25 November 2023 – He made me an offer that I couldn't refuse. Thank God it’s not Don Vito himself, but my (significantly less violent) friend Robert. And actually, he’s only hurting himself. Which, by the way, happens quite often to me.
Text and photos: Erwin Reijneveld – Mountain High Chasers
That kind of friend is it
He is such a friend who always picks up the gloves. No matter what you think, he is there. Even if the weather, daylight, or the rest of it fails you, count on him. And so there can be a fierce evening deep in December when you eagerly await his finish of the Drenthe200. After that day already started at 6:00 AM with pouring rain in Roden. And that he has covered 200 kilometers with mostly mud because you asked him if he wanted a challenge.
It's only 200 kilometers
If that same friend then asks if you’re up for cycling 200 kilometers through Zeeland somewhere around the end of November, then such an offer doesn’t feel like a question. Yes, I said right away (to make it sound voluntary), and so we were already seven people in a car, in cycling gear. With coffee in hand, cycling on the back and windshield wipers that were running for 100 minutes. The only people who had already come up with the bad idea of going outside in Wemeldingen are now here in the local brasserie. A few hands full of like-minded people, including a friend of mine, are here for the BRM200 start card; Luctor et Emergo (the Zeeland motto “I struggle and I rise”). At exactly 9 o’clock we stand outside in a five-by-five grid and organizer Hein still briefly tells us where the bottlenecks of the route are (I see the wind as a bottleneck in particular and hardly listen to a detour here and the left-hand lane there).
The rainbow points the way
Accompanied by the first rainbow of the day, we set off. Our first stop Randonneurs Mondiaux certificate (or; BRM) journey. Behind these three letters lies a world of non-competitive cyclists who cycle without stopping. The 200 kilometers today are just a warm-up. There are also ones of three, four, and six hundred, even a thousand kilometers. All of them are a prelude to and qualification for the ultimate in this niche; Paris – Brest – Paris (1,200 kilometers). It has to be crazy if I want to tell my wife tonight that this is my goal for next year.
South-Beveland
Back to today. We are just flying through Zuid-Beveland, where I encounter the terms inland and offshore. There is no human in sight here, no matter where I look. However, I see foam heads on the water, and so it is wind force five according to the native Zeeuw. We drive along fields over empty roads. Miezer turns into rain, rain turns into hail, and the mood becomes sadder and sadder. But one does not complain about the elements here; you feel it in everything, and so I act according to the local culture.
It's Middelburg
Then we waddle into Middelburg. In the beautiful town centre we can actually see real people walking. We quickly continue on, towards our next storm. Fortunately, we fight together and will overcome it. Although the wind wants to push us back, we still arrive at Neeltje Jans. So familiar, so iconic and so cool to drive past. In the area around Burg-Haamstede, the memories of family weekends in the various parks come flooding back. After Renesse, we just have to drive a little further 'against' the sea to keep the wind at our backs for a while, where you want it to be.
No more sea to see
The sea gives way to the Grevelingen, and in Brouwershaven things will change for the better. In the beautiful harbor we put down our bikes and head into a restaurant. Once we are outside again, the sun breaks through, making it almost impossible to notice that the gloves are still clammy after putting them on. As we pass the Philipsdam today, we see yet another example of the mighty delta works. On our way to Tholen, we drive straight through the polder. The winding roads distance you from the polder feel you might experience in Flevo, even with a slight incline. The sun and the approaching finish make the kilometers disappear easily, although a lot of darkness still threatens. Back in Zuid-Beveland, mister against wind is making a comeback as well, but he can no longer stop us. And so we return before nightfall to where we started. To experience the most unique piece of cycling.
Bellen, that's not true
Because the finish line is a doorbell today. Organizer Hein welcomes all riders at his own home. Tour charm at its best. We are invited to his dining table. There is a laptop, stamp cushion, cookies, and soda on the table. Hein represents the entire jury and approves the proof before stamping the official Randonneurs on our card. Three armed men are sitting here with a satisfied look and a colada in front of the jury that is overflowing with stories about far too long tours. And we just think we have done something special today. Zeeland and this Zeeuw have surprised me today. A lot more experience. But thank you for the ‘question’ Robert.
ROUTE Brevet Randonneurs Mondiaux Zeeland
All in the mood for Zeeland? Check out these routes and inspiration in Zeeuws Vlaanderen:
Mountain biking in West-Zeeuws-Vlaanderen: bouncing over cobblestones with the wind in your hair
Questions & tips
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