Roeselare — known as Roulers in French — is a West Flemish city of about 65,000 that most travelers pass through without stopping, which is a shame. The town has deep roots in Belgium's cycling culture: it is the hometown of several professional cyclists, and the surrounding flat Flemish countryside offers some of the same roads used in classic spring races. The local cycling museum, KOERS, is an excellent modern museum that tells the story of Belgian road cycling with real bikes, memorabilia, and interactive exhibits, and it alone justifies a detour.
The Grote Markt is a typical Flemish market square with cafes and the Sint-Michielskerk, rebuilt after severe damage in the First World War — Roeselare was on the front line and was almost entirely destroyed. The rebuilt town has a quiet dignity to it. The Rumbeke Castle and its surrounding park, just outside the center, is one of the oldest castles in Belgium and makes for a pleasant walk. Roeselare is also at the heart of Flanders' vegetable-growing region, so the food markets are excellent, and the local restaurants serve straightforward Flemish cooking at honest prices.