{"id":17347,"date":"2024-03-18T22:06:58","date_gmt":"2024-03-18T21:06:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cyclingdestination.cc\/?p=17347"},"modified":"2024-03-18T22:06:58","modified_gmt":"2024-03-18T21:06:58","slug":"cycling-in-limburg-starts-on-the-cauberg","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cyclingdestination.cc\/en\/verhalen\/fietsen-in-limburg-begint-op-de-cauberg","title":{"rendered":"Cycling in Limburg starts on the Cauberg"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u2018Look, I got this from Mathieu.\u2019 Gert Veenhuizen says it almost casually. In his own created cycling haven, atop the Cauberg, the jersey of Mathieu van der Poel hardly stands out. After all, there are more jerseys of world champions hanging there. \u2018That pink one is from Dumoulin, when he won the Giro.\u2019 That one then hangs next to a jersey of Contador and one of Erik Zabel. \u2018Oh and this one is from Kopecky and the other one is from Annemiek (van Vleuten, ed.)\u2019. I can\u2019t believe it. Gert\u2019s eyes sparkle a little. This place, on Landal Castle Estate de Cauberg,<\/a> It\u2019s a bit like his \u2018happy place\u2019. If there\u2019s something that makes you breathe when you\u2019re cycling, it\u2019s definitely this place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Cycling in Limburg is cycling from Landal GreenParks Castle Estate de Cauberg<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Text and photos: Sander Kolsloot<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Planning is key<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Governing means anticipating. With the Amstel Gold Race in April, we thought it was a perfect idea to open the cycling season a month in advance in Zuid-Limburg. 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 also start in 2024. The Tour de France Femmes started its Fourth stage<\/a> in Netherlands' cycling hotspot<\/a>. If you can cycle somewhere beautiful, then it\u2019s here, in Zuid-Limburg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Gert is the man at Landal Cauberg<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Delicious pie!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Nice museum in the pub<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Season, open up!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While winter is officially still ongoing, the prospects for our opening weekend are spring-like. With temperatures up to 15 degrees and a sunlit forecast, it could hardly be better. We are preparing for three wonderful rides. If we start the weekend on Friday, this coincides with International Women's Day. Seventeen ladies have gathered with us at the bottom of the mountain for a tour of the Limburg region. You can read about this beautiful afternoon and the many smiling faces on our partner platform TheyWielrent an extensive report<\/a>. Not only was it fantastic to see, it was also a further confirmation that cycling in Limburg has so many beautiful sights. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Also on Saturday, only smiling faces<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The IWD Ride is a success<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Only smiling faces<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

On Saturday morning, 15 enthusiastic people gather on top of the Cauberg, at Landal<\/a>. One thing is for sure: the day couldn\u2019t have started better. Gert has prepared delicious flan. Not just any mediocre regional flan, but REAL flan. From the local flan maker. One that exudes quality. Only in Limburg, of course. The flan is a big hit, and the coffee tastes good too. Not only are we working together with Gert today, but also with Wouter from our in-house brand Etxeondo. The launch of the new collection coincides perfectly with our weekend in Limburg. The ambassadors of Etxeondo will receive a nice package of new clothes right away. Yellow is the \u2018color of choice\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Route with a wink to the AGR<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The route I took today actually runs right through Limburg, but also includes a few highlights in the border region with Belgium and Germany. Because here you are within a few kilometers of our neighboring countries, and there is more than enough beautiful scenery to be found there too. Ever heard of Les Waides in the Voerstreek? Or how about that one climb, the Lemiersers Berg just outside of Vaals, across the border with Germany? No way? Just like a few other beautiful trails that you absolutely have to ride at least once. Combine that with classics like the Camerig, the Epenerbaan, the Eyserbosweg, and as a dessert the Cauberg. Just imagine what a beautiful day you have ahead of you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Yellow!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Limburg or France?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Enjoying the Smockelaer<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Lunch stop Slenaken<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One of the classic climbs in Limburg is the Loorberg in Slenaken. I have a personal connection to it too. In my family Slenaken holds a certain importance, as it is known. A wedding, years of holidays in the region, a married family who lived on the Schilberg. When the Brugges region 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 then only at Slenakervallei<\/a>. The lunch and the Limburg hospitality leave a lot to be desired. From there, we continue on. It\u2019s worth knowing: on this route of almost 120 kilometers, Slenaken is exactly halfway!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Having a drink at home<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Once back in Valkenburg, everyone is in the mood for a drink and a bite to eat. In our house, where you can usually accommodate 10 people, the drinks and snacks go perfectly together. The pizza we ended up having delivered was the perfect end to the day. Although the sun was still quite warm during the day, it was still quite cool in the evening. We even put the fire on for a while, not just for the warmth, but also for the atmosphere. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Coffee cups are no better than this<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

On Sunday we\u2019ll do a little more of everything. That is to say. We\u2019re going for a nice coffee run. Aniek and Lodewijk, who lived in Maastricht for years. We\u2019re going to take a nice drive through the Limburg countryside, but once we get to Eijsden we\u2019ll dive into Belgium for a while. This part of Wallonia is beautiful on the one hand, but on the other it\u2019s also really typical Belgium. Sometimes a beautiful stretch of asphalt interspersed with a bumpy road. But the reward is worth it! A beautiful climb over the bridge and then a wonderfully rolling road back to the Netherlands. The coffee at Coffeelovers is on the list of tips. So enjoy it! With a soft G. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The route back<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Across the border<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Border posts, it remains a classic<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Coffee. Enjoying it<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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A glimpse into the Walloon world<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Beautiful Belgium<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Always finishing on top<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since the Amstel Gold Race just passed this Landal holiday park<\/a> Finished, it\u2019s blowing in the second weekend of April. Gert tells us about it: \u2018Everyone comes here, you can walk over their heads.\u2019 The park is already fully booked well in advance, by enthusiasts and professionals. He lets it slip between his teeth that he just had to disappoint the team of \u2018Pogi\u2019. They wanted to book more, but unfortunately not. The hut is full. Pogi is probably sleeping in Bilzen, at Martin\u2019s Rentmeesterij.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Beautiful house<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One of the things you can\u2019t deny: the houses in this park are in top condition. We were given a house for 10 people, in the luxury version. That means: private sauna, solarium and a bathtub with a bubble function. Including a nespresso machine for a good cup of coffee. As already mentioned: we had a drink afterwards and with almost 15 people we managed just fine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Spacious house with beautiful terrace<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Enjoying with a cup of tea on the spacious sofa<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Even check the route<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Everything for the cyclist is also available. You will find a rinsing area for your MTB, Gravelbike or race bike in the park, and if you need to clean or fix your bike for a while, there is also a space with basic tool equipment. If you need a little more help, you can go to Fixed Gear at the bottom of the Cauberg. Or you can ask Gert himself, because he knows other people who can arrange that for you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A wonderfully inviting image<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Large rinsing area for the bike<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

More cycling tips for Valkenburg<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re staying in Valkenburg, the Kasteeldomein de Cauberg isn\u2019t the only hotspot you could stop by: <\/p>\n\n\n\n