{"id":18513,"date":"2024-07-01T14:57:53","date_gmt":"2024-07-01T12:57:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cyclingdestination.cc\/?p=18513"},"modified":"2024-07-01T14:57:53","modified_gmt":"2024-07-01T12:57:53","slug":"paris-roubaix-of-the-zeeuwse-land","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cyclingdestination.cc\/en\/verhalen\/nederland\/zeeland\/parijs-roubaix-van-het-zeeuwse-land","title":{"rendered":"Paris-Roubaix from the Zeeland region \u2013 gravel route in Zeeland-Vlaanderen"},"content":{"rendered":"

Extensive fields. Sometimes slightly hilly. Farmhouse lanes, dotted with children\u2019s swings, if you will. Paris-Roubaix speaks to the imagination of many cycling fans. The \u2018hell of the north\u2019, as this race is affectionately called, is not for everyone. Yet people still like to refer to this race. The common denominator in these references? Gravel roads. Because that\u2019s what the 260-kilometer route from the capital Paris to the ruined industrial town of Roubaix is all about. The same goes for Zeeland and, in particular, West Zeeuws-Vlaanderen, where you can get to know those \u2018annoying\u2019 gravel roads from close up. During our adventure in West Zeeuws-Vlaanderen, we were able to put together a beautiful route with 4.9 kilometers of gravel roads! The title? Paris-Roubaix of the Zeeland region. Would you like to join us?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Paris-Roubaix
Great gravel biking on the trails in West Zeeuws-Vlaanderen<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Weather and wind<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although the real hell of the north is not comparable to our friendly gravel route in the Zeeland countryside, it is a real ordeal on the day we drive it. The wind is blowing freely and the looming, ominous clouds promise not much good. When we gather in IJzendijke, where we on our \u2018groundbreaking Zeeuws-Vlaanderen route\u2019<\/a>\u2018Even through it, the mill stops turning. For with this wind, it cannot turn. Few people, like us, have put on the brave bike shoes and braved over 80 kilometers of natural elements. Well, maybe that fits perfectly with this route too. After all, hell is nothing without hellish conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Paris-Roubaix
These conditions are part of Paris-Roubaix<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

First to the east<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The route starts towards Biervliet and the Braakman. At the Braakman, where we a few days earlier<\/a> Although we have already driven through the mud, it is even more muddy than the day before. It is quite a slog through the mud, but that makes it an epic ride. We have already driven through Biervliet, where the former town hall is a lovely place to take a photo. From the Braakman we immediately take the first gravel track. In my opinion, these are not 5-star tracks like those of Mons-en-P\u00e9v\u00e8le, where the children's seats really seem to be thrown randomly from a plane. These gravel tracks are relatively tight. The tractor drivers who drive over them have not yet created deep potholes. With the right tire pressure (on a gravel bike, no problem like ours), you only have a little bit of the stones bouncing on them. This promises a lot of fun!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Even facing the wind<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Paris-Roubaix
Beautiful Dutch chestnut trees<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

More gravel <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After the first gravel section, there is immediately a very long stretch of unpaved road. Beautifully embedded against a dike. Here, the gravel is actually a kind of black stone. It rolls nicely over the beautiful track. The wind blows quite strongly in the face here, but who cares? After this long gravel section, we have the second gravel section of the day. This one is also beautifully laid out and gives that Paris-Roubaix vibe that many are looking for. With a good gravel bike, that is also no problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Checking out the southern neighbors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The border marker<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Attention: nature reserve<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Straw
The hunting path with smooth gravel<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Just like our route Boundary-breaking graveling<\/a> This takes us a little bit into Belgium. We take a variation on the turns and also get a nice and long dirt track here. While cycling, the wind blows nicely through. The overhead power lines in Belgium sway with the wind. Note to ourselves: next time we come back with less wind. But that\u2019s part of it, of course. Just as the slightly less beautifully paved dirt tracks of our southern neighbors we encounter on our second dirt track along the Boerenkreek. Roll on the bumps and this would definitely be 3 stars in Paris-Roubaix. That\u2019s something to get used to. But as previously mentioned: our bikes can handle that just fine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"straw
This is the \u2018hell of Zeeland-West Flanders\u2019<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"princeton
Dark gravel, perfect to ride with wide 42mm tires<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Aardenburg back again<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At the border post with Sint-Laureins, the border is crossed again and we are guided through Eede via back roads. Of course, we were already there Restaurant de Grens<\/a>, But here you can also find delicious wine and asparagus. In our tips you\u2019ll find the specific addresses you shouldn\u2019t miss. From here, head towards Aardenburg and back to IJzendijke is a beautiful, rough stretch. You\u2019ll go through the fields, where long country roads call out to be ridden. Here you\u2019ll find what you\u2019re looking for in a cool gravel route. We\u2019re up against the wind. It\u2019s howling. But that\u2019s what you want, right? Paris-Roubaix in the sun, that\u2019s for everyone. Rain and wind, that\u2019s for the real gravel lovers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Hiding<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although we are not averse to rain, it gets really intense at some point. We decide to take shelter in the van that we brought along for this trip. That is really necessary. It comes pouring down from the sky. Checking the weather radar and waiting is the motto for the moment. After all, driving through the puddles is just not worth it. But we are lucky. The rain stops and eventually we can continue for a while. That way we can complete the final stretch too. After 80 kilometers of driving, we are ready for a good meal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Just check the route on Komoot again<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Terry
It's getting wild.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Tips along the route:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n