Where to watch Liege Bastogne Liege?

[The Amateur]

We are three friends going to LBL for the first time. We are somewhat unsure where the best spot is if we want to see the race. We would prefere a climb whith the possibility to follow the race on a big screen (or in a tent or whatever). We have been talking about going to the climb at the finnish, Saint Nicolas or La Redoute but would very much appreciate som advice from someone who have been there.

We used to go to Geraardsbergen and loved it but that is all history now...

The perfect spot would have lots of people enjoying themselves (both before, during and after the race), a big screen and enough slope to actually make a difference.

Anyone who can help or give some pointers?


Thank you in advance

The Amateur

 

[hmsgenoa]

I've not been to LBL before but from what I've seen on the box I'd head for La Redoute,theres always someone stringing them out up there and it's often the springboard for the race winning move. Whilst it'd be good to see the showdown in the town it looks an unprepossessing place. I believe there are beer tents lower down the climb in which you can watch the action on a screen. Whatever you do I'm sure you'll enjoy it - hope you get good weather for it!

 

[Cult Classics]

I would recommend Cote de la Roche-aux-Faucons. If you don't have a car there is a train from Liege-Palais station where the race starts that goes to Méry, a little village. The train stops at the foot of the climb. Also, on the village green just opposite the train station there is a village pub/bar that has a BBQ and several TV screens set up outside. What I've done the last two years is watch the race on the screen there, and then once the leaders get onto la Redoute I've walked up the Roche-aux-Faucons climb to watch the race - about half way up the hill maybe (Gilbert and the Schlecks had made their move when they reached us last year). I then find I've enough time to leg it back down the hill and see the St Nicolas climb and finish on the TV. Not going this year unfortunately but it worked out really well the last two years. After that I grabbed the train back to Liege, then onto Brussels and back in London by bedtime.

 

[DominicDecoco]

Quit the 'a location with a big screen' and find a local bar in the area instead. Go there and get ****ed after you have watched the riders on the roads and see the finish there

 

[Cult Classics]

I guess another thing to say is do not expect the atmosphere to be the same as the Tour of Flanders. People still like bike racing in Walloonia but not to the same level as Flanders. The crowds won't be as dense along the course and you won't have to fight to get a space. That said, people still go and you won't be on your own. I really liked the access I've got at both Liege and the Tour of Lombardy at the race start - really easy to get up close to the riders without having to get on the barriers hours in advance like you would for Flanders.

 

[The Amateur]

Thank you for the good advice. It sounds like Roche-aux-Faucons is worth a try. Hopefully it will stay dry but it looks like Belgian early spring.

We'll drop the big screen. Our best races has been in local bars eg. at Arnberg.

 

[jflemaire]

If you're really looking for a big party with beer and noise and crazed fans, La Redoute is the place to be, since Gilbert's fan club organises such an event there. However, for a more "family" affair, Roche-aux-Faucons, as proposed by Cult Classics, is indeed more suited.

 

[Yingge]

Mery

Following on from the advice given by Cult Classics (and it turned out several people had seen this thread), I went out to Mery on the train (it's only a 15 minute trip from Liege) today to watch Liege Bastogne Liege pass by.

This was a great location, not crowded, good cheap beer in the pub, a BBQ at hand, a couple of TV's to watch the race progress, and, most importantly, cover from the couple of passing showers. If we had wanted, we could have watched the race from our chairs in the little park/village green beside the pub as it passed right by before crossing the railway and heading up the Cote. Most did what Cult Classics suggested though, and hiked up the Cote de la Roche-aux-Faucons as soon as soon as we saw that the race had passed the La Redoute. We went up to the corner about 500m up and watched from there, then hiked back down to watch the finale on the TV.

Whilst there I met 3 Danish guys, The Amateur being one, along with two English brothers and an American who had made a day trip from Bamberg in Germany. Thanks to those of you that I met today for the company, and to Cult Classics for the great advice.

Here is a photo of the location:

 

[Cult Classics]

You're welcome, glad everyone had a great time. It was a shame I couldn't make it this year but I hope to be back next year and maybe I'll see you guys around. The Roche aux Faucons has only been in the race a few years but it seems to be quite popular with the fans already.

 

[rowingvol]

Don't listen to Yingge. It was a dreadful spot, no fun at all. Really really boring. BTW, Yingge, Amateur and the two brothers send me a PM and I'll send you photographic proof of the awful time some of you had. I didn't want to post without a signed affidavit.

I laughed out loud when I read in one race report how Lotto and BMC took turns pushing the pace at the front of the peloton.

RowingVol (The aforementioned American)

 

[RexyMorgan]

This was a great spot! I am one of the aforementioned Brothers. One of the best days race watching that I have ever had. Great location and great company. Thanks to all the guys we met, it was a real pleasure.

 

[The Amateur]

Thank you for the good advice. It was a good spot and some very good company.

I can recommend going to that spot.

Rowingvol, I would very much like some pictures.

- The Amateur

 

[RexyMorgan]

Hi All,

going to bump this message after reading today that Roche aux Facons is now out. Any other good ideas, was thinking train to Aywalle and then walk up the Redoute but that might be a bit packed?

We need access to the race, a bar, and a train back to Liege!

Thanks.

 

[Yingge]

The owners of the Pub at Mery will be disappointed. Good spot it was too.

Not for me this year, sadly, will be watching it on TV in Taiwan.

 

[Cult Classics]

2015 update - the pub on the green has shut! Well and truly boarded up when we got there this year.

 

[Yingge]

Yes, it seemed to be deserted from the fleeting glimpse of it on the TV this year. Shame.