Cycling to the World’s BEST Beer? 🏆 Westvleteren Trappist Brewery | Belgium Bike Tour

Day 287. 65km (94,141kms 8yrs)

There was no getting away from it; it was going to be a miserable weather ride. But I’ve been very, very lucky with conditions so far, so no complaints. However, during the previous day of wet riding the GoPro quick-start button had ceased functioning. This means now I must operate the camera via the phone app, which is much more laboured – with eyes down away from the road – to swipe away from navigation, turn the camera on, and hit record, instead of the one button instant recording the quick button allows. It’s manageable for now, but I will need to see about refurbishment or replacement over the winter break.

The bike paths on the other hand continue to be excellent quality, and incredibly well-signed. Apart from occasional bridges it is entirely flat riding now. Cycling beside fields of onions and of tall spout plants it dawned on me for the first time that Brussels sprouts are from Brussels! 🤦🏻‍♀️

A roadside memorial to a Welsh WWI serviceman included a British signpost pointing to several local spots, but also 317 miles to Wales. My destination in the West Midlands is just 30 miles short of the Welsh border.

It’s my last day in Belgium so I stopped to pick up some craft beer souvenirs from a specialist shop. But I had also made time to visit Westvleteren Trappist brewery for a Westvleteren 12; often voted best beer in the world, and unavailable elsewhere. When I arrived though, I was gutted to find the place closed, and was just about to leave when I spotted a nearby building with activity inside. Of course! I was at the gates of the monastery itself, not the bar which was a little way off, around the corner on another road. Hurray! I got my very expensive, very delicious beer, and even convinced them (on account of limited pannier space) to sell me one to take away. Usually they must be purchased by 6-pack minimum. Last time I was here in 2019, you had to join a waiting list to even be allowed to do that!

At 10.2% even just a 330ml beer is noticeable on a loaded bike! Fortunately I was only 4kms from Warm Showers host Ludwig who had prepared an incredibly tasty meal which we ate together whilst exchanging bike touring adventure stories.

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