SiX 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 the Brainportregion that will make your trip special.
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. 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
3. 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
4. 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
5. 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
6. 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.
Photo: pimhendriksen.com
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