Shimano Ultegra Series: Micro Ardennes Adventure

Partner story · in collaboration with

In collaboration with our partner Shimano Benelux, we are creating several articles about beautiful routes in the immediate vicinity of a campsite. Shimano Service Center. We choose routes that are new, challenging and where you can also get a cup of coffee at departure and arrival and have your bike checked. Because that is extra convenient on the routes: if something goes wrong, a Shimano Service Center is literally nearby. We set off from Cycles Gilkinet in the town of Comblain-au-Pont for a Micro Ardennes Adventure. Was it nice? You’ll find out in the rest of the article.

Les Ardennes are beautiful

The Ardennes. Just across the border with South Limburg. A paradise close to home to test the climbers' legs. The Rosier is a well-known training climb, but the beautiful Stockeu, Cote de Wanne and of course La Redoute also appeal to the imagination. When we plan this ride, we already tick off a number of beautiful climbs in our minds. Because when you go there, you have to do well. In our minds, Stockeu, Cote de Wanne and a stretch along the waterfalls of Coo plus La Redoute are on the list. That will be a treat.

Cycles Gilkinet: Shimano Service Center with the heart in the right place

This is a sponsored article. No hard feelings about the host, the sponsor, etc. Or maybe not? When planning our Micro Ardennes Adventure, we were put in contact with Cedric from Cycles Gilkinet. There was a slight challenge in the preparation. The language was French. Now I speak a fair amount of French, but I still had to ask Deepl.com for help several times. With my (relatively bad) experience with French speakers, Cycles Gilkinet was behind 1-0. They knew a lot. That crazy ‘olander’ also responded in French. Who cares?

Well, that turned out to be a bit different. They DO care. And how! While my traveling companion Michiel Maas and I set off on the route towards the Ardennes, we talk a lot, but also about the expected reception. Based on my experience beforehand, I don’t necessarily put too much stock in it. Upon arrival, an EZ-up tent is set up outside the shop and it seems like a whole event is being planned. We joke with each other: ‘they must have a test day’. But no, that’s not the case at all. Everything is planned for the arrival of ten bike geeks from the Northern Netherlands. Once and for all, it turns out: ‘never judge a book by its cover’.

Stumbling over things

Inside the shop, I can barely get the words out of my mouth. What beautiful bikes! The shop is quite wide and shallow, so you have to really pay attention if you’re not very handy with your motor skills. We get a nice cup of coffee and immediately forget all our less positive expectations. We are ready. So are our companions. We have gathered a nice mix of cyclists for this version of the Ultegra Series. From the Netherlands, Emma, Stijn, Wouter, Rik, Dennis, Michiel, Ruben and myself have joined us. We have received one last-minute cancellation, but that shouldn’t dampen the fun. Meanwhile, I am quickly helped in the shop. The cassette on my rear wheel isn’t quite right yet. With a little help and handy hands, I’m ready to go in no time!

Gruppetto Gilkinet

The welcome is warm and soon the language of conversation is a mixture of French, English and Dutch. With bicycles as the common denominator, that shouldn’t be a problem. The coffee and the treats arranged by the organizing parties provide a perfect start. The sun is shining, the roads are in good condition. Nothing can stop us anymore. From Gilkinet it appears that a whole team is accompanying us on the day. From the email communication I could infer that. In the haste I forgot about it. It’s a wonderful, unexpected luxury that we all would like to be treated to.

Right in the legs

It’s an open road, but in the Ardennes there are slightly less flat meters than in the Dutch polder. The fact that we have to start right from the start in the legs, the côte de Comblain up, should not come as a surprise. We follow the Route de Busionnieres. In the front they really want to go for it; I still have to get into it a little bit. As soon as we take the first climb, I take the wrong turn. I end up somewhere in the fields near a TV tower. Back up a bit, up the hill, and then back into the group. With over 1600 meters of elevation gain and 100+ km in length, it’s a ride that you have to start with the right effort. In itself, the 52×36 front and the 12-28 Ultegra cassette in the back are more than enough to cover this. Although a gear 30 back is a bit better, but that’s also just habituation.

Complaining about asphalt that is actually quite good

My experiences with the Ardennes have been twofold so far. When the sun is shining, with nice weather, it is fantastic to cycle, although you have to be careful with the asphalt. With bad weather, it is a no-go. Even if it rains a little, you are not only at risk because of the road surface, but also because of the road users in danger of their lives. The Walloons are not yet fully accustomed to the cycling tourism that provides the region with much-needed financial impetus. What stands out on our route is that the road surface has received a significant upgrade recently. Only a few times do we have to avoid a pothole, and the biggest problem we experience is with road work, where they are actually improving the road. That someone is driving on a flat tire is quite telling.

Good stop in the forest

During our Micro Ardennes Adventure, we are followed by the Gilkinet pick-up truck. When we stop for a bite to eat halfway through the ride, we are met by the crew from Gilkinet. We are in for a surprise after another, because a good lunch has been arranged, with delicious wraps, nuts, real luxurious waffles and more. So, that’s a whole different experience from a sports bar or Maurten gelato. While everyone indulges in the delights, photos are taken and lots of laughter is had. The relaxed atmosphere fits well with the Micro Adventures we are setting up. Meanwhile, we see the local Belgian youth cheering on from the top of the climb where we stop. Are we seeing the new Van Aert or Evenepoel here?

Plopper the plop

Since we can’t stay in the forest all day, we’ll take the bike again. There are still beautiful stretches ahead of us, with the beautiful Redoute as a final treat. We soon follow the route past the reservoir near Coo. This hidden gem is not well known to many. At first it also seems like you can’t go any further because of a barrier across the road. However, you can get around it and you’ll have the whole kingdom to yourself. Very sheltered, yet along the water and over a road that is rarely used. Whoa, that’s a welcome surprise. This stretch ends right next to Plopsaland Coo, where the families are queuing to be entertained by Walter de Donder or his lookalike. I didn’t see me, so I’m going to cycle. Then if I want to do a job on my bike, I’ll go to the guys at Gilkinet.

The battle for the (H)ardennes

In this region, you can’t avoid it. In the autumn of 1944, fierce fighting took place here between Allied and German troops. It’s a stark contrast to the cheerful atmosphere of PlopsaCoo. In Stourmont, we find the December ’44 museum on our route. A memorial stone for the fallen and a tribute to the 504th US Parachute Infantry regiment also take my thoughts back to that time. Young men of sometimes just 18 years old risked their lives here and gave their all for a better world. I find it important to remember that. We are fortunate enough to be able to just ride here with a group of friends. Without the risk of being shot by our bike or having a grenade thrown at our head.

The white horse

My thoughts wander off and because I’m already driving behind the group, I miss the right turn. The Cote de la Vecquee passes me by. What follows is actually a very nice alternative. I follow the water of the Emblève towards Aywaille. In my mind I go back 24 years. In the third grade of high school we did ‘survival’ here. It was the luxury version, with accommodation in cabins. Canoeing was one of the survival skills we had to learn. A shallow stream and a canoe that created water were my part, so I arrived as the last (and only) person at the finish line. History repeating? I’m driving alone again now and actually enjoying it. Nothing to do anymore. At Le Cheval Blanc I wait for the others. While I see the image of ‘Phil’ everywhere, I think of the Redoute waiting for us.

La Redoute – Phil’s mountain

There are very few climbs that involve just one person. The Carpegna, In the mountain of Pantani, in Emilia-Romagna, there is one like that. But there is also Cauberg, The other home hill of d’n Phil is allowed to be there. It seems that Anna van der Breggen, together with Alejandro Valverde, owns the Muur van Huy. The Redoute is owned by Philippe Gilbert. Why? He grew up in Remouchamps. From here he had two choices for cycling: the first was towards Liège and Limburg. The second choice was the road over La Redoute. As he once described it himself: ‘here I feel at home’. Only once in his career was he the strongest in La Doyenne, Luik-Bastenaken-Luik, where the Redoute is often the steepest. Yet this is his mountain. More so than the Cauberg. The 700 times ‘Phil’ on the hill underline that once again.

Coming home

The Redoute is a test for everyone. Everyone brings their own story with them when they arrive. We gather again at the starting point, where the crew from Gilkinet once again takes care of us. A cold beer, a ‘Redoutable’, the local beer or a non-alcoholic version are our portion. A perfect end to a beautiful Micro Ardennes Adventure. Thanks to Shimano, but especially to Gilkinet.

Route + Alternative Micro Ardennes Adventure

For our Micro Ardennes Adventure, we were guided through the route by Cedric and his colleagues from Gilkinet. The route is a beautiful mix of forest climbing (over paved roads), beautiful hidden gems, and classic climbs like Redoute. Since I, Sander, took a few other detours, you will find an entirely different route as an alternative in our comoot collection. Check that out too. For the other Ultegra and GRX series, check out here, here and here.