Although I've been out in the world for almost 40 years and on a road bike for almost 20, I still have quite a few gaps in my cycling areas list. Even in the Netherlands, the place I have come to appreciate more and more, I am really still missing some wonderful routes. The VAM Mountain for example, the attraction of Drenthe. But also the Camerig, or the three countries point at the very south of the Netherlands. Those places where many have already been, but where I only have TV memories. The Posbank was another such place. I climbed it for the first time in 2022, in the pouring rain. In 2023 I did it again, this time in bright sunshine. It immediately made a bold statement: the Posbank is more beautiful than Limburg and I'll tell you why!
Posbank or Veluwezoom?
I did some preliminary research on the Posbank and just searched for 'national park' or 'Posbank, nature reserve'. Zero results in this search. Only when I stood in the sunshine on top of the climb did I find out that Posbank actually refers to a 'bench'. A bench, that is, made of stone, named after Mr G.A. Pos. The dates '1893 - 7 May 1918' mentioned in the bench recall the 2nd ANWB president and chief consul's silver jubilee. Indeed, Mr Pos. Climbing Posbank, then, is literally a climb to Mr Pos's bench. Simple as it may seem, I really needed to shake myself up. Apparently, for years I thought this was the name for the nature reserve. But that is not correct, as Posbank is in the Veluwezoom National Park.
Posbank is more beautiful than Limburg
OK, so as not to get everyone all stressed out, when I say 'the Posbank' I am referring to the larger area popularly associated with the Posbank. Because the ascent of the Emma Pyramid, for example, where you can still test those real hairpin turns. Much used for climbing and descent clinics. Also further east you have the Holleweg and the Diepesteeg, which are also counted as part of this area. So in a few square kilometres, you have a climbing paradise where you can indulge to your heart's content.
More names
So the Posbank is more than just Mr Pos's bench. But the climb to that bench, you can approach it from several directions. When I head in that direction in June 2023, I have booked a stay at Lodges on the Posbank. It could hardly be more appropriate. These lodgings are ideal for racing and gravel cyclists. Out in nature, quiet, with a catering establishment nearby and with the most beautiful routes literally at your feet. From here, you ride straight up the Schietbergseweg to the top with, yes, the Posbank. The other variant is if you drive down the Heuvenseweg and then head towards the Beekhuizen estate. Then you get to the bottom of Rozendaal by the Emmy Pyramid, which then leads to the Zijpenberg. Via the Beekhuizenweg, you then arrive back...at the Posbank! Are you still following it?
Early bird
Why the Posbank is more beautiful than Limburg? Because you can still spot wildlife on an early morning. As I jump on my bike on Thursday morning, with a rising sun, I make the descent towards Rozendaal. I hear nothing, nothing but my own bike, my chain, my hub. That is also what the young roe deer can hear further on. Suddenly I see it move. He (or she) runs away, disturbed in his morning ritual. I just manage to take a photo, although the roe deer's derriere is not photogenic. When I encounter the same quadruped further on, it is a repeat performance. The sound of my bike disturbs the animal in its search for food. With a few lascivious jumps it disappears between the trees, leaving me behind in a mixture of disbelief and gratitude.
Up - down and up
Once at the bottom of the Emmy Pyramid, I turn right, up the Beekhuizenseweg. The Beekhuizenseweg temporarily becomes the 'bovenallee', to give things a bit more kick. Here lies the most beautiful hairpin bend in all of Gelderland. The view here is so-so, but you also have to watch out for oncoming traffic. After all, you bang down pretty hard. So do I, although at this early hour I am hardly bothered by the rest of the world. One of the major advantages of the Posbank. Because everyone seems to forget about it, it is never 'too crowded'.
Onwards through the heath and forest
When you are almost on top (with the stone Posbank now on your right), you can turn left across the heathland, towards the fire tower. This is absolutely stunning. You go from a wider street, to a narrower cycle path. You can get there by car, but the bike has almost free rein here. I ride across the heathland and at the edge of the woods I spot one of the many grazers on this stretch of the Veluwezoom. A burly Scottish Highlander looks at me with a glassy expression. Now what is this cyclist doing in my habitat? I roll along long undulating paths through the forest. Towards Eerbeek, before rolling down along the Elsberg (up again). Once near Dieren, I turn towards Hoog-Soeren and here the landscape is more open again. The sun gets some more space on this June day.
Along the railway line back
At Brummen, I turn back again. On this day, I have the wind at my back so it's a nice ride. To 'get home', I actually follow the railway line. A railway line I still know from my youth. When I spent hours in halls in this region, in the youth squad of the Royal Dutch Dambond. The little line that stops in Brummen, Dieren and Rheden. It's a nice ride and only when you get to De Steeg do you have to pay attention again. At the pancake house in Rheden I turn up again and this time I complete the climb to the Posbank. When I reach the top I know for sure. The Posbank is more beautiful than Limburg.
Explore route Posbank
In this route, you have the option to add the Holleweg as well.
