A pilgrimage according to the Cambridge dictionary is a visit to a place is considered special. Since 2010 I’ve visited the Ardennes most years for a bike race! This obsession started when I raced the final ever Houffalize round of the UCI World Cup Cross Country Series, then a few years later in 2014 I […]
Racing Gravel in Belgium, the Heartland of Cycling
The new UCI Gravel Series comes as gravel cycling continues its rise in popularity, gravel is very much the buzz word this year. What better way to experience the growth of gravel than heading to the heartland of cycling, Belgium, for the seventh round of this new headline race series. After a long journey from […]
Belgian Mountainbike Challenge: 4 Days of Fireworks
The race takes over the town of La Roche en Ardenne which is overlooked by the medieval castle and surrounding Ardenne hills. The spectacular surroundings add to the drama of the race and buzz around the town during race week.
Roc d’Ardenne: The return of MTB racing to the beautiful Ardenne hills.
After a two-year absence almost 4,000 mountain bike enthusiasts flocked to Houffalize for the seventh edition of Roc d’Ardenne. Great weather and beautiful courses saw participants crossing the finish line with a big smile. For me it had been 24 months without racing at this level I felt ready to step on the gas again. […]
BeMC Marathon – A yearly pilgrimage
My love affair with the Belgian Ardennes continues, it hasn’t always been a kind relationship, so many times this place has inspired and then demolished dreams. Each May we make our pilgrimage to the area to battle around these beautiful hills, it’s a trip I’ve been making for around six years for marathon races and […]
Beer and trails at Belgian Mountainbike Challenge
Related Event: Belgian Mountainbike Challenge
With its sawtooth route profile Belgian Mountainbike Challenge (BeMC) is known as one of the toughest events on the calendar. The UCI S1 stage race over 3 days takes place in the beautiful Ardennes region starting in the host town of La Roche en Ardenne. The event attracts many top mountain bike pro’s and lots […]
Belgian Mountainbike Challenge – Lessons Learnt In Battle
Related Event: Belgian Mountainbike Challenge
As a cycling coach I find myself recommending events to clients, one of my coaching riders, Matt, joined me at Belgian Mountainbike Challenge, the event was part of the programme we put together to prepare him for Transalps. So here are his thoughts on the BEMC event and what it’s been like preparing for this […]
Belgian Mountainbike Challenge – The Battle of La Roche Part 1
Related Event: Belgian Mountainbike Challenge
Belgian Mountainbike Challenge is billed as the toughest bike race in the Benelux but I was left wondering if it’s actually the toughest in the World!? The Ardennes is a famous location for road racing and has a rich history of mountain bike racing with the town of Houffalize hosting the UCI MTB World Cup […]
Belgian Mountain Bike Challenge 2016 – Magic In The Ardennes
Related Event: Belgian Mountain Bike Challenge
The Belgium Mountain Bike Challenge might only be 3 days but it’s impossible not to get wrapped up in it. Eat, race, eat, sleep, repeat. The post race depression quickly kicks in as reality strikes. No sooner had we finished the final 6 hour stage we were on the road driving the 8 hours back […]
Belgian MTB Challenge “the hardest mountain bike tour in the Benelux”
Related Event: Belgian Mountain Bike Challenge
Tomorrow the fifth edition of the Belgian Mountain Bike Challenge, in short the BeMC, will kick off in La Roche-en-Ardenne. During three days and 260 km covering 7800 meters of climbing over 500 participants from almost 20 different countries will fight for the final victory. I’m currently sat in our accommodation with 2 nervous Brits, […]