Renting a race bike during your stay
If you want to rent a race bike in Belgium, we suggest you contact Wheel Palace in Oudenaarde. We can coordinate retrieving your rental bike.
Getting to the races
One car will leave the house and arrive one hour before the start of the first race of any of the riders in our group. Normally the car will leave the race at the end of the day, which will give you enough time to have a beer or two at the finish from the local pub.
If the race is less than 30 kilometers from the house, either Rick or Dirk will lead a ride to and from the race. The car will carry all clothing bags and race wheels.
Either way, the younger groups race last, so depending on the age of the riders in our groups, you will have time to hang out and watch a race. You are always welcome to ride your bike or take a train back to the Zingem.
Renting a car If you want more transportation independence, you are welcome to rent a car for your stay. There is plenty of parking around the house.
Race licenses We strongly recommend that non-Belgium participants obtain an International Racing License from their home county (UCI International Racing License) and permission to race in Belgium—generally in the form of a letter from their home country. Not every race will require a UCI license, but please bring one. Several of the Flanders federations are not affiliated with the UCI and you will need to buy a same-day license for a nominal fee (around €2 a day).
Race fees Race fees—which average between €10 and €15—will be your responsibility.
Belgium race basics To have fun racing in Belgium, you need to be comfortable in your age group in races in the USA. Riders off the back and in any danger of getting lapped are normally pulled from the race.
Riding in the rain Since you will be riding and racing in Belgium, expect and be prepared for rain. We will make every effort to modify the race / ride schedule if rain significantly interferes with racing.