Dark clouds gather together. A beautiful phrase from the Dutch language. When the weather is bad, or when the hours of daylight become shorter. Some destinations take advantage of this, like the Wadden, which deals with the theme Darkness I have fully embraced it. For myself, I am always looking for light or bright spots. The song by Guus Meeuwis, ‘Brabant’, therefore stayed with me. Because in Brabant, the light still shines. So what better way to find the light in the dark days around Christmas than to go on a cool route. We went on a cool route based on a‘Struggle‘Out in the Brabant countryside. Thanks to Merijn Heijne and Esther de Lange for the inspiration in our quest for light. Have we found it? Read it here!
Text: Sander Kolsloot – Photos: Merijn Heijne – Esther De Lange
Deurne. Or of all places
Once I had to be in Deurne for work. The goal was to visit a wholesaler. From my place in Utrecht, Deurne was ‘far away’. Somewhere behind Helmond. You didn’t want to be found dead there, let alone alive. Not Helmond and not Deurne..or all places. That was then. Years ago. Meanwhile, also due to the corona problems, I have come to appreciate the Netherlands more and more. I came to realize that Deurne might not be the most beautiful place in the Netherlands, but that the surroundings have plenty to offer. Guus Meeuwis sings this in his song as well.
In the target name bingo wins Brabant Glittering the main prize: ‘the Baronie, the Biesbosch and the Groote heide’ are all resounding names for me. The Peel is a bit less glamorous, but the surroundings lend themselves perfectly for a fantastic gravel tour.
Deurne station
To be honest, Deurne is fine. This route starts at the station. Convenient, even if you’re traveling by bike on the train. From Deurne, you eventually head southwest and begin your ‘roundabout’. Initially, you drive a short stretch through the ‘Galgenberg’ area, which should not be confused with the mountain of the same name in Amersfoort. You then head west and pass through places with names like ‘Vlierden en Vloeieind’. Then a beautiful stretch begins over the Brouwhuisse heide. Also known as the ‘Bikkelse Bossen’, you can really enjoy a beautiful heide landscape here, which is not quite as enthusiastically sought out as the Loonse and Drunense dunes, for example.
Let’s go east
After this beautiful stretch of heath, you also come across the sand forest, which lives up to its name. It’s now 20 kilometers into the journey, so there’s still over 60 to go. The route winds like a condor over the unpaved roads of Brabant. The beautiful spots keep appearing at a rapid pace, and so we end up in the Walsberg forests. It really can’t be happening. I have to remind myself every so often that we’re actually in and around Deurne here. Or in all places. We eventually head towards Ysselsteyn, which is also not to be confused with the Utrecht counterpart. From here on, we get close to the promised land: America’. First we still have to pass through the Schadijksche forests. Another gem in Brabantian nature.
The Peel
We leave America to the left (or actually right) now and really go over the Peel. Perhaps the most beautiful stretch of this route. Via Heesberg we end up on the Mariapeel or Deurnese Peel. This is officially a part of Limburg, but that’s okay. There really is a lot of light here. Water, heather are too beautiful to mention. We really have to thank Merijn and Esther for this picture. A small extra loop is in order, because there is a ice hole in this piece of nature. On a beautiful summer day, we certainly won’t miss it. Frosty ice, according to the experts. I won’t miss it.
One more time
After we have plowed through the ‘three hundred bunders’, that’s the last part of the route. We take another stretch of the Galgenberg with us and finally we roll back to the center of Deurne, full of satisfaction. What a great route and what a breath of fresh air. Brabant It is more than just Carnival, Philips and PSV. It is also more than just the Loonse and Drunense Dunes or ‘the roof of Brabant’. We would like to go again.
Questions & tips
Do you have any questions about this route, or have you been there yourself? Share them here. We read everything and usually respond within a few days.