De Gordel

De Gordel (Dutch, pronounced [də ˈɣɔrdəl] ⓘ, meaning "the belt") is a family cycling and walking event[1] in the Brussels Periphery of Belgium.

While opinion on the event varies, some French-speakers see participation as a political move by those who choose to take part (including Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt in 2005).

So close to Brussels, and passing through several Flemish towns with French-speaking majorities in some areas, this sports event gains wide television coverage through news reports and serves as a very visual reminder that linguistic and political divisions among neighbouring regions and even neighbours themselves remain alive in the area immediately surrounding Brussels.

During the 2006 event, local police caught a well-known French-speaking lawyer, Sébastien Courtoy, and another person throwing thumbtacks on the road.

The Gordelroute is a permanent cycle route encircling Brussels, based on De Gordel.