Absolutely, the Amstel Gold Race is legendary! And if you consider yourself a true cyclist, making the full 250-kilometre ride through the beauty of Dutch Zuid Limburg should definitely be on your cycling bucket list. However, before you decide to go for it, I'm here to arm you with three essential tips to avoid some misery…

Tip 1: don’t partake in the event

Indeed, the Amstel Gold Race Tour is a well-known event, taking place on the Saturday before the real road race. Yet, take my advice - resist the temptation to partake in the event. Its scale is simply too big for the narrow bike paths and country lanes. The varying pace and skills among the participants can often lead to hazardous situations, an ongoing concern throughout. When coupled with the fact that the main road isn't cordoned off, and you find yourself continuously navigating narrow cycle paths alongside main roads, the experience becomes less than enjoyable, at least in my humble opinion.

Tip 2: Avoid the weekends

On weekends, Zuid Limburg morphs into quite the tourist magnet. If the weather is favourable, you'll encounter cyclists at every turn, alongside the older folks relishing their e-bikes. Heed my advice - opting for a regular weekday outside of the holiday season can vastly improve your experience. Your ride will prove to be far safer, significantly more serene, and altogether more enjoyable.

Tip 3: Avoid the race or tour gpx

If you manage to find a GPX file for either the Amstel Gold Race version or the Tour version, be prepared. Between the famed climbs, you'll find yourself on bike lanes alongside major roads all the time. In my view, that’s a bit of a letdown. Instead, do what I did with a few friends - take on all the climbs, but intersperse them with riding along scenic country roads. Sounds good? Get the GPX file here or find it on my Komoot.

The Route's Genesis

I must confess, this route in question isn't my creation! It's the brainchild of my friend Janco, who's quite fond of Zuid Limburg and often crafted great routes. With a background in programming, he meticulously collected Strava files from dozens of his rides there and blended them into a comprehensive 'master file' using Komoot. His notion was that, while planning to ride in Zuid Limburg, he could tap into parts of this route, especially given how it zigzags through the area. Once he finished his 'master file', the idea to go and ride the entire 250-kilometre route in one go emerged. And that's what we did on the 5th of June.

However, don't feel compelled to do the same - it’s easy to trim the route to suit your preference in distance as well!

best stop to refuel: 't Bakhuis

Last but not least, should you choose to ride the full route, you'll pass 't Bakhuis no fewer than three times - from different directions. Nestled right on the Belgian/Dutch border, this gem offers, in my humble opinion, the finest pit stop imaginable. Whether you choose to unwind inside or opt for their picturesque terrace, you'll immediately feel welcomed at this family-run establishment. Without any doubt, this is my favourite spot for a refreshing break and delightful pancakes, but above all, their homemade farmer's ice cream is absolutely out of this world!

So, do make sure to stop at least once at ‘t Bakhuis (Ulvend in Sint-Martens-Voeren) and thank me later!