Stoneman Arduenna – Your Bike Adventure in the Belgian Ardennes #YouRock

Let's Rock – Stoneman season is here! On mid of April, the official starting shot for the Stoneman Arduenna will be fired. The Belgian version of the Stoneman is offering a very special kind of mountain bike adventure. On a route personally curated by former professional MTB racer Roland Stauder, you can discover the pure beauty of Belgium through its stunning network of mountain bike trails. You read that correctly: Belgian MTB. Of course, cycling in Belgium is usually associated with road racing, from the famous Spring Classics like the Tour of Flanders to Tour de France heroes such as Eddy Merckx. But the Stoneman Arduenna proves that Belgium can also be a paradise on knobby tires.

Across 176 kilometres, peppered with some 3,900 meters of altitude, the Stoneman Arduenna leads you through the idyllic landscapes of East Belgium over fast downhill routes and strenuous climbing sections. Take, for example, the picturesque town of Malmedy in the High Fens. At the northernmost point of the planned MTB route, you’ll ride through the eponymous high moor, and with it ascend to Signal de Botrange, reaching the 700-meter elevation mark, and thus, the highest point in Belgium. 

At the southernmost point in Ouren, you’ll encounter another memorable cultural milestone as you visit the Monument to Europe. The Reuland castle ruins are also worth a stop; here you’ll not only enjoy a grand panorama, but you can also admire a potent symbol of the former power of this region. The MTB route for the Stoneman Arduenna is meant to be ridden clockwise, and typical of all Stoneman tours, the entire path is well signposted. For extra help, a GPS bike computer with the Ardennes map loaded up is recommended to aid in navigation.

The concept for the Stoneman Arduenna is the same as with the other Stoneman locations. There are a total of eight checkpoints that must be reached. Where you begin the MTB route is up to you, as is when you choose to start it. The Stoneman Belgium has been running since April 14th, but you still have until September 15th to hit the trails. Total travel times are also flexible – the most important thing is that you enjoy your experience. Competition stress has no place in the Stoneman! That is why Stoneman rules let you take on the route in either one, two or three days, offering different approaches to each MTB tour, depending on your performance level. If you can do the distance in one day, you’ll secure the Stoneman trophy in gold; silver or bronze for either two- or three-day completions. We recommend the bronze route for beginners, while experienced mountain bikers should do well on the silver tour. If you are very ambitious and have an extremely high fitness level, you can test yourself and go for the gold.

Attention: When determining which timeline is most suitable, you should not only look at the total kilometres and altitude, but also at the technical difficulty. The demands in terms of riding technique mainly range from S0 to S1 with a few S2 sections. Almost 30 percent of the route is on unpaved forest-meadow paths with 14 percent on pure singletrack MTB trails.

As any experienced rider will tell you, mountain bike tours should always be well planned, and the same applies to the Stoneman Arduenna. In addition to your fitness level, having the proper equipment plays a decisive role here. The right bike can mean the difference between having fun on the trails in the Stoneman Ardennes and struggling unnecessarily. This goes for clothing too. Since Stoneman Belgium is the first Stoneman destination to be opened this season, early starters in particular could encounter cold and wet conditions. The weather typically changes quickly in the Ardennes, which is why we recommend that you bring weatherproof clothing with you – always have arm and leg warmers and a rain jacket close at hand. If you are confronted with wet conditions right from the start, overshoes can also make a big difference.
We recommend bikepacking bags or a suitable trail backpack to transport your clothing; you will find a wide variety of both in our online shop.
Additionally, if you decide on either of the two- or three-day tour options, a luggage transfer can be organized individually. Your luggage will then be transported directly to your next accommodation and will be waiting for you each evening.

Which brings us to equipment: In addition to finding the best way to carry a change of clothes on your journey, a successful Stoneman ride requires the right tools. Belgium is as densely populated as Germany, so civilization is never too far away, but you should save yourself unpleasant hiking with a broken bike and be as self-sufficient as possible. In addition to equipment for fixing flats, you should also have tools for minor repairs – such as a mini-tool – close at hand. Basic kit requirements also include a GPS device, at least two water bottles attached to the bike and sufficient sports nutrition. Thankfully, you can find a large selection of gels, bars and powdered drinks at BIKE24 so that you will never go hungry on your MTB adventure. Rounding off your list should be emergency equipment, such as a smartphone and a whistle, just in case you ever need help.

As mentioned earlier, most of the mountain bike route leads over S0 and S1 rated terrain, following paths with smaller obstacles such as roots, gullies and stones. However, there are also some category S2 sections with steeper pitches and larger obstacles. Technically experienced riders can certainly cope by riding a hardtail, but those who feel uncertain should rely on an all-mountain, full-suspension bike as their Stoneman MTB. By the way, whether you need a complete mountain bike, mountain bike accessories or mountain bike apparel – BIKE24 offers an extensive selection of suitable items to equip you for your Stoneman adventure in the Ardennes.

In addition to equipment, travel plans should also be well-organised. Anyway you will find a well-organised Stoneman infrastructure upon arrival. You can stay overnight at select accommodations through event partners who are perfectly equipped to take care of the needs of Stoneman finishers, offering services such as the aforementioned luggage transportation and more. There are also multiple official distribution points where riders can pick up their starter packs, ask questions and get more information before starting their Stoneman adventure. As you can see, whether you are a beginner or a professional, all the pieces are perfectly in place to make it possible for anyone who desires to become a Stoneman, true to the motto #YouRockStoneman.