Directions
You start the day cycling over winding paths in the Harderbos woods. Scottish highlanders graze there, so watch out for the occasional cow pat!
You cycle relatively sheltered northwards along the Bremerbergdijk, the former harbour of Elburg and the Revebos woods. Continue through the shelter of the Roggebotbos woods. This was once a sandbank feared by sailors and fishermen. Now the conifers give this sandy ground a unique character. You encounter the Hel van het Roggebotbos; on the Roggebotweg you bounce for three km over genuine cobblestones.
You cycle over the Ketelmeerdijk with a view of the Ketelbrug to head towards Lelystad. Jam on the brakes to take pictures at the ship, the Batavia, a replica of the famous East Indiaman that was shipwrecked in 1629 off Australia. After passing through the woods at the Hollandse Hout, follow the Knardijk that crosses the polder on the boundary between the Zuidelijk and Oostelijk Flevoland, surrounded by windmills and sheep. If there’s a headwind, this stretch feels like a climb up the Great Headwind Wall! Upon reaching the finish at Hans & Grietje, you have certainly deserved that pancake.
Nature
Distance: 113 km
★★★☆☆ Winding
★★★☆☆ Green
★★★★☆ Water
★★★★☆ Open Flevoland
★★★★☆ Wind*
Coffee break
Bataviahaven
Schoonzicht 404
8242 KH Lelystad
www.bataviahaven.nu
*Wind
It’s true there are no hills in the polder! But you can still train those uphill muscles on our own Great Headwind Wall, because plenty of wind is always available in Flevoland. We can help you not to encounter the Great Headwind Wall too often (and cycle into a considerable open stretch against the wind): cycle this route clockwise with a south and east wind (standard route). Go counter-clockwise with a north and west wind (standard route).
Pay attention!
A number of comments and warnings are given for this route:
- This route begins and ends with narrower and blind paths through the Harderbos. Pay attention to cyclists and people walking coming the other way and reduce your speed. After this section, you cycle along the Randmeren, where you can pick up speed.
- The same warning applies to the paths in the Roggebotbos. Pay attention to other people around and reduce your speed. There are also a few potholes in the route. Warn the other members if you are cycling in a group. Then you move onto the Vossemeerdijk. Until the Ketelbrug you can zip along for 15 km.
- The paths through the Hollandse Hout are narrow. In blind curves watch out for cyclists coming the other way.
Fun for partner/family
This route starts at the pancake restaurant, playground and mini-amusement park Hans en Grietje, great fun for a family with children under 12. A bit further along lies Walibi Holland, fun for children of all ages. Near the starting point there are also Doorhout Mees, Flevonice, Golf4All Harderwijk and two vacation parks by the water with a beach and boat rentals. The route passes Batavia Stad Fashion Outlet and Museum Batavialand. That makes this a really fun route to combine with a day out for your partner and/or family.
