Our explorers naturally enjoy travelling abroad. But also in their own country, what is called, in their own backyard, routes, hidden gems and tips are available for every enthusiastic cyclist in the Netherlands or abroad. Because what you experience as a 'standard round trip' is a new discovery for someone else. Explorer Erwin, from the Mountain High Chasers, went cycling across the Utrecht Hill Ridge and gives his favourite tips. Check out his cycling route across the Utrecht Hill Ridge and go on an adventure!
Text and photos Erwin // Mountain High Chasers
Backyard playground: cycling across the Utrechtse Heuvelrug
Cycling in my 'backyard' stands for variety. Countless short climbs with Amerongse Berg as the leader. Playing with the wind on the Lekdijk along the Lower Rhine. Seeking the lee of the forest to eliminate that same wind. The farmland 'above' the Heuvelrug with plenty of quiet roads. The same tranquillity, decorated with fruit crops just 'below' the Heuvelrug again. This cycle route takes you past all the highlights.
Defence road: not to be missed
Already enough elements for a delightful ride, but there are still two stretches I don't want to bypass and so go. The Defence Road (!) is for me the most beautiful road here, a strip of tarmac with no cars right through the forest, winding and undulating. Feast. Absurdly more asphalt can be found at Soesterberg Air Base. Where you cycle across a former runway for fighter jets. The amazement on the faces of newcomers never gets used.
Back and forth
To loop all this together as nicely as possible, combined with an aversion to traffic lights, my favourite lap is a creative one. In which I break an aesthetic rule; back and forth along the same road. Take the route in dry weather. So that short strips of gravel (very decent gravel, though), a bit of narrow cycle path through the forest and (surprise) a cobblestone lane don't get you into trouble.
Tips for caffeine on the go
- Bergse Bossen (Driebergen)
- Soesterdal (Soesterberg)
- The region's cycling magnet: The Prologue (Amerongen).
Read also:
- Cycling on the Heuvelrug: classic from Bunnik
- In the wake of La Vuelta Holanda
- Cycling route around Veenendaal - Explorer Ride BikeBear!
Cycling route across the Utrecht Hill Ridge
The route can be cycled all year round, always beautiful and different. If I really have to choose, I choose spring, with the blossom in the fruit trees. The runway is exclusive to Skylark during summer and thus closed to us cyclists. This does not affect the route, as the crossing is always accessible. But take a round trip across the runway when it is open!
Have fun!
