Five epic tracks, five countries, The Ride Gravel

THE ROUTE

Route partners

The routes are provisional and subject to changes. Map is indication and not yet a reference.

FIVE COUNTRIES

FIVE STAGES

BEAUTIFUL SCENERY

COMRADERY AMONG RIDERS

For the first four stages you can make their choice between the standard route (100 km) and the XL version. The XL route is up to 140 km... (for if you want the extra challenge) and will be shared later. The last stage: 'Home Strech'; will be the same for all riders and is 110 km. Below you will find an overview of all five standard stages.

The roads have the right mix between unpaved and tarmac (asphalt) (60-40%) with stunning nature, great views, sand, dirt roads, farm roads, cobbles and more!

The routes are 90% certain but still provisional and subject to changes. Map is indication and not yet a reference. Final routes will be presented well in advance of the event.

Sunday, September 10

SAARBURG -SAARBURG

96,2 KM- 1390 ELEVATION GAIN

The first stage of The Ride Gravel brings you all the way to France at the three country point of Schengen and the highlight of Saarland, the Saarschleife. Within 5 km from the start the first climb is presented and goes up the Horsteberg. You go downhill to the Mosel Valley on French ground where two hard climbs will await. After crossing the border again you will go downhill to the river Saar and pass the Saarschleife, the highlight of this area with endless gravel roads next to the river. The final climb is a road with hairpin turns on steady tarmac to the top.

Please note: The first four stages have an XL version of up to 40 km more (and up to 500 extra meters of elevation more). Routemeister Gijs is working on the XL stages and will present them later in the year. But this overview gives you a good view of what to expect as far as terrain and nature is concerned. For the first four stages you have a free choice of what distance you will ride, every day. More info will follow in the riders guide.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 11

SAARBURG - FUUSEKAUL

101 KM- 1890 ELEVATION GAIN

Stage 2 will serve you ‘Little Switzerland’ in the country of Luxembourg with the most altitude meters of the week. In Grevenmacher you enter Luxemburg by passing the river Mosel. This part of the Benelux is hilly with steep climbs and rocky formations. All day it goes up and down on unpaved farm roads and some forest roads, including a beautiful downhill section on a small path between rocks and evergreens. The hardest part of today is the final 20 km around Ettelbruck in the Sauertall, with a four km gravel climb to the finish line.

Also for the second stage we will have an XL version of up to 40 km more (and up to 500 extra meters of elevation more). This will be revealed later in the year by our routemaster Gijs.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12

FUUSEKAUL - PRUM

102 KM - 1770 ELEVATION GAIN

Today the route will go from the heart of Luxemburg to the heart of the German Eifel at the place Prüm famous for fortresses and castles. From the start it is a long downhill to the river Sûre. Leaving the Sûre on a long climb to Dahl, close to the main town of Wiltz. After 40 km Luxemburg gravel you will enter the Eifel area in Germany. Just after crossing the border at the river Our again a long climb will challenge you to push your limits. Going in and off the different valleys gives you a height profile that might scare you. Luckily the last part of the route is a on a former railway line from Niederprüm to station Pronsfeld, with good asphalt and a permanent slope of 1-2% to Prüm.

This stage will also have an XL version of up to 40 km more (and up to 350 extra meters of elevation more).

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13

PRUM - HELLENTHAL

99,9 KM - 1570 ELEVATION GAIN

The Eifel is divided in different parts, from the Volcano Eifel area to the North Eifel where stage 4 will finish in Hellenthal. Prüm is located in the South Eifel. But if you look at the map you could ride from A to B within 40 kilometers. Not today tough! The route will show you all corners of the area and is a succession of highlights, like the gravel version of the Schneifelhöhenweg by the Schwarser Mann at almost 700 meters high. Today also includes a part of Belgiums Haute Vagnes with great gravel roads through densted forest. Around Hellenthal we found the best gravelroads and even a long cobble climb up to an old castle. A great day on the bike!

Today's stage will also have an XL version of up to 40 km more (and up to 5
300 extra meters of elevation more).

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14

HELLENTHAL - VALKENBURG A/D GEUL

110 KM - 1270 ELEVATION GAIN

The final day has more downhill meters than uphill meters, but ooking at the profile will make you realize it is not as easy as you might think. One of the best parts of today are the gravel roads in the forest all the way to Monschau with beautiful sections next to rivers and densted forest. The part in Belgium to the checkpoint is a combination of wide gravel roads and paved backroads. Between the checkpoint and the three-country point at the Vaalserberg in the Netherlands are mostly backroads, mostly paved, some sandy, some rocky and a section of gravel on a cycling path with a great view to an old railway bridge. The last part of the route is famous for its gravel roads in the Netherlands that will bring you to the Cauberg, a paved climb that is well known as the final climb at the Amstel Gold Race. From this last climb it is via a small d- tour that you will finish your The Ride Gravel at the Shimano Experience in Valkenburg a/d Geul!