At the end of each month, we plan a fun one from Cycling Destination social ride. You can ride with us, everyone is welcome. Every month we choose a different location and there is a choice of a gravel or a race ride. This month (this was the delayed February edition) we planned a ride in collaboration with Bike Bear Adventure in Veenendaal. We went to explore the area and there was a warm welcome beforehand and afterwards. A cycle route around Veenendaal with two climbs and a crossing. We thought it was cool, when will you go?
Text: Sander Kolsloot, photos: Stijn Kanters // Sander Kolsloot
Warm welcome in Veenendaal
Turning the car into the car park of BikeBear Adventure in Veenendaal, we lost our bearings for a moment. Among all the violence of the surrounding car dealers, this bike shop is a one-off. Fortunately, the present, orange logos are a good indicator that we are in the right place. The door swings open and Nico gives us a warm welcome. Quickly, the bike rack is positioned so that everyone can park their bikes. Mike, the son of, also checks in. "Coffee?" asks Nico, "or would you like something else? This feels like coming home. A nice shop, with bikes, but also a fat Land Rover and even a kayak. The addition of 'adventure' in the business name is appropriate.
Through the Betuwe and over the Heuvelrug
Veenendaal is known to many from the Veenendaal-Veenendaal classic, which these days goes by as the Arnhem-Veenendaal Classic. Beyond that, it is not the type of cycling destination everyone clears their diaries for. Still, I must take a moment to make a case for this 68,000-strong municipality. Because in terms of location, it is its own ideal place for cycling. You are close to the Utrechtse Heuvelrug, where the Amerongse Berg is practically screaming to be climbed. In addition, you can easily cross the Rhine at Rhenen and be in the Betuwe. A drive towards the Posbank is also a nice route. Not to mention the gravel options nearby. So Veenendaal certainly deserves to be there as a cycling destination, on the edge of Utrecht and Gelderland.
Departure
Eventually, we turn onto the road with a nice group. The first kilometre we have to make our way through Veenendaal, where the cycle paths are sometimes very wide, but where it also sometimes looks like someone with reading glasses laid the paths. A bit of attention with a very large group, then. Once we leave the built-up area, the scenery seems to open up. A beautiful landscape with a combination of nature trails, country roads and good cycle paths. I know the area reasonably well but I had not quite registered this. Along the water near Rhenen, having had the first little climb, we follow the water for a bit, crossing the big bridge there.
Betuwe: The land of Flipje
We have not yet crossed the bridge, or we are reminded that we are in the land of 'Flip' visiting. The Betuwe is known for its fruit orchards and typical villages such as Lienden, Kesteren and Maurik. Meandering through the orchards and along the streets through the villages, we see many beautiful churches and historical buildings. Several times you hear 'so, das a nice place'. The wind blows in the side and sometimes behind, which means we also get the wind from the front this route. As we make the turn back towards Rijswijk, it's already blowing in our faces. We take the ferry, make friends with the locals and enjoy the view of Wijk bij Duurstede for a while.
The dyke never disappoints
Leaving the ferry and waving to our new friends, we turn onto the Rijndijk. The wind blows in our faces and we quickly leave Wijk bij Duurstede. In summer, a stop at the Mill with an ice cream is not a bad idea. Now we drive on, with the water on our right and in the distance the village of Amerongen with its local 'mountain'. I always like the water, and this time there is not much traffic on the water, but it is still impressive. Reaching Amerongen, we cross the village, up the 'Alto de Amerongse Berg' as it was called during the Vuelta 2022. It remains a delightful little climb. If you want to incorporate a stop, you can first get a good cup of coffee with something tasty at The Prologue, the cycling cafe in the region.
Back home
After the climb at Amerongen, the descent is rapid and after the level crossing we turn towards the valley canal. This canal leads all the way back towards Amersfoort, another beautiful route. We drive back towards Veenendaal, through the church communities of Scherpenzeel and Renswoude. After a good 64 kilometres, we steer back into the car park. We are again warmly welcomed by Nico and Mike and the nice surprise of fries and a snack do us a lot of good.
Cycle route around Veenendaal
Would you also like to ride a nice cycling tour around Veenendaal? Then take a look at our route below. Want to ride a variation? Mike and Nico from BikeBear can certainly help you on your way.
