Tag: MOnks

Most people enjoy a slice of cheese now and then. Many people like it on a burger or a pizza. Then, there are those who love cheese. They eat it every day and crave new varieties to have with their wine and crackers. The real cheese connoiseurs will seek out international cheese makers for that flavor they’ve never had and can say is the best.

It just so happens that there are many countries renowned for their cheese: France, the U.K., Italy, and the Netherlands. But what country is known for its beer, cycling, and cheese? If you said Belgium, you’d be correct. So, if you want to combine your love of beer, cycling, and cheese with a European adventure in Belgium, this may be just the trip for you.

Why Is Belgium Notable for Its Cheese?

Easy answer: location, location, location! Situated between the major cheese regions of the Netherlands and France, Belgium was naturally influenced by these countries and used their techniques to create unique cheeses all its own. Cheese was created in numerous monasteries from Brussels to Herve where the monks primarily focused on brewing beer.

But the monks didn’t just replicate what the French and Dutch cheesemakers were doing. They made cheese wheels (rinds), then wash them in salt water or beer. This process gave the cheese a rich and distinct flavor. From the monasteries, cheesemaking spilled out into the countryside where farmers practiced cheesemaking.

Belgian Cheese, Beer, and A Cycling Trip

Of course, Belgium is pretty much the epicenter for many of the spring classics races, such as Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, Tour of Flanders, Liège–Bastogne–Liège, and Gent–Wevelgem, just to name a few. So, if you choose to do a cheese and beer tour, you’ll cross over roads and pass through towns, such as those in Flanders, that feature in these races.

• Brussels
• Ghent
• Bruges
• Heuvelland
• Wallonia
• Herve

Chances are, though, you won’t be racing between towns during your visits for beer and cheese tastings. In fact, because of the distance between some of these cheese and beer makers, over the five days of this tour, you may choose to drive, leave your car at your hotel, then ride your bike. So, this is more of a casual bike tour versus one where you’ll do epic climbs and put in big miles, according to Hayley Domin’s Afar article.

How Much Cycling Is Involved: Distance and Terrain

Over the three days you might ride, the route would mostly be flat. On the second day of the trip, you ride Ghent to Bruges which is 29 miles. Day three is the longest at 33 miles but it has some rolling hills. Domin says, “For cyclists, this is a hillier and more demanding stretch than the mostly flat ride between Ghent and Bruges, but the climbs come with panoramic countryside views.”

Day 4 is 6 miles from Heuvelland to Wallonia. Day 5 is 54 miles that you’d have to drive to Herve. That means you would be riding around 66 miles over three days, so not so bad. If you can’t bring your own bike, make sure you can rent one with good gearing options.

Last Thoughts

Check out Domin’s article at the link highlighted above for hotel and food recommendations. That’s not something I normally delve into here on the blog as I zoom in on bicycle travel, specifically. But if you follow her suggestions, this sounds like it could be a fun trip, mildy active versus full on concentration on the cycling.

I don’t know about Belgian cheese. I’ll be honest and say I didn’t know about that aspect of its culture. And I’ll also admit, I don’t think I’ve ever sampled any Belgian cheese. I’ve been pretty fond of Spanish and Greek cheeses, so there’s always room for cheese expansion. If that’s also what you’re after, this trip definitely sounds like one where you could tease your palate with new tastes.