Seamlessly in line with the theme year Ode aan het Landschap, with Ode aan de Hollandse Waterlinies as an important part, the Cycling Platform recently launched the new LF Waterline route. This Long Distance Cycle Route is ideally suited for a cycling holiday, and is part of a series of planned LF icon routes. Three lines are connected in the route: the Defense Line of Amsterdam, the Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie and the West Brabant part of the Zuiderwaterlinie. All together good for a 410 km long route between Edam and Bergen op Zoom. The route is fully signposted in two directions and is supported by the website, app and cycling guide. Cyclists can pack their gear and jump on the bike today. When you return home, there is a suitable reminder to request: a shield to stick on the frame, and a personal certificate.
About the LF Waterline Route
The LF Waterline Route takes cyclists through attractive nature reserves, in search of world-class Dutch heritage. The historic Dutch water lines were built to fend off the enemy by flooding huge tracts of land. They are unique chains of military structures that have enriched the landscape in a special way. Water as a means of defense, that could only have been devised by the Dutch! The 410 km long route goes from Edam to Bergen op Zoom: along the Defense Line of Amsterdam, via the New Dutch Waterline and the West Brabant part of the Zuiderwaterlinie. Many elements of the lines can still be seen in the landscape, such as inundation channels, batteries and line dikes. The holiday cyclist cycles through a pleasant setting of water and exciting nature, past attractive fortresses and fortified towns with the atmosphere of yesteryear. The history of the water lines comes to life on this tour!
Social takeover: LF Waterline cyclists take you along
LF Waterline cyclists Laura Maat and Irene Maaskant started their LF Waterline route adventure on 19 June. The two cycling ladies, aged 27 and 29, started cycling on a good day, just on their old city bikes, and pedaled further and further: from a round of the LF Zuiderzee Route and the LF Coastal Route from Cadzand-Bad to Bad-Nieuweschans, to a trip of 7 months throughout Europe. This year they even released their own book 'Go on the bike'. They are now real experts. Where they pass by on the LF Waterlinieroute, what they experience and where they sleep, and how to organize a coronaproof cycling holiday, they will share from 19 June via the social channels Facebook and Instagram of Nederland Fietsland.
Cycling holidays in our own country particularly popular
The popularity of cycling holidays is great and the influence of corona is clearly noticeable. In 2020, 2,5 million Dutch people went on a cycling holiday in their own country. There is also a rejuvenation of the target group. This is evident from Key Figures Cycling Holidays 2020-2021 from the National Cycling Platform. In 2020, 885.000 Dutch people made one or more cycling trips in their own country. A third (32%) of them had never done a bicycle trek in the Netherlands before and 11% had previously only done so abroad. No less than 60% of trekking cyclists want to do another hike in their own country in 2021. The new route is therefore very welcome!
Organization and financing
The LF Waterline Route is being developed by the Landelijk foundation Bicycle platform in collaboration with the heritage organizations of the Defense Line of Amsterdam, the Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie and the Zuiderwaterlinie. Realization of this route is possible thanks to financial contributions from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, the provinces of North Holland, Utrecht, Gelderland, South Holland, North Brabant, Alliantie Zuiderwaterlinie and the Loevestein pact.
Photo above: image bank Fietsplatform, Martin van Lokven.
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