Today I joined Dmitri on a beer bike tour (photos, trip + pics on google maps)(yes, I drank more beer today than I have in a long long while). We took a train to Libramont and mounted our iron steeds. It took us a bit to get used to biking in the Ardennes (kind of weird to be biking on roads with a speed limit of 70 km/hrs, but more on that later). We arrived safely in St. Hubert and visited the Cathedral. Lonely Planet was right, the inside is much better than the outside would lead you to believe.
We continued over an all but deserted road towards Fourneau St-Michel. The first part involved some climbing — it’s not really that mountainous, but still, uphill is uphill. Of course, there is always a sunny side, and today the sunny side was everywhere! Especially after we reached the top. You know how you can become accustomed to situations you would’ve considered outrageous, if you are confronted with them often enough? Well, I started to consider 50 a relaxing speed for my bike…
Best part was when we hit the 14% downward slope. That was after a lengthy descent. Yes, this is begging for it. I had to break, since I prefer not to race over a crossing at that speed and I couldn’t see it clearly enough. And then I could. Turns out there wasn’t any crossing. Cool, brakes loose and go, go, GO, GO, GOOOOO!!
And I went. Oh my God did I go. I BROKE THE SPEED LIMIT. Which was 70 km/h. On my bike. Without peddling.
Admitted, that last part is not so impressive :) But I am still impressed with the rest. 72.6 km/h. Oh wow. Best tried if there is no crossing of any kind whatsoever, and if there the road continues uphill afterwards to help you slow down again.
Still: is that cool or what?? :) :)
We continued to Ambly, where there is a very small brewery: St. Monon. We enjoyed a beer there, bought a souvenir (more beer) and continued onwards towards our goals: Han-sur-lesse and Rochefort. We wanted to check out the famous caves near Han, and buy some Rochefort in Rochefort :)
However, we arrived late in Han (partially due to enjoying getting our feet relaxed by a mountain river), so first thing (after buying sunscreen – quite overdue, but better late than never) was going to the caves. You are taken there by a train, and before departure photo’s are made of most people with a stupid bird. I did not feel like that, but before I could object the damn bird was on my shoulder. Grr. Next thing, the stupid animal grabbed my necklace (brand new) and did not let go until it broke.
CURSE WORDS! I had bought the necklace 2 days earlier!! At a jeweller — meaning that (as far as I know & payed for), it’s from genuine gold. A.k.a. not cheap shit. GRRRRRRRRR!
Well, last thing isn’t said on that, but anyway, the caves turned out to be pretty cool (and not just literally), but by the time we returned to sunlight again, it was close to closing time for shops. So we (Dmitri) sneakily bought Rochefort in Han-sur-Lesse, after which we biked via Rochefort (closed shops by the time we passed through) to Jemelle, where we took the train back. All in all, a very nice way to enjoy one of the first free summer days of the year :)
(except for grrrrrr part)
Dinner: boerenkool again, dessert: monastery cheese and russian fish