NOTB2012Day1L

The intention of this route is to ensure a group feeling with a group of cyclists riding at different speeds by occasionally splitting up, but ultimately reuniting along the way.

The base route is the "L" version (Large).
The "M" version (Medium) is essentially the same route, where some very difficult sections are replaced by alternative climbs.
In the "S" version, some climbs are skipped.
The "XS" version is more intended for a quicker return, for example in case of bad weather or too much bad luck for one or more participants.
For the hardcore enthusiasts, there is also an XL version?

Overall, you have the choice between the following 5 routes:
NOTB2012Day1XL
NOTB2012Day1L: this is my recommended route
NOTB2012Day1M
NOTB2012Day1S
NOTB2012Day1XS

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

The route starts and ends in Nadrin, at the "Les Ondes" hotel, but of course, you can start anywhere along the route. Towards La Roche, the N860 is briefly left towards Samrée so that the warm-up does not take place on this larger road. Turn left at Bérismenil, where the N860 continues on to La Roche.
The S and XS versions do not take this detour and follow the N860 all the way to La Roche, giving this group a head start from the beginning.

Shortly before La Roche, the ascent to Col de Haussire follows. The "Sud Ouest" version of this is immediately the hardest climb in Belgium.
The M version turns off to the right a bit earlier to start the ascent and climbs the "Sud" version, which is still the eighth hardest climb in Belgium.
The S and XS versions skip this beautiful climb and follow the route by turning a bit further right in La Roche and begin the ascent to Cielle via the N89.
Depending on the chosen route, you have:
L: Haussire-Sud-Ouest (4,600m; 275m; 14%; 363; 1).
M: Haussire-Sud (3,900m; 273m; 13%; 308p; 8).
S and XS: no recorded ascent.
The different versions of the routes come together at the junction of the N89 towards Cielle.

Over the climb to Cielle and the descent to Marcourai, all routes eventually reach the beautiful Côte de Dochamps Ouest, a climb to enjoy. The faster riding groups L and M are likely to have the S/XS group in sight again here.
Côte de Dochamps Ouest (8,000m; 312m; 10%; 258p; 35).

Via Lamormenil, Fosse, and Oster, the L route continues to Odeigne and via Malempré towards the E25. Just before the bridge under the E25, all groups can take a break together at the 4-star campsite "Domaine Moulin de Malempré" and discuss the further course of the route. The other routes skip the section Lamormenil, Fosse-Oster, but also pass by the campsite.

After that, it goes via Bra and Le Thier du Mont, followed by a long descent over Basse-Bodeux towards Trois Ponts:
Le Thier du Mont (2,500m; 131m; 18%; 134p; -).

In Trois Ponts, the L route ascends "Les Hézalles," the 9th hardest climb in Belgium with a steep section of 23% in a right-hand curve. The M version keeps it a bit shorter and climbs "Mont le Fosse," which is not to be underestimated either. These climbs have the same summit, but the way there is incomparable. Here, the M group can gain a significant advantage for the further course of the route towards Lierneux, where all groups can take a break together.
L: Les Hézalles (4,000m; 229m; 23%; 9)
M: Mont le Fosse (3,000m; 128m; 13%; ?; -)
Here you can also introduce the XL version, which adds the Côte de Brume-Sud before climbing Les Hézalles.
Côte de Brume-Sud (1,700m; 135m; 15%; 188p; 116).
The S version leaves the N651 before Basse Bodeux and thus follows a shorter route to Lierneux.
The XS version takes the N822 right somewhat further than the tunnel under the E25, thus skipping "Le Thier du Mont" and going over a much shorter route to Lierneux.

From Lierneux, all routes follow the hilly course back to Nadrin via Petit-Sart, Lomré, Wilogne, and Wibrin. The S and XS groups can leave Lierneux a bit earlier to gain a small advantage, as although the last section contains no recorded climbs, it is still quite demanding.