Shimano Ultegra Series: Micro Ardennes Adventure

In collaboration with our partner Shimano Benelux, we are producing several articles on scenic routes in the immediate vicinity of a Shimano Service Centre. We choose routes that are new, challenging and where you can also get a cup of coffee and have your bike checked at departure and arrival. Because that's extra handy about the routes: should something be wrong, a Shimano Service Centre is literally nearby. We left from Cycles Gilkinet in the town of Comblain-au-Pont for a Micro Ardennes Adventure. Whether it was beautiful? You'll read about that in the sequel.

Les Ardennes sont magnifique

The Ardennes. Just across the border from southern Limburg. A paradise close to home to test the climbers' legs. The Rosier is a well-known training climb but also the beautiful Stockeu, Cote de Wanne and, of course, La Redoute appeal to the imagination. When we plan for this ride, we already tick off some nice climbs in our heads. Because if you go for it, you have to do it right. In our minds, Stockeu, Cote de Wanne and a bit past the waterfalls of Coo plus the Redoute are on the tick list. That will be fun

Cycles Gilkinet: Shimano service centre with its heart in the right place

This is a sponsored article. Point. Not a bad word about the host, sponsor etcetera. Or is there? When planning our Micro Ardennes Adventure, we were put in touch with Cedric of Cycles Gilkinet. In preparation, there was a small challenge. The language of communication was French. Now I speak quite a bit across the border, but I still had to ask Deepl.com for help on several occasions. With my (relatively bad) experiences with French speakers in mind, Cycles Gilkinet was 1-0 behind. Little did they know. That crazy 'olander' also just responded in French. Who cares?

Well, that turned out to be different. They DO care. And how! As my travelling companion Michiel Maas and I take the route towards the Ardennes, we talk endlessly, but also about the expected reception. With my prior experience, I don't necessarily give high praise. On arrival, there is an EZ-up tent outside the shop and a whole event seems to be planned. We joke to each other: 'they must be having a test day'. But no way. All for the arrival of ten cycling geeks from the Northern Netherlands. Once and for all, it turns out: 'never judge a book by it's cover'.

Drooling on goodies

Inside the shop, I barely manage to get my words out. What beautiful bikes! The shop is quite wide and shallow, so you do have to look carefully if you are less motor-savvy. We get a nice cup of coffee and promptly forget all our less positive expectations. We are ready. As are our companions. We have gathered a nice mix of cyclists for this version of the Ultegra Series. Joining us from the Netherlands are Emma, Stijn, Wouter, Rik, Dennis, Michiel, Ruben and yours truly. We received one last-minute cancellation, but that should not spoil the fun. Meanwhile, yours truly gets some quick help in the shop. The cassette on my rear wheel is still not quite right. 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 communication is a mixture of French, English and Dutch. With cycling as the common denominator, that shouldn't be a problem either. The coffee and the delicacies arranged by the organisers to go with it make for a perfect start. The sun is shining, the roads are in good shape. Nothing can stop us now. From Gilkinet, a whole team turns out to accompany us on the day. I could have deduced that from the e-mail communication. In the rush, I forgot. It is a wonderful, unexpected luxury that we are all happy to indulge in.

Directly in the legs

It is an open door, but in the Ardennes there are just fewer flat metres than in the Dutch polder. So it should come as no surprise that we have to get our legs straight from the start, up the côte de Comblain. We follow the Route de Busionnieres. At the front they are really looking forward to it, I still have to get into it a bit. Already at the first climb I take the wrong turn. I end up somewhere in the countryside near a TV tower. A bit back, uphill and then back on the trail of the others. With over 1600 altimeters and 100+ km in length, it's a ride you have to start with the right gear. In itself, the 52×36 front and 12-28 Ultegra cassette rear is ample enough to cover this. Although a 30 tooth rear spins a little nicer, but again that's getting used to.

Complaining about asphalt being pretty good

My experiences of the Ardennes so far have been twofold. When the sun shines, with good weather, it's great cycling, although you have to watch out for the tarmac. In bad weather, it's a no-go. Even if it rains just a little, you are in mortal danger not only because of the road surface, but also because of the road users. The Wallonians are not yet quite used to cycle tourism, which provides the region with the necessary financial boost. What is striking on our route is that the road surface has had a major upgrade recently. Only once in a while do we have to avoid a hole and the biggest problem we experience is at roadworks, where they are improving the road. The fact that someone punctures there is typical.

Good stop in the forest

During our Micro Ardennes Adventure, we are followed by the Gilkinet pick-up truck. When we stop for some food halfway through the drive, we are met by the Gilkinet crew. We fall from one surprise to another, as a good lunch has been arranged, with delicious wraps, nuts, real Liege waffles and more. Now, that's something different from a sports bar or Maurten gel gel. While everyone feasts on the delicacies, photos are shot and there are lots of laughs. The relaxed atmosphere fits well with the Micro Adventures we set up. Meanwhile, we see the local Belgian youth jerking off at the top of the little climb where we stop. Are we seeing the new Van Aert or Evenepoel here?

Plop the plop

Since we cannot stay in the forest all day, we take the bike again anyway. Beautiful stretches await us, with the magnificent Redoute as our dessert. We soon follow the route along the reservoir at Coo. This hidden gem is not known to many. At first, it also looks like you can't ride any further, because of a barrier across the road. However, you can pass that and then have the empire to yourself. Wonderfully sheltered, yet alongside the water and over a road surface that is little travelled. Poh, that's a welcome surprise. This stretch ends right next to Plopsaland Coo, where families queue up to be entertained by Walter the Thunder, or his look-a-like. Not seeing me, I'll go cycling. Then if I want a Klus 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, there was fierce fighting here between Allied and German troops. It is a stark contrast to the manufactured gaiety of PlopsaCoo. In Stourmont, we find the December '44 museum on our route. A memorial to the fallen and a tribute to the 504th US Parachute Infantry regiment also let my mind wander to that time for a moment. That young men of sometimes barely 18 years old risked their lives here and gave for a better world. I personally think it's important to realise that. We are in the fortunate position of being able to cycle here with a group just like that. Without the risk of being shot off our bikes or getting a grenade on our heads.

The white horse

My thoughts wander and because I am already riding a bit 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 waters of the Emblève towards Aywaille. In my mind, I go back 24 years myself. In the third grade of secondary school, we went on a 'survival' here. The luxury version though, staying in cottages. Canoeing was one of the survival arts we had to learn. A shallow stream and a canoe that made water were my portion, leaving me last (and alone) to arrive at the end point. History repeating? I am now riding alone again and actually sitting and enjoying myself. Nothing more to do. At Le Cheval Blanc, I wait for the others. Seeing the effigy of 'Phil' everywhere, I think of the Redoute waiting for us.

La Redoute - Phil's mountain

Few climbs are intertwined with one person. The Carpegna, Pantani's mountain, in Emilia-Romagna is one such. But also the Cauberg, the other home mountain of d'n Phil may be there. It seems that Anna van der Breggen, along with Alejandro Valverde, owns the Wall of Huy. The Redoute belongs to 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 himself once described it: 'this is where I feel at home'. Only once in his career was he the strongest in La Doyenne, Liège-Bastogne-Liège, where the Redoute is often the focal point. Yet this is his mountain. More so than the Cauberg. The 700 times 'Phil' on the hill underline that once more.

Coming home

The Redoute is an ordeal for everyone. Everyone has his or her story at the top. We gather again at the starting point, where the Gilkinet crew once again looks after us. A coke, a 'Redoutable', the local beer or a non-alcoholic variant are our share. 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 helped for the route by Cedric and consorts from Gilkinet. The route is a wonderful variety of forest climbs (on paved roads), beautiful hidden gems and classic climbs a la Redoute. Because I, Sander, took a few different turns, you will find a slightly different route as an alternative in our komoot collection. Check those out too. For the other Ultegra and GRX series check out here, here and here.