The Veluwe is a large natural area located in the central part of the Netherlands. It covers approximately 1,000 square kilometers. It's a unique area in this densily populated country. It's one of the few places where you can go and have a view without any houses or roads.
You can even go for a walk or ride without encountering a lot of other people.
The beauty of nature and the peacefullness is what I like the most about the Veluwe. This is the reason why we bought a mobile home on a campsite right at the border of it.
Cycling
The Netherlands is famous for it's cycling infrastructure. This is also the case in the Veluwe. That is why I often take my racebike with me when we visit our mobile home.
I like to get up early to go for a round since the bikepaths are still very calm.
This morning I started my ride at 7:30. The sun was already up, but it was still a bit cold. The meadows were still a bit foggy.
Here's a great example of the cycling infrastructure of The Netherlands. This two-way path is just for cyclists. There are a lot of these seperate bicycle roads. On the other side of the canal is the road for cars.
This is a long stretched road from the campsite to the forest area of the Veluwe.
After a few kilomers I drove into the forest area. The Veluwe has a mix of forests, grasslands, and sand drifts which is unique in The Netherlands.
As you can see there are many different trees such as oak, beech, and birch and also pine and spruce. I really like the latter two since they produce this typical forest smell (at least, that's what I call a typical forest smell).
After some kilometers throught the forest I reached a more open area. These areas are known as moors. In August/September this area is filled with purple heather.
There are shepherds with sheep that prevent this area to be overgrown with trees.
At the edge of this area was this huge watchtower.
I thought I could go all the way up, but unfortunately I could only get to the second platform (which was already exciting enough with my cycling shoes and the steep stairs and narrow opening.
Even though I wasn't at the top, the view was great. This is what I meant in the introduction of this blog. All around there are no cars or houses to be seen. Such a beautiful wide view.
After descending from the tower (which was a bit scary as well) I continued my journey. The cycling path through the plains is from concrete. Perfectly straight and flat. Very nice for cyclists!
After I left the open area behind me I dug back into the forest. The cycling paths became a bit narrower, but since it was still early I didn't have any oncoming traffic. I think the road would have been to narrow for that.
All in all it was a beautiful ride. It took me 2 and a half our to complete the 70 kilometer route.
I hopy you enjoyed my Sunday morning trip over The Veluwe.
FriendlyMoose
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One day I want to go to that headwind race that takes place inthe Netherlands. I've heard it's brutal.
Oh, I know which one you mean. You can only join with a gearless bike and only starts when there is a stormy wind! It's epic indeed.
Is it? On a single speed? I wonder what gear ratio they choose. But to be honest, I'm terrible against the wind 🤢 it's my big weakness, though the challenge is totally worth it
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excellent photos
Thank you!
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Those roads are indeed very tempting:)
I haven't been cycling much in the Netherlands, but when I did I was just amazed at the flatness, gives cycling a whole other level of being enjoyable!
We don't have any 'real' mountains indeed. The south-western part has some hills, but the most parts of the country are flat indeed.