The best traffic-free bike rides in Jongenbos

Around the Sint-Martinus church lies a spacious, walled churchyard that immediately exudes a calm and charming atmosphere. A few striking lime trees provide shade and character, while old grave crosses whisper silent stories from the past. Through the main entrance, beautifully marked by two sturdy limestone pillars, you step into this special piece of heritage. The church itself is a fascinating mix of styles and periods: a 14th or 15th-century Gothic tower, an 18th-century nave, and a transept with a choir from the early 20th century, designed by Mathieu Christiaens. Together, they form a harmonious whole that has effortlessly stood the test of time.

This Chapel of Our Lady was erected after the liberation in 1944 by then pastor J. Donné and the parishioners in gratitude for the end of the war.

Café Coureur and their Lumberjack rides in both winter and summer are slowly becoming legendary: Lumberjack is one of the first gravel rides ever in Belgium. The rides are great and varied, the staff (Peter, Simon, Virze, and the team) are extremely friendly, and the afterparty with a BBQ and a fire is a must. Not to mention the beautiful café itself with photos and other cycling elements, and the cool Kwaremont beer… Just to be clear, I don't work for Café Coureur, but I am an avid gravel rider and have been riding the Lumberjack for many years.

As early as the 7th century, a wood-and-clay church is said to have stood here. The following saints are said to be buried there: Lambertus, Landoaldus, Amantius, Vinciana, and Landrada. These were followers of Saint Amandus, who is also supposedly buried there. In the second half of the 8th century, the relics of these saints were supposedly elevated to the altar. The saints are known as the Saints of Wintershoven. Around 1200, a single-nave Romanesque church was built of natural stone (coal sandstone, iron sandstone, flint, blue limestone, and the like). Fragments of Roman roof tiles were also incorporated into the church. Many of these building materials likely came from a nearby Roman villa. The building had a single nave, comprised four bays, and had an integrated west tower. The west facade, the two side walls, and the foundations of the choir of this building have been preserved. At the front of the south facade stood a small round-arched doorway, now bricked up, the Paradise Gate, which, in addition to the churchyard, also provided access to the presbytery. Excavations were carried out in the church from 1967 to 1968. Several graves, burial vaults, and three postholes from the original wooden church were uncovered, but no trace of the Saints of Wintershoven was found.

Delicious, honest, and wonderful. Highly recommended!

close to bicycle cafe t Jonkholt

An early Gothic church from the 13th and 14th centuries used to stand here, which was demolished in 1904. The tower and choir were spared. However, the nave was replaced by a wider nave, designed by Mathieu Christiaens. In 1965, this nave was also replaced by a modernist hall church, the axis of which was projected perpendicular to that of the original, oriented church. The architects were Joseph Deré and Janssens. The square tower was originally a west tower. It is made of marlstone. In 1965, rare frescoes were found in the old choir, which were applied in the 13th century and had been covered for centuries, depicting events from the life of Saint Hubert. The frescoes date from the time of Jan van Elderen, Lord of Hern, who later became a monk and prior at the Abbey of Saint Hubert de Saint Hubert.

video of the climb https://youtu.be/wEYbKHsad9I