The pandemic has changed a lot. From how we work to how we interact with people, the sanitary crisis left little untouched. And even though, generally speaking, it wasn’t exactly a nice moment to go through, some things have changed for the better. During the multiple lockdowns, we realised the importance of physical exercise to keep our head together. And with all facilities closed, we didn’t have much choice. So instead of going to a stuffy gym, we went outside to breath in the fresh air while walking or cycling.
Cycling in particular has been having a big moment since the pandemic. Even now that the health measures have practically disappeared, more people than ever are seeing the advantages of hopping on a bike instead of going to work by car for example. Of course, it calls for a bit more organisation – especially if the distance you have to bridge is quite long – but these days, there’s a solution for everything. And while we are (re)discovering our bikes to go to work, we also tend to get them out a lot more for leisure purposes.
What do you need for a cycling trip?
For some, a little bike ride during the weekend might suffice. Others, however, are taking things more seriously and are organising a whole cycling trip over the summer. No matter what kind of biker you are, Brussels non-profit Bike-Packer has your back. The organisation was founded amidst the pandemic in 2020 and wants to make cycling more accessible to everyone. In order to do so, they offer all kinds of cycling-related information on their website. From multiple-day itineraries to the best way to choose your cycling destination, it’s all on there. But above all, they try to make a cycling trip more affordable, as well.
When going on a longer cycling trip, you’ll need a good bike, bicycle bags and other special gear. All that equipment quickly costs more than 1.000€, a budget that not everyone can afford. Therefore, Bike-Packer gives you the chance to rent all that material instead of buying it. That way, more people get to experience a cycling trip. They also organise events to make you familiar with all the basic knowledge you’ll need for such a voyage.
“We organize events and workshops multiple times a year to make people familiar with their bike, the mechanics, the itineraries and the material they’ll need. Everyone can participate to those discussions, ask their questions and share their experience, said Caroline Bottu from Bike-Packer to Flair.
So, if you haven’t started to explore Belgium by bike just yet, you know where to start.
