Ten Brabant cycling icons NOT TO BE MISSED
Photo: Jan de Vries, www.JDVF.nl
Whether you cycle close to home or go on a long ride, you will always encounter iconic spots in Brabant that will make your trip special. Pedal with us over spectacular bridges, past graffiti art and through the history of the liberation.
1. Floating roundabout, Eindhoven Is it art? Is it a UFO? No, it is the Hovenring, a ‘floating’ roundabout above an intersection of connecting roads between Eindhoven and Veldhoven. The 70-metre-high suspended construction is hard to miss. In fact, you can see it from far away. Here, your bike trip is hanging on a steel thread, the view is magnificent and above all, no hassle from cars. We wonder whether you are brave enough to cycle over it.
Photo: IPV Delft
2. Over the Maas, Cuijk Taking the new De Maasover (bridge) in Cuijk, you can cycle easily and quickly from our lovely province over the Meuse (Maas) from Cuijk to Nijmegen on to Gelderland. De Maasover is part of the F73 fast cycling route, the MaasWaalpad, which connects three provinces.
Photo: @cycling_deb
3. Fietsallee, Breda-Chaam A paradise for cyclists. Between Breda and Chaam, you whizz 11 kilometres through woodlands, over the asphalt of the ‘Fietsallee’. The cycle path is not only as smooth as a freshly ironed sheet, but it is also nice and wide and car free. While you pedal over the Royaaldreef, Slingerdreef, Kleine Slingerdreef, Huisdreef and the Putvenweg, you are also cycling part of the Van Gogh cycle route.
Photo: Zijwielrent.nl
4. Stönner-Meijwaardbrug, Oirschot In May 1944, two men and their comrades in arms from the Princess Irene Brigade fought the German troops in Oirschot. Rinus Stönner and Willem Meijwaard lost their lives during these battles. The Stönner-Meijwaard Bridge over the Wilhelmina Canal near Oirschot was named after them. If you would like to know more about this history, get off your bike and listen to the story at the audio column of the Liberation Route Brabant.
Photo: Jan de Vries, www.JDVF.nl
5. Cycling past tanks and cannons, Overloon Cycle right through a museum? Yes, it’s possible! In War Museum Overloon, you can check out the exhibition for free from a cycle bridge. This is the only place in the world that you can do this. Cycling on from the museum and discover British and German military cemeteries on the 'Aan de andere kant' (On the Other Side) cycle route, part of the Liberation Route Brabant.
Photo: Jacques Hendrix
6. Starry night, Eindhoven There is a truly exceptional cycle path just outside Nuenen. It is littered with thousands of stones that light up as soon as the sun sets. With his modern techno-poetry, Artist Daan Roosegaarde has created an ode to Van Gogh’s world-famous painting ‘The Starry Night’. The Van Gogh-Roosegaarde cycle path is part of the Van Gogh cycle route in Eindhoven.
Photo: pimhendriksen.com
7. Thunder through a rock garden, Dak van Netersel Skilled mountain bikers come from near and far to go on the MTB trail the ‘Dak van Netersel’. The trail is extremely challenging with steep climbs, descents, rock gardens, drops, north shore and switch backs. The trial is an entry-level world cup course. You don’t have to be a professional, but you do need to be technically advanced.
Photo: Sasien Photography
8. Cycle bridge over Bruistensingel, Rosmalen If you need to go from Rosmalen to ‘s-Hertogenbosch, or vice versa, then be sure to go over the cycle bridge by the Bruistensingel. Such a functional trip will suddenly become an experience.
9. Tegenbosch cycle bridge, Eindhoven On the Tegenbosch cycle bridge that connects the Eindhoven districts of Strijp and Meerhoven, you cycle 7 meters above the roaring traffic of the A2/N2. The 160-metre-long arched bridge is impressive enough during the daytime, but in the evening, the bridge is even more spectacular thanks to the stunning lighting that changes colours with the seasons. The faster you cycle, the brighter the light.
Photo: DutchCityHopper
10. The red carpet for cyclists Cycle on the bike comfortably, safely and quickly from A to B. For example, from Tilburg to Waalwijk, or from Helmond to Geldrop. That’s what a fast cycle route is for! These routes are being constructed throughout Brabant to make it as easy as possible for cyclists. Wide, clear and safe bike paths without obstacles make it even easier to choose the bike.
WHAt ARE YOUR FAVOURITE CYCLING LOCATIONS IN BRABANT? POST YOUR PHOTO ON Facebook OR Instagram WITH #sjees
