{"id":6084,"date":"2022-04-11T08:23:00","date_gmt":"2022-04-11T08:23:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cyclingdestination.cc\/?p=6084"},"modified":"2026-10-06T05:56:15","modified_gmt":"2026-10-06T05:56:15","slug":"liege-bastogne","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cyclingdestination.cc\/en\/classic-rides\/luik-bastenaken-luik","title":{"rendered":"Li\u00e8ge-Bastogne-Li\u00e8ge: riding the oldest classic yourself"},"content":{"rendered":"

Belgium can rightly call itself a real cycling country. This is not just in the good facilities for cyclists when you cycle through the city of Antwerp or Brussels, but above all in the fact that the entire country is \u2018on hold\u2019 when the Spring classics<\/a> are being raced. Today I hope to get a taste of this atmosphere during Li\u00e8ge-Bastogne-Li\u00e8ge<\/a>, At least a part of it. We are driving part of this classic car to experience what the pros also experience in our own modest way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"cycling,<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Text & photos: Erwin & Erwin \/ Mountainhighchasers.com<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Li\u00e8ge-Bastogne-Li\u00e8ge at a glance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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  • The oldest cycling classic, \u2018La Doyenne\u2019, since 1892. One of the five monuments of cycling.<\/li>\n\n\n
  • The 2027 pro race is on Sunday 25 April. The sportive for amateurs is traditionally held on the Saturday before.<\/li>\n\n\n
  • Famous climbs: La Redoute (with sections up to 14%), the C\u00f4te de Stockeu and the Roche-aux-Faucons.<\/li>\n\n\n
  • Character: the first kilometres around Li\u00e8ge are industrial; the best part is in the Ardennes around Spa, Stavelot and Houffalize.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Updated in October 2026 with the key facts and practical tips. The story below is our original article.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    A special encounter<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Early in the morning we get in the car. We drive silently through the hilly landscape towards Li\u00e8ge. The rain pounds against the window and the clouds grow darker. The closer we get to Li\u00e8ge, the more grumpy we get. The surroundings also don\u2019t help with this. Where we were just driving through the beautiful landscape, we now drive past old industry and a dirty river. But honestly, we\u2019re going to cycle from Li\u00e8ge to Bastenaken-Li\u00e8ge today. So keep your head up and get on the bike. With the usual cycling banter and encouraging jokes, we laugh as we get on the bike towards the start. We\u2019re already wet from the rain, but we\u2019re in the mood. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Enthusiastic at the start<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Arriving at the start we get even more excited than usual\u2026another Erwin recognizes an old friend. I have no idea and quietly follow him, only when he shakes hands with an older gentleman and says good morning to him with \u2018Good morning, Mr. Merckx\u2019 does my heart beat a little faster too. Perhaps the greatest rider of all time is here alone, without press, without cheering fans, just enjoying the cycling enthusiasts around him. I don\u2019t see Mr. Messi doing that so soon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
    \"Eddy<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    After Mr. Merckx has taken a photo with us and the starting numbers have been confirmed, we get into the pedals and drive through a muddy Luik. From time to time we exchange a few words, but it\u2019s mostly about finding the right mode in this weather. Once it\u2019s wet, it\u2019s wet, so what\u2019s the point in dwelling on it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Where industry turns into a playground<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    To be honest, we don\u2019t get excited about the surroundings immediately (apart from the rain); the route remains somewhat confined within the city, where there are still many traces of the industry. The first coal mines were built here early on, and the landscape has not become any more beautiful since then.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
    \"luik-bastenaken-luik,<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    The first 60 kilometers mostly involve long straight stretches towards the rolling landscape. In the end, everything changes and we can enjoy a real playground for cyclists. Strenuous short climbs and beautiful winding roads through the landscape of the Belgian Ardennes. It\u2019s still Belgium though, so the road surface isn\u2019t always as smooth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The harsh judge<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    The climb we\u2019ve been looking forward to is coming up, La Redoute! The road starts to climb and the sign along the route reveals that this must be La Redoute. We wanted to experience the atmosphere that this country brings with it during the spring classic today. Therefore, we hope to see hundreds of people along the side, a running devil and flags that remain attached to your handlebars just before you turn the corner. Unfortunately, none of this happened. The weather must have played a role here. Nevertheless, we still feel a bit of a pro. La Redoute is often a place where this classic is broken, the audience knows this and therefore wants to be in the front row. The result is rows of campers along the climb with waving flags on the roof. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The road surface is unrecognizable<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
    \n
    \"Li\u00e8ge<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    The road surface is no longer recognizable due to all the encouragement that has been plastered on the asphalt. The Phillip Gilbert fan club made a day of it; Phil, Phil, Phil! To give the campers and the drivers something to cheer about, we are on the pedals. By now it is nearing 10% o\u2019clock here. I join in the wheeling and we drive along the first campers. Soon I notice that this pace is too high and I let go. 100 kilometers in the rain won\u2019t be comfortable in the \u2018cold\u2019 clothes, so it\u2019s a matter of pushing! Besides Gilbert, I also see Mollema, Nibali, Van Aert and Evenepoel passing by. With a little imagination, I drive these men into a hole and free up other Erwin. I try to temporize and catch up with these men later; you have to do something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    (text continues below the photo)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
    \"the
    The climb of La Redoute in the Ardennes<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Higher, steeper, further<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    The ascent rates are not lying; it slowly approaches 14% and small streams of water run down the road. It is too narrow and steep for the campers here, so I now drive past the fences to climb up and occasionally catch up with fellow climbers. In the middle, the tension is off the charts; from 14%, it goes up to 7%, but soon the meter goes back to 14%. A slight movement on this climb doesn\u2019t make it any easier. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Rintje, are you here?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    As I struggle up the hill, I am startled by a rider who comes along with an emergency maneuver. I thought for a moment I might recognize the bear from Lemmer, a large blond man in an 1990s-era Aegon suit. It probably wasn\u2019t him, but he\u2019s moving up the hill at an impressive pace, especially when you consider that cyclists have to make the climb on foot. As I see the bear from Lemmer\u2019s wheel quickly disappear from view, the arch appears on the horizon. The arch that marks the end of this climb\u2014with a final effort, I roll under the arch where Erwin R. is waiting for me. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
    \"Cycling,
    (c) ASO \/ Aurelien Vialatte<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Descending<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Without saying anything, our fists meet in a friendly manner and we descend the Redoute on the other side. Once we have recovered our breath, we discuss the climb and come to the conclusion that it is quite a tough one. One that looks very friendly from the outside but can actually surprise quite a bit in reality. Why didn\u2019t I ask Eddy Merckx himself about this, if someone wasn\u2019t surprised by the Redoute? But anyway, tonight with the book in hand on the sofa with our feet on the table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    History at its best<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    To be honest, it\u2019s not the most beautiful environment to cycle in. If we were to draw a route through the Ardennes ourselves, we\u2019d leave the \u2018cities\u2019 far to the left and stay in the impressive nature of what the Ardennes have to offer. Why then drive this route? It\u2019s history; stories have been written and heroes have been made (or broken)! LBL, also known as \u2018La Doyenne\u2019 (the old lady), is one of the five cycling monuments, and that alone is reason enough to cycle this route once. Together with your cycling friends\/friends, experience what it\u2019s like to be able to cycle through \u2018the cycling country\u2019 par excellence as a pro. It\u2019s the stories that make the experience beautiful and the experience richer. Therefore, we definitely consider it a \u2018must do\u2019!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Route Li\u00e8ge \u2013 Bastenaken \u2013 Li\u00e8ge 273<\/h3>\n\n\n\n