NOTB2012Day2M

The purpose of this route is to ensure a sense of community among a group of cyclists riding at different speeds by occasionally splitting up but ultimately finding each other along the way.

The base route is the "L" version (Large).
The "M" version (Medium) is basically the same route, where some very challenging sections are replaced with alternative ascents.
In the "S" version, some climbs are skipped.
The "XS" version is designed to return faster, for instance, in case of bad weather or if one or more participants encounter difficulties.
For the tough ones, there is also an XL version.

Overall, you have the choice between the following 5 routes:
NOTB2012Day2XL
NOTB2012Day2L: this is my recommended route
NOTB2012Day2M
NOTB2012Day2S
NOTB2012Day2XS

In this description, I provide the following parameters in parentheses for all important ascents:
• Length
• Climbed elevation
• Maximum gradient percentage
• Number of Cotacol points
• Ranking according to Cotacol

The route starts and ends in Nadrin, at the Hotel "Les Ondes," but you can of course start anywhere on the course. Towards La Roche, the N860 is briefly left in the direction of Samrée, so that the warm-up does not take place on this larger road. Turn left slightly to Bérismenil, where the N860 continues in a descending line towards La Roche.
The S and XS versions do not take this detour and follow the N860 all the way to La Roche, thus building a bit of a lead there.

Just before the end of this long, beautiful descent, turn left towards Ortho, where the non-negligible côte du Pied Monti is climbed, followed by (after the descent to La Roche) the côte de Hives.
The M version climbs the Pied Monti but goes directly to Hives from there. The S and XS versions go directly to La Roche, skipping the Pied Monti and only climbing the côte de Hives.
Depending on the chosen path, you have:
L and M: côte du Pied Monti (2,800m; 179m; 21%; 314; 6).
L, S and XS: côte de Hives (3,100m; 183m; 11%; 173;-).

The different route versions come together in the village of Hives, from where it continues straight on a hilly course with wonderful views towards Saint-Hubert.
Via Béleu and Wambay, you first reach the difficult crossing point at the N4 (briefly left, then cross and right onto the bike path in red stones), after which the beautiful Tier de la Male Racine is tackled at Lavacherie.
Tier de la Male Racine (4,300m; 200m; 10%; 165; -).
Saint Hubert is the ideal place to regroup and replenish supplies, for example at the bakery on the Place du Marché.

All routes continue towards Librin, where the S and XS versions go straight ahead and turn slightly to the right towards Smuid and Arville, finding the L route back towards Fourneau St Michel via the N803.
All routes are now climbing a very nice ascent, almost in a straight line with an average of 9% and with a fast descent on an excellent road surface towards Librin:
Les Bolettes (1,500m; 130m; 12%; 162; -).

The L and M routes turn left in Librin, briefly follow the N808, turn right in Villance and arrive at the book village Redu via Transinne, where the L and M versions take a different path, both towards Daverdisse.
Depending on the chosen path, you have:
L: Pinval (1,800m; 126m; 12%; 159; -) starting in the village 'Lesse' by the 'Lesse.' After that, it goes via Lessin and Porcheresse over a beautiful hilly course with occasionally long and fast descents, including the côte de Daverdisse to Daverdisse. Many youth camps were seen along the way in summer.
M: After Séchery, you have a narrow, steep descent and then an equally steep ascent to Daverdisse, with a view of the 'station de poursuite de satellites' along the way. This ascent is not cataloged, which surprises me because it is definitely challenging!
M and L: Route de Sohier (2,400m; 159m; 9%; 141; -): a beautiful ascent with an almost constant percentage of 7%, from Daverdisse.

Via the N835, the L and M routes continue their way through Lomprez, where you turn left onto the bike path, to Wellin and via the N836 and N86 to Auffe, then right onto 'Rue de Resteigne.' Here you are served a nice but not to be underestimated stretch to reach Sartay via Belvaux, Bure, and Grupont, to reach the S and XS route, after which an ascent follows immediately:
Côte d’Awenne Ouest (2,400m; 127m; 14%; 140; -).
Along the way, the XL version can still make a detour and tackle an additional ascent that is not to be underestimated:
Les Hazeilles (2,400m; 145m; 18%; 231; 48).

Meanwhile, the S and XS group have been sitting on a terrace in Nassogne for a while. From now on, all routes follow the same path towards Barrière de Champlon, Ortho, Barrage de Nisramont, finally arriving in Nadrin via the following ascents:
Route de la barrière de Champlon (3,900m; 163m; 7%; 102; -).
Côte de Nadrin (3,300m; 153m; 7%; 107;-).