Day 54-Ypres to Dunkirk

Given the short and flat ride we had a later start to the day so we were awake at 7.00 am and after packing we made our way to the local bakery for the normal croissants. On the way out we saw the Irish band that played at last night’s Last Post ceremony at Menen Gate. They were on their way back home to Belfast. In the way to dinner last night we saw them assembled and marching to the gate in all their uniforms and instruments…. A fine display.

So after breakfast we started the ride at about 8.30 am. Today I was chief navigator so I had to have my wits together to ensure we did not get lost! The saving grace though is the trusted cycle.travel navigation that is so ably handled by Chris with inputs from Steve and myself.

The route today was effectively a north bound route to Dunkirk to the coast. The navigation says that we were only going to climb about 10 metres which gives you an idea how flat the country is.

The weather was almost ideal for the ride. There was high clouds with some sunshine occasionally appearing and there was no wind for most of the ride. The air temperature was about 20 degrees.

We made very good time initially along a canal out of Ypres then along roads and cycle ways. It was interesting to see the number of riding groups out enjoying the great conditions. At morning coffee, the lady who served us said this was due to the Belgium rider that did so well in the Olympic Games in Paris. Certainly the speeds that some of the riders were doing would emulate the speeds of professional cyclists.

As the ride progressed we saw a lot of family groups riding on the cycle paths which was great to see. It made me think that we as a family should do more family bike rides when I get home!

The road and cycle path surfaces were excellent. As we progressed along the way we were seeing intensive farming with vegetables and the like in the fields. Closer to the coast it became more open pasture land with dairy farms.

We reached the coast at Leffrinckoucke ( try and say that all in one go!!) where we enjoyed the views of the ocean and beaches. We found a cafe near the beach and enjoyed a sandwich and drink for lunch. After this we proceeded along the beach boardwalk which was populated by many people enjoying the day out and drinks and lunch in the restaurants abutting the boardwalk. I was really quite impressed with the whole setup as we rode along into Dunkirk.

Along the coast ride there was a lot of memorials to celebrate the great Dunkirk evacuation in 1940. It must have been a great feat of endeavour to evacuate all the British forces as they did with so few casualties. It seems that the French people assisted the evacuation and maybe they have not got the recognition they deserve in this.

When we proceeded into Dunkirk it was evident that this is a great port city with boats of all types moored at the various marinas near the city centre.

The ride out to our accommodation was through the suburbs of Dunkirk and tonight we are staying at a Première Classe hotel. It is quite comfortable and as opposed to an earlier version of the hotel in another location… the toilets were not blocked!

We made very good time on today’s ride arriving at the hotel at around 2.30 pm

The ride was nearly 70 kms and we climbed 54 meters… and I don’t know where we did the 54 metres.

Today we started in Belgium and ended in France… I said the the boys at morning tea that I have really enjoyed being in Belgium and I would like to come back to see this country again.

Today’s pictures are:

The route

The Irish band outside the hotel last evening

A group of cyclists we saw during the day….on the cobbles!!!

An interesting gate in a village

A plaque at Fort Dune commemorating the efforts of the French leader who helped with the Dunkirk evacuation

Fort Dune… the fort is actually in the sand dunes!

Our first sighting of the sea… we have now done a ride from the Mediterranean Sea to the North Sea!

The wide beach…. There is no one swimming

Looking towards the battlements at Dunkirk

Some interesting accommodation alongside the marina In Dunkirk

Our accommodation for the night…. We will be up early to catch the ferry to the UK