My Most Memorable Adventures of 2023

In all honesty, 2023 wasn’t the year I was hoping for in terms of cycling and (mental) health. It left me with the feeling of not having done enough and missing out on a lot. But when I looked back at my rides with the year nearly coming to an end, I was surprised to see how many amazing rides and adventures I embarked on, despite everything.
I think my biggest lesson is that you don’t have to ride far or hard or long to have an incredibly beautiful day out on the saddle. Maybe you can find some inspiration in this Collection for your 2024 adventures.

1️⃣ A surprising ride back home.
It was a while since the last time I rode my bike in October due to some health issues. I had the chance to cycle back home and decided to find the nicest paths in the area.

2️⃣ The Puy-de-Dôme on Vans hike! 
I’m not a big hiker, but as I couldn’t ride my bike on our holiday, we decided to go hiking instead. Of course I wore my Vans hiking up this beautiful hill. The view kept getting better and better with every turn we made. Great to get out of my comfort zone.

3️⃣ Gooische glamour gravel deluxe.
During my annual get away with a friend, we decided to go for a nice and smooth gravel ride. I made a 100km ride and we really enjoyed the surroundings to the fullest. It’s a very easy ride that can even be done on your road bike (in the right circumstances). Gooische glamour gravel never disappoints!

4️⃣ The perfect coffee ride
Anyone who knows me, knows I love a a nice ride with a coffee stop. For Land van Grind en Zand I made this route, which was very lovely. It’s almost fully off-road and has a great coffee stop. The perfect ride to loosen up the legs and just enjoy being outside.

5️⃣ Rebounding in Belgium.
A last minute, very spontaneous idea to ride Shimano’s Rebound challenge, led me to Belgium. Although for me it’s not a familiar area, I still made my own route and it did not disappoint. Very green, nice smooth gravel and sand, because there ain’t no Kempen party without sand.

6️⃣ The Hardennes hike-a-mountain-bikepacking trip.
I was in for an adventure and decided I wanted to ride to the Ardennes from home. I made the route and pretty much killed myself while riding this one. It was tough, but oh, so beautiful. And totally worth it, because the route ends at Le Coffee Ride where nice pasta and drinks await!

7️⃣ Riding back home from Le Coffee Ride.
After a nice day exploring the Ardennes, we headed back home. I made a new route and was eager to find some unfamiliar paths. Honestly one of the best days on the bike this year!

8️⃣ Double espresso with gravel ride
What’s better than a coffee stop? TWO COFFEE STOPS! So, I created a route that passes two of my favourite cafes. Needless to say I put in a little gravel to really earn those breaks. This was a great day!

9️⃣ A tiny holiday on the bike
This ride once again reminded me that you don’t have to go far to have a great day on the bike. We set of to the Veluwe area and it felt like a proper holiday. With nice lanes and paths and a proper coffee stop, I know you’ll enjoy this one.

🔟 Geile Strecke recon
It was raining cats and dogs the entire weekend, but I had to do a final check on my route. At several moments we asked ourselves why we did it, but even in the pouring rain, this route is incredibly beautiful. Some routes just happen to pleasantly surprise you in any season.