Amstel Gold Race 2011

[ParrettPedaller]

Public entries for the Amstel Gold Race open on Monday 10/1/11 from 8.00 Dutch time, when about a squillion wannabees simultaneously try to go online and grab one of the 12000 places available.

Having managed to jump the queue by the miracle of Amstel Gold Race "BusinessTeam" Entry, I'm now trying to find out just how hard the 150km event is.

Anybody on here done this one before?  From what I can glean from the AGR11 website, the 150km event is no harder than a 2AA audax, other than there are about 11999 other cyclists to avoid en route

Any pointers, anybody?

[valkyrie]

I did it 4 years ago - it's a great event, lovely roads and a tremendous atmosphere. Make sure you book accomodation for the Sunday night too, so you can drink all day Sunday while you watch the pro race.

Tips - all the various distances share bits of the same routes and there are different coloured signs at junctions. Make sure you follow your sign, not the group you're in or the directions of the marshalls. I was doing the 250km version but ended up finishing after 150km because I'd followed a marshall's directions early on. Did the last 100km loop on my own! The route is mostly easy but there are a few short steep hills. These get very busy with slow cyclists and people walking up the middle. I'd recommend that you have a compact or triple - the lower gearing will help you stay on your bike while you weave around all the walkers and folk on Dutch roadsters and mountain bikes doing 2mph.

[ParrettPedaller]

I did it 4 years ago - it's a great event, lovely roads and a tremendous atmosphere. Make sure you book accomodation for the Sunday night too, so you can drink all day Sunday while you watch the pro race.

Yes there is mention of Team Re-Hydration in the overall plan

I'd recommend that you have a compact or triple - the lower gearing will help you stay on your bike while you weave around all the walkers and folk on Dutch roadsters and mountain bikes doing 2mph.

The only bike  that isn't so geared is the fixie, which will not be making an appearance at AGR11.  Sadly the days of riding a 52x39 are long gone 

[Ivo]

The ride is in my backyard. The hills can be quite steep and for a great deal start right behind a corner/house. Make sure that your shifting is crisp and accurate and that your brakes are in perfect order. You'll need them.

[ParrettPedaller]

The hills can be quite steep

Steepest (on the 150K ride) appears to be Keutenberg @9.4% - so not too bad - except that it is the penultimate climb

and for a great deal start right behind a corner/house. 

Not sure what you mean by that?

Make sure that your shifting is crisp and accurate and that your brakes are in perfect order. You'll need them.

...especially with 11999 other riders on the course!

Is it open or closed roads?

[Ivo]

The hills can be quite steep

Steepest (on the 150K ride) appears to be Keutenberg @9.4% - so not too bad - except that it is the penultimate climb

and for a great deal start right behind a corner/house. 

Not sure what you mean by that?

Make sure that your shifting is crisp and accurate and that your brakes are in perfect order. You'll need them.

...especially with 11999 other riders on the course!

Is it open or closed roads?

It's on open roads so you'll have to stick to the traffic rules (which are controlled and enforced).
The Keutenberg is a lot less kinder as you think.




Video from just after the steepest bit:
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/fRa9eVBQ5oo&rel=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/fRa9eVBQ5oo&rel=1</a>

and the whole hill:
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/6tYBwptNf80&rel=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/6tYBwptNf80&rel=1</a>

When you near the Keutenberg you'll see a small bit of asfalt way up the slope. But you can't see the start. you enter a tiny hamlet, go round a few corners and after circling left around a white house you suddenly see asfalt right in front of you, a wall of 22%. If you didn't shift in the corner, it's too late. So when you hear a lot of people shifting gears like crazy, hit your smallest gear. You'll need it. Right around the next corner will be a nasty hill.

[ParrettPedaller]

The hills can be quite steep

Steepest (on the 150K ride) appears to be Keutenberg @9.4% - so not too bad - except that it is the penultimate climb

and for a great deal start right behind a corner/house.  

Not sure what you mean by that?

Make sure that your shifting is crisp and accurate and that your brakes are in perfect order. You'll need them.

...especially with 11999 other riders on the course!

Is it open or closed roads?

It's on open roads so you'll have to stick to the traffic rules (which are controlled and enforced).
The Keutenberg is a lot less kinder as you think.




Video from just after the steepest bit:
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/fRa9eVBQ5oo&rel=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/fRa9eVBQ5oo&rel=1</a>

and the whole hill:
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/6tYBwptNf80&rel=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/6tYBwptNf80&rel=1</a>

When you near the Keutenberg you'll see a small bit of asfalt way up the slope. But you can't see the start. you enter a tiny hamlet, go round a few corners and after circling left around a white house you suddenly see asfalt right in front of you, a wall of 22%. If you didn't shift in the corner, it's too late. So when you hear a lot of people shifting gears like crazy, hit your smallest gear. You'll need it. Right around the next corner will be a nasty hill.

Jeepers, that's not funny!  

Any more like that one, or is that the worst?

[valkyrie]

Last time I was in Valkenburg (a couple of year's ago) I stayed in Hotel LeTo - http://www.booking.com/hotel/nl/hotelletovalk.html?aid=303948;label=valkenburg-4NH7qhnbnjqyy0ij6czApgS3502691751;sid=3ff0af241af05a246ebc63edb8dcca90

It's a lovely hotel, owned and run by a gay couple and it's right next to the finish climb. It's got a garage you can put your bikes in and some car parking. The decor is mad but the guys really look after you and the breakfast is wonderful.

[ParrettPedaller]

Last time I was in Valkenburg (a couple of year's ago) I stayed in Hotel LeTo - http://www.booking.com/hotel/nl/hotelletovalk.html?aid=303948;label=valkenburg-4NH7qhnbnjqyy0ij6czApgS3502691751;sid=3ff0af241af05a246ebc63edb8dcca90

It's a lovely hotel, owned and run by a gay couple ......
.................... the guys really look after you and the breakfast is wonderful.

Thanks for the info,  but already got other accommodation arranged 

[Ivo]

Jeepers, that's not funny!  

Any more like that one, or is that the worst?

This is the worst, at least on the Amstel route. If you want to ride some worse ones, I know a few just south of the Dutch/Belgian border. 

[ParrettPedaller]

Jeepers, that's not funny!  

Any more like that one, or is that the worst?

If you want to ride some worse ones, I know a few just south of the Dutch/Belgian border. 

Thanks.

Think I'll pass on those this time round !

As you are local to this area what is Limburgs Mooiste like - similar to AGR?

[Ivo]

Jeepers, that's not funny!  

Any more like that one, or is that the worst?

If you want to ride some worse ones, I know a few just south of the Dutch/Belgian border. 

Thanks.

Think I'll pass on those this time round !

As you are local to this area what is Limburgs Mooiste like - similar to AGR?

There are several versions of the Amstel Gold Race, Limburgs Mooiste being one of them. There's even a permanent version of it.

[Sir Lance-a-Not]

Last time I was in Valkenburg (a couple of year's ago) I stayed in Hotel LeTo - http://www.booking.com/hotel/nl/hotelletovalk.html?aid=303948;label=valkenburg-4NH7qhnbnjqyy0ij6czApgS3502691751;sid=3ff0af241af05a246ebc63edb8dcca90

It's a lovely hotel, owned and run by a gay couple and it's right next to the finish climb. It's got a garage you can put your bikes in and some car parking. The decor is mad but the guys really look after you and the breakfast is wonderful.

Right up your alley isn't that PP?