cycleheaven ?

In article <[email hidden]>, [email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

Hi all I visited Brugge recently. Bikes outnumbered all other traffic. People of all ages were
using them for everyday journeys. Hundreds of bikes were parked at the local train station. Real
sustainable transport as opposed to rural recreational routes.

cycle heaven? maybe.

beer heaven? definitely.

Hic,

Colin

Colin Blackburn said:

In article <[email hidden]>, [email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

Hi all I visited Brugge recently. Bikes outnumbered all other traffic. People of all ages were
using them for everyday journeys. Hundreds of bikes were parked at the local train station. Real
sustainable transport as opposed to rural recreational routes.

cycle heaven? maybe.

beer heaven? definitely.

Hic,

We go over and rent a house most Christmas/New Year periods when they have the ice rink in the
square, plus we make various other visits during the year.

Superb ales and bars and the drinking is so civilised. t'Brugs Beertje must be one of the world's
classic bars and many an enjoyable evening has been spent supping there, dipping cheese chunks in
mustard or celery salt.

But back to bikes. In Bruges bikes are everywhere - all sit up and beg heavy duty roadsters,
although last year I did see one bent bouncing over the cobbles.

One 'interesting' observation is that on many of the centre's streets, the one-way system doesn't
apply to cyclists.

John B

"John B" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

One 'interesting' observation is that on many of the centre's streets, the one-way system doesn't
apply to cyclists.

Just out of interest, is this a contra-flow cycleway arrangement or lycra-loutish-ness?

Nathaniel Porter said:

"John B" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

One 'interesting' observation is that on many of the centre's streets, the one-way system
doesn't apply to cyclists.

Just out of interest, is this a contra-flow cycleway arrangement or lycra-loutish-ness?

It is legally permitted on many of the streets within the historic centre. I think it also applies
to small mopeds.

It helps that the general traffic speed is usually at walking pace and I don't recall ever seeing
any "loutish-ness". The use of cycles is very utilitarian and very sedate. Bikes are everywhere.

John B

"John B" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Nathaniel Porter said:

"John B" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

One 'interesting' observation is that on many of the centre's streets,

the

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

one-way system doesn't apply to cyclists.

Just out of interest, is this a contra-flow cycleway arrangement or lycra-loutish-ness?

It is legally permitted on many of the streets within the historic centre. I think it also applies
to small mopeds.

So how does that work? Is there a separate lane for cyclists, or do they just have to take
their chances?

Quoted message said:

It helps that the general traffic speed is usually at walking pace and I

don't

Quoted message said:

recall ever seeing any "loutish-ness". The use of cycles is very utilitarian and very sedate.
Bikes are everywhere.

Probably because the Dutch have got so very few people are frustrated trying to get from A to B :-)

Quoted message said:

I visited Brugge recently. Bikes outnumbered all other traffic. People of all ages were
using them for everyday journeys. Hundreds of bikes were parked at the local train station.
Real sustainable transport as opposed to rural recreational routes.

And a lovely city to boot. Wonder the attraction of London sometimes.

Colin Blackburn <[email hidden]> wrote in news:MPG.1963a0d33a79289f989a8c@localhost:

Quoted message said:

cycle heaven? maybe.

beer heaven? definitely.

Chocolate heaven? Certainly.

(My wife's bad influence I'm afraid ;-)

Have (piggish) fun!

Graeme

On Wed, 25 Jun 2003 17:37:24 +0000 (UTC), "Johnny Klunk"

johnnyklunk@:rem0ve-this:johnnyklunk.com said:

Quoted message said:

I visited Brugge recently. Bikes outnumbered all other traffic. People of all ages were
using them for everyday journeys. Hundreds of bikes were parked at the local train station.
Real sustainable transport as opposed to rural recreational routes.

And a lovely city to boot. Wonder the attraction of London sometimes.

Brugge is a delight to wander through in a state of alcoholic blur. Lots of good bars, selling great
beer, narrow alleyways leading into squares, superb architecture,chocolate, waffles, seafood...

Gotta go back. Soon. :-)
--
DG

Bah!

Quoted message said:

Brugge is a delight to wander through in a state of alcoholic blur. Lots of good bars, selling
great beer, narrow alleyways leading into squares, superb architecture,chocolate, waffles,
seafood...

I hear ya. Always had a dream to cycle London > Holland > Belgium > France

Quoted message said:

London.

I'd happily bus/train/skip all the english, and most of the french bits, for more time tulip-side.

"iarocu" wrote ...

Quoted message said:

Hi all I visited Brugge recently. Bikes outnumbered all other traffic. People of all ages were
using them for everyday journeys. Hundreds of bikes were parked at the local train station. Real
sustainable transport as opposed to rural recreational routes. cheers Iain C

Sure, but what about the HILLS?

[email hidden] schreef ...

Quoted message said:

Probably because the Dutch have got so very few people are frustrated trying to get from A
to B :-)

Ahem...... Bruges is in Belgium. Just thought I'd mention this for the geographically
handicapped ;-)

--
Regards, Marten
- Dutch -

"Marten Hoffmann" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

[email hidden] schreef ...

Quoted message said:

Probably because the Dutch have got so very few people are frustrated

trying

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

to get from A to B :-)

Ahem...... Bruges is in Belgium. Just thought I'd mention this for the geographically
handicapped ;-)

Bollocks :-)

On Wed, 25 Jun 2003 19:14:53 +0000 (UTC), "Johnny Klunk"

johnnyklunk@:rem0ve-this:johnnyklunk.com said:

Quoted message said:

Brugge is a delight to wander through in a state of alcoholic blur. Lots of good bars, selling
great beer, narrow alleyways leading into squares, superb architecture,chocolate, waffles,
seafood...

I hear ya. Always had a dream to cycle London > Holland > Belgium > France

Quoted message said:

London.

I'd happily bus/train/skip all the english, and most of the french bits, for more time tulip-side.

London>Harwich>Hook of Holland>Brugge>Calais>Dover>London looks like
quite an interesting route. Or you could take the train back in Brugge and avoid the French bit.
Doesn't look too far, either. Take a week or two with plenty of waffle/beer breaks.
--
DG

Bah!

I like the path that goes around the city alongside the canal and the one out to Damme.

Hate the cobbles though.

AndyK said:

"iarocu" wrote ...

Quoted message said:

Hi all I visited Brugge recently. Bikes outnumbered all other traffic. People of all ages were
using them for everyday journeys. Hundreds of bikes were parked at the local train station. Real
sustainable transport as opposed to rural recreational routes. cheers Iain C

Sure, but what about the HILLS?

err... where?

John B

Nathaniel Porter said:

"John B" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Nathaniel Porter said:

"John B" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...
>
> One 'interesting' observation is that on many of the centre's streets,

the

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> one-way system doesn't apply to cyclists.
>

Just out of interest, is this a contra-flow cycleway arrangement or lycra-loutish-ness?

It is legally permitted on many of the streets within the historic centre. I think it also
applies to small mopeds.

So how does that work? Is there a separate lane for cyclists, or do they just have to take their
chances?

No separate lane and yes, in a way it is 'taking their chances', but the roads are very narrow and
the traffic speeds extremely low. I wouldn't be surprised if the average motor vehicle speed is
below walking pace.

I think it works because the drivers expect to see cyclists and all traffic seems to work together
and respect each other's needs. Perhaps this is a culture-type thing.

John B

"John B" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

AndyK said:

"iarocu" wrote ...

Quoted message said:

Hi all I visited Brugge recently. Bikes outnumbered all other traffic. People of all ages were
using them for everyday journeys. Hundreds of bikes were parked at the local train station.
Real sustainable transport as opposed to rural recreational routes. cheers Iain C

Sure, but what about the HILLS?

err... where?

zigactly

cheers, clive

Nathaniel Porter said:

Probably because the Dutch have got so very few people are frustrated trying to get from A
to B :-)

Bad news. Dutch motorways are frequently as crowded as British ones, plus they don't seem to believe
in the concept of leaving space to the vehicle in front.

More bad news: Belgium is worse. They only leave a one foot gap rather than two, and drive faster. I
usually try to drive through Belgium at night.

Good news. A couple of years ago we rode from Ostend to Ghent via Bruges. Mostly along a canalside
cycleway thing. Flat. Smooth. Tailwind. Mmmmm, great. Dave Larrington -
legslarry.beerdrinkers.co.uklegslarry.beerdrinkers.co.ukOpen ↗
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"Johnny Klunk" <johnnyklunk@:rem0ve-this:johnnyklunk.com> wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Brugge is a delight to wander through in a state of alcoholic blur. Lots of good bars, selling
great beer, narrow alleyways leading into squares, superb architecture,chocolate, waffles,
seafood...

I hear ya. Always had a dream to cycle London > Holland > Belgium > France

Quoted message said:

London.

I'd happily bus/train/skip all the english, and most of the french bits, for more time tulip-side.

tulip = dutch trademark 🙂

Good to see geography & demographics aren't mandatory in schools yet.

Brugge (Flanders, Belgium) is a beauty though..