De Gordel
De Gordel (
Depending on the weather, up to 100,000 participants (in 2005) attend, either cycling or walking. In 2008, bad weather resulted in the lower attendance number of 58,000. The 2010 edition saw more than 80,000 participants.
While opinion on the event varies, some French-speakers see participation as a political move by those who choose to take part (including
So close to Brussels, and passing through several Flemish towns with French-speaking majorities in some areas, this sports event gains wide television coverage through news reports and serves as a very visual reminder that linguistic and political divisions among neighbouring regions and even neighbours themselves remain alive in the area immediately surrounding Brussels.
Incidents
De Gordel has fallen victim to sabotage actions several times in the past. During the 2006 event, local police caught a well-known French-speaking lawyer, Sébastien Courtoy, and another person throwing
Gordelroute permanent cycle route
The Gordelroute is a permanent cycle route encircling Brussels, based on De Gordel.[4] It does not follow the same route as that used in the event, mainly following quieter roads and cycle paths, but is approximately the same distance (100 km).[5]
See also
References
- ^ http://www.flanderstoday.eu/jahia/Jahia/site/flanderstoday/pid/2407[permanent dead link]
- ^ Wind and rain disturb de Gordel - report on De Gordel 2006 from vrtnieuws.net
- ^ article about the sabotage in 2006 - from standaard.be (in Dutch)
- ^ "Gordelroute" (in Dutch). Retrieved 2010-09-23.
- ^ "Fietsroute - Gordelroute" (in Dutch). Retrieved 2010-09-23.
External links
- Welkom bij Lightville
- Official page, in Dutch