Lonneker,
The Netherlands: 400 km Brevet
E. W. [Wim] Kok
The second brevet I rode in the
Netherlands (actually most of it in Germany) involved a 400 km event on May 26,
2001. It started at Lonneker, near Enschede in the eastern part. On account of
the foot-and mouth disease the traditional course through the forested and
hilly Veluwe area had to be canceled. John Omlo, organizer of this brevet, had
selected an alternate route, which would take the eight riders into Germany to
Warstein as the turnaround point.
Warstein, at the northern edge of Sauerland, is the place where the
famous Warsteiner beer is brewed. Registration of the participants took place
between 8 and 9 pm at night at cafe Sprakel, and at 9 pm sharp we were off.
This ride as opposed the 300 km brevet a week earlier, did not have any arrows
on the pavement, but made extensive use of road signs and an excellent route
description.
The route took us very quickly into
Germany. Evening fell slowly, as if someone gradually turned down the dimmer
switch. After sunset we stopped at our first control in Emsdetten, re-supplied
depleted caffeine stores and water bottles. As the skies turned darker,
temperatures dropped and Germany went to sleep. The stars came out, as did the
moon, guiding us through the countryside. Frequently, we passed through small
villages. Somewhere near Kattevenne some members of our group disappeared at
great speed after everyone took what later on appeared to be a wrong turn. We
ended up on a dark bike path in the forest, then somehow regrouped and
collectively clued in that this was not the way to get to the next control. We
then argued in a friendly way which
direction to take. Mass confusion (that is if you can call eight riders a
mass). Upon consulting a map -- yes, they are very useful to have along-- and
determining our overall position, we did some backtracking and with an extra 20
km were able to get back on our route. Decision-making at its best!
It was after midnight by now and the
darkest part of night surrounded us. We passed through Lienen, a place where I
have to go back to, because it struck me as particularly picturesque. Arriving
at Bad Iburg, the silhouette of the famous Teutoburgerwald with its spectacular forest became visible. Meanwhile we had split in two groups, one
fast and one not so fast. Slowly, the
night sky began to lose its darkness, as if someone gradually turned the dimmer
switch on again. Earlier, aromas of freshly baked bread from bustling bakeries
wafted through silent streets of rural villages and tickled our nostrils,
tempting, and attempting us to stop for
a bite. We resisted, and were not. By the time we were ready to leave the
second control near Soest, Germany awoke. Morning sights and sounds greeted us.
In the valleys, tatters of ground fog hanging in suspension over pastures.
Slight breezes caused it to slowly float away, until it disappeared in the
strengthening morning sun.
The landscape became increasingly rolling,
taking us from valley bottoms, up hillsides to hill tops. Forests and fields
alternating passing us (or, we them), as if someone was playing hide and seek. We
rode on, and rose above the valleys,
gaining both elevation and views of the wide area around us. Hilltops were
littered with large windmills, evidence of a great push toward alternative
energy production. As we approached Warstein, one of our riders had to slow
down, because he did not feel well. Well enough to cycle on, but not enough to
maintain a higher pace, so with three of us we made a morning stop in the
brewer’s town, visited a Konditorei with freshly baked bread and pastry. We
also collected an extra stamp, thus making this an unscheduled and unplanned control at the halfway point of this
brevet. The return leg of the ride took us along the same route, the difference
being that we could enjoy the scenery in broad daylight now. The scenery was indeed magnificent. Passing through large beech forests, whose
tall trunks and its closed canopy resembled a large cathedral. The many birds
in it sang continuously, thus adding the chimes. Spring was indeed here. It
reminded me of the time I spent in Germany’s Black Forest more than thirty
years ago. Continuing over hollow roads in between fields where hay was cut and
dried, adding fragrance to the air, thus offsetting some of the odours that are
spread by livestock barns, crops sprayers and chemical industries in the
region. As we cycled north back to our starting point we gradually descended
into the Lowlands.
After more than 410 kilometers and a total
climb of 1750 meters (most of it consisting of bridge ramps etc) we arrived a
full 24 hours later at 9 pm the next day. Tired, not really. Sleepy, neither,
despite having cycled for 24 hours and after having been awake for more than 36
hours. It was marvelous ride. The weather was excellent, the company was great.
The country side was varied, with rolling topography, hills and valleys. Once
in a while rock outcrop of sandstone or limestone. Many small villages and
towns, each with its own characteristics, but most of them with market squares,
churches and Gasthoefe, and above all neatly manicured and rich in Kultur.
In terms of the cycling a great way to
explore a varied landscape. Similar to the 300 km brevet, the strategy was no
different. Fast paced riding between control points. Take a break of about half
an hour or so, until someone gets the idea to get moving again...........and
moving it is. It is obviously important to find a group riding at one’s pace.
Cycling at night in a group was certainly challenging, especially where one was
confined to bike paths and riding double file (instead of single). Bike paths
have many obstacles and curves in them, which requires extreme alertness,
especially at night. The rides are very disciplined with continuous signaling
and warning about obstacles and traffic ahead. Overall, a great experience.
Last update: 28 July 2001