Proper preparing for a ride can make the difference between disaster and adventure! (Please remember our club requirement to be self-sufficient on all rides ...)
Packing
bigM members diving into Foret de Soignes for a short off-road ride usually only bring water and the necesseties for fixing a flat. For longer rides, many times with shower facilities at the starting point, see our checklist.
Driving
If you drive your car to your destination, find your way with www.viamichelin.com or www.mappy.com.
Staying the night
Belgium's three regions and ten provinces:
Region of Flanders: 1. West Flanders, 2. East Flanders, 3. Antwerp, 4. Limburg, 5. Flemish Brabant
6. Region of Brussels Capital
Region of Wallonia: 7. Hainaut, 8. Brabant Wallon, 9. Ličge, 10. Namur, 11. Luxemburg
For hilly reasons bigM tends to stray to Wallonia. Here are our favourite links for finding accommodation for a weekend (or week, or midweek):
www.accueilchampetre.be
(click on Recherche cartographique for cool clickable map)
www.belsud.be (You can also e-mail belsud@opt.be for help to find suitable accommodation)
Other links we have saved which might become useful sometime in future:
www.ardennes-etape.com In English!
www.bedbreak.com Bed and breakfast places in the UK, Ireland and France
www.hotelformule1.com Extra cheap hotels, particularly handy when you just need to sleep somewhere on your way to your destination
www.eurocampings.net Camp sites in Europe
www.pour-les-vacances.com/index.shtml Accommodation in France (also in English!)
www.gites-de-france.fr/fr/index.htm Accommodation in France (also in English!)
www.france-gites.com/ Accommodation in France
www.bedandbreakfast.com Bed and breakfast places worldwide