Several years ago, 2003; a group of riders from SouthportCC rode a 200km Audax event starting in Mons Belgium.

This year we are considering repeating this adventure on !st May as last time it was most effecatious ..

Sefton council is twinned with Mons, a history of this connection will appear on this page when updated. However, there is a pub in Bootle called Mons for a good reason.

The event is organised by the Mons Dragon club; it is always held on MayDay and attracts approx. 2000 riders.

The route is along the Belgium-French border, the site of many WW1 battlefields to to Chimay and back through some beautiful scenery.

There are two rides, the 200km and a 150km event.

The plan is to sail from Hull to Zeebruge on Wednesday night, pedal 90 miles to Mons on Thursday, Audax Friday, maybe spend Saturday in Belgium, pedal back to Zeebruge on Sunday for the overnight ferry back to Hull.

Monday 4th is a bank holiday.

The cost of the ferry will be approx. £65 each.

If there riders sufficient riders interested we will organise accomodation.

For more details .............

see http://www.damons.be/

 and have a look at page Archives / 2003 / Mons-Chimay, for some of the usual suspects.

Message from Mons, 17th Feb 2009

Hi Steve,
According to the famous motto, Yes we can !
And it will be great to you welcome again : the souvenir of your stay in Belgium is still warm in the heart of many dragons (remember: dragon= member of our club) .
I suppose that you stayed at the St Georges hostel, which was close to the belfry , at 2 minutes walk from the Town Hall. Unfortunately this hostel has closed. The good news is that we have  a Young hostel just in front of the former St Georges Hostel.  It is a new building, clean and cheap. If you choose a 4 beds room, it will cost to you 16,5 euros per night (sheets and breakfast included) I don't know wether they also offer 2 beds rooms.
For more information have a look at their site http://www.mons.be/default.aspx?GUID={1AE26813-86F9-11DA-9 731-0002A58CB319}&LNG=FRA
You can also phone to the 32(0)65/87.55.70 (they ought to speak english)
If there is any problem, don't hesitate to call me.
In meanwhile I let know to all dragons that you are back : I  am sure they will appreciate ! 
See you soon
Michel