F1: Antwerp – Mechelen – Vilvoorde – Brussel – 45km
return over canal route Willebroek – Boom – 50km
1/ Antwerp – Mechelen
I only realised in Mechelen that my tracking was off. Sorry.
I needed to be in Brussels for an event at the Thurn and Taxis (Tour & Taxis in French). As usual, I prefer to go by bike.
We set off in Antwerp to take the F1 bike highway. It’s a classic stretch: a solid bike highway beside a railroad track. Functional, easy, perfect to start with.
Someone told me that we have the railroad regulations to thank for the straight bike roads: the railroad company in Belgium requires all pieces of track to be accessible by a service road. These are now turned into bike highways. I guess for once Belgian regulations play in our favor.
In Mechelen Nekkerspoel the F1 signs disappear. I follow the tracks on instinct to the eternal construction site, the Mechelen Central Station, to pick the F1 up again. At this point, it’s good to rely on Google Maps and your insight, for example, to find the road: I assume the F1 signage won’t be any clearer soon.
2/ Mechelen – Vilvoorde
Along the Zenne
This bit is just beautiful. There’s not much more to say – solid concrete roads next to the river/canal connecting the Zenne river with the canal in Brussels. It’s a well-travelled path with the river/canal on one side and nature on the other.
This stretch of road along the Zenne is now a favorite of mine.
3/ Vilvoorde – Tour & Taxis
This is where it becomes unclear – the F1 continues on one side of the canal. You can also (which is what I accidentally did) cross and continue on the F23, which later joins up with the F1 again.
This part is a long stretch along the canal – there is no greenery, loads of industry, and no sightseeing – it is not enjoyable. However, it gets you to Brussels.
In Brussels, I switch to Google Maps. The city is not at all bike-friendly.
Lunch & Status
%
bike battery
I have enough battery for the way back. For safety reasons, I pop in the charger anyway.
%
phone battery
I don’t bother charging. I brough a full powerbank if needed.
Energizers
Loads of coffee.
lunch
Sandwiches. I know I’ll regret this later on.
New target
Try out a different route back.
5/ Brussels – Boom
25km against the wind
On leaving Brussels, my gut tells me to go back over the F1, the same route I took in the morning. However, my friends had advised me to take the canal route to Brussels.
I wish I had followed my instinct instead of the advice from others: the route along the canal is long, boring, and against the wind, and at various points, navigation becomes complicated. It also has several patches of dirt road instead of gravel or concrete. Near Boom, I end up on a part of the road where some people are car racing, making me feel unsafe. There are barely any benches for breaks.
In the future, I’ll avoid the canal road. Since the F1 is relatively new and not many people know about it, it was pretty logical for them to send me over the canal. However, Belgium is continually improving its bike infrastructure. The network is not yet complete, but it already offers fantastic alternatives and choices that prioritise a cycling experience. It’s good to check out all routes.
Always charge!
I was delighted to have charged my battery to 100% in Brussels!
Wind saps energy: maintaining 25km/h on my electric bike against the wind requires almost no physical effort, but it does drain my battery.
(I also couldn’t be happier that I invested in a good electric bike. I know the ‘no-effort’ part might not be true for other bike brands.)
6/ Boom – Antwerp
Through the suburbs
Finally, I arrive in Boom.
The shortest route back to Antwerp is over the Boomsesteenweg, a long road with many cars, shops, and a questionable bike path. To avoid it, I routed my trip through the suburbs with the node network. This turned out to be a good choice given the circumstances.
The suburbs of Flanders are rather lovely. The path takes me from node to node, through small parks, little back roads, and bike-friendly streets. It’s not quick: navigation takes a lot of time, and it’s not a straightforward route… but it’s a far better option than the alternatives, and a good opportunity to explore the villages around Antwerp.
There are also several eating opportunities, including brasseries, along the road, where you can enjoy coffee, beer, or a snack, or if it’s time for dinner.
If you’re new in Belgium: a brasserie is an all-round eating/drinking place, probably something like the American diner, but Belgian style. Any of these will welcome you with decent food and drink.
Would I do it again?
Absolutely. In the future, I’ll take the F1 to go and return. It’s quick, easy and beautiful. It took me about 2,5 hours to go from Antwerp to Brussels without any effort, breaks included.
Is this the best method to go to Brussels?
This is a good tradeoff: public transport would have taken me 1,5h, a lot more hassle and less freedom of movement.
Antwerp-Brussels is a pain by car: there’s a lot of traffic, and you need to find parking spots. This isn’t an option for me.
Both options are also more pricy: public transport and parking are becoming more expensive daily. If you have a good electric bike, why not use it?
Which equipment do you use?
I have a Riese-Muller electric bike with 750Wh battery and Bosch Performance Line CX-motor.
My bags are a front bag from Riese-Muller and two Ortlieb backrollers.
These are relatively high-end options, but I made choices for ease of riding and the distance I can cover. Since I don’t own a car, I feel comfortable investing in my electric bike, so it’s less a hobby than an effective means of transport.