Wheels & Waffles: A Ghent Tour - 3–5 May 2025
The first Veloce Club trip abroad was always going to be special — but Wheels & Waffles: A Ghent Tour exceeded every expectation.
Designed specifically for riders who had never ridden overseas (or had very little experience of doing so), the weekend brought together 10 riders for three days of sunshine, superb roads, gentle challenges, and brilliant company.
Day One – From Terminals to Trappist Territory
We met early on Friday morning at Le Shuttle, where introductions were made, nerves were settled, and a full ride brief was delivered. Alongside route planning and group riding expectations, there was also a very real discussion about the nightmare potential of passport control — including the possibility of being split across different trains.
Naturally… that’s exactly what happened.
A few of us — including me as the ride leader — were pulled aside for a search and pushed onto a slightly later train. Credit to the rest of the group, who calmly waited on the French side until we regrouped, spirits still high.
Once together, we headed straight for the French country roads, easing into the ride through Guînes, Watten, and Cassel, before crossing into Belgium and stopping in Poperinge for a well-earned coffee.
From there, the route flowed through Roeselare and Tielt, before a fuel stop just four miles from the hotel introduced our first real challenge of the weekend.
And then... Jed’s bike refused to start.
After an hour of troubleshooting, the decision was made to get the group to the hotel — with James and Matt pushing Jed’s bike the last stretch, aka London thief-style. A new skill learned, and plenty of laughs earned.
We rolled into the underground parking at the Ibis Hotel, checked in, showered, and regrouped in the bar for our first Belgian beer — followed by food and the kind of conversation that only comes after a full day on the road.
Day Two – Detours, Delays, and a Surprise Reunion
Saturday morning began with a 9am briefing, but Jed was forced to sit this one out initially while sourcing a new battery.
The planned 99-mile route quickly threw us a curveball: within minutes of hitting the countryside, roads were closed with no diversions. A quick re-route on the fly and we were back underway, exactly the kind of real-world riding experience the trip was designed to provide.
After 90 minutes, we stopped for coffee, then continued on to lunch in Wargem. As we pulled up, a single bike appeared in the distance.
It was Jed!! :)
Battery replaced, determination intact, he’d tracked us down and joined the group — a moment that summed up the spirit of the weekend perfectly (and a great opportunity for a group photo).
Following lunch, the group collectively decided to head back toward Ghent, giving everyone the chance to explore the city. An ad-hoc route was created, fuel was topped up, and we returned to the hotel mid-afternoon.
The evening was spent exploring Ghent in smaller groups before reconvening at a fantastic local Belgian bar for beers and food. Some of the group carried on to a late jazz bar, others opted for an early night — everyone exactly where they wanted to be.
Day Three – History, Coffee, and the Journey Home
Sunday’s ride brief wrapped up the weekend, and we rolled out at 9:30am onto quiet country roads. A coffee stop in Ypres included a ride through the iconic Menin Gate, a powerful and memorable moment to share as a group.
From Ypres, the final leg required a motorway stretch — the last 50 minutes back to Le Shuttle. On arrival, there were handshakes, hugs, and goodbyes as riders caught different trains home.
A Trip to Remember
As Veloce Club’s first ever away trip, Wheels & Waffles: A Ghent Tour set the bar incredibly high. Amazing weather, well-chosen roads, small challenges overcome together — and most importantly, a group of genuinely brilliant people.
The confidence gained by riders new to overseas travel was clear, and the sense of camaraderie even clearer.
The bar has been raised — but we’re already looking ahead.
Roll on Wheels & Waffles: A Ghent Tour — RELOADED, April 2026 - Book your space now!
