Crackling gravel and copper brew kettles
You have those people who are made for adventure, who are always looking for that one path that has not yet been discovered. Wesley Goossens is such a person. On his mountain bike, things got more and more technical, steeper, more extreme. "Until that heavy crash in 2017," he says. Fortunately it was limited to a few fractures and bumps, but the urge to push limits disappeared. The love of cycling in nature in beautiful places, that remained.
So he became one of the first real gravel bikers before the word even existed. Today, through his Instagram account Never Ever Press Rewind, he takes a large community of gravel fans along the most beautiful gravel trails in Flanders and far beyond.
Smile from ear to ear
"Gravel bikers know that feeling, the thrill of exploring a new region on trails where you don't meet anyone. A whole day on the road, through nature, from gravel path to field road, until the next village. That makes me genuinely happy. And after the Cornet Gravel route, I had a wide smile from ear to ear," he laughs.
"You ride warm up with a few laps on the Affligem cycling track. Flat concrete to get the legs going before the real work begins. 117 kilometers of adventure with gravel roads, narrow bike paths, cobblestone lanes, a singletrack through the forest, a tough climb to then pace again along the Zenne. Very all-round. Everything a gravel biker likes."
The cauldrons of Mort Subite
The route never stays far from civilization. Useful in case of breakdown, but especially nice to get to know the region. "You see Brussels on the horizon, the Atomium and the high-rise buildings, but you stay far enough to keep the rural feeling. You cycle past hop fields and breweries. A wonderful moment is when you ride into Kobbegem, past brewery Mort Subite. You see the copper kettles through the window. And just then you dive down a narrow path into the fields, toward a lone tree on the horizon. Those are the moments you bike for."
There are other breweries along the way. Steenhuffel is home to Palm, as well as microbrewery De Hoorn, where oak helps define the character of the blond Cornet beer. Other eye-catchers are Plant Garden Meise, the Kravaalbos in Asse and the old Sluistoren along the Zenne in Weerde. "We parked the bikes at Ossel Star, a real folk pub in the Merchtem hamlet of Ossel. And halfway there you come to community center De Melkerij in Zemst, with a large terrace that is a lovely stop when the weather is nice."
Roubaix in Affligem
According to Wesley, the best part comes at the end, when, after a sloppy 116 kilometers, the Affligem cycling track comes back into view. But first another long cobbled section and a descent. "And then, onto the track. Feel free to make it a finale in pure Roubaix style. Give everything one more time. Whoever finishes a lap first, wins."
Any tips? "Go for tires at least 35 millimeters wide. More is also allowed, for extra comfort, because it can be firmly bumpy here and there. Especially on the cobblestones. And above all, don't chase the fastest time. Look around, take it all in. The scenery is beautifully varied and really worthwhile."
Starting point
Cycling track Affligem, Geertruidebaan 54, 1790 Affligem
Distance
117.5 km
Cycling time
4-6 hours
Good to know
551 altimeters and 3.3 km of cobblestones
