From Antwerp to Ghent

August 11, 2023

I am done with train spotting

Getting out of Antwerp certainly wasn’t the nightmare getting in was. We left about 8.30 so there were very few people about and this made all the difference. We were able to enjoy the beauty of the old town. Komoot directed us to the Saint Anna tunnel which is the start of the F5 cycle way that takes you from Antwerp to Ghent. The tunnel was amazing a great green door opened and a huge number of cyclists spilled out. In we went with just a few others. The doors closed and descended , The display was not telling us what floor we were at but how many meters we had gone down. I think it was about 40 before it stopped and out we went into a tunnel. On to the bikes and we rode about 1km to the other side and the process was repeated and we were on the other side of the inlet that goes to Antwerp. It is an amazing facility and transports thousands of cyclists to work each day.

She uses it everyday to get to work on the other side of the inlet

Bicycles by the train station in St Nicholas and a cute mini cyclist

Now onto the F5, the long distance cycle way. Firstly through what is obviously a housing area for Antwerp which also has a fair amount of industry. Just as yesterday the track found the railway line. At each little town we were taken off and safely guided through it

Surprising to see sunflowers so far North

St Nicholas is the biggest town we passed through and there were coffee shops galore around the very busy station and it was at about the right time to stop.

With about 15km to go I spotted a restaurant Going in it had a notice ‘Please Wait to be Seated’ and the clientele were all eating elegant lunches we only wanted something small but the staff were lovely and bought us excellent soup

The last 15km were really difficult. To start with we were on busy roads and I feel that they must be digging up all of Belgium as there were so many road works. Things deteriorated further as we got into Ghent there were notices about detours for bikes everywhere and it took a long time and lots of confusion to find the hotel. The staff were so kind (I think I must have looked a bit pathetic) they helped Ken park the bikes and carried all our luggage to our room

We really enjoyed the beer!

Today's ride: 60 km (37 miles)
Total: 638 km (396 miles)

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