Gedinne Classic Bike Race Weekend 2026

[JH]

All,

I was unable to make this year's event due to illness at the very last moment, I was gutted, but my group said that they enjoyed it more than Chimay. They said was as it used to be at Chimay a few years ago, right up and close to the racing, much more relaxed atmosphere, with the same friendliness. Anyhow, I thought I'd share dates for the 2026 event to allow those who may be interested to put the dates in your calendar and start making preparations, as like Chimay good places to stay are booked early.

I have attached the Event Flyer for your information; plus a couple of short videos from this year's event they kindly sent me to cheer me up whilst I was recovering .......... Might see some of you there?

I hope this works?

 

[The Other PaulG]

Thank you JH.

I enjoyed my (first) trip to Chimay this year so much, I am very excited to step up to Gedinne in 2026. Ev has also said he’s interested.

Waps, with a long history of these events, echoes your thoughts when comparing the two. I’m definitely on for it.

 

[Bubb]

I visited gedinne this year for my first visit ( have done chimay many times before, but not for last few years)
Was as I remembered chimay… great old bikes being hammered round a road circuit, everyone friendly, close to the action with great views…

 

[The Other PaulG]

I recognise that yellow Konig!

 

[Bubb]

I recognise that yellow Konig!

That’s why I took a pic of it, as I’d seen it on here being discussed!
The fire truck was the coolest classic bike transporter in the paddock….. I would have loved to take it home!

 

[The Other PaulG]

2026 wall planner just arrived, Gedinne added to avoid any family misunderstandings!

 

[The Other PaulG]

Just booked my ferry for Gedinne. I'm riding across with a local mate - RV-ing with an RV on arrival (Waps and his motorhome).

The current plan is to camp. Who else is committed or considering?

 

[The Other PaulG]

PS Just £160 return on DFDS Newhaven Dieppe on account of being an old fart.

 

[glenn2926]

Is that Fire truck similar to the one @ATT is considering buying. Looks like fun to drive. Wish we had one when I was in.

 

[adventuredon]

Thank you JH.

I enjoyed my (first) trip to Chimay this year so much, I am very excited to step up to Gedinne in 2026. Ev has also said he’s interested.

Waps, with a long history of these events, echoes your thoughts when comparing the two. I’m definitely on for it.

if dates work (in school holidays) I'd love to go

 

[Wapping]

if dates work (in school holidays) I'd love to go

21/22/23 August.

The schools will still be on holiday.

 

[Wapping]

Just booked my ferry for Gedinne. I'm riding across with a local mate - RV-ing with an RV on arrival (Waps and his motorhome).

The current plan is to camp. Who else is committed or considering?

Sounds like a plan.

 

[NeilDD]

Quick questions,
Where are you all camping?
Do you get tickets online or at the track?

I might call in on my way back from Sid's do in France

 

[Bubb]

Tickets can be purchased at the track….

 

[Wapping]

Where are you all camping?

I should imagine that they’ll camp at the official campsite, close to the start / finish line, opposite the entrance to the paddock.




From memory, the blue cursor arrow is (near enough) where the field track entry to the circuit campsite is:



Drive / ride down the field towards the white buildings, which form the pit area. It’s more of a slope than it might look, so cross your fingers it doesn’t rain or the grass will turn to mud, there is that many vehicles and campers. That said, besides it resembling some sort of medieval village, it’s all jolly good fun.

Outline of the circuit, which is clockwise. The start / finish line is near enough by the red marker.

 

[Wapping]

 

[Wapping]

Even if ‘Your thing’ is modern MotoGP racing, this really is a very good, very friendly and relaxed meeting. Wander about the track (there’s lots of great viewing spots) and the paddock. Then back to the bar or the campsite for beers, BBQ and craic.

 

[The Other PaulG]

Thanks for that Waps, great pics.

Looking at the map, it looks like about a 2km walk from the camp site to Gedinne town, is that about right?

 

[Wapping]

Looking at the map, it looks like about a 2km walk from the camp site to Gedinne town, is that about right?

The town of Chimay, is much closer to Chimay circuit, than Gedinne is to its eponymous circuit.

It’s a decent schlep from Gedinne town from the circuit. Call it two miles:



The permanent private campsite (as opposed to the campsite at the circuit itself) at the town Gedinne, is much closer to the town. The downside, is that it’s further to walk to the circuit. I did though consider staying there, as I’d have my Brompton bicycle to cycle to the circuit and back.



The temporary campsite at the circuit is fine, for say two to three nights, not least as you’ll not be meeting royalty. They move in a lot of WC’s (many more than at Le Mans, which itself is quite bizarre) which are kept clean, whilst the shower block (in the pit area) is similarly clean and attended. From memory, all the WC’s are free, whilst the showers are a couple of euros. I have exaggerated the ‘Medieval’ aspect. I got up early one morning (roughly dawn) whilst near enough everyone was still asleep. They was a damp Ardennes’ mist, mixed with the smell of the previous night’s BBQ fires and snoring. It struck me (in my poetic imagination) that a Medieval siege village probably looked pretty similar, hundreds of years ago. The weather (always a bit of a gamble in the Ardennes) should be OK in August. There was a ban on open BBQ’s in force, I can only assume due to the perceived fire risk in a temporary campsite in summer, but gas ones (I took my small Webber Q, as I was in the car) which was fine. We simply shopped in Gedinne on arrival and stayed at the circuit campsite for the duration of the meeting.

In a nutshell: Would the permanent campsite be more comfortable? Yes, I guess so, for the obvious reasons. The downside is the schelp to and from the cicuit. Would I be happy to go back to the circuit campsite again, by car, motorbike or camper van? Yes, too. You are not going to be there for a week and you are right in the action, as it were.

There is a taxi company in Gedinne, though I’ve not used it. Maybe walk to the town and taxi back?

Let’s discuss it during the ‘Soft shandy drinking southerners’ camping trip this weekend.

 

[The Other PaulG]

Excellent, thanks for that.