The "Ros Beiaardroute"

If there is a route that has given us the taste for more, it is the "Ros Beiaardroute". Before the purchase of our "Giants" we payed no attention to all these hexagonal plates. But soon this changed. We first thought to use our Giants for mountain biking. But mountain bike was not really our thing, cycling in the region even more. Our first discovery was Leireken.

the route uses an old rail-road bed, leading to "Steenhuffel". On the way we met the old renovated station "Baardegem". Now, after a strong tour, sit down on the terrace of the station "Baardegem", is one of the delights that you must have experienced. While you drink a refreshing beer you can think about all the things you discovered on the tour and that with other bike enthusiasts. Do you appreciate a nice meal or a snack and desserts then you will certainly find something to your liking. And there we discovered the signs of the "Ros Beiaardroute". So we follow the "Leirekensroute" through Baardegem and  Opwijk

to Peizegem.  There we leave the rail route and cycle to Buggenhoutbos. This is a fairly large forest that attracts athletes, especially runners and walkers and other cyclists. Tourists visit the forest and have meal and drinks in two big taverns next to the road. After a dispute over access to the cycling-pad, 2 years ago, the route  adjusted somewhat. We leave this beautiful forest behind and we dive back into the fields.

"Baasrode" has something special  the town center which is located near the "Schelde" seduces us.

Near the church there is a ferry place,

here a regular ferry boat brings you to the other side. We drive along on the dike of the "Schelde". 

Following broad meanders we arrive in Vlassenbroek. Even more than Baasrode this artist's village, tucked away behind the high Schelde-dike, is a big surprise. This picturesque village contains art studios, a few nice restaurants with attractive terraces. Ateljeeken is our favorite site.

Especially the different salads with a good beer or wine are definitely recommended.

Very tasty and not so heavy that they further complicate bicycle. In front of Ateljeeken stands the lovely church of "Vlassenbroek".

This village is a must for any cyclist who bikes near "Dendermonde". Now the Schelde bring us quickly in "Dendermonde".

Dendermonde is not only the city of the horse "Ros Beiaard" but also the county town with a beautiful market.

On this market is the beautiful belfry. Together with the belfry of Aalst it makes part of the UNESCO world heritage. Just past the market,we take the new route to the old Dender, this leads us past the allotments to the current course of the Dender. Cycling through the fields we pass Denderbelle and are approaching Wieze. Here we must pay attention. There is a nice path through the fields that brings us to Wieze. But if it has rained the days before, you better leave this path and choose your normal way. Wieze, previously known mainly for his brewery, halls and the associated Wieze-October celebrations, is a lovely village with a beautiful Holy Salvator Church and Market.

In this market, some cafes are great for relaxing. After Wieze we cycle, again through the fields, back to "Leireken" in Baardegem, the route which brings us back home.

The Ros Beiaardroute gives us all-ready many years cycling. This tour, brings us alternately, trough fields, forest paths and dike roads. It crosses villages as Baasrode, Vlassenbroeck and Wieze. I give it a fair  8.5 / 10. This route is a must!

The "schiptrekkersroute"

Since a few years (in 2003) there is close to our place a nice route, the "schiptrekkersroute". 30km long it's ideal as we have little time for cycling.  With only a few hills it is a good warm-up in the beginning of the cycling-season. We start in "Erembodegem" and pick up the route where she joins the "Dender". Here the route got its name. Until early this century the ships were still drawn by horses or people, so they walked on the tow-path.

The tow-path is paved now and ideal for cycling or walking. (It is part of our training course we are also passionate long distance runners). Soon we pass the "Wellemeersen". This is a nature reserve by the enclosure of railway, highway and bounce it has a specific habitat. At the next stop we pass right into "Teralfene". Normally we do not cycle this little round but we go further along the "Dender". Yet for once we make an exception. Now outside a drive through a park with a playground overlooking a beautifully restored mansion is not much to do.

We cycle back and continue along the Dender  in the direction Okegem . The weather is calm and it is pleasant cycling along the Dender.

We drive along to "Liedekerke" and the "Dender" brings us at Okegem. Here we leave the towpath. Now we are on a narrow path along the railway (in this region there are several lines crossing each other) and then we are forwarding through the fields along the various villages which lie next to the Dender, Iddergem, Denderhoutem Welle are beautiful villages where it is still quite calm. The roads are good to drive on  and the bike trail is easy rolling. This gives beautiful views to admire.

In Welle is in the "Klimop", a nice tavern,where you can drink a good Belgian beer. Welle  Yet we cross the "Wellemeersen" another time before we arrive in "Erembodegem", our beloved village, and we are back to subsist. Here we leave the trail and paddle home. This route is ideal for cycling if you have little time. The towpath beside the Dender is very busy all the year round but the rest of the route was significantly less crowded. It is not exactly the most exciting bike ride in the same region, both the Boerenkrijgroute" as the "Groene koepelroute are of one another kaliber.I believe 6.5/10 is a good result.