Cycling in Anderlues

Cycling guide to Anderlues

Anderlues sits in Wallonia at the northern end of a long southbound run into the Belgian countryside. The recorded route here covers 75.5 km from Anderlues to Couvin, threading past Fontaine-l'Évêque, Les Mays and Leernes before dropping through Ansuelle, Mont-Sainte-Geneviève, Lobbes and Thuin. From there it works south by way of Biesme-sous-Thuin, Thuillies, Donstiennes, Strée and Beaumont. The second half strings together Solre-Saint-Géry, Sivry-Gare, Sautin, Rance, Froidchapelle, Robechies and Saint-Remy on the approach to Chimay, then continues through Bourlers, Baileux, Boutonville, Gonrieux and Presgaux to finish at Couvin. Total climbing is a modest 476 m across the distance, so the day is defined less by any single ascent than by the steady accumulation of short rises between villages. The one measured climb comes late, at 72.4 km, close to the finish.

Best time to ride

The route was recorded in September, with temperatures of 24°C.

Terrain

Rolling rather than mountainous: 476 m of gain spread over 75.5 km, with a high point of 302 m. The only significant climb is 1.3 km at 4.7% average with a maximum of 8.1%, beginning at 72.4 km and topping out at 302 m.