Bikingbox Cycletours - Day Tours
Bikingbox Cycletours - Day Tours
Bikingbox Cycletours - Day Tours
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Choose Biking BOX Cycletours (Best Outdoor Xperience) as your new reference for cycling in Ypres and Flanders Fields. You certainly will discover all historical Great War and WW-II sites. But also other fascinating content is omni-present in this historical area. Taste the big variety of Belgian Trappists or why not go for a wine-tour! Of course the local hills or cobble stones may challenge you to approach the heroic world of Cycling Classics in Flanders and Northern France. You also can start in Bruges for a more days cycling tour including luggage & bike transfers. What we offer = a professional and experienced bike-guide (formal cycling journalist and master in communication including big luggage of history passion). You receive a tailormade program. Rental bike service including race bicycles and E-bikes available. The Great Picknick is a special formula which let you taste tbe best local products while having a superb Outdoor (cycling) "Xperience".
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Bikingbox Cycletours - Day Tours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
72 reviews
Excellent
61
Very good
2
Average
1
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2
Terrible
6
Bernardo
2 contributions
Jul 2020 • Solo
Kind of late to the party here but I rented a bike from Kurt (the owner) back in July 2018 and followed a really nice self guided tour that he custom prepared for me, which went around some hills in the France-Begium border and also some WWI sites.
I was specially impressed by Kurt's hospitality. He met at the train station with the bike, and since I had a change of plans (I was supposed to go with a friend but I was alone instead) he offered to make a custom tour for me. Then he took me to his house, where I met his lovely family (I think it was during the weekend), asked me some questions about how long I wanted the ride to be, if I'd rather do a more hilly route or see the WWI sites (I said both), etc. He then loaded the route on one his garmins, attached it to the bike and I was off. The route was just lovely, offering some challenging climbs in the beginning and then a lot of historical sites towards the end. When I was about 10km from Kurt's house, I text him (he'd asked me to) and he met me on his bike and we rode the last few km together!
Back at his house, he offered to let me take a shower (!!) which I gladly accepted, and he drove me back to Ypres. Since I didn't get to do the part of his route take went in the town (it was a long ride), he actually showed me the main sights, and then he took me to a restaurant to get some fries! After that we went to a pub and we had a beer together! I ended up getting the last train back to Ghent (where I was staying) after a truly extraordinary days.
Without a doubt the best bike ride of my life and I can't wait to go back.
Kurt, if you're reading this, thanks again and I hope I can go to Belgium soon so we can have some beers after a great ride. Cheers!
PS: he also makes some pretty cool cycling jerseys, and this is the reason why I remembered to write this review two years later. I wonder if the ship to the US
I was specially impressed by Kurt's hospitality. He met at the train station with the bike, and since I had a change of plans (I was supposed to go with a friend but I was alone instead) he offered to make a custom tour for me. Then he took me to his house, where I met his lovely family (I think it was during the weekend), asked me some questions about how long I wanted the ride to be, if I'd rather do a more hilly route or see the WWI sites (I said both), etc. He then loaded the route on one his garmins, attached it to the bike and I was off. The route was just lovely, offering some challenging climbs in the beginning and then a lot of historical sites towards the end. When I was about 10km from Kurt's house, I text him (he'd asked me to) and he met me on his bike and we rode the last few km together!
Back at his house, he offered to let me take a shower (!!) which I gladly accepted, and he drove me back to Ypres. Since I didn't get to do the part of his route take went in the town (it was a long ride), he actually showed me the main sights, and then he took me to a restaurant to get some fries! After that we went to a pub and we had a beer together! I ended up getting the last train back to Ghent (where I was staying) after a truly extraordinary days.
Without a doubt the best bike ride of my life and I can't wait to go back.
Kurt, if you're reading this, thanks again and I hope I can go to Belgium soon so we can have some beers after a great ride. Cheers!
PS: he also makes some pretty cool cycling jerseys, and this is the reason why I remembered to write this review two years later. I wonder if the ship to the US
Written September 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alistair B
2 contributions
Sep 2023 • Friends
As part of a trip along the newly marked Western Front Way, Kurt led a group of 8 of us on a half day cycle tour from Ypres to nearby Passchendaele and Tyne Cot cemetery. Kurt grew up in the area and was very knowledgeable as a result including sharing local stories that I hadn't heard before. He was also great company and I thoroughly recommend the trip which can be shaped to suit the time and interests of any group.
Written September 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nansichka
Hamilton, NY39 contributions
Apr 2016 • Couples
As two university professors in our early 60s who teach about war in the US, we were looking for a guide to take us around the Somme and Ypres battlegrounds and give us a close feel for the places about which we teach, read, and write. Thanks to Trip Advisor reviews, we decided to try Bikingbox for our tour, and are utterly glad we did (thanks, reviewers!). From his first email response to our query, to the moment he dropped us off and we said goodbye at Ieper (Ypres) Station, Kurt Titeca, the owner of Bikingbox, was helpful, informative, supportive, and generous. He provided terrific suggestions for our itinerary, and great hotel ideas in accord with our budget.
We journeyed with Kurt on three separate day tours, two on bikes and one – in the middle – in his vehicle because none of us could face the rain, 7-8 degree temps, and polar wind. His bikes were top-notch (a road bike for one of us and an e-bike for the other) and he guided us carefully and energetically, with a constant awareness of our biking challenges and all possible safety concerns. He allayed all our anxieties about doing this trip by bike, and we had a great time. He pushed us just enough on the bikes so that we could cover the necessary distances. We have very different levels of cycling experience, and he accommodated that brilliantly. (He himself is a competition-level road cyclist, and he zoomed up and down hills with one of us then swirled back for the slower of the two). He knows fabulous small roads, cycle paths, and other shortcuts through all the areas of the Western Front so riding with him is a great pleasure for all levels of riders). Logistically, Kurt was a genius, and flawlessly arranged all the meetings, pick-ups, luggage transfers, water bottles, etc., some with the help of his lovely wife Renate and their kids. He is encouraging, helpful, funny, and kind.
Most importantly, as a guide to the Great War sites around Albert, Arras, Fromelle, and Ypres, Kurt was exceptional. His knowledge is very broad – there was not a site about which he didn’t have some fascinating details and stories – but also deep. He gave us insight into the tactical and technological dynamics of individual battles and frontlines, while also providing a profound sense of the labor and suffering of soldiers and civilians. We both know a lot about WWI, and we found Kurt’s narratives both accurate and incredibly informative (there is an infinite amount to learn about this atrocious and world-changing war and Kurt gave us a huge amount of new insight and knowledge). Kurt brought us to the memorial and cemetery near Frommelle on the Somme where one of our Australian great uncles was lost in the war, and gave us plenty of time to experience that place. We found his name on the monument wall at VC Corner, which was incredibly moving. Kurt was a font of information about the particular battles and gravesites there. Throughout our journey with him, Kurt provided a huge amount of specific information about the many different national experiences of the front: British, Irish, Scottish, ANZAC, Canadian, South African, Indian, Belgian, French, North African, American, and German. He knows a lot about labor history and the Chinese and other groups who supported the front in a host of ways. And he has interesting takes on all of this, what it meant, what it all means today, all the many traces left by the war.
On our third day with him, Kurt took us around the Ypres salient, from Kemmelberg to Langemarck, where gas was first used on the Western Front. In every location, Kurt provided an amazing sense of the “flow” of the battles there over four years, while at the same time giving us a glimpse into the WWI and WWII experiences of his own family, resident in the area since before the War. It was terrific to travel with him on his home ground, especially by bicycle, and to feel what it would be like growing up in the scarred and sacred lands of the war.
If you can possibly do at least some of the Western Front by bicycle, hire Kurt Titeca and do it. Going by bike, with someone who knows the landscape intimately, is an unparalleled way to get a sense of the War. We came home moved, changed, and profoundly sad. We have traveled a lot and visited many other sites of war in the world, but this was truly the experience of our lives, thanks to wonderful, talented, knowledgeable Kurt.
We journeyed with Kurt on three separate day tours, two on bikes and one – in the middle – in his vehicle because none of us could face the rain, 7-8 degree temps, and polar wind. His bikes were top-notch (a road bike for one of us and an e-bike for the other) and he guided us carefully and energetically, with a constant awareness of our biking challenges and all possible safety concerns. He allayed all our anxieties about doing this trip by bike, and we had a great time. He pushed us just enough on the bikes so that we could cover the necessary distances. We have very different levels of cycling experience, and he accommodated that brilliantly. (He himself is a competition-level road cyclist, and he zoomed up and down hills with one of us then swirled back for the slower of the two). He knows fabulous small roads, cycle paths, and other shortcuts through all the areas of the Western Front so riding with him is a great pleasure for all levels of riders). Logistically, Kurt was a genius, and flawlessly arranged all the meetings, pick-ups, luggage transfers, water bottles, etc., some with the help of his lovely wife Renate and their kids. He is encouraging, helpful, funny, and kind.
Most importantly, as a guide to the Great War sites around Albert, Arras, Fromelle, and Ypres, Kurt was exceptional. His knowledge is very broad – there was not a site about which he didn’t have some fascinating details and stories – but also deep. He gave us insight into the tactical and technological dynamics of individual battles and frontlines, while also providing a profound sense of the labor and suffering of soldiers and civilians. We both know a lot about WWI, and we found Kurt’s narratives both accurate and incredibly informative (there is an infinite amount to learn about this atrocious and world-changing war and Kurt gave us a huge amount of new insight and knowledge). Kurt brought us to the memorial and cemetery near Frommelle on the Somme where one of our Australian great uncles was lost in the war, and gave us plenty of time to experience that place. We found his name on the monument wall at VC Corner, which was incredibly moving. Kurt was a font of information about the particular battles and gravesites there. Throughout our journey with him, Kurt provided a huge amount of specific information about the many different national experiences of the front: British, Irish, Scottish, ANZAC, Canadian, South African, Indian, Belgian, French, North African, American, and German. He knows a lot about labor history and the Chinese and other groups who supported the front in a host of ways. And he has interesting takes on all of this, what it meant, what it all means today, all the many traces left by the war.
On our third day with him, Kurt took us around the Ypres salient, from Kemmelberg to Langemarck, where gas was first used on the Western Front. In every location, Kurt provided an amazing sense of the “flow” of the battles there over four years, while at the same time giving us a glimpse into the WWI and WWII experiences of his own family, resident in the area since before the War. It was terrific to travel with him on his home ground, especially by bicycle, and to feel what it would be like growing up in the scarred and sacred lands of the war.
If you can possibly do at least some of the Western Front by bicycle, hire Kurt Titeca and do it. Going by bike, with someone who knows the landscape intimately, is an unparalleled way to get a sense of the War. We came home moved, changed, and profoundly sad. We have traveled a lot and visited many other sites of war in the world, but this was truly the experience of our lives, thanks to wonderful, talented, knowledgeable Kurt.
Written April 20, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I only can say thank you for the feedback you gave in this review. I am flattered of course, but more over, reading again about our 3 days together, you set the right focus on the way such a tour should always be organized. Of course I tried to made this tour in a way this would agree with your highest expectations. To make you happy and satisfied is what makes me doing this. No matter for how long, one day or more days-tours, on my own birth-ground or just a bit behind the horizon (as the Somme is also about 80 - 120 km from Ypres). But I must agree on this one: having such fine people with me is what a tourguide inspires the most. I was honoured to be asked organizing and helping you. And don't forget: I also learnt so much from you, while sharing thoughts, experiences and a most fascinating look on live. Warm regards!
Written April 24, 2016
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Mark B
3 contributions
May 2024 • Family
Three of us received e-bikes from biking box under contract for another tour company, and all 3 bikes were in bad shape. They did not have the agreed on tire repair and pump and of course we immediately got a flat. Had to limp into a small town where we found someone to repair it, but he warned us that 2 of the bikes had dangerously worn brakes! The seats were not adjusted as promised and one was loose and not fixed properly. The tires were very worn and all of them were badly underinflated. We bought some CO2 cartridges to inflate them.
Note to reviewers, Biking Box is a bike rental company, not a bar. The bar is called Bike Bar and it indeed is a nice place to get a beer! But do not give Biking Box 5 stars just because you had a nice beer at Bike Bar!
Note to reviewers, Biking Box is a bike rental company, not a bar. The bar is called Bike Bar and it indeed is a nice place to get a beer! But do not give Biking Box 5 stars just because you had a nice beer at Bike Bar!
Written May 25, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kenneth T
Pittsburgh, PA1 contribution
May 2015 • Couples
This May my wife and I went on a four day bicycle adventure journey of the western front, guided by Kurt Titeca, owner of Bikingbox. Kurt and Bikingbox were an extraordinary find. He was extremely flexible and willing to address the particular quirks we brought to the trip- specifically our interest in visiting sites of importance to us. Our bikes and the itinerary functioned without a hitch. Kurt arranged to have our luggage where it needed to be when we needed it. He proved to be highly energetic and engaging. As we rode, he simultaneously guided us, took care of us and spoke about history, current events, cycling and his general philosophy-all while the extraordinary scenery and deeply moving sites rolled by.
To see the western front at ground level on a bike gave us a profound appreciation for what happened there. When, with Kurt's guidance we found the places my grandfather fought and the gravesite of my great uncle, killed at the Somme in 1916- well, there really are no words for that.
My wife and I both agree that we would recommend Bikingbox to anyone who wants to have an amazing experience on a bike.
To see the western front at ground level on a bike gave us a profound appreciation for what happened there. When, with Kurt's guidance we found the places my grandfather fought and the gravesite of my great uncle, killed at the Somme in 1916- well, there really are no words for that.
My wife and I both agree that we would recommend Bikingbox to anyone who wants to have an amazing experience on a bike.
Written July 18, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dave R
Dungog82 contributions
Oct 2017 • Couples
My wife and I visited the Ypres area of Flanders and used it as a base to visit areas of the Western Front and areas with a historical significance for Commonwealth Countries during WW1. We hired the Bikingbox cycles from the Newsagency just a short distance from Menin Gate. The bikes were touring bikes for the first four days but were well maintained and adequate for our travels. Most of the trails around Ypres are reasonably flat, except for a few undulations, and they handled them easily. We then met with Kurt for a tour of Vimy Ridge, The French Cemetery at Notre Dame de Lorette and a ride through the French countryside from Albert along some mountain biking trails, quiet roadways and paths. When Kurt learned that we were Australian he thought it was important to take us to Fromelle and the Australian Memorial at VC Corner for which we were very grateful. On this occasion Kurt supplied us with mountain bikes for the day as he understood the area and the need for proper bikes.
For the next days he supplied me with a road bike and my wife with an electric bike. He downloaded some trails onto a GPS and we were able to cycle other paths around the western front including a trip up the Kemmelburg. Kurt went out of his way to be helpful the entire time.
Kurt's bikes were reliable and well set up. His tour was reasonably priced and very informative. He has a passion for cycling and is very knowledgable about WW1 history. He is multilingual speaking Dutch, French and English. I know he has other languages but I don't recall exactly which. In any case, I would have no hesitation recommending him to anyone thinking about a cycling trip in this area.
For the next days he supplied me with a road bike and my wife with an electric bike. He downloaded some trails onto a GPS and we were able to cycle other paths around the western front including a trip up the Kemmelburg. Kurt went out of his way to be helpful the entire time.
Kurt's bikes were reliable and well set up. His tour was reasonably priced and very informative. He has a passion for cycling and is very knowledgable about WW1 history. He is multilingual speaking Dutch, French and English. I know he has other languages but I don't recall exactly which. In any case, I would have no hesitation recommending him to anyone thinking about a cycling trip in this area.
Written October 27, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrew G
London, UK86 contributions
Sep 2017 • Friends
Kurt led five unfit (me anyway), middle aged Brits and Canadians on an unforgettable 40km full-day tour of Ypres. His energy, humour and insights (and some Wipers Times beer) kept us going through wind and light rain. It was a profoundly interesting and humbling and exhausting (me anyway) experience which I will never forget. Thank you so much.
Written September 17, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter T
Austin, TX172 contributions
Jun 2017 • Friends
I feel lucky to have spent two full days with Kurt. Our group was amazed with his incredible energy, depth of knowledge, and his spirit of generosity. Kurt's tour of cemeteries and battle sites was really unique, highlighting both the immense scale of the casualties and the conflict, and the intimate personal stories of the men who died. We were a group of 22 people with mixed biking abilities. Kurt was able to keep us together and direct us along a 45-50km route, lasting about 7 hours. Really, truly, an amazing few days. If you find yourself in Ieper, do not miss the opportunity to tour the area with this dynamic person and his growing company. (You can also rent bikes only and take a self-guided tour, but that's not nearly as fun.....)
Written June 2, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Many thanks for this gentle words!
Written June 4, 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Scottmull
Doncaster, UK29 contributions
Sep 2016
Kurt our guide and the owner of the company was the perfect host. He knows ever cycle trail in the area and his knowledge on the history is really exceptional. We had a tour for four days and averaged about 45-60km per day. All I can say is don't look anywhere else if you are thinking of a cycle tour of this area!!!
Written September 13, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Many thanks Scott for you shown appreciation. From my side I only can add that it was a pleasure and honour working out this 4-5 days bike-arrangement for you all. You even challenged me looking for new 'mtb'-paths in the shadow of the Paris-Roubaix cobble stones. I surely will be happy to be your tourguide again. Looking forward to meet you all again!
Written September 15, 2016
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Director_of_Activity
Doncaster, UK70 contributions
Sep 2016 • Friends
We exchanged emails with Kurt, the owner of Bikingbox Cycletours asking him to tailor a mountain bike tour of around 60km/day taking in lots of important WWI sites. I have to say Kurts knowledge of the history of cycling, coupled with his extensive knowledge of war history is outstanding. His passion is infectious and made our 5 day lads trip truly special. His wife Renade transferred our luggage from Ploegsteert to Ypres, and then onto Lilles for our final night and was lovely and again a perfect host.
Kurt organised our lodgings as well as our bike tours and was superb throughout. Bikingbox Cycletours is an outstanding example of a family business taking their passion for cycling and history, and putting together a well oiled and interesting cycle tour for all to enjoy.
Regardless of age, ability, or group size; Bikingbox Cycletours is a must, and highly recommend!
Kurt organised our lodgings as well as our bike tours and was superb throughout. Bikingbox Cycletours is an outstanding example of a family business taking their passion for cycling and history, and putting together a well oiled and interesting cycle tour for all to enjoy.
Regardless of age, ability, or group size; Bikingbox Cycletours is a must, and highly recommend!
Written September 12, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I highly appreciate your comments on this tour, which was also to me a fantastic thing to organize. From first meeting with all four of you, we had this 'declic'. It was never difficult to understand how to define the daily evolution of the program. Of course this brilliant summer weather also was part of this alliance. But still, even without sun I am sure we would have passed some great days together. Thanks also for allowing me to learn to know you guys as well!
Written September 15, 2016
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
No questions have been asked about this experience