Brian May, who has lived in Belgium for 35 years, works for Amnesty International as a community manager. “When I was little, cycling for me was the Tour de France that my grandparents watched during their nap. It was only much later, in 2010, that I really discovered cycling while living in Flanders,” says Brian. Inspired by the many cyclists he saw passing by his house, he bought an old bike for 50 euros at a flea market and started exploring the bike paths in the region.

The real trigger for Brian came when he was invited to participate in a stage of the Tour de France with a local journalist. “I had been cycling for only nine months when I decided to join this group for a stage including the Col du Télégraphe, the Col du Galibier, and Alpe d’Huez. At the end of that day, I was exhausted but fascinated by what the human body is capable of achieving,” he recalls.

The Brussels Breakfast Club (BBC) is not an official cycling club but rather an informal group of enthusiasts. “Every Tuesday morning, we leave at 6 o’clock sharp for a 50 km ride, followed by a coffee for those who have time. The hardest part is getting up before 6,” explains Brian. The group varies in size, ranging from 3 to 6 people in winter to up to 25 in summer. “We try to be as inclusive as possible, but you still need to be able to ride 50 km in two hours and have a racing bike,” he specifies.

The true founder of the BBC is Jack Keville, who created the club in November 2017. Jack designed the BBC training route to prepare for the Transcontinental Race, an ultra-distance race. “Jack started riding this route to train on an empty stomach for two hours, and it has become a tradition that we have continued,” says Brian.

Brian May, meanwhile, plays a key role as the club’s community manager. He is responsible for managing social media, including the BBC’s Instagram account, which has contributed to the group’s growing visibility.

The BBC has gained popularity thanks to its Instagram account, created after the COVID-19 pandemic. “We started posting photos and videos of our rides, and it really took off. Today, we have almost 1000 followers,” says Brian. The group attracts a wide variety of cyclists, from expatriates to Brussels residents, and even cyclists from clubs like the CCC (Cycling Club for Women).

The BBC places a strong emphasis on safety and inclusivity. “We have a manifesto on our website that states that this is not a race. We ride as a group, at a steady pace, and we pay close attention to safety,” explains Brian. This approach has created a friendly and reassuring atmosphere for participants.

Brian also shares amusing anecdotes, such as a participant who came with a Brompton or without a water bottle. “We sometimes have to remind people of the rules, but it’s always in a benevolent spirit,” he says. The BBC also organizes social events and two-day bikepacking trips in Belgium.

For those interested in early morning cycling, “The best advice I can give is to go to bed early the night before and not think too much in the morning. Once you’ve experienced what it’s like to ride and see the sunrise, you’ll be hooked,” concludes Brian. More information can be found on the Brussels Breakfast Club’s Instagram page or their website.