Leek, Groningen and Peize

Groningen is the capital of the province of the same name and is by far the largest city in the northern Netherlands. The city is located on the northern spur of the Hondsrug and was originally surrounded on both sides by peatlands. There are a number of beautiful sights in Groningen, such as the Grote Markt. Just west of the Grote Markt you will find the Vismarkt with a number of beautiful buildings and the Korenbeurs, where there was a lot of trading in the nineteenth century. If you prefer nature, you don't have to look far. The largest park is the City Park, on the west side of the city. Along the north side of the city center you will find the beautiful Noorderplantsoen and along the southern ring road you will find the oldest park in Groningen, called Sterrebos. What is special is that, despite all the facilities and the fact that Groningen used to be a Hanseatic city, there are no known written city rights for Groningen. How different is the esdorp of Peize. This used to be a typical Drenthe farming village. In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, a lot of hops were grown here, with which beers were brewed in Groningen. Around 1650, approximately 54% of the hop cultivation in North Drenthe came from Peize. In fact, the plant played such a big role in the village that you often encounter it when you pay attention. The Hopbel was incorporated into the municipal coat of arms and the name hop is common in all kinds of names: in street names, associations, the local weekly newspaper and the elderly center, for example. A number of hop pits have also been set up as a kind of "living museum" where you can learn more about hop cultivation. The start and end point of the route is located at Profile Wagenaar in Leek. Before you leave, you can have your bicycle thoroughly checked by the bicycle specialist. You can, among other things, have your tires inflated, the brakes adjusted, the chain lubricated or your lighting repaired, so that you can relax and enjoy your trip. Take your bicycle discount pass with you, because it gives you a 10 euro discount on maintenance or repairs.