I wanted to give a brief example of how easy it is to ride bikes and not get lost out here. Most of the time! There are 2 ways that guarantee you to have a good ride. Well 3 actually.

Way number 1 – As soon as you swing off most main roads into the lanes (especially in West Flanders) you will see little squiggles on the road. To the untrained eye, maybe someone spilt paint. But, they are way markers. Like sign posts, just painted on the tarmac. They range in distances (from 30 to 200km) but they are indicated in a few places along the way. They also come full circle. It will bring you back to where you started. The picture below shows a few loops just outside Zottegem. They all tell you to turn left. Even though there are 3 with the letter “C” there are subtle differences. One “C” has one arrow above it. One has two. And, the third is red. Easy! Well sort of. It can be difficult to see them at speed. If you look hard enough, you almost, can never go wrong.

Way number 2 – Follow the official bike loop signs installed by the councils. They are raised onto poles. Sometimes on their own, and sometimes with other signs. This one (the picture below) is just under a sign telling you, you have left a town. These signs are made for people on leisure rides, mostly on town bikes. They are seldom over 50km. What you can do is find where the routes intersect and follow a different route and so on, until you arrive at your starting place. You can find the routes on the tourist website – well worth translating the page into English!

Way number 3 – Buy a Garmin. But, that’s almost too easy! I recently lost mine. Hence the new information on trying to find a decent training loop!

Hope that might answer a few questions I have been asked. I wish you luck!