CYCLING Flanders & Paris ROUBAIX
April 1 - 10, 2022
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Cobbles, cycling champions, and cuisine! This week covers entry into the amateur races of the two major cobbled classics - Tour of Flanders and Paris–Roubaix.
The Tour of Flanders has been organized without hiatus since 1919, the longest uninterrupted streak of any cycling classic. This iconic course stretches through West and East Flanders with short and sharp hills. In addition to the hills, the course traditionally includes a number of flat sections of cobbled roads, often with fans lining both sides of the narrow route. But if participating isn't enough, you'll spectate the professional Tour of Flanders the following day. Ride all week with cycling greats in Belgium and France, and then participate and spectate the Paris–Roubaix, also famous for rough terrain and cobblestones. But don’t forget the food! Chef Fabio Flagiello will not be on this tour but each evening, you'll enjoy the best local restaurants, food, and wine. This tour is operated and guided by Fabio Tours' own Danielle Pelorossi. Registration to both tours are included in the price of this tour. |
itinerary |
cuisine |
lodging |
preparation |
Itinerary
- 2:00pm - Pick-up at Brussels Airport
- 4:00pm - Arrive at Villa
- 5:00pm - Bike set-up
- 6:30 - Aperitivo & Briefing (rides, lunches, dinners, transfers, daily schedule)
- 8.00pm - Dinner at the Villa
- 8.00am - Breakfast
- 9.00am - Ride 40-50 miles with Andrea Tafi, the only Italian cyclist to win both Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix
Note: Every day, please be ready to ride at 8:50am for departure at 9:00am. If we are delayed, the day gets too long. - 1:00pm - Lunch at Villa
- 1:30pm - Massages at Villa
- 5:00pm - Aperitivo and Q&A with Andrea Tafi for Tour of Flanders amateur race; Briefing of logistics for next day
- 7:00pm - Dinner at Villa
- 6:30am - Breakfast
- 7:30am - Transfer to race start
- 9:00am - Tour of Flanders Amateur Race Start (130km course suggested)
- 3:00pm - Regroup for lunch and showers
- 5:00pm - Join the post-race and pre-race festivities in Oudenaarde
- 7:00pm - Dinner in Oudenaarde
- 9:00pm - Return to Villa
- 7:30am - Breakfast
- 8:30am - Transfer to race start for a day of spectating
- 10:00am - Tour of Flanders Professional Race Start
Watch from roads and VIP tent as desired - 6:00pm - Return to Villa; optional massages
- 8:00pm - Dinner at Vila
- 8.30am - Breakfast
- 9.30am - Ride 30 miles
- 1:30pm - Lunch at Villa
- 5:00pm - Depart to visit downtown Antwerp
- 6:30pm - Aperitif
- 7:30pm - Dinner in downtown Antwerp
- 8.00am - Breakfast
- 9.00am - Ride 40-50 miles
- 1:00pm - Lunch at a local brasserie along the route
- 3:00pm - Back to Villa for a relaxing afternoon and massages
- 6:00pm - Aperitvio
- 7:30pm - Dinner at Villa
REST DAY
- 9:00am - Breakfast
- 10:30am - Depart for the town of Lille
- 1:00pm - Lunch in Lille; Visit to the Cycling Museum of Roubaix
- 5:00pm - Return to Villa
- 7:30pm - Special 4 course meal and wine pairing from Chef Fabio
- 8:30am - Breakfast
- 9:30am - Ride 25-40 miles
- 12:30pm - Picnic lunch along the route
- 2:00pm - Back at the Villa for a relaxing afternoon and massages
- 5:00pm - Cooking class and dinner prep with Chef Fabio at Villa
- 7:30pm - Dinner at Villa
- 8:30am - Breakfast
- 9:30am - Easy ride to check out race start area
- 1:30pm - Lunch at the Villa
- 5:30pm - Q&A with Andrea Tafi on Paris-Roubaix strategy and logistics
- 7:00pm - Dinner at Villa
- 6:30am - Breakfast
- 7:30am - Transfer to race start
- 9:00am - Paris-Roubaix Amateur Race Start
- 3:00pm - Regroup for lunch and shower
- 5:00pm - Depart for Villa
- 6:00pm - Take-down of bikes
- 7:30pm - Dinner at Villa
SUNDAY
- 8:00am - Breakfast
- 9:00am - Transfer to race start
- 10:00am - Paris-Roubaix Professional Race Start; watch races from different cobblestone sections
- 12:00pm - Picnic lunch along race course
- 3:00pm - Transfer to Brussels airport for departure
Cuisine
The food is a key ingredient of this adventure. Chef Fabio will provide a mix of hand-picked restaurants and his own cooking throughout the week. All meals will feature locally-sourced fruits, vegetables, legumes, beef, and seafood bright with flavor. In addition to incredible food, you’ll drink wine that represents the history and personality of the region.
To respect and reflect Italian culture, meals will be served at the appropriate times of day.
To respect and reflect Italian culture, meals will be served at the appropriate times of day.
- Breakfast will be served each morning around 8.00am.
- Lunch is planned each day around 1.00pm.
- Dinner will be served around 7.30pm.
lodging
We'll stay at a private Villa near Ypres and Bruges for the entire week.
Nearby excursions include:
http://www.wielermuseum.be/en/home/
https://www.vanhonsebrouck.be/
Nearby excursions include:
http://www.wielermuseum.be/en/home/
https://www.vanhonsebrouck.be/
Preparation
With daily routes between 30 - 80 miles and 4,000+ feet of elevation gain, Cycling Flanders & Paris Roubaix is for the serious cyclist. In addition to close quarters group riding during the amatuer races, the terrain includes plenty of cobblestone and grades up to 22%. Leading up to the trip, we recommend that guests are consistently riding 4 or more days a week with long rides of 50+ miles so that they are comfortable in the saddle for 4-6 hour rides. Riders should be accustomed to climbing and descending, as well as advanced bike handling.
