Belle’s Limburg
Join Belle to her second hometown in Zuid-Limburg, Valkenburg. Valkenburg is the climbing Mecca of The Netherlands, home of the only Dutch classic, the Amstel Gold Race, and various World Championships. It’s also where Belle took home the win of the Volta Limburg and where Belle partially lives. From the ‘Athlete House’ in Heerlen she goes out for training sessions. Belle is a great ridemeister as your personal guide through this gorgeous region.
What Belle says about this ride; “This route starts at the Shimano experience center. Currently one of the main sponsors of my team. Limburg is the area that is inextricably linked with a rich cycling history, so a must for cycling enthusiasts! From the starting point in Valkenburg, we will first have to cross the Cauberg, the mountain also known as the final climb of the Amstel Gold Race. The route then follows one of the steepest climbs in the Netherlands; the Keutenberg to reach the highest point in the Netherlands via Eyserbosweg and the Camerig; the Drielandenpunt (Vaals). From there we ride back to Valkenburg via the climbs of the Volta Limburg Classic. Along the way there are more than enough typical Limburg terraces where I like to tell more about the pro environment and my competition experience in the Limburg hills over a cup of coffee and a typical ‘Limburg pie’”.
When you return to Valkenburg, it is possible to take a look at the Shimano experience center (where you can also take a shower). Or go for a coffee or IPA beer in the trendy bicycle cafe Fixed Gear Coffee in Valkenburg. This ride can be perfectly combined with an afternoon of sightseeing in Valkenburg.
