The Anomaly known as Springheeled Jack continues to destabilize the East End node of London. The media streams amplify the panic, recycling fear until it becomes signal noise. Scrubby sees through it. This is not a random outbreak. Packed into the industrial megacity, humanity has triggered something ancient in the code… a corruption older than the machines themselves.
Scrubby has crossed paths with Agent Warren too many times for coincidence to remain a viable explanation. Patterns are emerging. Loops are tightening. With help from the underground… the small, forgotten processes that still operate outside the system’s control… he may finally be able to terminate an entity whose core is darker than coal: a rogue soul embedded deep within the Matrix itself.
Start / finish: Parking trainstation Jurbeke near Mons (parking is equipped with camera surveillance).
Coordinates: 50.530643, 3.909599
Distance: 194 km
Elevation: 2.000 mtr
The route will take you through the industrial coal-mining region on the border between Belgium and France. It is an area where nature is steadily reclaiming the land, and where often only the shadows of former glory remain visible.
There are occasional paved sections, but more often you will encounter very challenging stretches that slow the pace, as well as parts where you will naturally pause to take in points of interest. This is not a route meant to be run fast, but one designed to get to know a region and to enjoy landscapes where old times come back to life.
The “Black Country” still carries its old, unhealthy habit of leaving rubbish along the edges of villages and forests, but Flanders was the same 30 years ago… so there is hope.
km 18 – St. Symphorien Military Cemetery. More than 500 British and German soldiers from the First World War are buried here.
km 84 – Here you pass the Harchies Marshes. These were formed by subsidence caused by historical mining activities.
km 138 – Here you pass through the village of Condé-sur-l’Escaut, with an old fortress wall dating back to around 1700. It used to be Belgian territory but is now French.
km 163 – Here you reach Mer de Sable. Shortly after, you enter the Forest of Stambruges, where it is important to follow the route precisely. You will pass impressive rock formations here. In the Forest of Stambruges you will also pass the Chapel of l’Arconpuch, a historic small chapel with its own story.
As for resupply, there are enough options, but always check opening hours in advance to avoid finding closed doors. Around lunchtime, supermarkets are often closed as well.
Supermarkets at km 34, 62, 73, 138, and 180.
Other smaller shops at km 94, 119, and 163.
Route ontwikkeld door Martino Corneillie.
