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Houffa Gravel 2023

In Brief

Explore the Belgian Ardennes on your gravel bike! Take part in the UCI Gravel Series in Houffalize and enjoy a challenging weekend with great rides in the La Roche-en-Ardenne and Houffalize area.

 

Highlights:
- Participate in the UCI World Gravel Series in Houffalize
- Discover the Belgian Ardennes on your gravel bike
- Fully catered weekend with gravel specialists
- including free bikewash and registration for event
3 /5
4 /5
5 /5
3 /5
Aug. 25, 2023 / Aug. 27, 2023
Gravel
[print_product id="PRODUCT_ID" mode="pdf" show_icon="no"]

€399,00 - €549,00

3 days
200 km
Incl. lodging

Additional options

4Gold starter pack bicycle weekend

  • Experience box with 4Gold supplements
  • Discover our gastrointestinal friendly sports nutrition
  • Perfect to get acquainted with our products or to give as a gift.
  • Contents:
    • 2 Energy Bars
    • 2 Isotonic Gels
    • 3 Single Servings Carbo Electro
    • 1 Golden Bottle 600 ml

€19,95

€19,95

Laundry service bicycle clothing

After cycling, leave your clothes in the provided laundry bag. Our staff on location will make sure your clothes are clean and dry for use the next day.

€9,95

€9,95

Details

Explore the Belgian Ardennes on your gravel bike! Take part in the UCI Gravel Series in Houffalize and enjoy a challenging weekend with great rides in the La Roche-en-Ardenne and Houffalize area.

Participation in the UCI Gravel Series
During this weekend in Houffalize is the UCI Gravel Series and you can choose from 3 different distances. If you want a taste of real gravel work then this is really a great opportunity. This event will be on Saturday, August 26, 2023.
There is a choice of a 50km version , 68km and the "race" distance of 110km. In all versions you can go for a nice time or just ride it as a nice tour.

Before and after the trip, coffee from Il Magistrale is available on site. After the trip, we refresh ourselves at Cafe Rouleur in Houffalize, this is our 'service course' for the day.

Stay
We will be staying in the beautiful La Roche-en-Ardenne just half an hour's drive from Houffalize. The Panache hotel is equipped with all the conveniences for a nice gravel weekend. In the hotel we have our own kitchen, bikewash, closed bikeparking and the center one of the nicest villages in the Ardennes within walking distance.

Program
Friday, August 25

Arrive at Panache hotel in La Roche-en-Ardenne in the afternoon. Would you like to arrive earlier or explore a route? No problem, let us know and we will make sure everything is arranged for you on the spot.
Dinner at 7:30pm mice and place at the Panache hotel.

Saturday, Aug. 26
Breakfast at 06:00h
Departure for Houffalize 06:45h.
Gather at Cafe Rouleur in the center of Houffalize near the start.
Start UCI Gravel Series at 08:30h in Houffalize, choice of 50 - 68 -110km.
After the tour gather again at Cafe Rouleur.
19:30 Dinner at Restaurant Le Midi in La Roche-en-Ardenne.

Sunday, Aug. 27
Breakfast at 08:30 am
After this we choose from several routes, we ride in the area of La Roche-en-Ardenne and Houffalize and if the legs allow it we will visit La Chouffe on the way.
Lunch and coffee on the way and then finish together at Panache. Here you can change and freshen up and we say goodbye to each other after a wonderful gravel weekend in the Ardennes!

What is included?
-Staying at Panache hotel on half board basis.
-Breakfast, lunch and dinners.
-Sport drinks from 4Gold for event, additional food to be ordered.
-Coffee from Il Magistrale.
-Service Course at the event at Cafe Rouleur in Houffalize.
-Registration and entry fee for the Houffa Gravel Series.
-Daily support from our support team with our own team car.
-Transfer of the gravel bikes to Houffalize on 27 August.
-Bike wash by Dynamic after the race on Saturday.
-Living like a pro package by Cycle Travel.

What is not included.
-Drinks are on your own account
-Your own transport to La Roche-en-Ardenne
-Transfer to Houffalize on Saturday on the basis of carpooling with the participants or by bike.
*A team car for transport of bicycles is available!

Additional options
-4Gold sports package for this trip
-Upgrade for single room option
-Group discount available when registering from 4-5 people.


Additional information about the UCI Gravel Series in Houffalize:

Houffa Gravel - Graveling on a worldly course.

On Saturday, August 26, the idyllic, Ardennes town of Houffalize on the Ourthe River will be the epicenter of gravel sports. That day it is time for Houffa Gravel! The spacious surroundings of Houffalize are a true paradise for anyone who loves unpaved gravel roads. Gravel lovers can indulge themselves here amidst the untouched nature and green landscapes.

Houffa Gravel is an official race of theUCI Gravel World Series. If you want, you can qualify in Houffalize for the Gravel World Championships later in the year. Houffa Gravel also serves as the officialWalloon Gravel Championship.

But of course you can also come and enjoy a relaxed gravelen at your own pace! Everyone starts at the same time according to the principle of a mass start but you determine your own intensity, speed and goal.

Go to Houffalize, discover a beautiful region with a diverse fauna and flora, experience a day full of adventure and go home with a satisfied feeling. There is a choice of a50km, 68km or 110km course.

Start/Finish Location

Place de l'Eglise
6660 Houffalize

Program

  • 8:30 am: starting time (see also starting procedure)
  • 5 pm: official closing of the finish line

Starting procedure
Everyone starts according to the principle of a mass start based on age category. A starting box will be made for each age category. The starting signal for the first age category will be given at8:30 amfollowed by the other categories with an interval of a few minutes.

The top 25% per age category qualify for the UCI Gravel World Cup later in the year. That 25% is calculated on the number of actual starters, not on the number of riders registered in advance.

  • 50 km: No qualifying distance
  • 68 km: Official qualifying distance for the UCI World Gravel Championships (men 60+ and women 50+)
  • 110 km: Official qualifying distance for the UCI Gravel World Cup (men 19-59 years and women 19-49 years)

Note: To qualify for the World Gravel Championships, you do not need to have a competition license!

After the different starts per age category, those who do not want to ride competitively can leave freely until next hours:

  • 50 km: until 11 am
  • 68 km: until 10:30 a.m.
  • 110 km: up to 10 am

More info on the UCI Gravel World Series can be found athttps://ucigravelworldseries.com/.

THE BEST OF 2 WORLDS IN 1 WEEKEND SUMMARIZED BY CYCLE TRAVEL:
During the weekend of August 26-28, no less than 2 packages are active at our partner Panache in La Roche-en-Ardenne; Vélomédiane Claudy Criquiélion 2023 & the Houffa Gravel UCI.
Want to combine it (so gravel on Saturday and Sunday race for example? THAT IS POSSIBLE! Register via the link on the main event you want to ride on Saturday, August 26 (either the Velomediane or the UCI gravel)!These are the links of both events,

Location: La Roche-en-Ardenne, Panache (Belgium)

Combining cycling and an unforgettable and comfortable stay? Then you're in the right place at our Cycle Travel location Panache Bike & Sleep. We offer options for both groups and individual cyclists.

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Explanation sports level

MTB:

1star: beginner 50km2star
: above beginner 60km3star
: average 70km4star
: advanced 100km5star
: pro 160km



Road bike:

1star: beginner 50km2star
: above beginner 60km3star
: average 70km4star
: advanced 100km5star
: pro 160km



Level 1: Starter-Beginner;
You are just starting out in this sport, have no experience nor background as an athlete

Level 2: Beginner-Medium;
You are just starting with this sport, however you already have experience with other sports so you start with a good basic condition. You cycle 1 or 2 times a week.

Level 3: Average;
You are a sporty person, don't shy away from a challenge, exercise at least 2 to 4 per week, you can also already make some altitude gains and ride at higher averages.

Level 4: Advanced;
You are a trained athlete, you are looking for a challenge in sports, you are active at least 3 to 5 times a week, altitude meters and a higher average are not a problem

Level 5: Advanced/Performance oriented;
You train towards goals, challenges and also leave something for it you do not mind, you are driven and several times longer sport per week are no exception, you are performance oriented

Level 6: Advanced Plus;
As a highly trained person, you want to really test yourself to your limits, you seek challenges and are also willing to live for them, exercising is a part of your daily life.

Explanation luxury level

Level 0-1.5: Tour without overnight stay.

Level 2-2.5: Cycle Travel provides an overnight stay in a 2-star accommodation.

Level 3-3.5: Tour with overnight stays in the better bed and breakfast or 3-star hotel, hostel accommodations. Overnight stays on a half-board basis are a 3.5 rating.

Level 4-4.5: Cycle Travel provides a 4-star accommodation or boutique bed & breakfast. Optional full board booking (upgrade to level 4,5 appreciation).

Level 5-5.5: Cycle Travel will provide a more luxurious 4-star or 5-star accommodation or boutique hotel. We can upgrade the level of lunch, on-road catering or dinner to 5.5.

Level 6: Cycle Travel will provide a more luxurious 5-star accommodation, boutique hotel or luxury pop-up location. We can upgrade the level of lunch, on-road catering or dinner to 6+ level if required.

Explanation guidance level

Our team of passionate guides is always there for you. For any type of trip, event or clinic, Cycle Travel will provide the right accompaniment. We have an excellent network of professionals.

With the ranking from 1 to 6, we indicate to what extent the guidance is provided on a trip. Interested in an upgrade? Please let us know! Then we will gladly look for a suitable solution.

Level 0-1: a self-guided tour without guidance. Cycle Travel provides the routes on GPX.

Level 2-2.5: a self-guided tour without guidance including routes on GPX and tips for the road. Cycle Travel has a goody bag or contact person at the locations visited that you will receive as a traveler.

Level 3-3.5: a self-guided tour without guidance including routes on GPX and tips for the road. Cycle Travel has accommodation on the basis of a 3-star hotel or bed & breakfast. There is someone on site who is familiar with our clients and is personally available for you (level 3,5)

Level 4-4.5: a guided tour including routes on GPX and tour guide on the bike or in a follow car.Cycle Travel has accommodation based on a 4-star hotel, hostel or bed & breakfast. During a guided tour it is optionally possible to book a mechanic and masseur. (The valuation then amounts to 4.5)

Level 5-5.5: A fully catered vacation with a complete support team consisting of tour guide, mechanic and masseur. A follow car is provided including care on the road during the rides. Accommodation will be in luxury chalets, hotels or boutique bed & breakfasts.

Level 6: The ultimate luxury cycling vacation with top locations and carefully selected accommodations. Only the very best counts for us and you as our client! Get carried away on a next level cycling vacation.

Explanation gravity level

We roughly determine the heaviness of a trip based on a variety of circumstances. Severity can be determined by distances or by the altitude meters in distances. In addition, you experience a ride on a gravel or mountain bike already 'heavier' than a road bike ride.

Per category this is approximately what you can think of. Always discuss with us alternatives or modified routes which also influence the heaviness.

Road Bikes - Race bikesDistance max - Distance MaxAltitude indication
Level 170 km700-1100
Level 280 km1100-1500
Level 3100 km1500-2200
Level 4120 km2200-2800
Level 5150 km2800-3800
Hors Category175+ km3800-5500
Mountain Bike - MTBDistance max - Distance MaxAltitude indication
Level 130-50 km700-1000
Level 240-60 km1000-1300
Level 350-75 km1300-1800
Level 455-90 km1800-2400
Level 560-100 km2400-3300
Hors Category150+ km3800-5500
GravelDistance max - Distance MaxAltitude indication
Level 130-50 km700-1000
Level 240-60 km1000-1300
Level 350-75 km1300-1800
Level 455-90 km1800-2400
Level 560-100 km2400-3300
Hors Category150+ km3800-5500

Location: La Roche-en-Ardenne, Panache (Belgium)