Leiden, Alphen aan den Rijn and Leiderdorp

Leiden is referred to as Key City - referring to the city coat of arms with a white shield and two crossed red keys. The history of the city dates back to at least the year 860, when it was still a dike village built at the foot of an artificial hill. Today's Leiden is primarily a center of scientific knowledge and new technology. It is not without reason that Leiden is home to the oldest university in the Netherlands. Leiderdorp is only separated from Leiden by the rivers De Zijl and the Oude Rijn. The fact that the history of the cities are closely linked is also reflected in the coat of arms of this city. With the exception of a blue bar, which may symbolize the rivers, the keys, shield and lion of Leiden have clearly been copied. After seeing the two coats of arms, it will not surprise you that the Leiderdorp territory originally extended to the castle that you see in the center of Leiden. Around 1200, Leiderdorp had to cede part of its territory to the growing city. The parts that you cycle outside the built-up area offer a nice change. The flat polder is a nice contrast to the tall buildings you see in the cities. Plots are interrupted by straight ditches and gullies: a typical Dutch landscape at its best! The route starts at Profile Van Polanen. Here you get a 10 euro discount on maintenance and repairs with your bicycle discount pass, so this is a perfect time to subject your bike to a little maintenance before you start your bike tour.