Beautiful around Ooij

The Ooijpolder near Nijmegen, a classic for walkers and cyclists. Rightly so, because the polder is beautiful. Sturdy, sturdy dikes protect small, vulnerable villages against the mighty Waal. Cycling through flat green meadows, with a view of the hills of Berg en Dal. The excellent catering industry completes the discovery. The start and finish of this tour is at the only bicycle museum in the Netherlands. The Velorama, on the Waalkade in Nijmegen. The weather forecast may best determine whether you visit the museum before or after the bike ride. In any case, it is interesting to see how many types of bicycles and drive systems have been invented, so that we can now get the most out of our calves. Not to mention the shifting and suspension systems that are exhibited here in all their variations. Immense The collection is immense. Very old balance bikes and tall bicycles are packed together. Showcases are bursting with candle, oil and carbide lamps and bicycle paraphernalia. Too much to study in detail. But a solemn visit to the Wim van Est corner is unavoidable. Here is his bicycle, or rather the wreckage, which remained after his fall from 70 meters into a ravine. Simplicity So much for cycling history, on to the Ooijpolder on a nice comfortable bike. Past the Waal Bridge, Nijmegen's striking arch bridge, the city hustle and bustle is quickly over. Halfway through Persingen, said to be the smallest church village in the Netherlands, the silence is at most disturbed by a cow or sheep that apparently lacks some attention. The simplicity of the polder landscape with its meadows, dike slopes and willows along old river arms has a relaxing effect. Near Leuth, Germany is crawling under the Ooijpolder. A detour of barely two kilometers is enough to visit our eastern neighbors. And in Zyfflich to study the'Speisekarte\\\' of Haus Polm in more detail. You can enjoy cycling in the Ooijpolder all year round. You can enjoy cycling in the Ooijpolder all year round. Rough area Although the Cycle Route Network leaves plenty of room to choose your own junctions, the unpaved route between 95 and 71 is a must. Because then you penetrate to the heart of the Millingerwaard. A rugged area with swamps, forests, open water, grasslands and river dunes. And lots of wild plants and flowers. There are also galloways, large grazers that keep the grass short and beavers who, as unqualified dam builders, think they can give Rijkswaterstaat a helping hand. As if it couldn't be beat, the Millinger Tea Garden is located in this unraked natural paradise. Well hidden behind bushes, right on the route. Via a narrow staircase you reach the fantastic garden, a Moorish style seating area with water feature and a tea room in a Moroccan atmosphere. A unique place, also because you can only get there by bike or on foot. Fast-flowing The bicycle and pedestrian ferry to Doorenburg is also worth the trip. Because here you can directly experience how wide and fast-flowing the Waal is. Once on the other side, you can continue to the proud Doornenburg Castle or to the robust Fort Pannerden. If you choose the ferries to Pannerden and Millingen a/d Rijn, you will return to the Ooijpolder in a large loop. And further There was a lot of fighting in the Ooijpolder during WWII. This is reminded of this in various places. Such as on the Duffeltdijk, near Leuth, where there is a monument for the fallen Canadian soldier Ernest David Harrison. You can enjoy swimming and sunbathing in the Bison Bay at junction 49. So bring your swimming trunks. #Tips On planjeroute.nl you can create your own cycling route, print it or save it on your GPS. Map #11 by Falk is most suitable for the'Realm of Nijmegen\\\'. VVV Arnhem Nijmegen have put together the Groesbeek Wine Route. Real calf-biters can be found on the way to Groesbeek. More information can be found at www.ooijsmoois.nl. Copyright: Robert BP van Weperen