Pro Velo Bruxelles, Bruxelles, BelgiumHaving arrived by train from Rotterdam at Brussels Centraal I first had to go the bike rental store to get my bike, then goto the hotel to drop my bags off. I had been checking rain forecasts which kept saying 1mm only but there were heavy rains on arrival at Brussels.
I had to ask for directions in a hotel coming out of Brussels station to get my bearings as nothing was matching my map. There are bike rental stations everywhere but I can not use them as they need a local ISBN bank card, not a credit card so had arranged with a bike rental store.
They were waiting with my bike at the rental place and thought I was a no show because of the heavy rains. I only had one day in Brussels, my first time back since 2003, so I was determined to continue on bike.
Luckily the bike had a rack at the back which I was able to use for support for my bag as I tried to bike to the hotel. I had to ask for directions again to get to Gare du Midi and found my hotel after that. At first they thought I was here to make a delivery on my bike so I had to explain I had a reservation and just needed to check in and leave my bag.
In the room I switched to my rain pants and continued on. There is a ring round around central Brussels and the Porte de Hal was the old south gate.
First I went to the Palais of Justice which was under scaffolding for repairs. There was a big wheel and a lookout point over the city though the weather was too miserable today
I continued on to the Palais de Bruxelles which is in a big cobbled square with trams and traffic turning in circles.
Next was the Parc de Bruxelles which I was supposed to come thru on my arrival from the station but could not find.
There was nice architecture but I did not want to bike up and down streets in this weather.
I made my way towards the centre to find the Grand Place. I had stayed in Brussels for 3 days in 2003 so was vaguely familiar with the layout.
Grand Place is supposed to be the most bustling place with cafes but was dead except for some tourists with umbrellas due to the weather.
I then made my way a couple of streets to the Mannekin Pis though it is easy to miss.
I then cut thru the Parc du Bruxelles to go east across from the centre to get to Parc du Cinquantenaire. There is a commemoration arch here
After taking my last selfie on my phone I wanted to get back to the bike rental place before it closed, out of the rain, and to my hotel to dry off.
I wanted to take another selfie and noticed my phone was gone. It must have fell out of my jacket pocket biking. I panicked and tried to retrace my steps all the way back to the park and the route I left on but could not see the phone anywhere.
I told the bike rental place what had happened and asked if there was a Police Station nearby so I could file a report. Stressed out I had to navigate streets as it was starting to get dark trying to find the Police Station
I could see people thru the window but the door was locked and nobody answered the bell. I did not think a lost tourists phone was a priority and would waste more time in the police station. It said I could file reports online. I do not do any phone banking or have any apps but was worried someone could get into my Facebook and Outlook accounts and cause problems.
Then I was stressing as my Eurail pass was on my phone, which I was forced to buy the mobile version as the paper version would take six weeks to arrive long after my trip had ended. I was hoping the station could print a paper pass but they said it is a different company and they do not have access. The lady was helpful and I purchased tickets for my next leg tomorrow to Ghent, Brugges, and for the following day to Antwerp, and Rotterdam.
See Vlog of day biking in Brussels (8 mins) - https://youtu.be/5LZB2qLamS0
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2025-05-22