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Have you got what it takes
to become a true flandrien?

Flandrien challenge 31

CONQUER THE FLANDRIEN CHALLENGE

HIT 59 ICONIC BERG & COBBLE SEGMENTS IN LESS THAN 72 HOURS

Flanders, the heartland of cycling, is calling you for an unbelievable experience. Hit 59 iconic berg & cobble segments, marked on the road and tracked online, in less than 72 hours.

If you succeed, we’ll make you a legend: with your own personalised stone on the wall of fame of the Centre Ronde van Vlaanderen in Oudenaarde.

flandrienstrava

What is the Flandrien Challenge?

... and what is a Flandrien?

The Flandrien Challenge is a cycling challenge where digital and physical worlds collide. It visualizes the digital STRAVA segments on the road surface of numerous storied climbs and cobbled roads in Flanders. This is a unique physical manifestation of cycling's most popular digital experience.

A True Flandrien is a man or woman of steel. A heroic cyclist who never gives up, relishes a challenge and eats pain for breakfast.

What is the Flandrien Challenge

When can i ride the Flandrien Challenge?

Whenever you want and whenever the world allows you.

The Flandrien Challenge is here to stay. Spend your time wisely and prepare yourself for some heroic suffering whenever you're here: tomorrow, in six month's time or even in the next couple of years.

When can i ride the Flandrien Challenge
Flandrien challenge

YOUR NAME ENGRAVED IN STONE!

CLAIM YOUR PERSONAL MONUMENT AT THE CENTRE RONDE VAN VLAANDEREN IN OUDENAARDE

So you've taken on all 59 segments? You've climbed every berg? Conquered every cobblestone? All within 72 hours? Congratulations, you've proven yourself a true Flandrien!

Each cyclist who succeeds will become part of the legend. Their names will be engraved in a cobblestone, that gains a spot on the real Wall of Fame at Centre Ronde Van Vlaanderen in Oudenaarde: a place dedicated to the gods of this beautiful sport. Simply show your phone at the reception after you completed the challenge.

How to tackle this?

Preparation is half the battle!
  1. CONNECT TO STRAVA

    Connect your Strava account to cyclinginflanders.cc
    connect with strava

    When completing the challenge, your Strava profile picture and screen name will appear on our leaderboard. If you want to know more about how we process your data, you can read our privacy policy

  2. RIDE at least 59 SEGMENTS

    Ride routes in Flanders, upload them to Strava and find out how many segments you’ve conquered.
    Check our suggestions

  3. Claim your cobble

    So you've taken on all 59 segments within 72 hours. Congratulations, you've proven yourself a true Flandrien! 

    Your name will be engraved in a cobblestone, that gains a spot on the real Wall of Fame at Centre Ronde Van Vlaanderen in Oudenaarde. Simply show your phone at the reception after you completed the challenge. Be aware that the Centre is closed on Wednesday.
    Check frequently asked questioNs

Flandrien

The segments

Before you start cycling:

2 MORE TIPS

1. STAR THE OFFICIAL FLANDRIEN CHALLENGE SEGMENTS ON STRAVA

If your GPS device has a live segments function, starring the official 🏆Flandrien Challenge🏆 segments will allow you to view those segments as you ride the challenge. This will add some fun to your ride, but is not needed to complete the challenge.

2. ENABLE TURN BY TURN NAVIGATION

You could also choose to enable the turn by turn navigation function on your GPS device. Like our races, the routes we've made to enable you to ride our segments tend to criss-cross each other and the lanes of rural Flanders are a maze even for those who've been riding them their whole life. Having directions to follow from our GPX files will give you the best experience and the best chance of success.

Be aware that currently road works are taking place at the Eikenberg segment. Just try to ride or walk through the section. If the segment didn't register, show us your Strava activities and how many segments you completed, and we'll make sure you're registered as a finisher.

You might have some questions or you face some technical issues? We’ll help you back on track.
Check the frequently asked questions

Let's share

In need of a cheering crowd on the (social media) sidelines? Share your achievements with us on Facebook and Instagram using #cyclinginflanders#flandrienchallenge! And don’t forget to cheer for your fellow cobbled riders.

You’ve conquered all 59 berg & cobble segments in less than 72 hours? Eager to start this challenge, but searching for extra tips & tricks from your fellow sufferers? Either way, feel free to share your thoughts in our Cycling in Flanders club on Strava.

Flandrien Challenge
Flandrien Challenge

Let’s go!


BUILD YOUR OWN ROUTE

We offer you this this ZIP file with 59 gpx files. You can use it to build your own route.

DOWNLOAD GPX FILES

The Route: 3 day suggestion

This is a free route challenge: you can tackle the 59 segments in whatever order you want to. As long as you manage to do so within 72 hours, you have succeeded. Not familiar with the area or in need of inspiration? Don't worry, we've created three routes right here. And remember: pain is just weakness leaving the body.

THE ROUTE: 4 DAY SUGGESTION

Feel more comfortable spreading the Flandrien Challenge over 4 days instead of 3? We created this 4 day suggestion by popular demand. Same challenge, still 59 segments in 72 hours, but spread over 4 rides. Just make sure to plan this well, so that there's actually maximum 72 hours between hitting your first segment and finishing the last one.

Flandrien Challenge in ONE! day

Spreading the Flandrien Challenge over multiple days is too easy for you? You like to go the distance in epic one day rides? Well then, here's a 300km route tailored to your inner ultra-cyclist. Tom Hudders designed this route and was the first one to complete it. Make sure to be awake and alert, because you sometimes go up and down the same segment in order not to make this route a +400 km monster. Always look out for the start and finish lines of each segment. Enjoy!

The route: 2 day suggestion

Here's one for those among you that like to ride two classics in two days. The first day starts in Ypres and finishes in Oudenaarde, combining Ghent-Wevelgem highlights with some of the longest cobble sectors in the Flemish Ardennes. Day two is a brutal loop from Oudenaarde and includes many of the steepest cobbled and paved climbs of the region. If you succeed, you will have conquered almost 400 km and more than 4500 meters of elevation. What are you waiting for?

Hall of fame

2008 cyclists proved themselves over 59 bergs and cobbles in less than 72 hours. We call them ‘true Flandriens’.
Brian Littler
Glasgow, United Kingdom
Ewoud Vandenberghe
Ewoud Vandenberghe
Aalst, Belgium
Victor Ball
Euan Tebbutt
The Café Stop
Dave Walbers
Dave Walbers
Plataanstraat 14, Pelt
Raphael Martens
Raphael Martens
Lee Hellen(TeamAerocycles)
Merida palace, United Kingdom
Chris Richardson
Chris Richardson
United Kingdom
Fré Beyens
Joeri Laureys
Joeri Laureys
Antwerp, België
Fabian Spandau
Fabian Spandau
Freising, Germany
Jari De Meyere
Jari De Meyere
Yari Ghys
Yari Ghys
Florian Mittelbach
Florian Mittelbach
Berlin, Germany
Daniel Stuht
Daniel Stuht
Lars Knops
Lars Knops
Karl Verhoest
Karl Verhoest
Avelgem, België
Matej Skultety
Thorbjörn De Brul
Thorbjörn De Brul
Gavin Rushton
Gavin Rushton
Wrexham, United Kingdom
Kris Davidson
Kris Davidson
London, United Kingdom
Cyril Connole
Galway, Ireland
Adam Scammell
Adam Scammell
Kimberley de Gans
Kimberley de Gans

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I love cycling, but bergs & cobbles are not my cup of tea.

Cycling day trips

Check out VISITFLANDERS to plan your trip exploring the history, nature, heritage and arts of Flanders. A place home to unparalleled culinary and beer culture.

Cycling holiday

Plan a cycling weekend or holiday along one of the nine iconic cycle routes to discover the best of Flanders.