Gedinne Classic motorcycle road race 2027

[Wapping]

Many congratulations for making the podium. The wait until gone 16:00 was worth it in the end!

And thank you too for taking the time out to talk to us in the paddock and later, in the grandstand. It was interesting to hear about the bike and your experience of riding the track. Much appreciated.

 

[Alistairm]

Many congratulations for making the podium. The wait until gone 16:00 was worth it in the end!

And thank you to for taking the time out to talk to us in the paddock and later, in the grandstand. It was interesting to hear about the bike and your experience of riding the track. Much appreciated.

My pleasure… I attended for years as a spectator and really appreciated the open Padock and friendly atmosphere. The only thing I don’t like about competing is I can’t watch as well!

 

[KMD]

Strong performances there Alisatirm, very well done if I may say.

 

[Wapping]

The only thing I don’t like about competing is I can’t watch as well!

Like Alonso in the F1, you can if you breakdown. Pull up a deckchair, as he famously did.

That said, it is a great track for spectators to view from, with a good mixture of view points, all within easy walking distance of the campsite and paddock. In a way, it’s a mini-Spa, with the trees and the hills, all be it much less steep. It is definitely a good circuit to watch sidecar racing on, with plenty of action from ‘the monkey’ passenger. Likewise, it’s interesting to see the difference between ‘British’ chairs, and ‘Continental’ (where the passenger is to the right of the driver) as, obviously, they corner differently from each other.

The paddock is friendly. If people are obviously not busy with the spanners or getting ready / just finished, most will chat to you (in some version of a language or other) or not mind if you take a picture or two. It’s nicely amateur, in that sense.

Overall, a ‘good experience’ for, I hope, everyone: Winners, podium finishers, those down the field, marshals (without whom there is no race) and spectators alike.

 

[Udders]

Looks like a great event.

 

[snelly]

Looks like a great event.

The marshals all have a whistle to give you a toot when your walking on the track and the race is about to start;; my first Belgium road race was a massive eye opener and i must say; love at first whistle; relaxed approach does'nt come near it.

 

[Wapping]

Looks like a great event.

It is.

There is something about ‘Amateur’ racing, whether on two wheels or more, that makes it a good time and, hopefully, fun for everyone. That said, to call it ‘amateur’ is being disrespectful to the participants and organisers, who all do their best to put on a good - and hopefully, safe - show. I use the word in its widest sense, to differentiate it from truly ‘professional’ racing, where the drivers (in the main) do it for financial reward and to make a living.

That Gedinne is hosted on public roads, brings it back to how racing first started, well over a hundred years ago. This makes it different to events (good as they often are) that are held on race circuits, otherwise closed to the public. What ultimately makes the events good? I guess it’s that all the corporate element is stripped away, just leaving the organisers, the racers and us, the paying public, charged a very modest fee to watch and enjoy it all. That’s not to say that it wouldn’t be great to watch F1 racing at night in Las Vegas or by day at COTA, Spa or Suzuka, it is just very different.

The best thing? Is that in this politically correct world, racing - at whatever level - still exists and, hopefully, bods in 2126 will be watching it still.

 

[Wapping]

Pencilled in:

Wappjng
ChasMill
Ectopic / Quinten
Ectopic / Quiten’s chum(s) - Richard and / or Michael
the woodster

Alistairm (racing)

 

[Wapping]

I have been asked if I could put a little more detail into the track’s direction, where the road closed barriers are placed and the access roads when the racing is on / the roads are closed.

The 3.1 mile circuit is clockwise, with the start / finish line opposite the pit entrance at points 1 / 7.

The road closed barriers are at points 2, 4 and 6 all marked red. These points are closed for the duration of the event, not just when racing is on. The barriers are lifted not long after racing finishes on Sunday, not least to allow the pits and spectators to clear the area.

The public campsite is to the north of the circuit, opposite the pit entrance and near enough in the area coloured yellow. There are portaloos on the campsite (EUR 0.5) with additional WC’s in the pits close to the bar (EUR 0.5) along with showers (EUR 2):



The circuit is accessible during racing and when the roads are closed. Here are two examples, both finishing at the campsite entrance. This is not a bad place to park, as it gives easy entrance to the pits and the inside of the circuit:

The campsite is probably easiest accessed from the Rue du Gribelle, as shown above, not least as this is always open. You can though also access it by vehicle from the Rue du Circuit (ie opposite the pits) but these are closed when the roads are closed. They are though open to pedestrians, in between individual races.

The campsite is on a slope and is grass. You can work out what this might mean if it rains hard.

Here are the main viewing areas. Those in green are to the outside outside of the circuit. Those in red to the inside. At three miles in length, I’d say that, one way or another, by moving around you can see around half the circuit. Unlike Chimay, the circuit is not flat, so viewing in pretty good.
:



The only place that is inaccessible is the run through the trees up to the hamlet of Patignes. Spectating there is not allowed. I guess you could venture in through the woods, though they are full of brambles and many biting flying things. I know this as I went on a very short recce outside of racing. Not least, if spectating is not allowed there, why take the piss and annoy the local authorities, on whose goodwill the race exists.

You can also watch from the red points, too. Red point 2 has a bar on the inside of the circuit. Red point 6, has a bar and simple restaurant (the owner builds it in his garden) on the outside of the circuit.

 

[Wapping]

A question drifts my way, the answer to which is:

I’d aim to arrive at the circuit campsite, reasonably early on Wednesday. This is simply so I can hopefully pick a good spot, either at the top of the hill or down the bottom, facing onto the track. Very probably the top of the hill, wouid be my preferred choice, as it’s easier to reserve a spot for anyone wanting to camp.

Thursday, things are being organised on the circuit, so I’d saunter down to the paddock at about noon, to pick-up a programme / T-shirt.

Friday, watch the practice cessions.

Saturday, race day one. I’d propose (weather permitting) to host a BBQ.

Sunday, race day two. Once the racing is over, I’d plan on pedalling into Gedinne for a beaker or three and dinner, having booked it up earlier. Again, this would probably depend on the weather.

Monday, pack-up and depart around 10:30 / 11:00.

Tuesday AM, Chunnel back to the UK.

 

[Ectopic]

I'll be riding out (via Eurotunnel) on Thursday 5th and will head straight to digs in Montherme.

I'll do some scoping and wandering around on Friday for practice day, buy ticket, merch etc, but will probably want to enjoy some local-ish roads so won't stay at Gedinne all day every day. Sunday I will head back to Montherme for evening meal and early-ish night ahead of return home (again via Eurotunnel) on Tuesday morning (9th).

My friends may want to do something different, of course, but I imagine they'll do something similar.

I haven't booked Eurotunnel as dates aren't available yet.