Spacious Cycling Friendly Four Star Accommodation.
Location
France
2025 Tour de France – 13 Day Ultimate Tour de France Tour
Tour Start Location: Toulouse, France
Tour Finish Location: Paris
Dates: Wed 16th – Mon 28th, July 2025
2025 Tour de France
13 Day Ultimate Tour de France Tour
Our combined experience in Belgium and the Netherlands allows us to put a superb series of rides together through quaint villages, small roads, laneways and see lovely places of interest.
we’ll coach you in the art/technique of riding the roads of Belgium and the Netherlands, you’re guaranteed to love it, and you’ll return home more relaxed on the bike and ready to take on new challenges.
When we’re not at the Scheldeprijs Classic race, or riding through the many towns, villages and cycling locations of the region, the Best of Belgium Spring Classics tour offers a unique cultural immersion tour where we transfer less and ride more.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:
WATCH
•Semi Classic Scheldeprijs Race finish, Belgium
VISIT
• Leige, Belgium
• Valkenburg, Netherlands
• Belgium Brewery
RIDE
• 3 Daily Ride Options Available [Short, Medium, Long – Extra’s available each day]
Our Tour
Our Spring Classics Best of Belgium Tour provides the ideal mix of “ride more – transfer less”.
The proximity of our Team Hotel in Limburg Belgium is close to the Netherlands border region, it allows us to cross the borders with ease.
Our Best of Belgium Tour is the ideal way to ride plenty each day, and to sample iconic Spring Classics courses including: The Amstel Gold Race, Leige – Bastogne – Leige, Fleche Wallonne, A Eddy Mercx training route and time to recover off the bike, combined with plenty of time available each afternoon to explore Belgium and the local areas.
You’ll have your fill of riding, optional extra rides are available each day for those that are keen for more. Plus we visit many places of interest including a small local Belgium Brewery, Chocolatiers, Local Artisan Producers, Bike Stores, lovely cafe’s / coffee shops. Let us know your passions, interests and things you’d like to see and do, we have plenty of great recommendations for Belgium.
We’ll see different aspects of Belgium, the Netherlands, mixed with a cultural, historic, culinary and beverage experience. April is a beautiful time to visit and ride, there’s plenty of seasonal produce available, along with the bursts of Spring flowers.
The atmosphere, passion and knowledge of the fans in Belgium and the Netherlands is unrivalled, they create an electric atmosphere. We’ll show you the smaller roads, ride classic roads, see famous monuments, picture postcard villages, beautiful cities and stay in a lovely hotel.
There’s something endearing about riding a bike in Belgium and the Netherlands they are countries practically born and raised on bike racing. The terrain is almost purpose-built for cyclists, cycle racing and cycling is still regarded as the nation’s number one sport in Spring.
Our Spring Classics tours are led by our experienced team and locals who’ve been hosting tours to these races and areas for many years, we’ll get you up close and personal with the Pro riders to experience the excitement first-hand. We know how to get the best out of your riding, Spring Classics experience, all in a safe, supported, team like environment.
This tour is perfect for passionate cyclists, cycling fans, non-cyclists, non-cycling partners or people who’d like to do a bit of riding and race-watching. $750 (per person) reserves your spot for the 2025 Spring Classics Best of Belgium Tour. Come ride with us, we’re the Spring Classics experts.
We look forward to welcoming you to the Spring Classics in April.
Ciao Pat, Grace Fitzpatrick and the Ride International Team
Meet your hosts for our 2025 Spring Classics Tours
Co-Tour Leader - Thierry Favre [Swiss]
Chief Fun Officer - Andrew Pike [AUS]
Directeur Sportif - Pat Fitzpatrick [AUS]
TOUR INCLUSIONS:
inclusions
- Spacious Cycling Friendly Four Star Accommodation.
- Daily breakfasts (Evening Meals, Lunches, Drinks Etc As Per Detailed Itinerary).
- Local guides for cycling and non-cyclists including former Belgium Professional Rider Rudy Rogiers “2nd place finisher – Paris Roubaix”
- Minimum of three guided ride options per day, to suit your preferred distance and amount of climbing
- Pro mechanical support on tour
- Support vehicle to carry daypacks, spare parts, hydration and ride snacks
- Hotels
- All breakfasts
- Welcome and farewell dinner and drink [additional evening meals as per detailed itinerary]
- Separate Spectator Itinerary for Non-cyclists
- Itinerary, including daily ride maps
- Free download of our GPS Ride Routes
- Complimentary return train station transfers
- Daily Bike Spa including Bike Wash, Mechanical check and tune, by a Pro Mechanic
- Our Premium Quality Rider Pack includes: Jersey and Custom Scicon Wet/Rain Bag
- Our Premium Quality Spectator Pack includes: Designer Ride International Tours Polo Shirt, Custom Scicon Bag
sample itinerary
DAY 1
DAY 1 – April 2025
Pick Up – Flanders Train Station [TBC]: 10am
Our Ride Start: 12pm
Ride Distance: 40km – 90kmClimbing: 200m-650m
4.30pm: Explore walk. 60minutes.
7.30pm: Welcome Dinner and drink, meet hotel lobby
About our day: Arrival Day – Welcome to Genk, Belgium
Welcome to Belgium, The Spring Classics and our Best of Belgium and Netherlands 4 Day Tour
This morning we’ll meet you and your luggage at our local Flanders Train station. The station is very well connected with regular services to all of Belgium’s main train stations, Brussels – Paris and Amsterdam International Airports. From the train station, it’s a short transfer to our Team Hotel.
Alternatively, we always highly recommend arriving at least one day prior to a tour start Day 0, it’ll alleviate travel stress, you’ll recover from your travel better and it’ll build in some wiggle room in the event your travel and connections don’t flow as smoothly as you’d like.
Once at our Team Hotel, we’ll assist you to build up your bike, or do the final fitting, put your pedals etc onto your hire bike.
After a quick bite to each for lunch, on the bike, we’ll ride from our Team Hotel on a ride designed by Phil Anderson on some of his old training roads. If you’re non cycling after lunch there’s some time to explore the lovely old town area
Late in the day we’ll regroup for our welcome dinner and drink.
Non-cycling options:
Today, there’s plenty of time to explore our lovely surrounds in the old city area.
We have plenty of great recommendations for things to see and places to visit. Let us know your personal interests, we’ll suggest plenty of things of interest to do and see, if you’d like some more active suggestions we have some great walks, hikes or running routes too.
Our Ride: Welcome Day Ride
Ride Start: 1pm • Distance: 40km • Climbing: 200m
Our welcome ride starts from our Team Hotel, it’s a nice way to get your body moving on the bike after travelling to Belgium. We’ll ride on some lovely local roads with a mixture of small country lanes through quaint villages, ride along canals, bikeways and we’ll include a pave/ cobble skills session enroute.
Après Bike: Discover Our Village
4.30pm: Discover our local village on a cultural walk, including the impressive town square area, miniature waterways, galleries, eateries and shops.
Suggested Post Ride Rehydration: Belgium is the home of beer, let us know your preferred style and we’ll offer some suggestions, there are so many great options of Belgium beer, many are only available locally.
Dinner:
7.30pm: Welcome Dinner and drink, meet hotel lobby. .
Accommodation:
North East Flanders, Limburg Region. Walking distance to everything in the Old Town.
1 of 3 Nights
DAY 2
DAY 3
DAY 4
Pricing and Dates
13 Day Ultimate Tour de France Tour Dates
Dates: Wed 16th – Mon 28th, July 2025
Payments
ADVANCED BOOKING DEPOSIT:
AUD $750 [approximately] USD $550 reserves your spot on the 10 Day Ultimate Tour de France Tour
Indicative Tour Pricing
[Based on 2024 Tour Pricing]
AUD$8990 – AUD$9450 pp twin share (Approx. USD$5970 – USD$6250)
Single Room Supplement: From: AUD$1250 -$1450 (Approx. USD$850-USD$970)
ROOMS / SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
* Our twin share prices are per person based on two people ie couples, partners, family, friends sharing one room. If you are travelling alone, you have the option to have a room to yourself, or will be allocated a room to yourself by paying the additional single room supplement.
Bike Hire
Take the hassle out of travelling with your bike and hire a bike for our 13 Day Ultimate Tour de France Tour
-
Reserve your hire bike
In stock
$250.00 AUD
5 DAY ITINERARY
2021 Belgie Training Camp – Spring Classics Tour With Phil Anderson
DAY 1 – MONDAY, 6TH APRIL 2019
Pick Up – Brugge Train Station: 11am
Our Ride Start: 1pm
Ride Distance: 40km Climbing: 200m
4.30pm: Explore Brugge walk. 90minutes.
7.30pm: Informal Social Dinner, meet hotel lobby (non inclusion)
About our day: Arrival Day – Beautiful Brugge
Welcome to Belgium, The Spring Classics and our Belgie Training Camp.
This morning we’ll meet you and your luggage at the Brugge Train Station. The Brugge station is very well connected with regular services to all of Belgium’s main train stations, Brussels – Paris and Amsterdam International Airports. From Brugge train station, it’s a very short transfer to our Team Hotel.
Alternatively we always highly recommend arriving at least one day prior to a tour start, it’ll alleviate travel stress, you’ll recover from your travel better and it’ll build in some wiggle room in the event your travel and connections don’t flow as smoothly as you’d like.
Once at our Team Hotel, we’ll assist you to build up your bike, or do the final fitting, put your pedals etc onto your hire bike.
After a quick bite to each for lunch, on the bike, we’ll ride from our Team Hotel on a ride designed by Phil Anderson on some of his old training roads around Brugge. If you’re non cycling after lunch there’s some time to explore the lovely old town area of Brugge
Late in the day we’ll regroup for our “Explore Brugge walk”, 90 minutes duration.
Non-cycling options:
Today, there’s plenty of time to explore Brugge’s lovely old city area.
We have plenty of great recommendations for things to see and places to visit in Brugge. Let us know your personal interests, we’ll suggest plenty of things of interest to you to do and see in Beautiful Brugge.
4.30pm: Discover Brugge walk, including the impressive Markt square. 90minutes.
Our Ride: Welcome Day Ride
Ride Start: 1pm • Distance: 40km • Climbing: 200m
Our welcome ride starts from our Team Hotel, it’s a nice way to get your body moving on the bike after travelling to Belgium. We’ll ride on flatter roads with a mixture of small country roads through quaint villages, ride along canals, bikeways and we’ll include a pave/ cobble skills session enroute.
We’ll take a scenic ride through Brugge’s old center as we head back toward our hotel, it’s a great way to orientate yourself with the old town center, it’s minature water ways, shops and beautiful buildings.
Après Bike: Discover Brugge
4.30pm: Discover Brugge cultural walk, including the impressive Markt square, minature waterways,local bike stores, galleries and shops. 90 minute walk.
Suggested Post Ride rehydration: Belgium is the home of beer, let us know your prefferd style and we’ll offer some suggestions, there are so many great options of Belgium beer, many are only available locally.
Dinner:
7.30pm: Informal Social Welcome Dinner, meet hotel lobby (non inclusion). We’ll make a plan for dinner – feel free to join us and meet fellow guests and staff or Let us know your preferred food types, budget and dining style! We’ll point you in the right direction for great local places.
Accommodation:
Historic, family owned and run hotel in Brugge. Walking distance to everything in Old Town.
1 of 4 Nights
DAY 2 – TUESDAY, 7TH APRIL 2019
Breakfast: From 7.30am
Our Ride Start: 8.45am
Ride Distances: 45km-90km. (3 – 4 hours)
About our day: Belgie Training Camp Tempo Ride
Our morning Belgie Training Camp Rides are a great way to have an active morning.
We’ve designed 3 – 4 hour rides to explore more of the North West Flanders region of Belgium, but leave you with plenty of time and energy to explore for the balance of each day, plus you’ll be in great form for the upcoming Paris Roubaix challenge if you are joining us on our Paris Roubaix weekend.
Non-cycling options:
Morning and afternoon. Let us know your personal interests, Brugge is a wonderfully diverse city, options include Chocolate museum, the canal boat tour is great way to see Brugge from another level, Belgium Beer tour, Museums and galleries aplenty, or we have options for active walks, ask us how.
Alternatively, we’ve based ourselves in Brugge, as it’s very well connected via local trains -approx 1 hour to Belgiums other great citys so you can easily visit Ghent, Brussels, Antwerp etc for the afternoon. There are so many great daily afternoon sightseeing options, let us know your interests so we can tailor experiences to your likes, interests and point you in the right direction.
Our Ride:
Ride Start: 8.45am • Distance: 45km-90km • Climbing: 400m
Morning Tempo Loop Ride, 3-4 hours. Designed by Phil, this loop ride is based on his old training ride routes and race routes from the North Western Flanders region.
We have ride options available for everyone depending how much or how little you like to ride, we’ll pause for a Belgium Hot Chocolate or coffee apres ride.
Ride Extra’s: If you fancy riding more in the afternoon, we have plenty of ride options available, let us know how many Km’s you want to ride and what type of ride you want to do. Ask us how.
Après Bike:
Dinner 7.30pm: Free program to explore our town, it’s restuarants, bars and eateries. or join us for an Informal Social Dinner, we’ll be heading out to eat some local specialty dishes at a place close to our hotel. Meet hotel lobby (non inclusion)
Suggested Post Ride rehydration:
Jenever, also known as genièvre, genever, peket or Dutch gin, is the national spirit of Belgium from which gin evolved. While beer may be Belgium’s most famous alcoholic beverage, jenever has been the country’s traditional and national spirit for over 500 years.
Jenever is a “Protected Product of Origin”, having received eleven different appellations or AOCs from the European Union, and can only be crafted in Belgium, the Netherlands and a few areas in France and Germany. Most of the jenever AOC’s are exclusive to Belgium making Belgian jenever (Belgian genever) one of it’s best-kept secrets.
For centuries jenever has been bottled in jugs handcrafted from clay. Its iconic shape is recognizable and unique to jenever. Traditionally Belgians serve jenever in completely full shot glasses that have just been pulled from the freezer. The first step to drinking the jenever properly is to keep the glass on the table, bend down and take the first sip without holding the glass. Once this traditional first sip is completed one can drink the rest of the drink normally.
Accommodation:
Historic, family owned and run hotel in Brugge. Walking distance to everything in Old Town.
2 of 4 Nights
DAY 3 – WEDNESDAY, 8TH APRIL 2019
Breakfast: From 7am
Our Ride Start: 8.15am
Vehicle Depart: 8.30am
Ride Distances: 45km – 75km (extra’s available) – 150m climbing
About our day:
Our morning Belgie Training Camp Ride designed by Phil takes us to the start of the Semi Classic Scheldeprijs race in the Netherlands. We’ll be there to see all of the pre-race excitement, mingle with the riders, get some photo’s among the team buses and see the riders waved off for the 202km race.
After the race has started around midday, we’ll transfer in our vehicle back toward Brugge, enroute we stop off to do a Brewery Tour and tasting.
We’ve allowed plenty of time after the brewery tour to watch the excitement of the finish of the Scheldeprijs race live on TV.
Non-cycling options:
This morning we take a coastal drive through small towns and villages along Belgium’s north coast, we’ll stop for morning tea then arrive in the Netherlands.
We’ll arrive at the start of the Semi Classic Scheldeprijs race in the Netherlands. We’ll be able to get some selfies with the pro riders, wander among the team buses and be at the start line as the riders are waved off for the race.
Our afternoon is your chance to experience a Belgium Brewery Tour and tasting. We’ve allowed plenty of time after the brewery tour to discover the old town of Brugge or explore further afield.
Our Ride:
Ride Start: 8.15am • Distance: 45km – 75km (Extra’s available)• Climbing: 150m
Today we take a ride along the northern coast of Belgium on a route designed by Phil that’ll take us through small towns and villages, then cross over into the Netherlands to see the start of the midweek semi classic Scheldeprijs race.
Ride Extra’s: If you fancy riding some more in the afternoon, we have plenty of ride options available, let us know how many Km’s you want to ride and what type of ride you want to do. Ask us how.
Race: Semi classic Scheldeprijs race
Today we see the start of the semi Classic Scheldeprijs race in the Netherlands. The Scheldeprijs race is a favourite race for the worlds best sprinters, it’s a flat course, often subjected to strong winds so it suits the strong sprinters teams. Past winners include: Tom Boonen, Marcel Kittel, Robbie McEwan and Mark Cavendish
Après Bike:
Suggested Post Ride Dinner Dishes:
7.30pm: Tonight is a good time to sample some of Belgiums famous dishes, we’ll be heading out for an informal “Social Dinner” to a local place close to our hotel. Meet hotel lobby (non inclusion)
Some of our favourite local Belgium dishes include:
Moules-frites: mussels cooked or steamed with onions and celery served with fries. The recipe has often been referred to as the country’s national dish but is also popular in the neighboring Nord region of France.
or Carbonade flamande: a Belgian beef stew, similar to the French Beef Bourguignon, but made with beer instead of red wine. Served with bread or fries and mustard. Usually accompanied by a local beer.
Accommodation:
Historic, family owned and run hotel in Brugge. Walking distance to everything in Old Town.
3 of 4 Nights
DAY 4 – THURSDAY, 9TH APRIL 2019
Breakfast: From 7.30am
Our Ride Start: 9am
Ride Distances: 45km – 85km (Extra’s available)
About our day:
Our morning Belgie Training Camp Ride heads out for around 3 – 4 hours on a route specially designed by Phil to take in some of the regions finest small roads, bikeways and former training roads. or take a recovery day off the bike and head further afield to explore some of Belgiums great towns, cities or historical landmarks.
Non-cycling options:
Today is our last day in the Brugge region, it’s a great chance to explore more locally or a good day to head further afield to explore some of Belgiums northern towns, cities or historical landmarks. Let us know where you are keen to visit or things you’d like to try and do.
Our Ride:
Ride Start: 9am • Distance: 45km – 85km (Extra’s available) • Climbing: 200m
This morning we headout for another great loop ride in the Flanders region, we’ll show you a few more of our favourite towns, villages via a super loop on small roads. You’ll be back in Brugge in time for lunch, you may even want to spoil yourself with a pro rider afternoon nap. You might be surprised to know Phil took a 20 minute power nap each afternoon when he was pro, it’s great for your legs, recovery and energy levels.
Ride Extra’s: If you fancy riding some more in the afternoon, we have plenty of ride options available, let us know how many Km’s you want to ride and what type of ride you want to do. Ask us how.
Après Bike:
Suggested Post Ride rehydration:
Dinner:
7.30pm: Tonight might be a good time to sample some Belgium dishes you are keen to try, we’ll be heading out for an informal “Social Dinner” to a local place close to our hotel. Meet hotel lobby (non inclusion) or Let us know your preferred food types, budget and dining style! We’ll point you in the right direction for great places nearby.
Accommodation:
Historic, family owned and run hotel in Brugge. Walking distance to everything in Old Town.
4 of 4 Nights
DAY 5 – FRIDAY, 10TH APRIL 2019
Breakfast: From 7am-8am
Vehicles Depart: 8am
Transfer to Brugge Train Station – Arrive: 8.15am
About our day: – Departure Day – Morning Transfer To Brugge Train Station
This morning after the excitement of the Belgie Training Camp week, we’ll gather again over a hearty breakfast.
After breakfast we offer a transfer for you and your luggage to the Brugge Train Station for your onward travel. Brugge Train Station is very well connected with all of the major European centers and International airports. Alternatively if you’d like to join the Paris Roubaix 4 Day weekend Tour, we provide the transfers between the tours to Lille in northern France.
Until next time, Au revoir from the Team at Ride International Tours
11
Years of Experience
67
Tours Completed
1,423
Trip Guests
36122km
Cycled on Tour
267
Hotels Visited
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$750 – $8,450 AUD
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Sat 19th – Mon 28th, July 2025
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OUR GUEST REVIEWS
“Both Pat and Grace have excellent people skills, they build relationships quickly, they were always well organised with itineraries or plans for the day re weather, road changes, or unexpected issues that arose. Hard work from them made our tour of two weeks a dream holiday along with all the extra drama of the biggest cycling race in the world.”
“Thanks very much for a highly enjoyable and excellently run tour. You and your team certainly exceeded my expectations, not only with the rides but local knowledge which helped make life simple.”
“It is the small things that you guys do behind the scenes that makes all the difference. It was an amazing experience to ride in Italy and experience the Giro first hand. Thanks again and looking forward to the next tour.”
“I first met Pat and Grace on a cycling tour in Europe in 2013. Pat and Grace make the perfect team to run these types of tours, both are friendly, bubbly and outgoing in their personalities and each bring their own invaluable skills to touring with a group.”
“Wow, two of the greatest tour guides I know. Knowledgeable, multilingual, always helpful, a great team to handle your once in a life time tour. I’ve done at least 4 two-week cycle tours with one or both of this husband wife team. Every one has been extraordinary. You will not go wrong with one of these two as your tour coordinators.”
Advance Bookings:
We open up our Advance Reservations for trips so you can book well ahead. Guarantee your position by booking up to 12 months prior.
If you’d like to organise and book your trip more than 12 months prior, contact us via email or phone, we’ll arrange everything so you can make an advanced early booking.
An advance booking, accompanied by a fully refundable $750 AUD (Australian Dollar) ensures priority booking status when the trip details are announced. Note, an advance booking is not considered final until payment is received.
Once specific trip itinerary details are finalized, we’ll contact everyone on the advance reservation list via email, we’ll include the itinerary and offer a priority booking position before opening up bookings to the wider community.
If a trip fills – as it often does in the advance bookings, we create a waiting list and then offer reservations on a first-come, first-serve basis (based on the date the advance reservation was made) once our advanced booking guest have finalised.
To cancel an advance reservation a cancellation request must be submitted in writing/ via email within 14 days of the trip details being published. The (AUD) $750 advance reservation payment will be immediately refunded for any cancellation received within this 14-day period.
Travel Insurance:
As a Ride International Tour participant, it is compulsory to have your own travel insurance. We recommend activating your travel insurance as soon as you’ve placed your booking deposit to ensure you are covered from the outset. Please ensure that your policy includes coverage for:
- Cancellation charges
- Medical expenses in the event of an accident or illness.
- Baggage
- Cycling activities and associated risks
- Cycling equipment
We encourage each participant on our tours to contact your travel agent, and or travel insurance provider directly. Your travel insurance experts are best equipped to provide clarification, recommendations for best providers and or further information on the cover that suits your specific needs.
Final Payments:
The balance of your trip payment is due no later than 120 days prior to your trip departure date, we will forward via email your final payment invoice. You can choose to make full payment earlier if you prefer to finalise your trip payment early, contact us and we will arrange for an invoice to be sent.
What if I have to transfer, change or cancel my trip:
We understand you may not be able to go on your trip, cancel, change or transfer due to personal or medical reasons. We want to make it as easy as possible for you to transfer to another trip that has places available. If you have a question give us a call or email.
Due to the high demand, limited hotel availability and the advance payments expected by our hotels and restaurants we use, the following cancellation conditions apply to all of our trips.
AFTER BOOKING, IF YOU CANCEL:
| 120 – 91 days prior to departure | 50% cancellation fee of the trip price |
| 90 – 61 days prior to departure | 75% cancellation fee of the trip price |
| 60 days and less prior to departure | 100% cancellation fee of the trip price |
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ABOUT US
We are a passionate family business that prides itself on hosting exceptional cycling vacations since 2007.
Whether it’s your first time cycling abroad, or you’re an experienced rouleur, our team takes care of all the details on and off the bike to create wonderful travel experiences.
