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pepperami
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PostPosted: 20:50 - 08 Dec 2012    Post subject: Belgium? Reply with quote

Just thinking about next year when the weather gets better and the days are both longer and warmer.

So I live a short hop away from Harwich and the ferries.
I`m thinking "I wonder what Belgium is like".
That got me thinking about all the funny/strange /different laws these Europeans have Smile .
So what Funny/strange/different laws apply in Belgium?
For example in France you need to carry a breathalyeser dont you?
What about in Belgium?

They`re a funny lot these folk from Europe and I dont want to end up in the pokey if I decide to grace them with my presence for a few days.
Never been aboard on a road bike before so one or two days on that side of the pond might be a good way to start, and could go on to better things? maybe?

Please BCF tell me about your experiences in Belgium Thumbs Up
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Richy CB1000
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PostPosted: 21:51 - 08 Dec 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

Lived there for six years, stay in the Northern half Flaamse section, nicer folk towards the English than the French speaking southern half, say from Brussell's down.

Look out especially for the following towns, Antwerp, St Nicklaas, Brugge plus pop just over the border into Holland to go to Bergen Op Zoom, that place at the Crocus Fest is pissed for three days solid, the hole town!!

Cathedral area in Antwerp the Sukerie is a really decent place, visit the Expo in Brussell's worth a look. In Holland all the old war areas Eindhoven, Breda, Niemegan where the Brits Army were you'll be welcomed.

Whatever town you're in get a quick dinner at the Frituur's ( like a fish n chip shop)

Just be carefull here and there no different to UK in that respect, there are some places to avoid, ie Anderlecht etc... you'll tell when you're in a rough area!

Watch speeding they don't really like it plus you have two Police forces, Policie, local lads uptight they're not the Rijkwacht which are the "Federal Armed" guys both sets can give real hassle.

Lots of radars on top of the street lamps you'll never tell if they're on or not, fines are on the spot so take the credit card, no pay= pokey.

Antwerp's Ring road, extremely dangerous as it's a pass through for all trucks from over Europe to the docks try to avoid.

In general a nice place well underated, people are calm unless you annoy them! Language not an issue they'll sense your English straight away and start chatting in English no need to ask!

Even though I speak Flemish and Dutch as soon as I open my mouth there they'll switch to English for you.
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stinkwheel
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PostPosted: 21:56 - 08 Dec 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

Belgium. The most passed through on the way to somewhere else place in Europe.

I have yet to find anybody in the UK who can name five famous (and non fictional) Belgians off the top of their head.
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I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.
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LordShaftesbu...
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PostPosted: 22:12 - 08 Dec 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

Richy CB1000 wrote:
Brussell's down.

Confused
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motobiker
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PostPosted: 22:45 - 08 Dec 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ardennes isn't bad at all - but to be honest, you'll do a lot better heading a little further east to Luxembourg (for the cheapest petrol in Europe) and the Eifel - which is rather lovely.

lots of roads particularly to the north of Luxembourg city.

https://tinyurl.com/cnd3vqh

And in the Eifel... more roads than you can shake a stick at.

https://tinyurl.com/czufdy4

For what its worth - I took 4 guys who had never been to Europe before last year - they had a ball, but all said that Belgium was the least favourite part - on one day we rode from our base in the Eifel to La Roche in Ardenne. It was lovely - but it has to be said the tarmac isn't a patch on German or Luxembourg and the driving standards of the locals not as good either.

There's a great bikers hotel in St Hubert - they know whats good bad and indifferent. well worth staying with them to get the Best of Belgium.. and there are some great bits. On one day we rode from Spa back to the Eifel and that was absolutely fantastic... but was a one-off. We're going again next September and will be concentrating exclusively on Luxembourg and the Eifel - with the ride across Belgium purely a means to an end.

Next years trip is from the 8 - 14th September. If you fancy coming along, you'll be most welcome. Though we will be travelling via the Chunnel.

The only requirement is that you carry a Hi-Viz and a red triangle in case you break down on the Motorway. avoid Motorways completely and these are unnecessary. The plus - is that they are Toll Free.. and away from Cities fairly clear of traffic. The only congestion I've ever experienced has been near Lille... Ive never been near Brussels. though I understand like most capitals the motorway there can be a bit horrible.
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Dave-the-rave
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PostPosted: 00:27 - 09 Dec 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

The motorways are great at night. They're floodlit in yellow light.
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Islander
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PostPosted: 00:56 - 09 Dec 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

stinkwheel wrote:
Belgium. The most passed through on the way to somewhere else place in Europe.

I have yet to find anybody in the UK who can name five famous (and non fictional) Belgians off the top of their head.


George Remi (Herge)
Adolphe Sax
Eddy Merckx
Jan Van Eyck
Renee Magritte
Peter Rubens
Pieter Breugel
Antoon Van Dyke
Jean-Claude Van Damme

Etc. :p
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stinkwheel
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PostPosted: 01:01 - 09 Dec 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

Islander wrote:


George Remi (Herge)
Adolphe Sax
Eddy Merckx
Jan Van Eyck
Renee Magritte
Peter Rubens
Pieter Breugel
Antoon Van Dyke
Jean-Claude Van Damme

Etc. :p


I would have to google more than half of those. Therefore, not famous.

I usually get about as far as Plastic Bertrand and that guy who invented the smurfs.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.
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Islander
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PostPosted: 01:23 - 09 Dec 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

stinkwheel wrote:
Islander wrote:


George Remi (Herge)
Adolphe Sax
Eddy Merckx
Jan Van Eyck
Renee Magritte
Peter Rubens
Pieter Breugel
Antoon Van Dyke
Jean-Claude Van Damme

Etc. :p


I would have to google more than half of those. Therefore, not famous.

I usually get about as far as Plastic Bertrand and that guy who invented the smurfs.


Remi (Herge) - drew/wrote the TinTin comics. Famous.
Jean-Claude Van Damme - naff action actor. Famous
Adolphe Sax - Invented the Saxophone. Famous
Eddy Merckx - One of the best known sports cyclists. Famous
Renee Magritte - Surrealist Painter "Ceci n'est pas une pipe". Famous.
Rubens - Baroque artist. Famous.
Van Dyke - Baroque artist. Famous.
Bruegel - Renaissance artist. Famous
Van Eyck - Artist (dutch style). Famous

Famous doesn't just mean people you know. Wink :p
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Richy CB1000
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PostPosted: 11:39 - 09 Dec 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

Err what's that fella recently , Herman Rumpey Pumpey?
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pepperami
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PostPosted: 12:29 - 09 Dec 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hmm? nobody has mentioned Hercule Paroit or whatever his name is? you know that fat old detective bloke.
Or Eddie legurne? the world class trials rider or his brother who was also pretty good on a motorbike.
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Marmalade
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PostPosted: 12:45 - 09 Dec 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

pepperami wrote:
Hmm? nobody has mentioned Hercule Paroit .


Poirot isn't it?

Fictional character I believe, like god.


Belgium is meant to be boring but I've had a few good stays in Brussels with plenty to do, good food and drink and no twats wanting a fight cos you 'did/didn't look at their burd innit'
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Islander
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PostPosted: 16:03 - 09 Dec 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

Belgian beers can be rather good - especially the Trappist ones, plus Brussels has the Atomium which has to be seen to be believed and La Grand Place. Smile
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Marmalade
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PostPosted: 16:53 - 09 Dec 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

Went into the atomium once since my oh was with me. It is an interesting visit.

All the other times I've just taken pics of bike in front of it and buggered off.
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Nobby the Bastard: How yo tell the difference between the actual japanese and her just screaming because she's had live fish stuck up her arse? [url=https://www.nicks-shop.co.uk/bcf-goodies-15-c.aspGet BCF stickers and things here[/url] Reflective helmet stickers - Legal requirement in france - Clicky
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pepperami
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PostPosted: 17:06 - 09 Dec 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

Marmalade wrote:

Fictional character I believe, like god.


Shocked Does God come from Belgium Shocked Shocked
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