The Pendulum

Description

This route starts at Loetje restaurant on de Noorderplassen in Almere. Time to make miles! With a bit of luck, the first few kilometres go smoothly with a tailwind on the Oostvaardersdijk. From the dyke, you have a magisterial view over the Markermeer and the Oostvaardersplassen. While passing over the smooth asphalt of Praamweg, you can spot konik horses.

You meander through the De Grote Trap nature reserve, which at three years old is very young even by Flevoland standards. Near Zeewolde, you dive into the Horsterwold, with 3,700 hectares one of the largest continuous deciduous forests in the Netherlands. Climb there especially to the Horsterberg viewpoint to experience the vastness of the Horsterwold.

In the finale around Almere, the highlights follow one another. You imagine yourself on the Vierbruggenpad in Giethoorn and cycle near het Weerwater along the spot where in 2022 the cable car to the Floriade site still ran. Just before the finish, you cycle through the dunes. No, you haven't accidentally ended up in Zandvoort, but in the beach district of Duin. End point: restaurant Loetje.

Character
Distance: 148 km
★★★★☆ Curvy
Green
★★★★☆ Water
★★★★★☆☆ Open Flevoland
★★★★★☆☆ Wind*

Coffee stop
1. Fika Restaurant
Strandweg 165
3891 AK Zeewolde
www.restaurantfika.nl

2. Restaurant DUBBEL-OP De Kemphaan
Kemphaanpad 8
1358 AC Almere
www.dubbel-op.nl

*Wind
No hills in the polder? That's right! But still, you can train your climber's legs on our very own Wall of Woei. Because we have no shortage of wind in Flevoland. However, we can help you avoid encountering the Muur van Woei too often (and having to ride quite an open stretch against the wind): ride this route clockwise with south and west winds (standard route). And anti-clockwise in north and east winds.

A word of caution!
A number of comments and warnings apply to this route:

• The paths through Holland Wood are narrow. At blind bends, be mindful of oncoming cyclists.
• The paths along the Randmeren after Horsterwold are narrow and frequently used by recreational cyclists. Bear this in mind and moderate your speed. After this stretch, you can hit the gas for 15 km over the Slinger and along the Eemmeer.
• Leaving the Gooimeerdijk, a winding section follows. First het Cirkelbos, then the Vierbruggenpad and finally the Kerkuilenpad. These are narrow and busy by Flevoland standards. Bear this in mind and moderate your speed. From the Hollandse Brug to the end point, you can keep on pedalling.

Fun for partner/family
The route starts at restaurant Loetje in Almere. This is also where Boei2 is located, where you can hire a nice sloop or barbecue boat to enjoy yourself for a day on de Noorderplassen. They also rent out Segways. The route passes the Oostvaardersplassen, where there are beautiful hiking trails for all ages. The route goes through the Horsterwold, a beautiful nature reserve where there are several beautiful walking routes. The route passes Stadslandgoed de Kemphaan in Almere. With a Klimbos, Stichting Aap and Almere Jungle, among others, everyone can enjoy themselves here for a whole day.