While the Netherlands is struggling with a rain shower and the water authorities are doing their utmost to drain the water away, but also to hold back for an approaching, dry summer, I look back on the past year. 2022 was intense. Intense in many ways. Beautiful, warm, intense. In that respect, 2023 can hardly surpass that, or can it? Let’s take you on a quick tour through 2022, with some highlights and beautiful articles we were able to create.
January
Although we like to and often cycle, January was also a month of starting over for us. Not surprisingly, but we were able to get started quickly and build a nice doing a micro-adventure on the Posbank. We couldn’t have imagined that it would be so wet and epic in advance. Fortunately, we still have the footage. Our partner’s clothes Etxeondo It kept us well dry at least.
Check also our Cycling clothing guide for the winter
February
In February there was a unifying theme: Spain. We had explorers at the same time in three different locations. Ruth was with us on the beautiful Gran Canaria, At the same time, Ruben in Moraira and the surrounding area to work and cycle there. Explorer Lotte trained hard on Lanzarote in the meantime and almost got blown off the bike. It could have been less.
In the Netherlands, Nynke began her first local adventure, beautifully graveling in the Achterhoek. That was the start of a whole series of wonderful adventures, in Brabant, in Friesland and further afield in our beautiful Netherlands.
March
They say the cycling season starts in March. Given the above, we would like to say something different. However, we took advantage of March to create a beautiful series of articles and trips. We set out on a beautiful tour grinding over the crown domain to test the GRX group from Shimano.
March became even more beautiful because during our Pro for a weekend trip to Flanders We were spoiled with beautiful weather, beautiful routes and a great atmosphere. When you are in the heart of the race, on sacred ground, then the sky suddenly feels close. Especially with a stay in the Flandrien Hotel. This weekend was rightly Cycling Destination Approved!
April
The saying ‘April does what it wants’ could no longer apply to us. Beautiful days in the Wadden region. It started off cold and windy, with temperatures below zero and a howling wind. What helped us through it? The warm welcome, the beautiful conversations and the vast landscape. We found beauty where others saw abandonment. We were (literally) shaken and one thing is certain. It Wadden area keeps calling us every day, even just for food.
We also took advantage of King's Day to make a nice nod to destinations you should visit sometime. Because if you look carefully, there is a beautiful Number of links with ‘the king’ And then we haven’t even mentioned the royal ski resort of Lech am Arlberg yet.
May
Where we were a bit lost in April, May gave us a crazy kick. When do you start with four different explorers in places all over Europe? We started with the men from the Pedaleurs, who took us to places like Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht and Utrechtse Heuvelrug. puberale joke Becoming reality. Gravelen went to Denmark, through Germany. Meanwhile, Sander went into the Track of the Tour looking for the most beautiful places in Denmark. Ruben devoted himself to The pleasures of Tenerife, Not by chance, one of our partners. Later that month, we were invited by our partner to attend the event. Etxeondo heading towards the Basque Country. For many, a dream that came true. Meanwhile, explorer Nynke wasn’t sitting still either and delighted us with several beautiful gravel stories in her own country: the Utrecht's Heuvelrug no longer has any secrets.
June
The month of June also brought plenty of adventure. We started the month with a Beautiful gravel round in the Achterhoek, including a minor crash. At least it wasn't on the CUBE mountain bike. It couldn't be because a week later we rode in the electric bus towards Switzerland. With a load ’n ride stop in Baden-Baden (tip!) and some wonderful days in Valais. The mountains in Crans-Montana and Region Dents-du-Midi They no longer know any secrets. The Mountain High Chasers were also allowed to accompany us and in the adjacent Anzère they enjoyed, among other things, the Sanetsch Pass. The best-kept secret of Switzerland. After the Swiss hills, the Greek routes around Kastoria followed. The north of this holiday country is Absolutely brilliant. Highly recommended and, as we hear, there will be a nice cycling event there.
Meanwhile, Nynke set off to Brabant to find even more beautiful routes. Did anyone say a a touch of Italy? Explorer Merlijn also had the opportunity to enjoy a wonderful trip to Vaud, also in Switzerland. The The Tour de France visited this region No expense or effort was spared to show everything. Nynke even put an extra coin in the pot with a piece of heroin during the Elfstedentocht. Rain, rain and more rain.
July
2022 in a nutshell doesn’t mean that it will be fast either. Because we are only halfway through this overview and we have already been able to describe so many adventures. On the eve of June and July, we even went to the Ardennes for a short trip. micro adventure with our explorers in collaboration with Shimano. Meanwhile, Wouter immersed himself in the Italian language, following in the footsteps of Extra Giro, the round for U23 riders. Fun? Absolutely! Beautiful? Absolutely! Recommended? I think so. The Mountain High Chasers have also come up with a beautiful classic this time, the Col Grand Saint Bernard!
August
Even during the summer holidays, the adventures kept coming in. Neal went ahead for us during his vacation in the Lot-et-Garonne on a quest for beautiful villages and vast, rolling fields. Ticino and the neighboring region of Lombardy They were still put to the test for a while. Alpi di Neggia, what a monster of a beautiful climb. We also had some great content in the Netherlands. Col du Vam was on the menu. An instant classic. We also had explorer Ruth in Les Menuires was and went Dennis goes to Denmark for the first time.
As a nice addition, we also mapped out the search for Filippo (or was it Luigi, or was it the city?) Ganna. A story with a deeper meaning.
September
Even to the beautiful Savoie-Mont Blanc. A number of beautiful climbs including the Classic Ride: Col de Joux-Plane from Samoens. You could now also find the first stage on the N2, by guest blogger Pedro Couto Lopes. Nothing wrong with that, of course; say it yourself? We had more tips articles, so that you can start your bike adventure better prepared.
October
October is for many the month when the race bike is slowly put away for the rest of the year. To be brought out again only in March. We went for it again. Luxembourg called us in all its glory and splendor. What a Great destination. Even with a small crash. We were also able to hear Nynke's story in Trentino publish and meanwhile the Mountain High Chasers came up with another A gem of gravel from Limburg on the table. We also had our new Cycling Destination Approved Category introduced? Yes, of course! With Chasse Patate bike water bottle as the first recipient.
November
In November we were able to highlight a few more beautiful adventures. The Eifel came up again, This again belongs to the Mountain High Chasers. Nynke also delighted us with the beautiful route through the Kalmthout Heath. But was this really a cycling route? We also brought some nice accessories, like our Bike packing guide and Winter clothing guide. We are happy to help you get started on your next cycling adventure.
December
We published some nice articles about routes in Italy. Le Vie del Bike is and always will be a delight. Explorer Femke was responsible for this beautiful piece of writing. We also helped with the tips for a first time cycling. Because that's quite a thing, isn't it? Our Winter destination tips They may exist.
On to more beautiful adventures
We have done our best to inspire you fully in 2022. 2022 in Birdflight is full of beautiful stories, tips, and new categories that can help you plan your next bike ride or bigger adventure. Do you have questions or would you like to see more? Let us know! In 2023, more beautiful adventures and beautiful stories for on and off the bike ;).
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.