The #Staycation of Irène

Raja sen UKC1mk1 RBM unsplash

Who are you?

I would describe myself first and foremost as a Spanish expat with a passion for cycling. I discovered Brussels when I was here on holiday – and I never left. My name is Irene, by the way (@irenelaclotis).
I was 26 when I came here and now I’m 33.

Not bad, right? I still live in the super-cool Sainte Catherine neighbourhood (ideal for people who like a bit of atmosphere and lots of people in the streets).

Irene foto NL

Why do you cycle in Brussels?

As I live in the heart of Brussels, I obviously don’t need to use a car or the metro. (I have the incredible luck to work close to home 😃)

The nice thing about cycling or using a scooter in Brussels is that you can get everywhere fast. But bikes are clearly more popular than scooters here.

I use my bike almost every day, hardly ever the metro. On Sunday I cycle to the Abbatoir for my weekly shopping. If I go out, I usually use my bike, something I never did in my home country.

What are the 3 nicest places in Brussels?

  • Irene foto NL

    Sainte Catherine

  • Ter Kamerenbos

    Bois de la Cambre

  • Bibliotheek Muntpunt

    Muntpunt Library

Park van Vorst

Have you got to know anywhere really special by cycling in Brussels?

Forest 😁

I cycled through Forest during the heatwave. I rode really slowly, looking at the people in the street. At a certain moment, I saw a very old woman. I was surprised, because it was one of the hottest Saturdays of the year and she was lugging really heavy shopping bags. She looked tired and was as red as a tomato.

I decided to help her. I was trying to hang onto my bike with my right hand while I carried her shopping with my left. The woman was amazed that I’d offered to help her. It was a really nice moment, because she soon noticed that I wasn’t from Belgium 😁.

Maison Du Peuple

What’s your favourite restaurant/bar/café that you like to cycle to?

The Maison du Peuple on Parvis de Saint-Gilles. 😊 When I came to Belgium, I got totally hooked on beer. We’re in the beer country par excellence here. But a few weeks ago I became a big fan of Club-Mate. It’s a soft drink that isn’t very well known, but it’s on the menu at the Maison du Peuple.

Fietssnelweg richting Mechelen

What’s your favourite summer cycling route?

In the summer I prefer to cycle where there’s lots of shade, where it’s cool. On Avenue Louise, for example, or in Bois de la Cambre.

I love cycling to Mechelen too. I’ve cycled there four times. It’s one of my favourite routes. There’s a bicycle highway from Laeken to Mechelen via Vilvoorde. Most of the time you ride along the canal. Fantastic! But this summer I want to try out a cycle route from Aalst to Dendermonde. 🚴🏽‍♀‍

What’s a perfect day on your bike for you?

On a perfect cycling day I like to ride to a place where I can sunbathe – if it’s warm enough. Normally, I take my water bottle and a towel with me and I head for Bois de la Cambre. (This summer was very different though, because of the heat. Fortunately, I was able to go to the beach three times, in Ostend and in Knokke. I’m not ruling out a few more trips during the last days of summer. 😎).

Afterwards, I cycle to the fitness centre for a workout, take a shower and ride back fresh and relaxed to the centre to eat some spring rolls with my friends at Knees To Chin. Just the thought of them makes my mouth water... 🤤

  • Ter Kamerenbos 2

    Bois de la Cambre

  • Knees To Chin

    Knees To Chin

  • Oostende

    Ostend