Snuffel Hostel was a great find. Modern, excellent facilities, caters for all pockets & ages & only 7mins walk to Market Square. Typical of city hostels, open 24/7, bar, lots of chill areas & great staff.
I set off around 9am. In theory, 70 flat miles seemed fine although the heat, & thermals/slight headwinds made it that bit tougher. Today was the 1st time, since my joint ops, I’d cycled this distance & was happy with the result. Another big first was, once more I can scoot on my peddle to mount my bike – wonderful!
Over 90% of today’s ride was traffic free – along purpose built or segregated cycleways – a phenomenal investment which shows how far behind UK are to the Belgians.
I approached Antwerp from the west, through Linkeroever Park expecting a bridge to take me over the Scheldt River to my hotel 3km on. But there was no bridge! What I eventually found was the entrance to Sint-Annatunnel (St. Anna’s Tunnel) Foot Tunnel. This enormous, impressive 1930’s underground construction serves Belgium’s pedestrian & cycling culture perfectly, & by comparison, dwarfs London’s Woolwich Tunnel. To take you down there’s the choice of escalator or lift, then along the infinitely long tunnel by peddling or walking. I took the escalator up (with my bike) & popped out right in the centre of Antwerp life. Unfortunately, too tired to hang around, I headed on to my hotel.
John's Epic Cycle Adventures 