La Flèche Wallonne

manwithaplan

I have to travel to Brussels for work on 19 April and I have just found out that I have to go out a day early to attend another meeting. I see La Flèche Wallonne is on the 18th April and I have some flexibility in setting this meeting up. I am planning to arrange the meeting as early as possible, hoping to be free from about noon.

My question is whether this would give me time to get to the business end of the race and see the action, or if I'm likely to see much. The finish is scheduled for around 4. I would be travelling by train and there seems to be one every half hour or so to Huy (the finish - they ride through twice), taking between an hour and a quarter and an hour and a half depending on whether it's direct. If I have to rush, I may be the only eejit there in a suit.

Where would the best vantage points be - I presume Huy is the place to go? Should I bother?

The parcours is here:

http://www.letour.fr/2011/FWH/COURSE/fr/le_parcours.html

Sorry for posting this so early but I can probably arrange a later meeting, and get a later flight, if this isn't a runner.

le petit braquet

I went to see the Fleche in the 1980s so info is a little dated! The main action is on the Mur de Huy which is in the town itself. Your main problem may be securing a vantage point on the hill if you arrive late since the race both passes and then finishes there and keen fans will be there for the duration. On the other hand it's on midweek which keeps the numbers down a little, but if local hero Gilbert has form and is going for a double then the locals may make more of an effort.

I haven't access to Google Earth here in work but you should be able to check the distances from the station. From memory Huy is not that big (maybe 20 or 30 thousand pop.) so it should be easy enough.

le petit braquet

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5g6lRr_EdrE

There's footage of the final few kms of last year's race on YouTube and it doesn't look excessively crowded except for the last 250 metres or so

manwithaplan

That looks brilliant and, as you say, it seems accessible enough. Thanks for the information. I'll chance it anyway. At the very least I can soak up the atmosphere and enjoy a couple of morts subites. It will certainly beat hanging around Brussels with a dose of civil servants hands down!

le petit braquet

manwithaplan wrote: »

At the very least I can soak up the atmosphere and enjoy a couple of morts subites.

You could also work on a plan (pun intended) to extend your stay to the following Sunday for L-B-L and enjoy the Weekend Ardennes

manwithaplan

If only. My attendance at LFW will be due to a chance alignment of the stars. Anything else would be a plan that would be unlikely to receive planning permission!