THE COBBLES OF FLANDERS

“A.A.R.R.E W.W.W..E.E.E T.T.T.T.T.H.E.R.E y..y.e.e.t?”

I am bumping, clacking, rattling and jolting along the Oude Kwaremont with guide Kurt Cornelis from Cycling in Flanders. Stretching 2.2Km, it is the longest cobbled climb which features regularly in many of the professional races in Flanders. Despite only having an average gradient of 4%, riding on cobbles leaves me feeling a bit like Humpty Dumpty wobbling on the wall, with every bone in my body buzzing with the vibrations.

The cobbles, small chunks of granite stones which may or may not be equal in shapes and size on the same road, have a legendary status in the Flemish region. I have always been fascinated by them through watching the Tour de Flanders. Images of riders covered head to toe in mud and blood come to mind, carrying their bikes on their backs as they elbow their way through other riders