NOTB2012Day2XL

The intention of this route is to maintain a group feel with a group of cyclists riding at different speeds by occasionally splitting up but ultimately always finding their way back to each other.

The base route is the “L” version (Large).
The “M” version (Medium) is basically 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 designed for a quicker return, for example, in case of bad weather or too much misfortune for one or several of the participants.
For the tough ones, there is also an XL version?

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

In this description, I set the following parameters in parentheses for all relevant climbs:
• Length
• Elevation gained
• Maximum gradient percentage
• Number of Cotacol points
• Ranking according to Cotacol

The route starts and ends in Nadrin, at the hotel “Les Ondes,” 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 major road. A bit further to the left towards Bérismenil, where the N860 is followed further downhill towards La Roche.
The S and XS versions do not take this detour and follow the N860 straight to La Roche, thus gaining a slight lead there.

Just before reaching the end of this long, beautiful descent, turn left towards Ortho, where the not-to-be underestimated Côte du Pied Monti is conquered, followed by (after descending to La Roche) the Côte de Hives.
The M version also climbs the Pied Monti but then goes directly to Hives. The S and XS versions go directly to La Roche, skipping the Pied Monti and only climbing the Côte de Hives.
Depending on the trajectory you choose, 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 versions of the routes meet in the village of Hives, from where it goes straight on a gentle stretch with great views towards Saint-Hubert.
Via Béleu and Wambay, you first reach the difficult transition point at the N4 (briefly turn left, then cross and take the cycling path in red stones to the right), before tackling the beautiful Tier de la Male Racine in 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 at Place du Marché.

All routes continue towards Librin, where the S and XS versions go straight and veer slightly right towards Smuid and Arville, in order to find the course of the L-route back towards Fourneau St Michel.
Meanwhile, all routes climb a very nice ascent, almost in a straight line with an average of 9% and a fast descent on excellent road surface towards Librin:
Les Bolettes (1,500m; 130m; 12%; 162; -).

The L and M route turn left in Librin, briefly follow the N808, turn right in Villance, and reach the book village of Redu via Transinne, where the L and M versions take different routes, both heading towards Daverdisse.
Depending on the trajectory chosen, you have:
L: Pinval (1,800m; 126m; 12%; 159; -) starting in the village of ‘Lesse’ at ‘Lesse’. After that, it goes through Lessin and Porcheresse on a nice gentle route with sometimes long and fast descents, including the Côte de Daverdisse to Daverdisse. Lots of youth camps seen on the way in summer.
M: After Séchery, you have a narrow, steep descent and then a similar climb to Daverdisse, with a view of the ‘satellite tracking station’. This climb is not cataloged, which surprises me because it is definitely difficult!
M and L: Route de Sohier (2,400m; 159m; 9%; 141; -): a beautiful ascent with an almost constant gradient of 7%, starting from Daverdisse.

Via the N835, the L and M routes continue over Lomprez, where you take the cycling path on the left, towards Wellin and turn right at Auffe onto ‘Rue de Resteigne’ via the N836 and N86. Here you get a beautiful but not to be underestimated stretch to reach the S and XS route over Belvaux, Bure, and Grupont in Sartay, followed immediately by an ascent:
Côte d’Awenne Ouest (2,400m; 127m; 14%; 140; -).
In between, the XL version can take a detour and include an additional, not to be underestimated pass:
Les Hazeilles (2,400m; 145m; 18%; 231; 48).

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