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Welcome to the spring classics! History and modern design welcome you in the center of Maastricht at the award winning Kruisheren Hotel, a converted church and cloister. The region has hosted the cycling world championships five times, most recently in 2012, and our introductory ride takes us over the race circuit. Soldiers who lost their lives in the area during World War II are memorialized at the American Military Cemetery in Margraten, which we will visit.   Ride: 25 miles Overnight: Maastricht/Hotel Kruisheren

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The Amstel Gold Race was founded in 1966 and is the pride of Dutch cycling. Its main difficulty lies in the 34 climbs over 260 kilometers across 4 circuits. The best way to feel the race is to ride it, and we’ll cover the final circuit and the climbs of the Wolfsberg, Loorberg, Schweiberg, Kruisberg, Eyserbosweg, Fromberg, Keutenberg and the Cauberg. We’ll visit the Amstel Gold Xperience, which celebrates the legacy and history of Holland’s spring classic. Ride: 55 miles Overnight: Maastricht/Hotel Kruisheren

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Today we’re ready for more of the Amstel Gold Race. Inspired by Dutch legends Arie Den Hartog, Jan Raas, Gerrie Knetemann, Jacques Hanegraaf, Joop Zoetemelk and Adri van der Poel, we’ll challenge ourselves on the same roads that crafted these legends as we ride the Amstel Gold Cyclosportif, one of the best amateur events on the calendar. We’ll celebrate tonight at the city’s top wine restaurant, Mes Amis with owner Anneline Doelen.

Ride: 35, 60 or 90 miles Overnight: Maastricht/Hotel Kruisheren

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In 1966, the honor roll of victors in the Spring Classics includes Felice Gimondi, Eddy Merckx and Jacques Anquetil at Paris-Roubaix, Milan-Sanremo and Liège-Bastogne-Liège.  Further down the list, Dutch rider Jan Janssen won Brabantse Pijl.  Herman Krott, a part time racer and beer salesman for the Amstel brewery, created a publicity event for Amstel beer-the Amstel Gold Race. He succeeded at bringing international attention to Dutch cycling with a classic intended to rival the monuments.  Race: Amstel Gold Race Overnight: Maastricht/Hotel Kruisheren

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Crossing into Belgium, the low rolling hills of Limburg are replaced by the forested hills of the Ardennes. Along the way, we’ll stop at the Abbey du Val Dieu, known for its limited release abbey blonde ale, and we’ll trace the Route of Legends Ardennaise, a course tracing the history and sites of the region, including the Grottes de Remouchamp.  Dinner this evening is with legendary Belgian Chef Frederic Caerdinael.  Ride: 45-60 miles Overnight: Durbuy/Hotel Les Sanglier des Ardennes

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Today we ride the midweek semi-classic La Fleche Wallonne, known for its hills, and in particular, the Mur de Huy. The circuit that defines the men’s and women’s races consists of 7 climbs.  First run in 1936, La Fleche used to be run a day before Liege-Bastogne-Liege as part of the La Weekend Ardennais. The Mur de Huy has been the finish for La Fleche Wallonne since 1983 for the men and since 1998 for the women.    Ride: 40-80 miles Overnight: Durbuy/Hotel Les Sanglier des Ardennes

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La Flèche Wallonne was created to boost sales of Les Sports and first ran in 1936. The circuit consists of the Mur de Huy, and the Côtes d’Ereffe, de Bellaire, de Bohissau, de Solières and de Cherave. For the men it’s a proving ground for Liege-Bastogne-Liege; for the women, it’s about difficulty and prestige. Alejandro Valverde has won a record four times and Dutch woman Anna van der Breggen has claimed two in a row.  Ride: 50 miles Race: La Fleche Wallonne Overnight: Durbuy/Hotel Les Sanglier des Ardennes

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The first day of our Liege-Bastogne-Liege trilogy. Heading deeper into the Ardennes, we’ll trace the early portion of the course including the Cote de la Roche-en-Ardenne and the short and steep Cote St. Roch. The constant undulations give good credence to why this race is considered the hardest of the classics. Following our ascent of the Col du Rosier the luxurious grounds of the Manoir de Lebioles await, as does the refined cuisine of chef Olivier Tucki.  Ride: 60-75 miles Overnight: Spa/Manoir de Lebioles

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“No man has ever won Liege-Bastogne-Liege on luck.” To better understand this, one must ride the portion of the racecourse that defines its difficulty. Every race has its crucible, and here its the Cote de La Redoute, a menacing 2.2 kilometer climb that cannot be underestimated. We’ll also climb the Cote de Wanne, Cote de Haute-Levee, Cote Stockeu, Col du Rosier and the Col du Maquisard. And we’ll do it with the pro teams in sight as they recon the course. Ride: 55-75 miles Overnight: Spa/Manoir de Lebioles

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The final day of our trilogy puts this race into daunting perspective- 10 categorized climbs and enough vertical feet to match a tough day in the mountains in a Grand Tour. We’ll finish off with a visit to the Stan Ockers memorial, a native of Les Forges who did Le Double Ardennais in 1953 before winning the world championship in 1955. His died tragically in a track race accident in Antwerp the following year. Ride: 45-60 miles Overnight: Spa/Manoir de Lebioles

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Few things can match the anticipation on the morning of a spring classic- the nerves, the energy, the excitement. From Leon Houa in 1892 to Eddy Merckx’s record five victories, the peloton departs the gritty urban streets of Liege to fight it out across the hills of the Ardennes, to return for a chance at glory after 253 kilometers and lay claim as the victor of La Doyenne. Race: Liege-Bastogne-Liege Overnight: Spa/Manoir de Lebioles

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Another spring classics season has come to a close, its champions crowned, its legends created. The famed roads of the Amstel Gold Race, La Fleche Wallonne and Liege-Bastogne-Liege, across Limburg and the Ardennes, have been conquered, brought to life on and off the bike. Your next legend awaits and until then we’ll get you where you need to go today to get home.