When I pressed the button in October 2020 to record CyclingDestination, I had no idea what it would become. I felt a tremendous drive to publish better travel content. With reliable information about destinations. With more destinations. With everything. A drive that I couldn’t suppress and that I couldn’t let go of with other parties. All of this only led to the real launch of the site in 2021. The first article is dated June 2021. So you see. In those years that followed, so much has changed. The design, the approach, the explorers (writers). Beautiful moments, beautiful trips, extraordinary destinations. We haven’t even seen the tip of the iceberg yet.
On two wheels
We love to travel the world on two wheels. In search of beautiful places. Classic destinations. Beautiful stories and extraordinary encounters. If you look at our content, we are strong in Europe, but we could definitely do better. And we could discover so much more on the fringes of this continent and beyond. But for now, I, Sander, am very proud of what we have achieved together. That’s why I have chosen five stories to highlight again. Stories that are special to me or just because I think they’re cool. Share your comments, like us on the various social channels. Subscribe to our newsletter or contribute to our platform. Let’s reach one million.
Top 5 stories – Switzerland
My love for Switzerland went from zero to 100. The story of the ascent of Barrage d’Emosson is very special to me. It is for me the beginning of Cycling Destination. Planting a seed. On the summit, on the dam with Mont Blanc in the background, I was overcome with emotions. After several difficult years in work and private life, I was there. In the mountains. In the sun. With a few special people around me. I really couldn’t contain it, but I had to deal with it. My experience of those few days Switzerland Read in this article: Cycling to Barrage d’Emosson: a route never raced in a World Championships
Top 5 part 2 – Bolzano
My very first step in Italy was in the city of Bolzano. On vacation in Austria, in 1998, we went to this city in Northern Italy. My love for the language and the country originated there at that moment. I went back many times. Both on a bike and just for a vacation. I learned the language (thanks to Duolingo) and I was at home there. But in 2020 and afterwards Bolzano suddenly became work. The circle is complete. In 2020 I was allowed to go on a media trip. For the first time to Stoanerne Mandl. So unique and special. In 2021 I did a day trip on the Giro Dolomiti and in 2022 and 2023 I went cycling there again. It is a special environment. A city between the mountains. I wrote several articles about this city. Choose your favorite 😉
- Why you should bike the Giro Delle Dolomiti in Bolzano
- Gravel in Bolzano
- Bolzano: your gravel basecamp in the Dolomites
- Cycling route from Bolzano to Klobenstein
Top 5 part 3 – The beauty of the Wadden Islands
The Netherlands is a wonderful country for cycling. In recent years, I have cycled through almost all the provinces of the Netherlands. Brabant, Limburg, Gelderland, Drenthe, Friesland, Zeeland, Flevoland. You name it. Almost all of them have their own unique character. Their own beauty. The Wadden region, which basically covers the coast of North Holland, Friesland and Groningen, is unique. In 2022, we cycled through the Wadden region for three days. What I saw was extraordinary. The people we met were warm (and sometimes a bit short-tempered) and friendly. I learned that flat terrain can also be beautiful. That you have to work with the circumstances. But that is what is beautiful about this work.
- The Wadden Sea gastronomy in one day
- Gravel in the Wadden: hard on the search for unpaved roads
- Cycling in the Wadden area: from churches to fields of hay
Top 5 part 4 – Basque Country
Our partnership with Etxeondo is much more than just a set of clothes. In 2022 we were invited to Basque Country for an extraordinary adventure. 6 days cycling in the region. Being immersed in everything that makes this brand so special. The family, the staff, the food and drink. Oh yeah, lots of food and drink. For vegetarians, Basque Country is an unfriendly environment. The region is rugged, mountainous. The setting is sometimes so special that you forget that you are in Spain. But the love for the region, the people and therefore the ‘Etxe Ondo’ is great. In 2023 we went again, as part of our campaign with Spanish Traffic Agency. Everything is ready for the start of the Tour. There is so much beautiful content that we can hardly choose. You can do it too.
- Baskenland Diary Part 1
- Baskenland Diary Part 2: Playing in Haimar’s Backyard
- Cycling in the Basque Country part 3: Tolosa – Pamplona
- Baskenland diary part 4: wind in the back
- Baskenland diary part 5: the land of wind and wine
- Cycling in the Basque Country: that final day
- Around Basque Country: Following the Grand Depart of Euskadi – Part 1
- Grand Depart of Basque Country: from the capital Vitoria-Gasteiz to San Sebastián
- Grand Depart of Basque Country – Stage 3 at Haimar is just around the corner
Top 5 part 5 – Luxembourg
Even get away from it all. That's possible in Luxembourg. Beautiful views, steep climbs. And all that in less than 6 hours‘ drive from Utrecht. We went to the Grand Duchy a lot. For various trips. In 2022 it was a combination of a photo shoot and an explorer ride. Two days were more than enough to enjoy the ’velosummer’ and the beautiful surroundings. Even with a minor fall, it was still spectacular. Let’s go back soon!
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.