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Cycling in Belgium: A Great National Pastime

Revered as a cycling haven, Belgium’s passion for this sport transcends mere recreation – it’s deeply ingrained in the national culture. The country’s undulating landscapes and cobbled roads serve as the backdrop for prestigious races like the Tour of Flanders and Liège-Bastogne-Liège, where cyclists tackle challenging routes amid scenic vistas. Belgium’s cycling history is studded with legendary figures like Eddy Merckx, the “Cannibal,” whose dominance has left an indelible mark on the sport. The fervor for cycling extends beyond professionals, with cycling infrastructure, events, and a fervent fan base making Belgium a haven for both enthusiasts and elite athletes alike. At the same time, if you just want to jump on your bike and enjoy an hour or tour in the countryside, there are brilliant cycle paths and cycling networks throughout the country.

Here are some articles on Discovering Belgium on cycling in Belgium, with some of my favourite cycling routes that I have biked over the years.

5 cycling routes in Belgium: Free eBook download

Discover 5 cycling routes in Belgium with maps, GPX files, and local tips…

A 40k Cycle Tour Through Charming South Brussels

Explore the varied scenery of the south of Brussels on this 40 km cycle route…

Arquennes to Ronquières on foot or by bike

Canal-side trail to the impressive Sloping Lock…

A Guide to Cycling around Hainaut Province for a day

Take the train to Mons, hire a bike, and spend the day cycling around Hainaut province…

Four of Leuven’s Abbeys and how to cycle around them

A 14 km cycle ride that passes Leuven’s four abbeys – with a couple of taverns on the way for breaks…

How to Cycle Around the Outskirts of Leuven

A 27 km route that takes in Heverlee Woods and the Leuven-Mechelen Canal…

How to walk or cycle the Promenade Verte in Brussels

A 63 km route that encircles Brussels and helps you discover its history and nature…

Walking and Cycling in the Wonderful Forêt de Soignes

The different areas and opportunities for cycling and hiking in the Forêt de Soignes…

Cycling in the Haspengouw amid the orchards

Orchards. Blossoms. Fresh air. A picnic. And a bike! Perfect!…

A Fruity Cycle Tour Through the Orchards of The Haspengouw

A cycle ride in September is the perfect way to see the full extent of the Haspengouw orchards…

How And Where to Cycle Along The River Schelde

The cycle paths along the River Schelde are excellent, and you can hop from bank to bank on ferries…

Get On Your Bike Around Tienen And Hoegaarden

Enjoy this 70 km cycle route to Tienen and Hoegaarden with the Flemish cycling network Fietsnet…

Cycling into Hageland, east of Leuven

A 76 km cycle ride into Hageland – but you can shorten it as necessary!…

Rik Van Looy – Cycling’s Emperor

One of Belgium’s greatest cyclists, with victories across the classics…

What Makes the New Cycling Bridge in Tervuren so Special?

A wooden bridge in Tervuren improves safety for cyclists and pedestrians at a busy intersection…

Why and how E-bikes are taking over Belgium

For the first time ever, more electric bicycles (e-bikes) were sold in Belgium than regular bicycles…

A Guide to the cycle highways (fietssnelwegen) of Flanders

Have you tried the network of fast and direct cycling highways in Belgium?…

Bikenode Brussels launches successfully

Brussels residents can now enjoy 252 km of a digital network of bicycle junctions in Brussels…

How to use RouteYou to create your own route

Learn how to use RouteYou to make your own customized walking or cycling route…

Try Out Some Recreational Cycling in Belgium

There are numerous opportunities for recreational cycling in Belgium. Here’s what to expect…

Kevin Mayne Gives Tips on Belgian Cycling (Part 2)

Some more tips from Kevin Mayne on how to enjoy cycling in Belgium…

Tips To Discover Belgium by Bike (Part I)

Suggestions from guest blogger Kevin Mayne to discover Belgium by bike…

Harry Pearson: The Beast, the Emperor and the Milkman

A bone-shaking tour through cycling’s Flemish heartlands…

hope you find these articles interesting and useful. If you have a specific suggestion for an article on cycling in Belgium that you would like to see covered here, contact me and I will do the necessary research and write an article on it.