Finally the moment has arrived that I have been waiting for so long. The start of the second season of Cycling Adventure 15 with my bicycle solo from Belgium to Bergen in Norway with departure from my home base Buggenhout. I admit that I was a bit nervous the last few days even though I already experienced a long bike ride during the first season last year. I had mixed feelings and thoughts: joy at having the opportunity for such a wonderful adventure, anxiety about whether my family will be well, doubts about whether I have trained enough, gratitude for the support of all people and above all excitement for what lies ahead state.
During this second season (S2) I give all the attention to Incar Dansspektakel, a fantastic organization with young people who are bursting with energy on and off stage and who give the best of themselves. A place where young people can feel at home and develop together with peers in many areas.
Cycling Adventure 15 (CA15) is my path of personal growth with which I want to inspire people to develop their own path of personal growth in this rapidly changing world.
During my departure I could count on many sympathizers.
It is the first time and also the last time that my cycling adventure will start in Belgium. From season 3 (S3) next year, I will always leave in a different country and continent. One more reason not to let my departure in Belgium pass unnoticed. From 8 am the coffee and pastries were ready to receive the sympathizers. After a pleasant chat and encouraging words, the moment of departure had arrived.
It was also a good time to say thank you and to reflect once again on the death of our good friend Koen, who died of a rare muscle condition at the end of 2021. I will never forget what Koen told me shortly before his death: ”Bart, have respect for life and your body because it is a very precious concept.” Out of respect and commemoration for Koen, every season of the Cycling Adventure 15 adventure is dedicated to him with the well-being of Koen.
Around 9 am, the mayor and the aldermen of sport van Buggenhout gave the starting signal and cut the ribbon for the official start of S2. The first kilometers I was accompanied by some friends. Then it went solo to the Netherlands.
You can immediately see from the bicycle paths that you are cycling in the Netherlands.
My first cycling day brought me to the Netherlands. With the wind at our back and a flat course it went smoothly. When you cross the border from Belgium to the Netherlands, you immediately notice that you are in the Netherlands. You will find wide bicycle lanes almost everywhere where you can cycle separately from traffic. Towards evening I arrived in Oss, the Netherlands, where I spent my first night in a room with a hospitable family. Oss is located in a region with a varied landscape with forests, polders and the beautiful Maas. Tomorrow I will continue my cycling trip in the Netherlands in the direction of Rijssen and I will cycle through the Sallandse Heuvelrug National Park.
Some figures from stage 1/16 of
| Rith | Trip | #km | #Altimeters | #Hours by bike | #Hours en route | #Calories burned |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/16 | Belgium – Buggenhout Netherlands – Oss | 170,8 | 273 | 7u20 | 8u40 | 4700 |