Often I tend to build my route based on a perfect coffee stop. This time it was different. It turned out that one of our favourite routes passed it, but we just didn’t know it yet…
Belgian newspaper “Het Nieuwsblad”, world famous for the spring classic “Omloop Het Nieuwsblad”, every year has this competion where all their readers can vote for Belgium’s best bakery. Most people know Belgium isn’t only the home of cycling but also the home of bakeries. Therefor it’s a must to visit Equibrilium in the little village Voeren (58 km from the start). Equibrilium rightfully won the title of best bakery! They serve a nice cup of coffee, and there is a church across the road where you can sit and enjoy your perfect pastry:-)
So back to our all time favorite route that starts at the camping site Mareveld in Schimmert, South Limburg, in The Netherlands. 130 km long and 1.500 m of climbing takes you through South Limburg, well known because of the Amstel Gold Race, to some nice, less known but not less beautiful, backroads in Belgium, back to South Limburg again. Expect some beautiful “hairpin bend climbs”, with highlights such as the three-country point (Belgium, Germany and The Netherlands), the Eyserbosweg (where all the Dutch pros test their legs), and cobble climbs.
