Koppenberg, Kwaremont, Oudenaarde; all world famous landmarks in road cycling. But what happens when you mix famous cobbled hills with gravel, singletracks and unknown roads? Right, that’s when you get a next level gravel adventure! A route with hidden gems, alternated by world's most famous cobbles. And if you’re lucky, like our friends at Fatpigeon.cc on their recon ride, you can even get rewarded with some Flandrien weather along the way. Just as if a 85km gravel ride with 1.500m of climbing on the most demanding terrain in Flanders isn’t epic enough. Some famous cobbled climbs, like the Oude Kwaremont, are conquered from the unpaved side. These unknown roads provide a whole new perspective on places that have already had their place in cycling for over 100 years. This route is epic, so come prepared to enjoy this ride over all sorts of gravel, through history and along some of the most iconic places in the sport of cycling. Difficulty: don't expect an easy rolling gravel ride. The route is constantly going up and down on all sorts of terrain. Although we avoided the muddiest paths, we advice you to ride this route between April and Oktober.

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Pre-ride

Food & Drink
Peloton Café

Starting from the capital of spring classics, Oudenaarde, make sure to warm up fast. A couple of gravel sections and some narrow back roads lead to the first of many climbs. And it’s that first one, that’s also the most feared one. The Koppenberg forces even the strongest riders in the peloton to unclip and walk every now and then. Incredibly steep cobbles will set the tone for lactic acid in your legs on this ride. At the top, a narrow singletrack leads you down, only to get ready for the next climb. It’s these kinds of combo’s that you’ll encounter a lot during this ride. Unexpected turns, explosive climbs and technical sections.

Fatpigeon Cycling In Flanders 05 min
5km

Koppenberg as a warm-up

Fatpigeon Cycling In Flanders 25 min
27km

Kluisbos

Dive into the biggest forest of the Flemish Ardennes: Kluisbos. 141m high and located on the language border between Flanders and Wallonia. You could stop here for a drink or a bite at the 'Bosbaar' forest bar.

Fatpigeon Cycling In Flanders 38 min
36km

Splendid views included

Just about half way. Time for a rice cake stop in the authentic bakery Deraedt at Kruisstraat 46, Ronse.

Fatpigeon Cycling In Flanders 42 min
50km

Tailwind or headwind?

Fatpigeon Cycling In Flanders 51 min
65km

Ronde van Vlaanderen chapel

The scenery of this region breathes cycling. Don't forget to pay a visit to this chapel, dedicated to former winners of ‘De Ronde’.

Fatpigeon Cycling In Flanders 54 min
75km

Green grass of home

Time for some classic cobbles: Kerkgate followed by Ruitersstraat.

Fatpigeon Cycling In Flanders 76 min
Fatpigeon Cycling In Flanders 81 min

If your legs were strong enough, if your gravel bike survived and when your mental strength overpowered your bodies’ signs of exhaustion, you deserve a cold Belgian beer. Centrum Ronde van Vlaanderen at the market square provides the perfect spot for this.

86km Finish