I couldn’t be happier with the additional day off this week. After three days of sickness, I was desperate to get away from it all. My camera was ready, and my motorbike was eager to explore some new routes.
But where would that lead me? For hours, I pondered this question. One thing led me to the Belgian coast, while another led me to the woodland of Des Ardennes. I wasn’t the only one who had an additional day off, so with the bright weather, I expected the Belgian shore to be quite busy. Let’s go to the Ardennes.

With 11200 square metres, the Ardennes is a large region, so I had to make a selection on my road trip. I found myself staring at Bastogne out of nowhere. A magnificent tribute to liberty may be found at the spot. A great location for my 430-kilometre road trip. To save time, I would take the motorway into Liege and then bike the interior land roads. I enjoy the roads in this stunning setting.

Flône Abbey is one of my first stops. Its location is adjacent to the Meuse making it a popular starting point for many bikers in the lovely Wallonia environment.

Flône Abbey was built by three knight brothers towards the end of the 11th century on land given to them by the bishop of Liège where the Floene meets the Meuse. The monastery was founded as an abbey in 1139 by the Canons Regular of St. Augustine. The Dames de l’Instruction Chrétienne (a religious teaching order) now occupy the premises.

With so many motorcycles riding by and hooting, the roads in the south of Belgium would undoubtedly be busy. But, as I recall from past journeys. They typically use the main routes, so I’m confident I’ll have a relaxed sunny time on my travel.

I drive through the lovely town of Saint-Séverin-en-Condroz. It is a settlement and district of the municipality of Nandrin in the Liège province. The town was built around a Cluniac priory that was established in 1091. The priory was then given to the Prince-Bishopric of Liège, then to the Jesuits, until being abolished in 1773. The Cluniac monks also erected the existing, extraordinarily well-preserved Romanesque town church, Saint-Séverin-en-Condroz Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul.

With the weather at 20 degrees and the sun shining brightly, I resumed my journey towards Durbuy. Belgium’s smallest city. When I arrived at the tiniest city, I saw that a lot had changed. A lot of money has been invested in the city, and it is becoming more of a miniature Disneyland, complete with high-end restaurants, a massive adventure park, and glamping facilities. With all places fully occupied, I resumed my journey south.

The roads are improving all the time. While riding these routes, I realised that this is one of the finest tracks I’ve ever written for myself. The countryside is beautiful and offers happiness, and because I ride the farm roads, I only see cows and farmers, all of them are nice and hard at work.

It’s all about feeling liberated for me. This is an extremely lovely and natural environment. I rode over the valley’s highest point, then followed another route to the valley’s bottom. The river next to me catches my eye. The Bronze is a stream in Belgium’s Ardennes region that is a tributary of the Ourthe and hence a component of the Meuse basin. It runs wholly across the province of Luxembourg.

The ideal location for my lunch!

I enjoy camping and left my house this morning to cook supper near the lake or find a nice peaceful location to meditate and be close to nature. Even my tiny chair was installed in my panniers to complete the scene for me. I began to gather my belongings, and when I realised I needed to boil some water for a fresh cup of coffee, I realised I had forgotten my can of gas. As a result, there is no food to cook. Dinner would be a little energy bar and a can of Ice Tea.
I actually could have smashed my head on the stones, but I just let it be and appreciated the peacefulness and the moment. It was fantastic!

I continued on my route because I was getting close to my destination, Bastogne. However, there are some fantastic roads to experience on a motorbike. This is a place I want to remember, and it will surely be on my next getaway schedule.

After a lengthy journey, I arrive in Bastogne, which is well-known for its hardships during WWII. After the Allies liberated it on September 10, 1944, German troops invaded Bastogne a few months later. The Battle of the Bulge started on December 16, when German artillery used the cold and fog to assault the American divisions stationed sporadically around Bastogne. The Third United States Army, under General George S. Patton, arrived on December 26 and ended the siege. The Battle of Bastogne officially ended three weeks later, when all fighting in the region halted.

Bastogne is the endpoint of the Liberty Road, a memorial route that follows the journey of liberating Allied forces and the Third Army, which later freed Bastogne.

Because the city is teeming with people and motorcycles, I travel 1 km to a magnificent monument perched on a hill.
The Battle of the Bulge Monument, originally known as the Mardasson Memorial, is a memorial to American troops who were injured or killed during the Battle of the Bulge during World War II. In the form of a five-pointed American star. The first step towards the memorial was done on July 4, 1946, when some dirt from the site was presented to US President Harry Truman. The dedication took place on July 16, 1950.

It appears to be a popular tourist location for many people. Many motorcyclists on various motorcycles shared my objectives. I arrived at this monument and it did not disappoint.

There was a lot of artwork on display during the event. Some concrete plates had liberty inscriptions written on them. As vintage vehicles with exquisite colourwork shone in the bright sun. Some photos are included below.

It was hard to take in all of the losses. There is one certainty: we do not learn from our mistakes. We should, but history, as one statement clearly shows, repeats itself.

Many fights are still ongoing, whether in Africa, Ukraine, or elsewhere. But it’s all about power. Many individuals give their life for a greater cause, and often they don’t even realise what the reality is behind the war. Things that aren’t displayed. As we are constantly manipulated by media and other social networks. Every time we visit an online store or website, we are bombarded with promotions. Without even posing the question.

There are cameras on every street corner and many more.

I wanted freedom!

In the woods, on the little roads in the midst of nowhere, I had my freedom. Blessed with the occasion, which I will cherish!

Thank you

Want to ride this road trip: