I always wonder how Eddy Merckx fit into that environment. He has a distinctly Flemish name, but I've read that he always spoke almost exclusively French. Of course when you're a national hero and cycling God, I suppose you could have a Mongolian last name and speak Swahili and no one would give you any grief about it.
Regards,
Jerry Moos Houston, TX
renaissance-cycles <info@renaissance-cycles.com> wrote: Some thing to know when visiting this part of Belgium, many do not consider themselves as Belgiums, they are flemish! I made this mistake a few times when visiting a few shops in the area. Due to a not so Belgium last name I asked this shop owner if his last name was Belgium, he looked at me with a sneer and said it's Flemish I am Flemish not Belgium....Oh boy!..........OK!...Friendly but don't step there!.........Try to get a bunch of Flemish speaking Belgiums on the same table as French speaking Belgiums and you got yourself a good cat and dog fight...........WOW!........This goes way back! Other than that great people.................Good food and good talk about bike stuff. But when and if trying to do business before noon don't be surprised if the bottle hits the table. Hey! Lots and lots of different beers...............I think there is several thousand kinds of Belgium beers.
Places to go I don't know the names nor do I remember the towns, but if there on a Sunday and are in a good sized town, hit the market place pull up a chair and watch all of the old bikes going here and there. Your neck and eyes will get a good work-out.
Have fun!
BC Baron C.................And the gang!!...........When wanting to go out for a nice meal, off to Belgium we go. Renaissance cycles, Eindhoven Holland.
I´ll be on a short visit to the De Haan - Wenduine - Oostende area of Flanders in mid-September and I wonder if there is anyone to visit, anyplace to go in connection with our pastime?
Any other touristic hints greatly appreciated.
Regards,
Toni Theilmeier, Belm, Germany.