Oudenaarde, the official start town of the Tour of Flanders and home to the museum dedicated to the race, gives access to the most legendary cobbled bergs of Belgian cycling’s most prestigious event.
A loop through the most famous bergs
From Oudenaarde, the road heads into the Flemish Ardennes, a hilly region despite its misleading name, to string together three iconic bergs: the Oude Kwaremont, cobbled for 2.2 km averaging 4.2% but with pitches up to 11.6%, the Paterberg, a cobbled wall of 360 m averaging 12.9%, and the Koppenberg, 600 m averaging 11% made fearsome by its extremely narrow width. Expect around 55 km and 600 m of elevation gain for a representative loop covering these three climbs.
Getting the ride right
Wider tyres, around 28 to 30mm and run at slightly lower pressure, absorb the irregularities of Flemish cobbles better. On the Koppenberg in particular, it pays to aim for the crown of the road, smoother than the edges, and to expect reduced grip in wet weather.
When to go
March to October, with the professional race usually held in early April. Many cyclotourists come to ride the bergs in the weeks before or after the event, which can add to cyclist traffic on the best-known sections.
Good to know
Oudenaarde offers a decent choice of accommodation and hosts the Tour of Flanders Centre, an interactive museum dedicated to the race, with convenient access to Ghent, less than an hour away by road, for extending a stay in East Flanders.