Race around the Netherlands

Race around the Netherlands – Netherlands

• Date: 2028-05-06
• Location: Amerongen, Netherlands
• Event Type: Self-supported bikepacking race

For those seeking a profound journey by bike, the Race around the Netherlands offers an immersive experience, a true test of endurance and spirit across the varied Dutch landscape. This self-supported bikepacking adventure invites riders to become their own ride organizers, charting a path through both the familiar and the hidden corners of the country.

The route, beginning and ending in Amerongen at the De Proloog Cafe, first traces the course of the Neder-Rijn and Waal rivers. Cyclists will pass historic cities like Nijmegen and Arnhem, before transitioning into the serene expanse of the National Park Veluwezoom, known for its heath fields and the iconic Posbank.

Further north, the gravel under tyres will carry riders through Enschede and past the ancient Dolmens of Drenthe, prehistoric burial chambers that stand as silent witnesses to centuries. The journey then leads to the bustling city of Groningen before the elemental force of the wind begins to assert itself along the coastline.

Instead of the direct route across the Afsluitdijk, the Race around the Netherlands guides adventurers around the tranquil Ijsselmeer, through charming harbors such as Enkhuizen and Hoorn. This offers a different perspective of the Dutch waters, a more intimate connection with the maritime heritage of the region.

The route then turns southward, embracing the Dutch coast with its expansive beaches and dunes, devoid of much human intervention, leading towards the monumental port of Rotterdam. Crossing the Erasmus bridge and venturing onto the Maasvlakte, the journey reveals the impressive scale of modern engineering blending with the natural world.

Continuing south, the course navigates past the Delta Park Neeltje Jans, a testament to Dutch resilience against the sea, towards the historic city of Vlissingen. The journey then arcs inland, gently climbing towards the hills of Limburg, where the Keutenberg awaits with its challenging gradient, a brief but intense interlude before returning to the river landscape of the Maas. Discover more gravel events in Netherlands on our destination guide. Full route details and registration are available on the official event website.

The ultimate return to Amerongen, completing the Race around the Netherlands, brings with it a sense of achievement and a quiet understanding of the country traversed, a testament to the individual