Record-setting radio marathons, mini art exhibitions and a group of Flemish friends cycling across America from coast to coast: here's The Brussels Times' round-up of stories to put a smile on your face.
Today's positive pick
After 90 days, 14 states, 7,600 kilometres, 50,000 altitude metres, and 70 pitched tents, four extraordinary bike-packers from Flanders are finally back in Belgium, having travelled from one American coast to the other on two wheels.
The 'Flemish Flyers' (Frank Pasques, Johan Vertriest, Jort Marievoet and Stoffel Leonard), who live within 10 km of each other, are all avid members of Meise Cycling Club 33. They first came up with the idea to bike-pack across America five years ago.
"I have very often been to the USA in the past as part of my job, but I've only ever experienced the East and West Coast. I never did the Mid-West and 'Flyover' states," founding Flyer Frank Pasques told The Brussels Times. But after reading Wouter Deboot's Dwars door Amerika (Across America), cycling across the States was immediately "added to the bucket list."
Credit: Flemish Flyers / Facebook
After years of planning, the group finally set off for Washington DC on 18 June in matching yellow cycling vests. They started cycling on 19 June and returned from Seattle on 15 September – just 90 days later.
They passed several stunning spots on their epic journey: "Badlands, Big Horn, Black Hills, Mount Rushmore, immense lakes, Deadwood, amazing trails, beautiful campgrounds, San Juan islands, Olympic National Park… to name but a few of the spots we were able to enjoy. All super beautiful."
Credit: Flemish Flyers / Facebook
They had originally planned to cycle 6,500 km, but ended up doing 7,600 km. They could have finished earlier, "but the extra spots we visited were very beautiful so we have no regrets," Frank explained.
One of the team's highlights was the other hikers, bikers and adventurers that they met along the way. "People make the difference. The American hospitality, kindness and interest for our trip was overwhelming and is something we will never forget," he reminisced.
Rain or shine
Bike-packing comes with its own set of challenges, and the team had to battle the elements over the course of their epic trip. The conditions over the first three weeks were particularly rainy and muddy and "staying dry was not easy yet crucial to finish the trip."
The team stayed optimistic though, and could "always rely on Stoffel's humour to keep spirits up," Frank laughed, dubbing him the 'Entertainment Flyer'.
Credit: Flemish Flyers / Facebook
The Flyers laud bike-packing as the ideal way to discover a country, as it allows people to "explore remote and beautiful places that may be inaccessible by car or too distant to reach on foot."
As well as being immersed in nature, being able to observe wildlife, enjoy breathtaking scenery, and camp in serene locations, they say there is also a remarkable sense of freedom: "Although we have a route in mind, you're not tied to it. You never quite know what and whom you'll encounter on the road or trail. This element of unpredictability can make each trip a unique and memorable experience!"
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Other stories from this week to make you smile:
1. Belgian radio station to set world record with 'non-stop partying to Mr. Brightside'
The song 'Mr. Brightside' by American band The Killers turned 20 years old on Friday, prompting Belgian radio station Studio Brussel to attempt to set the world record for non-stop partying to the anthem of a generation. Read more here.
2. 'Small is Beautiful': Tiny art exhibition comes to Brussels next month
The miniature art exhibition 'Small is Beautiful' will open in Brussels' Grand Place at the end of October, bringing endearing pocked-sized artwork to the Belgian capital for the first time. Read more here.
3. Living the high life: Herd of sheep grazes on 300 kilograms of cannabis
Sheep have started behaving bizarrely after breaking into a medical cannabis greenhouse in in central Greece and devouring around 300 kilograms of the crop in total. "They were jumping higher than the goats, which never happens...they're crazy!" Read more here.
4. Journées du Matrimoine: Brussels celebrates women's heritage this weekend
Brussels celebrates its fifth edition of Journées du Matrimoine this weekend, highlighting the contribution of women to Belgian heritage through a series of free events including guided tours, workshops and conferences. Read more here.
5. 2,000 joggers raise over €1 million against cancer under the Atomium on Sunday
The 6th Run To Kick, the annual solidarity race run by KickCancer, the Belgian foundation for children with cancer, kicked off at 11:00 on Sunday in the Ossegem Park in Brussels, near the Atomium. Read more here.
