Belgium

Both Couchsurfin and Warmshowers are well established platforms in Belgium. There is also a local platform called Vrienden op de Fiets (Friend on bicycle), but for this platform you need to pay about 10 euros per night to the host, but you'll have a more private and well maintained sleeping place.

Belgians are generally not avid traveling campers. In both Flanders and Wallonia, many campsites are only intended for mobile homes. Usually, however, you can go there with your hiking tent.

A complete overview of all campsites for a specific region or for the whole of Belgium does not exist. Internet sites that provide overviews are often very incomplete. Tourist offices only provide information about the area they cover. Not all campsites are indicated on maps either.

Reservations are not recommended: cyclists reported that they were standing at the reception of a half-empty campsite, and were fobbed off with "we are completely full". There is probably a place for a few cyclists. You occasionally have to negotiate the number of tents that will fit in one place.

Wild camping is not allowed. In the Ardennes, if you are discovered by the police, you will at least be sent away.

Leon: "I have a tip for those who go cycling in the Ardennes during the summer holidays and then camp at campsites. Most campsites have a hiking field, which in itself is nothing wrong with, except that during the summer holidays, the Belgian growing up The disadvantage of this is that even good earplugs are sometimes not good enough. So the tip is to ask if you are allowed to stand in a different place than the hiking field. For your night's rest, a place among Dutch people with children is often better. go to bed on time. "

The roads conditions can vary, but are mostly good enough to cycle.There are many regional roads in Belgium without any bicycle facilities. Sometimes it concerns narrow, busy roads where the driving is very fast. It is better to avoid these roads. In contrast to the Netherlands, there is a lot of ribbon development in Flanders along slightly larger roads. The result is that those who do not have a detailed map are almost dependent on these roads and, while cycling, get the impression that the built-up areas of Antwerp, Brussels and Hasselt have completely grown together. In Wallonia, this problem is less acute, although more and more houses are being built even around the High Fens, which deprive the traveler of the once beautiful view in many places.

JPV: "Avoid all N-roads that go to Brussels in the immediate vicinity of Brussels. For example, the road between Ninove and Brussels is impossible for cyclists.

Student cities such as Ghent and Leuven are notorious for the high number of bicycle thefts, although most thefts are limited to opening a combination lock on an old bicycle. Stronger locks are enough to keep drunk students away from your bike. Unfortunately, at times there are also gangs at work that are after more expensive bicycles. It is therefore recommended to always attach your bicycle to "the world" with a sturdy lock.

If your bicycle is stolen, it is best to report it to the local police, however it makes sense to know that most police areas have too much work to actively look for stolen bicycles. With a bit of luck, your bike will be found when clearing a bicycle shed, but that chance is limited, certainly in the case of a holiday bike. (Most Belgians assume that they are not looking for stolen bicycles)

The Belgian police do not have the equipment to read anti-theft chips in locks, but use a local system in which the bicycles are engraved. This is mainly a deterrent because the engraving usually disappears quickly under a sticker. The engraving code starts with the owner's date of birth followed by a serial number. In case of resale, you can in principle report that the bicycle has changed owner.

Brussels Airport is the main airport of the country.

It is possible to travel by train, but it is complicated in relation to the distance. In the Netherlands you have to buy an international ticket and you have to pay for the bicycle for both countries.

The bicycles can be taken on the train for a fee. More information can be found on the website of the NMBS (the NMBS forbids linking to the website without explicit permission). Keep in mind that places are sometimes limited. Certainly in the high season it is sometimes worthwhile to make a reservation, as youth movements in groups also take the train by bicycle. On intercity and interregio trains there is often a complete carriage for bicycles and wheelchairs, on local trains there is a small space (often in the locomotive that can accommodate four bicycles).

You always pay for the ride per person and a fixed price per bicycle (€ 5 per bicycle / tandem for a single journey, € 8 per bicycle / tandem for a whole day, anno 2012).

The conductor is sometimes helpful and sometimes not, unfortunately no line can be drawn here. Being kind always helps in the right direction.

Folding bicycles can almost always be taken along free of charge, although there are restrictions in terms of dimensions according to the letter of the regulations.

One of the cheapest ways of traveling is by Flixbus, which also allows you to bring your bicycle. You should book in advance. Flixbus operates in many European countries, connecting all big cities.

De Lijn, the public transport company of Flanders, only allows bicycles on the Coastal Tram (tram from Knokke to De Panne along the Belgian coast). For this you can purchase a "Bicycle Ticket". There are experiments here and there with buses fitted with a bicycle carrier, but for the time being these are local and temporary options.

There is a large ferry connection with the U.K., at the Harbour of Dunkirk. From Zeebrugge it is possible to take ferries to Hull in England and Rosyth in Scotland. See http://www.seabridges.com.