'Look, I got this one from Mathieu'. Gert Veenhuizen says it almost casually. In his own created cyclinghalla, on top of the Cauberg, Mathieu van der Poel's jersey is almost unnoticeable. After all, there are other jerseys of world champions hanging there. 'That pink one belongs to Dumoulin, when he won the Giro.' That in turn hangs next to a jersey of Contador and one of Erik Zabel. 'Oh and this one belongs to Kopecky and the one next to it to Annemiek (van Vleuten, ed.)'. I can't believe my eyes. Gert's eyes sparkle a little. This place, at Landal GreenParks Kasteeldomein de Cauberg, is kind of his 'happy place'. If anything breathes cycling, it is this place.
Text and photos: Sander Kolsloot
Planning is key
To govern is to foresee. With the Amstel Gold Race coming up in April, it seemed like a perfect idea to open the cycling season in South Limburg a month in advance. As part of the 12 provinces, 12 months, 12 parks, a visit to the Cauberg was a no-brainer. The park is located on the most famous mountain in the Netherlands, where the Tour has passed and where it will start again in 2024. The Tour de France Femmes will start its fourth stage at Holland's cycling hotspot. If there is anywhere beautiful to cycle, it is here, in South Limburg.
Season, open up!
While winter is still officially underway, the outlook for our opening weekend is spring-like. With temperatures up to 15 degrees and sunshine on the forecast, it could hardly be better. We are gearing up for a trio of wonderful rides. When we kick off the weekend on Friday, it coincides with International Women's Day. With us, 17 ladies have gathered, down the mountain for a ride through the Limburg countryside. You can read about this wonderful afternoon and the many smiling faces on our partner platform ZijWielrent a comprehensive report. Not only was it fantastic to see, it was another underscore that cycling in Limburg has so many wonderful faces.
Only smiling faces
On Saturday morning, 15 enthusiasts gathered on top of the Cauberg, at Landal GreenParks. One thing is for sure, the day could not have started better. Gert has provided delicious flan. Not some suburban multi-flan bakery, but REAL flan. From the local flan baker. One that breathes quality. Only in Limburg. The flan is in great demand and the coffee tastes good too. Not only do we work with Gert today, but also with Wouter of our house brand Etxeondo. The launch of the new collection coincides perfectly with our weekend in Limburg. The Etxeondo ambassadors immediately receive a nice package with new clothes. Yellow is the 'colour of choice'.
Route with a nod to the AGR
The route I laid out today actually goes right through Limburg, but also takes in a few highlights in the border region with Belgium as well as Germany. Because here you are in our neighbouring countries with just a few kilometres and there is more than enough beauty there too. Ever heard of Les Waides in the Voerstreek? Or what about that one little climb, the Lemiersers Berg just outside Vaals, across the border with Germany? No huh? As well as a few other beautiful little roads that you absolutely must have ridden once. Combine that with the classics like the Camerig, the Epenerbaan, the Eyserbosweg and, for dessert, the Cauberg. See what a great day you then have in front of you.
Lunch stop Slenaken
One of the classic climbs in Limburg is that of the Loorberg in Slenaken. I also have a personal click with this. In my family, Slenaken is of somewhat greater importance, what's called. A wedding, years of holidays in the region, in-laws who lived on the Schilberg. When 't Brugske still existed, that was a regular spot for an ice cream, just like at the bottom of the Camerig. No-doubt. Now we also stop there again, but at Slenacker Valley. The lunch and Limburg hospitality tasted like more. From there we move on. Handy to know: on this route of almost 120 kilometres, Slenaken is exactly halfway!
Drinking at home
Once back in Valkenburg, everyone is ready for a drink and a bite to eat. In our house, where you can normally stay with 10 people, drinks and snacks go down well. The pizza we ended up having delivered was a perfect end to the day. Although the sun was still warm during the day, it is still chilly in the evening. We throw on the fireplace for a while, not only for warmth, but also for atmosphere.
Coffee rounds don't get any better than this
On Sunday, we will do e.e.c. again. That is to say. We go for a nice coffee round. Aniek and Lodewijk, who have lived in Maastricht for years. We go nicely through the Limburg countryside, but once we reach Eijsden we briefly dive into Belgium. This bit of Wallonia is beautiful on the one hand and really typical Belgium on the other. Sometimes a nice strip of asphalt alternates with a bumpy road. But the reward is great! A beautiful climb over the bridge and then a lovely rolling road back into the Netherlands. The coffee at Coffeelovers can be added to the list of tips. So enjoy! With a soft G.
Always finish on top
Since the Amstel Gold Race just passed this Landal holiday park finish, it is crowded during the second weekend of April. Gert explains: 'everyone comes here, you can walk over heads here'. The park is fully booked well in advance, by enthusiasts and pros alike. He mentions in passing that he has just had to disappoint the 'Pogi' team. They still wanted to book, but alas. The hut is full. Pogi will probably sleep in Bilzen, at Martin's Rentmeesterij.
Beautiful house
One of the things you cannot deny: the houses at this park are top-notch. We got a house for 10 people, in the deluxe version. That means: private sauna, solarium and bubble bath. Including nespresso machine, for a good cup of coffee. As mentioned earlier: we had a drink and we were fine with almost 15 people there.
Everything for cyclists is also available. You'll find a rinse-off area for your MTB, Gravel bike or road bike at the park, and even if you need some cleaning or tinkering, there is a room with basic tool equipment. If you need a bit more help, you can visit Fixed Gear at the bottom of the Cauberg. Or you can ask Gert himself, as he knows others who can arrange that for you.
More cycling tips for Valkenburg
If you are staying in Valkenburg then Kasteeldomein de Cauberg is not the only hotspot you could stop by:
- Perhaps the best coffee in the region can be found at Fixed Gear Coffee, at the bottom of the Cauberg. Brian and Shivani have been serving high-quality coffees from this bike cafe for years.
- The Shimano Experience Centre, just a little further down the mountain is a perfect place to soak up the cycling atmosphere. Because here you will find beautiful bikes, lots of memorabilia and you can also start the 'Gravel Experience', for example. Around the Amstel Gold Race and the Tour de France Femmes it will also be a good place to be.
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