[Closed] Valkenburg - Amstel Gold new week - Newbie, What do I need to know?

There are a few XC loops around the Valkenburg area, you can probably find a map at the tourism office.

http://www.mtbroutes.nl/index.php/kaart-nederland/routes-limburg

Valkenburg itself isn't particularly interesting but it's some 10 miles from Maastricht, which is one of the oldest cities in the country and offers some sights.

If you want to venture a little further out, eastern Belgium has great mountainbike trails and even a small lift served bike park if you're into downhill.

Mountain biking - http://www.mtbroutes.nl/route/1110/Valkenburg

Culture wise - nearby Liege and Maastricht are worth a visit, Cologne and Leuven if you want to travel a bit.

For the race - Take plenty of beer and snacks and find a nice place on the Cauberg before the Dutch get there

Edit - That could probably be taken the wrong way, I meant get there early becasue it will be jam packed if you leave it late.

Perfect replies

Many thanks

Plum

I'm heading there next Friday for the race and the Fleche Walloon mid week followed by the Liege Baston Liege.
The Cauberg gets mental and wouldnt advise riding near it on race day,

Maybe as they do it 4 times, I think, we will watch first up then maybe pop to Gulpen and back for the finish which is now 2 k from the top of the Couburg the same as last years Worlds

I live 15 km from Valkenburg and the riding is really good, don't think the Nederlands is flat, it is not, bit like saying England is flat because you went to Norfolk once. The links above give you some good idea, I can't seem to add a link at the moment. If you have Strava or Garmin Connect, you can find lots of routes in the area.

The MTB routes are generally well marked with a small sign with a black triangle and 2 black circles below. Signs are various colours depending on the route.
Maastricht is well worth a visit, lovely historic city with plenty of bars/restaurants/cafes. Not too much in Valkenburg and it will get rammed with fans over the weekend, personally I'd either pick a spot to watch the race and stay there (arriving early), or go out on the route to spectate, again though it will be busy. Not too impressed with Liege, get the impression it will be nice when they finish it, and they have been working on it for years.
Most cyclists are "Lycra'd up large" they don't seem to mind being a rolling advertising hoarding, they are also very reluctant to say hello when they are out, suppose it is because there are so many of them.
Unfortunately I'm working night shifts over the weekend, otherwise I'd happily meet up and show you round. The are is fantastic for cycling, both road and MTB, especially if the weather is good! If you want to know anything else, give me a shout, just sorry that I can't watch it this year, does mean I can do Liege-Bastogne-Liege though!

Try this site for some more routes:
[url= http://www.wikiloc.com/trails/mountain-biking/netherlands/limburg ]More Limburg MTB Routes[/url]

and this:
[url= http://www.mtbzl.nl/index.php/vast/category/2-limb ]More routes[/url]
Forgot to say earlier, if you go to cafe/resturant don't expect swift service, they like to take their time with the whole thing, can be a little frustrating if you are running to a tight schedule. Also, they do like having beer in small glasses, best to order a few in at a time!

This place is worth riding to if you have time:
[url= http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaalserberg ]Vaalserberg[/url]
It is the point where Germany, Nederlands and Belgium meet, you can do a 3 country tour in about 5 metres! Good riding around it also.

Higthepig - thank you for such detailed local information - much appreciated

I had another thought last night, if you are going with a significant other who doesn’t want to cycle or stand around all day to watch the race or even if you are feeling a bit 'metro-sexual' there is a nice spa in Aachen;

http://www.carolus-thermen.de/go/verwoehnwelt-carolus_spa/english.html.