My boyfriend and I are looking to spend an afternoon at Ypres/Iepers in July. As we don't have a lot of time in Belgium, we are unable to sign up for one of the day-tours of Ypres so are looking to do our own 'self-tour'.
I've read that it is possible to hire bikes and travel around the sites on the Peace Route. Would love to hear how this is like, and also how long it took.
We realise we're not going to be able to see much in an afternoon, but would like to be able to get to Tyne Cot (we're Kiwis), Menin Gate and Cloth Hall. We're also planning to stay for the Last Post.
We'll be based in Bruges and I've heard you can get a train ticket combined with bike hire. Has anyone done this?
Thanks so much for any advice you may have!!!
cougal
1
moyabrit
I lived in Bruges last year and cycled a lot, tho I never did the whole peace trail. It's 45km if you ride all the way, which sounds more scary than it really is. 10km/h is easy to keep up on Flemish roads, with long flat stretches, bike lanes on most of the busy sections and well behaved drivers. That said, bike trips are easier if you set off around dawn...! :-)
You can rent bikes from either Bruges or Ypres stations, and if you get the train to Ypres there's a combined train & bike ticket for 17 euros. Also check out the Go Pass if you're making other trips, it gives you 10 single train rides anywhere in Belgium for 45 euros.
Belgian railways - Train & Bike
cheers,
Chris
2
cougal
Hi Chris,
Thanks so much for the great advice, hugely appreciated!!
Are you able to tell me how long it would take to bike from Ypres train station to Tyne Cot?
Courtney
3
donstefano
in popular locations, best to reserve you bikes ahead if you hire them through the railway station
4
meka
try to get a good map possibly from the tourist information centre as once you get off the main roads it can all get a bit confusing and it is just too easy to go the wrong way and lose time .. not so critical in a car but on a bike it would be very frustrating
better yet plan it tyne cot website from here or use michelin maps www.viamichelin.co.uk
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