Due to the ongoing COVID pandemic, all events in South Limburg have been postponed to the fall or even 2022. Fortunately, we still have the Amstel Gold Race signposted the route of Holland's only WorldTour-classic. But in the pre GPX, Garmin, Strava and Komoot era there was one other signposted cycling route that took on almost mythical forms: the Mergellandroute.

The route was once conceived by the national federation ANWB in 1963 as a tourist car ride through the South Limburg landscape, but it succumbed to its own popularity. The well-known hexagonal signs in brown (car, 110km) and green (bike, 127km) all too often disappeared into the collections of self-proclaimed cycling museums in sheds. In 2015, the green signs were even removed altogether as part of safety and maintenance efforts. But since this spring, the icon among cycling routes is back from, in fact, never, gone!

The route was so missed that Visit Zuid-Limburg and the ANWB joined forces. Since the beginning of this year there is a renewed Mergelland bicycle route. No new signs, but in the context of sustainability and landscape pollution, the finely meshed bicycle node network was used. The original route was followed as much as possible and even extended by about 30 kilometers. The 155 kilometer result is a joy. With start and finish at the Shimano Experience Center in Valkenburg, the perfect place for a beautiful day of suffering in South Limburg.

We've collected all the Mergelland routes, including the three new shorter loops, in a Komoot collection. But Cycloworld wouldn't be Cycloworld if we didn't also put together a challenging XXL variant of 176 km and 2000 meters of climbing. We can assure you that you will feel the lactic acid when you get back to Valkenburg. But then that ice cold beer (or coke) tastes extra good!

If you want to take it easy and enjoy the surroundings and nice terraces: check out the site of Visit Zuid-Limburg for the highlights! You certainly don't have to suffer from hunger or thirst in burgundy Limburg.