I woke up at four, even though everything was ready, and all I had to do was secure the three travel bags on the back of my bike: one for clothing (too much!), one for toiletries, medication, laundry, and sleep gear (oops, forgot shampoo and gel), and the third with all the cycling gear (battery charger, pump, etc.), plus a minimum of cooking and eating utensils (oops, forgot a cup) and a minimum of food: instant coffee, milk, sugar (oops, forgot sugar). The bag on the front of the bike is filled with a computer, phone, binoculars, power pack, documents, etc. Last night, Magda called me (too) many times to tell me to be careful, and I will certainly do so. Ann, Chris, and Peter also expressed their (too) great concern.
At 4:30 a.m., Floky was at my door to help me pack and to see me off (with his little brother Rinus as a guardian angel on my back). He also took some photos and a video of his departing grandpa. Motje, Eli, and Mientje came to wish me the best yesterday. Frederik, Vero, Niel, Lucy, and Jacob had invited us over for an aperitif the night before. Tim nearly hugged me to death...out of love. All the brothers- and sisters-in-law had sent messages, and many well-wishers did as well.
Bruno is already looking forward to cycling with me from Avilés to Santiago on a section of the Camino del Norte. Our friends, Ignace and Annie, who lost their two children in the past two years, had also wished me well. I will often think of their two children, Bert and Kathleen, during the journey. I also want to have a special thought for our friend Geert, who suffered a thrombosis at the beginning of 2024 and is now working hard on his rehabilitation with great courage and much love and dedication from his wife, Fabienne. I carry all these lovely people's wishes with me, so I don’t feel like I am traveling alone.
Departure from Leuven
The day began gray and ended gray. Sometimes there was a very light rain, but nothing severe. This allowed me to complete the 135 km to the Abbey of Scourmont (near Chimay) on my first day calmly and without sweating. I left at 5:15 a.m. and arrived at my destination at 2:45 p.m. I even took a little time to look around the town of Chimay. Along the way, I passed through Charleroi (horrible) and then followed the Ravel 109/2, a beautiful 50 km stretch of the autoroute du vélo. On this Ravel, I met two cyclists from Westkapelle (Knokke), Johan and Marie-Anne Van de Gucht, who noticed the two posters for the Rinus Pinifonds on my bike. Marie-Anne's brother had also lost a child. They thought the Rinus Pinifonds was a wonderful initiative and solemnly promised to support the fund. Thanks to these two kind Flemish cyclists.
Johan and Marie-Anne Van de Gucht and the church of Chimay
This year IÂ am staying in the new pilgrim guesthouse of the Abbey of Scourmont and no longer in the abbey itself. I was warmly welcomed by the host, Jean-Marie. I felt like a king. Nice, simple sleeping accommodations, a warm shower, and a tasty Chimay upon arrival and with dinner. I was the only pilgrim today and was pampered. A great example of monastic hospitality, even though Jean-Marie is married and has three children. Before dinner, I went to attend Vespers. After a busy day, it's good to take a moment to relax. Right after my arrival, I lay down on my bed and fell sound asleep for an hour.
The new pilgrim guesthouse of the abbey of Scourmont
Tomorrow is the most challenging day of my whole journey. I couldn’t find cheap lodging between Scourmont and Châlons-en-Champagne, so I will have to cycle nearly 150 km tomorrow. Once again, a big thank you to all those who have supported the third cycling pilgrimage and those who will continue to support it. Their financial contributions will allow us to support three projects: the PICU at UZ Leuven (the Kites project), the PICU at UZ Antwerp, and the non-profit organization "Verbinding in Verlies" (Together in Loss).
Vespers at the abbey of Scroumont
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