move to Spain.
- MrDLR's thread dedicated to the junior road racing scene.

 

I am 6 months away from embarking on a journey to Ghent, Belgium. Should there be interest, the thread would serve as a blog providing insight into my transition in the Flemish way of life, and more importantly, the amateur road cycling scene in Northern Belgium between the months of March and October.

By most accounts, it is the toughest amateur racing scene in the world and it may fuel the fire in some Vets bellies to take some bike orientated vacation time ;)

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Posted

As a Saffer in living in Belgium for more than a year now, I approve of this thread.  :thumbup:

 

Good luck in Ghent. Those Ghentenaars can be a strange breed.

Posted

 

Good luck in Ghent. Those Ghentenaars can be a strange breed.

 

 

Really? They seem lovely. I'm more concerned about the unwashed masses that emerge from Oostkamp. 

 

Good luck and make sure you have a raincoat.

 

Thank you! And honestly, this is my biggest concern. Cold and wet weather is going to knock me on my arse. Durban has been far too kind on my soft suburban sensibilities. 

Posted

So, you're a South African citizen and you're interested in racing in Flanders? Here is a breakdown of what you will need to compete in races categorized as 1.12A and 1.12B as an Elite zonder contract (Elite without a pro contract):
 

- CSA membership (R200 per annum)
- Provincial affiliate fee (KZN R50 per annum)

- A domestic racing licence issued by CSA (R400 per annum)

- An international racing licence issued CSA (free of charge, but will not be issued without proof of Medical, travel & repatriation insurance). This licence will cover a specific period consistent with your insurance. Local medical aids will cover you for a period of 90 days outside the country. This international racing licence will therefore cover that 90 day period.
- Letter of permission to ride abroad. This document can only be issued within 30 days of your departure and is country specific. If you intend to race in more than one country, make sure you have a permission letter for each respective nation. Europe is the size of a parking lot, so I will be taking permission letters for Belgium, France, Luxembourg, Germany and the Netherlands.

- Photocopy of your passport

Edit: [updated costs for 2017]

  • 3 months later...
Posted

Finding road races whilst you are in Flanders:

 

1. Head on over to http://competitie.dewielerbond.be/Default.aspx

2. Click "Wedstrijdkalender / Race calender 

3. Search through your appropriate date period

4. Leave all provinces selected. Flanders is relatively small so getting to your races regardless of where you are staying shouldnt be a hassle.

5. Set discipline to "weg"

6. Select your categorie. I would recommend "Elite zonder contract" as there is a metric boatload of races to choose from.

The calendar will generate a listing of races. You will primarily be interested in finding the following three:
1.12A
1.12B
1.18

 

  • 1 month later...
Posted

Hi Penguin,

Welcome to Belgium! I've lived in Gent for 10 years. I now live 24km further but I work in Gent so I'm still there every day. It's a great city, very welcoming.

If you had any questions, shoot! I also happen to work at the integration agency, so I can tell you more about that if interested.

Posted

snip

Hey BB, I'll shoot you a PM about ALL my integration question. They will mostly revolve around weather. Can you turn winter off please? I'm not looking forward to it.

 

I have been informed about the splendor of Ghent festival. I believe its around the 17th this year, so I will be in town for it. I am however missing classics season which starts today ;..;

 

I am also looking forward to 6 Days of Ghent!

 

Thanks for the route planner. Anything else you can think that might be useful is greatly appreciated.

Posted

Can't help you with the weather, I hate it just as much! Why do you think I plan a holiday in March? Well, except for the CTCT hehe. No, seriously, that's why we always travel early in the year.

 

How are you doing with the language? A great way to meet new people is at "taalcafe Macharius" You can find them on Facebook, it's a language exchange cafe, every 2 weeks. It's good fun.

 

Will you bring your bike? It's good to have a regular, not too fancy city bike to get around Gent. Bike theft is an issue in Belgium too, although not as much as in SA. You will not be robbed of your bike while riding it, haha.

Posted

For 2017, pre-registration at road races has been implemented. Should you wish to visit Flanders, be sure to create a dewilerbond account and inspect the calendar ahead of time. No longer is it possible to simply arrive at a race and slap down €8 €10 (damn price increases). Of this fee, 50% is the deposit which you get back for returning your race number.

When inspecting the calendar, races in blue have received their permits and will now reflect the current number of pre-registered entrants.

Annual administration fee of €6 is required before you can compete in Flanders. This fee can be paid at the registration table at your first event.

 

  • 2 weeks later...
Posted

And just like that, we have a three year lease in Ghent effective 1 May 2017. The perk of dating a very take-charge German woman was that this matter was handled with very little input from me. Tombeej has squatter rights during classics season.

1 May 2017 will also be my first race in Meigem, 20km outside of Ghent. Like a kid on Christmas staring at the race info :3
 

  • Technische gegevens: 117 km - 700 EUR. - I: Van Coppernolle Marc, Pijpekerrestraat 2, 9800 Meigem - U: 13:30/14:45/15:00 - K: Van Coppernolle Marc, Pijpekerrestraat 2, 9800 Meigem - Contact: Leenaert Geert, Oude Heirbaan 29, Grammene (Tel.: 0472842262) (geert.leenaert@telenet.be) - Extra info: 18 ronden van 6,5 Km.

 

  • 3 weeks later...

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