To my left, the field is filled with beautiful yellow. As far as I can see, I see the flowers that will later be processed into rapeseed oil. The flower fields are in bloom from mid-April to mid-May. It is a perfect backdrop for a cycling tour themed Detour Denmark. Because the Tour de France starts in 2022 in Denmark and everyone should know that. Because this is not just an event for the country with 5.8 million inhabitants (and the same number of cyclists). This is perhaps the event of the last 20 years. The matches of EURO 2020, which also took place in Copenhagen in 2021, are nothing compared to this. It is a huge experience. The whole country is involved. That makes this Grand Départ unique. We take you on the Tour’s trail, through Detour Denmark. (Part 2 find it here!)
Text: Sander Kolsloot Photos: Camilla Hylleberg/VisitDenmark, The Bike Journalist, Sander Kolsloot
Copenhagen
While trying to do a wheelie with my art and flying skills for the photo, I almost forget that I’m on the gravel roads in front of the Royal Palace. Here, my father, mother, and son live close to each other. Christiansborg, where the riders will bounce over the small stones. As one of my travel companions humorously remarks: ‘then you move into your own place and then you live next to your mother’. Fair point.
The city itself doesn't really lend itself to a road bike tour, although the infrastructure is very well maintained. The most beautiful routes, as is the case everywhere in the world, are to be found as soon as you leave the city. For the tour participants, plenty of space is created, and on the flat course, which passes, among other things, along the famous Lorelei, the men with the big bikes will have the advantage. If you still want to explore the city, then rent a city bike and cycle over the various beautiful bridges and along the water. With a little imagination, it reminds you of the Netherlands. When you're done with your ride, you'd best go for a quick walk around Tivoli They are there to entertain you. A beautiful, old amusement park with a relaxed atmosphere.
Mayoral Approval
The mayor of Copenhagen has made special time available this Sunday to welcome us. Everyone seems to assume that the Tour start in Copenhagen will have a significant impact. The mayor herself is also an active cyclist. Her predecessor brought the Tour to Denmark, but she will certainly ensure that the legacy is safeguarded. Her favorite cycling area? The section southwest of the city, towards the start point Roskilde. Let’s include that in the route now.
Danish Zeeland
As we leave the city, the support vehicle that has been helping us along the way soon disappears from sight. The main reason? The route takes us through beautifully paved bike paths, along the water and soon through fields on the outskirts of the city of Copenhagen. Along the beach in Brøndby towards the border with Zealand, or Zeeland. On to the yellow rapeseed fields, the typical churchlets and colorful half-timbered houses that distinguish Denmark from the rest of the world. In Kildebrønde you’ll find such a beautiful sight. Time for a stop, a swim, and a photo, before continuing on towards Roskilde, where the mayor welcomes us with open arms.
Viking ships and music festivals
Tomas Breddam is a civic father, as you would imagine a civic father to be. Not too formal, almost huggable, but he knows what he’s talking about. Against the backdrop of the Viking Ship Museum He tells the story of the tour’s start. That story is primarily the logistical challenge for a town like Roskilde. 48,000 inhabitants, who receive 130,000 music lovers for the pop festival, which overlaps with the start of Le Grande Boucle. ‘I hope that after the Tour, people will stay for the music too.’ Promotively, an ideal image; logistically, a challenge that the local triangle is still struggling with. The fact that the police are simultaneously conducting an exercise with us is a sign that Denmark does not want to leave anything to chance. They are ready. In all areas.
Following the Tour to the West
As the sun makes its way to its best side, we prepare for the trip to the final stop in Rosnæs. What many do not know is that a challenging afternoon is in store for us on the Tour route. Where the region initially seems flat, the action of the sea, earth, and weather creates a wavy landscape waiting for us. There is no flat coastline or straight road; the roads are winding. From Roskilde, it is actually straight uphill and downhill for the first 30 kilometers of the second Tour stage, beautifully flanked by yellow bikes in all the villages. The first 30 kilometers of the second Tour stage are actually not a single meter flat. Only from the coastal strip near Holbæk is there a nice flat stretch, with a lovely, typically wide tour route. For our route, we take the narrow path along the water. It is too narrow for a peloton, but a must-do for our group.
Around the Côte de Asnæs
When starting abroad, one always searches diligently for a nice hill to get the first mountain points from the stages. Usually you see the lesser gods or unknown helpers sprinting in a group. A day in a mountain jersey is one you will never forget. Not to mention the euros and the attention from the sponsors. In the first stage, the flat time trial, there was no way to find a climb. So it all comes down to the second stage. The focus lies around Asnæs. The picturesque village with almost 3000 inhabitants has a few slopes that wouldn’t be out of place in an Ardennes classic.
Co-exclusion of Côte de Asnæs
Although our original plan was to tackle the entire hill, we will ultimately only ride the Côte de Asnæs Indelukke. The descent to the bottom is fast and the turn to the bottom is sharp. The contenders for the final victory must be in their best form here. The climb itself seems like a ski jump. 1100 meters long, with an average percentage of 5.8. The trick lies in the tail where the maximum is 11%. Here Bo Hamburger shows why he has been a pro. Bo is a former rider at TVM and joined our group from Roskilde. He makes it clear to all of us. As we turn over, the tour riders turn left, we turn right, through the countryside towards our finish.
Hørve Street
Where we descended, the riders are riding up in the second stage. So for a moment, we’re not on the Tour’s course. Had I already said that this was a steep hill? Only 700 meters in length, this won’t give the pros any reason to be afraid. The average of 7.7 percent and the maximum climb of 14 percent are a testament to MvdP. If he’s short after the time trial, who knows?
Kårup Beach
We don’t drive up this hill on our route, but there’s also a tricky section just before this climb: the Disbjergvej. Every time you go up here, you have short, tricky stretches. The Côte de Karup Strandbakke is also only 1.3 kilometers long and averages 7 percent again, with a peak of 100 meters. Not too shabby. We’re seeing this ordeal from the bumpy old city bus that’s waiting for us in Ordrup. A gift from the local tourist office. I’m still looking for the link to the Tour, but it’s exciting, to say the least.
Beach and wine
On the second day of the grand dékart, many riders will have little memory of Kalundborg, let alone Rosnæs. After all, it is in full swing and a striding trot towards the dessert of the day, the magnificent Storebæltsbroen. For anyone who doesn’t have to worry about schedules and possible crowds on this iconic bridge, a stopover and overnight stay in the beautiful city of Amsterdam is a must. Strandhotel Rosnaes a must-try. The location is taken straight from a Lonely Planet guide. The kitchen is of high quality and the matching wines are partly sourced from the neighboring STUB vineyards. The tasting we were presented with there was delicious. The story provided a beautiful backdrop for our evening and a nice conclusion to the first part of this trip.
Routes
Below you will find the route of the entire trip, including the first stages, as described above. You will also find more route inspiration there, if you look in our collections! Follow us on instagram (@cyclingdestination.cc/) for more information and the latest updates.
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.