From Fri 12 – Sun 14 May we were in Slenaken for a challenging cycling adventure in South Limburg and the Voerstreek (Belgium). Our ‘home-away-from-home’ was the comfortable hotel-restaurant “De La Frontière‘, supplied with all the necessities and run by the friendly manager Roland. After a warm welcome on Friday evening, a delicious dinner and some drinks it was time to go to bed. Good to be back here!
We had a good night’s sleep – although the church bells kept some awake a little bit … – and started Saturday with a solid breakfast. After some warming up exercises it was time to get on our bikes for our first day of cycling:-)
A beautiful and challenging route (120 kilometers + 1900 altitude meters) through the Belgian Voerstreek took us via Aubel and the Land van Herve all the way south to the pilgrimage town of Banneux. The biggest challenge definitely was Tom Dumoulin’s favourite training climb: the Rue sur Steppes. Now we know from which this climb derives its name (steep steps!). Will it ever be part of Liège – Bastenaken – Liège, as Tom would like so much?
After lunch in Pepinster we rode back ‘home’ again and were treated to two rain showers. Although somehow refreshing, we all preferred the nice post ride hot shower back at the hotel.
We ended our day with dinner at ‘t Stegelke. Did you know this is an old-fashioned word for a swing gate in the meadow? While enjoying the tasty local specialties and wines, we replayed the day’s events and had some good conversations. Really nice to get to know each other a little bit better off the bike too:-)
On Sunday we cycled a beautiful route (102 kilometers + 1600 altitude meters) through the South of Limburg. The Loorberg, Camerig, Vaalserberg, Gulperberg, Eyserbosweg, Vinkeberg, Cauberg and Heiweg, we conquered them all:-) Halfway we had lunch in Schin op Geul on the sunny terrace of Bie Jeanneke.
Without any doubt, Maarten was our PEAKer of this weekend: thank you for the beautiful route through the Voerstreek and for being so supportive to everyone during the rides, great! We hope you love your Koerspret (birthday) calendar and stimulating columns + illustrations.
We look back on a wonderful cycling weekend. With 41 climbs, great views, amazing teamwork – on ánd off the bike (fixing three flat tires) -, delicious lunch + dinner breaks, good conversations and a lot of happy faces, we cannot wait to go again next year!
