Blesma diary – Belgium Bike Ride 2014

Written by Ian Jones, Prosthetist

31 August 2014   With the Members having arrived the day before, the vans were loaded and with our OCD leader at the front.  We boarded the ferry to Calais on an early crossing just as the clouds parted and sun shone down onto the White Cliffs, all looking very pleasant. We reunited in France and formed our little convoy heading to Brussels, arriving safely at the hotel after negotiating the bizarre road network. 

1 August 2014 After an hour’s drive we arrived at the first drop off point. With all bikes and riders ready, we moved to the square for brief and a coffee in Place de Saucy, approximately 15km from Liege. After some photos and the loudest bicycle horn I have ever heard, the 8 cyclists lead by professional tour organiser Alistair Cope set off amongst the picturesque setting along the River Meuse.  Meanwhile the three support vehicles raced off to find a good spot for photos as the guys cycled passed. After a while there was no sign of them, so I carried on taking photos. I then spotted a cycle track below us and realised we had missed them, doh!

We carried on, only to spot the riders a few miles on. Unfortunately one of the hand bikes had struck a bollard on the path bending a wheel. I rushed back to the village to try and find a replacement wheel but the bike shop was closed for lunch. After explaining the situation to the owner in my schoolboy French, he took off the wheel and said to come back at 2pm. Once back on the road, I met up with the riders in Liege to return the fixed bike and eat lunch. After the cyclists set off for the afternoon cycle, I returned to the van only to find the van window smashed and my camera gone. Liege is renowned for camera theft. The rest of the afternoon was spent in the police station and on the phone whilst the guys continued the day’s cycle. A good start and a beautiful day only slightly marred by the theft.

2 August 2014  A cloudy start at Ciney Square where coffee and a briefing started the day. On a really nice path the guys headed to a water stop where added sustenance was shared thanks to a little plum tree. They then headed to a stop at about 14 miles away in the heart of the Belgium countryside. With a 9 mile downhill section, the boys beat up the Grand Place Square where we had an excellent lunch. A very successful day and the weather had been beautiful with temperatures hitting 23°c and set to get hotter.

3 August 2014 A foggy start with a very reflective day ahead. The start was in Kemmel (a Flemish speaking area). The location was amongst the battle fields. As we drove around we found cemeteries, some containing 40 or so graves, others containing hundreds. Some were in fields and some were even between houses. After a late lunch the reunited team made their way to Bayernwald, a recently discovered German trench which has been restored. It was a very poignant and reflective moment, difficult to imagine the carnage which occurred 100 years ago. A historian explained how miners dug trenches on both sides but in 1917 the burrowing Germans detonated English explosives laid a year earlier. Secondary devices eliminated rescuing troops which caused around 20,000 fatalities (so hard to imagine). We spent some free time in Ypres which allowed us the explore the Menin Gate, the monument to nearly 55,000 allied soldiers killed in action. Every name engraved to mark a lost soul. One member of the team located his great uncle, and he happened to meet visitors from Australia who had links with each other (what a small world). At 2000hrs the bugles sounded the Last Post and the crowds fell silent in respect.  Three Members of Blesma the laid wreaths on behalf of the staff, volunteers and the entire Membership. Nearly 15 hours after leaving the hotel we all returned tired and weary but enlightened.

4 August 2014 We headed to the Taverne des Art, Grand Place de Feluy on a beautifully clear day with temperatures hitting 25°c. Our RV with the riders was at the finish at St. Symphorien military cemetery. While the guys cycled hard in the sun, the support team (down by 1 van after a split water hose) spent time viewing the graves of both British and Germany forces who were some of the first and last soldiers killed in action. Some hours later the cyclists arrived to spend their own time in the cemetery. Wreaths were left to honour these gallant individuals. A very tender moment as two Royal Marines located and paid tribute to a fellow Marine fallen in combat. Tomorrow lies ahead, the most poignant of the days returned to Ypres.

5 August 2014 A photo shoot and coffee started the day in Ypres Square and we headed out through Menin Gate. We later met at one of the many cemeteries. This one was small in comparison to others only having 800 graves. After lunch we all headed to the Passchendaele museum trenches and dugouts. The finale of the trip was the visit to the Tyne Cot cemetery. Here is a memorial to the 34,857 soldiers that were never recovered and 11,956 who were reburied. Here we all separated to pay our own respects and wonder amongst the stones to think about life for an hour or so. At this point we had all seen enough and retired to Ypres for our last dinner together, finally sampling Belgian waffles!

The cliché of going on a journey is always used, but I as the other 11 were really on a journey totalling over 1000 miles. Although all the team had their own reasons for attending this battle tour, I only came along to help however I could. Not knowing if any of my own family had been in or killed in the war I could not believe how moving this whole trip was. Everyone really bonded as the week went on, and it was a great privilege to be on it. I have heard some many funny and entertaining stories and made some great friends. I have seen how the common interests of cycling and the military have brought 12 people together.