Day 17, June 26, 2026 Ypres to Oudenaarde

Day 17, June 26, 2026 Ypres to Oudenaarde 47miles 1500’ elevation gain

I mentioned how hot it was in my room last night and the night before since there was no air conditioning. To compound the heat problem was the noise problem. I left my window open to get a little air in since the 12″ fan in my room was virtually useless. However, right outside my window was a street that the race car drivers seemed to enjoy as the came into town for the car rally. Like juveniles, they enjoyed revving their engines and accelerating greatly before having to brake quickly on the short, narrow street.

Then, at about 6:45 a.m. each morning, work with huge machinery and jackhammers began on a huge construction project across the street. If you are ever in Ypres and get a chance to stay at the Albion hotel in the summer, don’t.

Despite being a bit tired, today’s 47 mile seemed easy despite heat in the low 90s. There were only a few hills, and the scenery was nice once we got out of the busy streets of Ypres.

I mentioned previously that I’m glad I never had to learn to spell Belgian words. Here are a few examples of them:

This means that cars are not allowed to enter this street but bicycles are.

In contrast to France where I know many of the words and can usually figure out the meaning by the context, it is much more difficult with the Flemish language.

Like France, most little villages we passed through typically had a nicely built church or cathedral with a nearby cemetery. Instead of a rooster on top of the church like France, Belgian churches have a cross on top of them.

Oudenaarde is in Flanders and is apparently known for the Tour de Flanders bicycle ride. Much of that ride goes over cobblestones. At many intersections in the villages we passed through, the four-way intersections were filled with cobblestones. They are very rough to ride over but no one fell.

In contrast to many American hotels, hotels in Europe do not have pools. I am thankful that my hotel room has air conditioning after two days a sauna-like conditions in Ypres. But the AC only works when the card to my room is in a slot located near the door. So, if I go out of my room, the air conditioning stops. (I know, that is a first world problem and a bit of whining).

The bicycling culture is quite evident here.