Cycling in the Waterdriehoek

The Biesbosch has a wealth of special, colorful plants and beautiful animals. Many birds enjoy the wealth that the ponds, creeks and fens have to offer and nest in the surrounding forests. A pair of sea eagles nest in the area, but herons also fish in the Biesbosch. Ducks, grebes and coots swim on the water, while harriers and buzzards hunt for juicy field mice in the polders. Otters take a refreshing dip in the water, while beavers are hard at work building their nests and dams. The river islands, sand and mudflats of the Biesbosch get color from the yellow marshweed, white valerian and purple loosestrife. Giant balsam gives off a soft, sweet scent and farmers make hay on their land in the polders. The route starts and ends at VVV Alblasserdam, where you can also park your car for free. If you want more information about Alblasserdam, you can visit the store for beautiful photos, maps and more background information. When you think of Alblasserdam as a cyclist, you can hardly help but think of windmills. The extensive peat area is intersected by ditches, canals and two small rivers: the Alblas and the Giessen. The area derives its characteristic, historic identity mainly from the many windmills along the Kinderdijk in Nieuw-Lekkerland. The nineteen windmills on and around the Kinderdijk are on the World Heritage List and are characteristic of the area. All these mills ensured that the excess water that reached the Alblasserwaard when flooding occurred was pumped up. It was then discharged into the river through locks. This even happened without electrical assistance during the Second World War. The Nederwaard mills No. 5, Nederwaard No. 6, Nederwaard No. 7 and Nederwaard No. 8 were all built in 1738. They are beautiful, round, stone ground sailors with an iron paddle wheel that drain the low bosom of the Nederwaard. Of the mills, number 8 is the only mill that has never been raised and therefore the rods of this ground sailor are shorter than those of the rest. Then you pass the see-saw mill from 1581. The Broekmolen was built with an open paddle wheel. He drained the Streefkerk polder until 1951. In Molenaarsgraaf you will come across the Kerkmolen, which was built in 1844. Earlier that year, a seesaw mill burned down on the spot where the Kerkmolen is located. This round, stone ground sailor was placed to drain the Giessen-Oudebenedenkerk and Molenaarsgraaf polder. The mill still does this on a voluntary basis. The last mill you want to see during the bike tour is a ruin: the Veltmolen (hull/remains). The seesaw mill was probably built in the first half of the eighteenth century and drained the polders GIjbeland and Noordzijde Hofwegen. The mill remains are on the National Monuments List. You can then hitch a ride with the Waterbus back to the starting point of the route. You can take your bike with you for free!