Eddy Merckx Cycling Route has been extended

Through the heart of the fruit-growing region and across the Brabant clay plateaus. Past stately square farms and the winding Gete river. No super steep climbs, but always up and down. This ride with 1,000 meters of elevation gain will get under your skin. A route befitting the Cannibal.

You start at Café Boerenhof in Meensel-Kiezegem. For the first 60 km, the new route follows the same route as the original route, including a passage past Eddy Merckx’s birthplace and street art. After that, you can choose to take the long route or the short route. The new route mainly follows car-free, rolling roads; it is never really flat. Around km 125, there are a number of challenging climbs in the Pellenberg region.

Of course, Eddy gave his blessing to the route: “I am delighted that the route has been extended to 150 km,” says Eddy Merckx. “I rode my first races in this region and I still think it’s a wonderful area for cycling. You’ll find an ideal mix of short, challenging climbs and endless rolling roads. All this combined with beautiful views. Perfect training, right?”

All information can be found at www.visitvlaamsbrabant.be/fietsen/vind-een-fietsroute/eddy-merckx-cycling-route-150km. You can also download the GPS tracks there.

Text: Rens Klaasse

Photo: © Lander Loeckx