20th June 2007 GR129

The weather forcast was almost right: up to 25 C. I went this time alone without Simone nor the dog. I drove to Kruishoutem in Belgium and parked the bike at the to the crossing of the GR with the N494 drove on to the crossing of the 128 and 129 near Aarsele and started in bright sunshine on concrete roads along numerous houses. The countryside had a quiet atmosphere but there was nothing spectacular to be seen.

I arrived after 13,3 km at Kruishoutem and decided to walk on to the place where the GR crosses the N459 just north-east of Oudenaarde. Since 95% of the path was paved I took the bike with me. The landscape changed and became slightly hilly and less built up. We passes a castle and an old dismembered mill. The sun shone relentless and the temperature rose to 29C. I started to run out of water. So I knocked at a door and a friendly person understood my request for the precious fluid. In the mean time I walked 30 km and drank 1 l of water and ate a big apple. I guess that this amount is insufficient. So, another lesson was learnt. Fortunatly after getting the extra supply of water I hit road N 459 and mounted the bike to speeded up to the starting point of my trip. The fierce wind helped me. In Opsele I could not withstand the attraction of a big sing advertising Leffe so I visited a local pub. The rest of the trip went fast and I felt very pleased to get to my car at 16.00.

Total distance on GR129: 29,3 km
Uphill: 230 m. Time needed: 6.30 hours.

Personal rating: *** . The stretch north of Kruishoutem: *

GR129 and 128

Tuesday 12th June 2007. The sound of birds and smell of pig’s dung. Concrete back roads and overcast. These are the main characteristics of this combination of 128 and 129.

Leave your car at the railway station in Deinze and take (app. hourly) bus 87 to Lotenhulle. Go to the Hoeke castle garden at the south end of town and you are on the right track.

After a 2 kms you leave this lovely estate and move into pig keeping country with here and there a herd of masculinized cows. I didn’t hear the disturbing sounds of highway traffic. At the rail line east of Deinze is the crossing between the GR 128 and 129 (N50 58 59.5 E3 26 01.6). For 2,5 km the path follows the old course of the Leie and one enters the outskirts of Deinze. The GR passes the church in town and goes further east along the Leie. Here I leave the path to go back to my car which I parked at the Delhaize’s super market parking lot.

Distance covered: 21 km. Flat. Average speed: 4,3 km/hr.

Personal rating: ***

GR129 Drie Koningen to Lothenhulle

Sunday 10th June 2007. Overcast and 17 °C. Transport was secured by putting a bike near the church of Lothenhulle and driving to the parking place of Bulskampveld at Drie Koningen. I hit the 129 right away by walking 30 m south. The one time arid area was now planted with trees mainly beech but also pine. A few joggers and others seeking the benefit of the morning. Here and most of the track beyond mostly the sounds of nature were heard. App. 60% of the trip went through forest and 11 km of the 28 was on unpaved roads!!!!. The narrow tar and concrete roads were almost devoid of motorised traffic and cyclists. The track is almost flat.

There was little sun but on warm days the woods may bring some cooling. A fantastic trip which ended by a cycling back for 16 km to my starting point.

Total distance: 28 km. Elevation: 5-27 m.

Personal rating:****

Wenduine to Varsenare on the GR5a

From Varsenare to Wesduine by bus 52 and the frequent coastal tram took 1.30 hr. In Wesduine the GR5a comes from Bruge and joins the coastline. I walked east instead. The fog shrouded the whit clad farms. The flat lands were covered with enormous fields planted with grain. As the mist cleared the cool wind drove away the excess body heat. The sun shone bright.
Apart from the church, pub and wetlands in and around Meetkerke there was very little surprise along this trip. Only 4,2 km of the 21 was unpaved and it looked that all young, old, thin and fat Belgians, male and females alike, got a new bike at Pentacost.
It was too hot for Mississippi and although she drank enough water she was fully exhausted when I took a nice cool Rochefort trappist beer (one of the few still brewed by trappists themselves) at the local pub in Varsenare.

Length: 21 km. Flat.

Personal rating: *