Dark clouds are gathering. A beautiful saying from the Dutch language. When the weather is bad, or the hours of daylight are dwindling. Some destinations jump on this, such as the Wadden, which the theme Darkness have completely embraced. Personally, I am always looking for light or points of light. Guus Meeuwis' song 'Brabant' stuck with me because of that. Because in Brabant, that's where the light still burns. So what better thing to do than to look for light in the dark days around Christmas. We went on a cool route from 'Omstreken' on the road in the Brabant countryside. Thanks Merijn Heijne and Esther de Lange for the inspiration in our search for light. Whether we found it? Read it here!
Text: Sander Kolsloot - Photos: Merijn Heijne - Esther De Lange
Deurne. Of all places
Once I had to be in Deurne for work. The purpose was to visit a wholesaler. From my workplace in Utrecht, Deurne was 'far away'. Somewhere behind Helmond. You didn't want to be found dead there, let alone alive. Not Helmond and Deurne..of all places. That was then. Years ago. In the meantime, especially because of the corona perils, I have come to appreciate the Netherlands more and more. I found out that Deurne as a place may not be the most beautiful in the Netherlands, but the area certainly has a lot to offer. Guus Meeuwis also sings about this in his song.
In the regional names bingo wins Brabant gloriously took the top prize: 'the Baronie, the Biesbosch and the Groote heide' are all buzz words for me. The Peel may be a little less alluring, but the area lends itself perfectly to a fantastic gravel ride.
Deurne railway station
Fair is fair: Deurne is quite something. This route starts at the station. Convenient, even if you take the train by bike. From Deurne, you eventually head south-west and start your 'diversions'. Initially, you ride through the 'Galgenberg' area, not to be confused with the mountain of the same name in Amersfoort. You then head west, passing villages with names like 'Vlierden and Vloeieind'. Then a magnificent stretch across the Brouwhuissche heath begins. Also known as the 'Bikkelse Bossen', you can really enjoy beautiful heathland surroundings here, which is just a little less enthusiastically sought out than the Loonse and Drunense dunes, for example.
Let's go east
After this beautiful stretch of heathland, you also pass through the sand forest, which lives up to its name. By now 20 kilometres on the road, so more than 60 to go. The route curls like a condor over the unpaved Brabant roads. The beautiful spots follow in quick succession and so we also arrive in the Walsberg woods. Actually, it doesn't stop. I keep having to remind myself that we are really in and around Deurne. Of all places. We eventually move on towards Ysselsteyn, again not to be confused with its Utrecht counterpart. From here we get close to the promised land : America'. First we cross through the Schadijk woods. Another gem in the Brabant countryside.
The Peel
We now leave America to the left (or well right) and really cross De Peel. Perhaps the most beautiful part of this route. Via Heesberg, we enter the Mariapeel or Deurnese Peel. This is officially a piece of Limburg, but good. There is a real 'light' burning here. Water, heathland, too much beauty to mention. We really have to thank Merijn and Esther for this picture. A small extra loop is in order, as there is a ice cream farm in this piece of nature. On a beautiful summer day, we certainly don't skip it. Frosty ice cream, according to connoisseurs. I don't want to skiplem.
One more time
After ploughing our way through the 'three hundred bundles', there is the last part of the route. We take in another bit of Galgenberg and finally we roll back to the centre of Deurne, satisfied. What a great route and what a relief. Brabant is more than just carnival, Philips and PSV. Also more than the Loonse and Drunense Dunes or 'the roof of Brabant'. We would love to go again.
