ABOUT
Race around the Netherlands is a fully self-supported bike packing race.
The RatN is a do-it-yourself challenge.
You are your own ride organizer.
Understand that this is a personal challenge against the clock. Not against others!
It is 1900k in distance with 6800m of elevation.
The RatN has two categories – solo and pair.
Start and finish location:
De Proloog Cafe
Allemanswaard 27
3958 KA Amerongen
https://deproloog.cc/
Start time and date in 2024:
Sign up and bike check: April 26th from 1200 to 1700 local time.
Start: April 27th at 0800 local time.
Official Finish: May 5th at 1800 local time.
RULES
1. Riders must complete the full course from start to finish under their own power.
2. Riders must be fully self-supported.
3. No Drafting at any time.
(pair riders may draft each other)
4. Riders must follow the Dutch laws at any time.
5. Riders are required to use a provided GPS device.
6. No prize money.
ROUTE
The start and finish is in the village of Amerongen, located at the Utrechtse Heuvelrug at the famous cycling cafe De Proloog. The route takes us first along the rivers Neder-Rijn and the Waal to the historic cities of Nijmegen and Arnhem (known from the film “A Bridge Too Far” about the Operation Market Garden). Next you leave the beautiful river landscape and the historic cities behind and the route takes you through the National Park Veluwezoom. The National Park is known for its endless heath fields, imposing country estates and of course one of the most famous hills in the Netherlands, the Posbank.
You will pass through the heart of Enschede and along the Dolmens in the province of Drenthe, prehistoric burial chambers where the cycle route passes by. After which the route leads you through the city of Groningen.
The wind starts to get stronger along the coastline. Instead of crossing the Ijsselmeer overone of the icons of the Dutch flood defense, the Afsluitdijk, riders will ride around the Ijsselmeer and will pass scenic harbors in the towns of Enkhuizen and Hoorn.
den Header the route takes you south along the Dutch coast. Beautiful beaches and dunes with little to no buildings, towards the port of Rotterdam, the largest port in Europe. First you will cycle through the city of Rotterdam and across the Erasmus bridge towards the Maasvlakte.
The route takes you further south over the Delta Park Neeltje Jans, which is part of the Dutch flood defense, in the direction of Vlissingen. A historic city due to its strategic location. In the Eighty Years’ War between the Netherlands and Spain, the city was in Spanish hands for a while.
You cycle along the Belgian border towards the hills in the province of Limburg. Where you hit one of the iconic Dutch hills, the Keutenberg with a maximum gradient of 16%.
If you have conquered the hills you cycle back through the beautiful river landscape of the Maas towards Nijmegen. Via the southern side of the rivers over the dikes you will finish at the cafe De Proloog.
REGISTRATION 2024
RatN will be back on April, 27th 2024.
In 2023 we gonna organise the GX route version. More info on our website!
https://www.adventurebikeracing.com/ratngx/
When and How much is the Registration?
Registration opens September 01st, 2023 and closes March 15th, 2024
Fee for Early Registration (until December 31st) is 195Euro.
Fee for Late Registration (from January 1st 2023) is 235 Euro.
For the pair category both riders have to register and pay. Please tell us your riding partner!
Optional: Fee for a one night stay in the hostel the night prior to the event is 35,- extra
First come – first served!
What you get for the fee:
The Route in form of a gpx file
Tracking device for the duration of the event
Official race cap
Welcome at the finishline in de Proloog cafe:
Shower, the option to sleep if you finish at night time!
Pictures we make during the event (can`t guarantee we have yours but we will try)
Publishing individual times on our website.
Refund policy:
95,-Euro refund until December, 30th 2023
Use the EVENT SIGN UP in the top menu if you already have an Adventure Bike Racing Account!
You need to LOGIN first!
FOLLOW
SOCIAL MEDIA FEED
17. September 14:30-22:00 Uhr! Wir freuen uns auf ein buntes Programm!
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#rat2022 #ratn2022 #rockamturm #rockturmnienberge #lvmpauleverding #benefiz #konzert #openair #september #veranstaltung #muenster #muensterland #msnienberge #nienberge #liebfrauenmünster #liebfrauenkirche #nienbergemünster
Rond NL - dag 5
Vertrekken met gelukspaddestoel. Veel schapen(kak). Wind langs alle kanten. Cruisen langs de zee. Broodje radio 2. Vaseline 1+1. Schattige scholeksters. Fries verstaan we niet. Wat is Urk? Midges happen. Tot in Diemen-Zuid want je ziet er lekker uit.
#racearoundthenetherlands #ratn2022
Rond NL - dag 3
Heerlijk hotel. Beerkar Bert op kop, voor 80km. Mooie uitzichten in de Hoge Veluwe, maar de rest even chic en kost geen 11 euro. Ijskoffies for president. Beste fietspaden ever. Broodje kroket please. 266km is pokke ver. Gesynchroniseerde hallucinaties: kamelen. Poeppijn. Stikdood. Pizza bij Vrienden op de fiets.
#racearoundthenetherlands #ratn2022 #ratn #bikepacker
Rond NL - dag 2
Vol goede moed begonnen. Eerste 100km met de vingers in de neus. Dan niet normaal heet: 42°. Wel goed opgewarmd voor de officiële start aan de Proloog. Petjes op en gaan met de banaan. Verfrissing van de zwemmetjes werkte maar kortstondig. Stilte = tijd om te missen. Buitenbeenkramp. Milkshakes. Catamaran en Loempia Speciaal als diner met een RATN veteraan. Een koers zoals het moet: de knechten in het begin en de kopvrouw lachend richting de finish.
#racearoundthenetherlands #ratn2022 #ratn #bikepacker #ultracycling
lessocquettesentitane du vendredi 8 juillet est dispo sur toutes les plateformes
https://anchor.fm/les-socquettes-en-titane/episodes/Emission-31--08-juillet-2022-e1l26vd
🚴♀️
https://youtu.be/EdRzItmZp6g
🚴♀️
nous avions le plaisir d’accueillir :
Delphine mdwdelphine et Baptistine unbullitdanslaville sont venues nous parler de leurs expériences en ultracycling, et notamment à la Race around the Netherlands #RATN2022 1900km aux Pays-Bas en 6 jours
🚴♀️
La nomade sédentaire - Bruxelles à vélo lanomadesed
🚴♀️
92.1fm, en stream www.radiocampus.be radiocampusbruxelles ruxelles ou sur notre chaîne YouTube pour le live !
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCfj4Cov0i0TaoW79MMcq5A
🚴♂️
Animé par le cycliste urbain clement_soupart
🚴♂️
Prochaine émission à la rentrée !
#lessocquettesentitane #parlonsvelo #radio
#bxl #brussels #bruxelles #gravelbike #genesisbike #ultracycling #bikepacking #fixedbike #cyclist #bikeporn #cyclinglife #fixedgear #instacycling #bicycling #rideyourdream #cyclingaddict #cyclingphotography
#ピスト #サイクリング
lessocquettesentitane du vendredi 8 juillet est dispo sur toutes les plateformes
https://anchor.fm/les-socquettes-en-titane/episodes/Emission-31--08-juillet-2022-e1l26vd
🚴♀️
https://youtu.be/EdRzItmZp6g
🚴♀️
nous avions le plaisir d’accueillir :
Delphine mdwdelphine et Baptistine unbullitdanslaville sont venues nous parler de leurs expériences en ultracycling, et notamment à la Race around the Netherlands #RATN2022 1900km aux Pays-Bas en 6 jours
🚴♀️
La nomade sédentaire - Bruxelles à vélo lanomadesed
🚴♀️
92.1fm, en stream www.radiocampus.be radiocampusbruxelles ou sur notre chaîne YouTube pour le live !
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCfj4Cov0i0TaoW79MMcq5A
🚴♂️
Animé par le cycliste urbain clement_soupart
🚴♂️
Prochaine émission à la rentrée !
#lessocquettesentitane #parlonsvelo #radio
#bxl #brussels #bruxelles #gravelbike #genesisbike #ultracycling #bikepacking #fixedbike #cyclist #bikeporn #cyclinglife #fixedgear #instacycling #bicycling #rideyourdream #cyclingaddict #cyclingphotography
#ピスト #サイクリング
Les Socquettes en Titane du vendredi 8 juillet est dispo sur toutes les plateformes
https://anchor.fm/les-socquettes-en-titane/episodes/Emission-31--08-juillet-2022-e1l26vd
🚴♀️
https://youtu.be/EdRzItmZp6g
🚴♀️
nous avions le plaisir d’accueillir :
Delphine mdwdelphine et Baptistine unbullitdanslaville sont venues nous parler de leurs expériences en ultracycling, et notamment à la Race around the Netherlands #RATN2022 1900km aux Pays-Bas en 6 jours
🚴♀️
La nomade sédentaire - Bruxelles à vélo lanomadesed
🚴♀️
92.1fm, en stream www.radiocampus.be Radio Campus Bruxelles ou sur notre chaîne YouTube pour le live !
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCfj4Cov0i0TaoW79MMcq5A
🚴♂️
Animé par le cycliste urbain clement_soupart
🚴♂️
Prochaine émission à la rentrée !
#lessocquettesentitane #parlonsvelo #radio
#bxl #brussels #bruxelles #gravelbike #genesisbike #ultracycling #bikepacking #fixedbike #cyclist #bikeporn #cyclinglife #fixedgear #instacycling #bicycling #rideyourdream #cyclingaddict #cyclingphotography
#ピスト #サイクリング
Ce vendredi 8 juillet lessocquettesentitane nous avions le plaisir d’accueillir :
🚴♀️
Delphine mdwdelphine et Baptistine unbullitdanslaville viennent nous parler de leur expériences en ultracycling et notamment à la Race around the Netherlands #RATN2022 1900km aux Pays-Bas en 6 jours
🚴♀️
La nomade sédentaire - Bruxelles à vélo lanomadesed
🚴♀️
92.1fm, en stream www.radiocampus.be radiocampusbruxelles ou sur notre chaîne YouTube pour le live !
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCfj4Cov0i0TaoW79MMcq5A
🚴♂️
Animé par le cycliste urbain clement_soupart
🚴♂️
Prochaine émission à la rentrée !
#lessocquettesentitane #parlonsvelo #radio
#bxl #brussels #bruxelles #gravelbike #genesisbike #ultracycling #bikepacking #fixedbike #cyclist #bikeporn #cyclinglife #fixedgear #instacycling #bicycling #rideyourdream #cyclingaddict #cyclingphotography
#ピスト #サイクリング
Ce vendredi 8 juillet lessocquettesentitane ont le plaisir d’accueillir :
🚴♀️
Delphine mdwdelphine et Baptistine unbullitdanslaville viennent nous parler de leur expérience (et de leur exploit) à la Race around the Netherlands #RATN2022 1900km aux Pays-Bas
https://www.adventurebikeracing.com/ratn/
🚴♀️
La nomade sédentaire - Bruxelles à vélo lanomadesed
https://www.lanomadesedentaire.be/
🚴♀️
Rendez-vous ce vendredi sur le 92.1fm, en stream www.radiocampus.be radiocampusbruxelles ou sur notre chaîne YouTube pour le live !
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCfj4Cov0i0TaoW79MMcq5A
🚴♂️
Animé par le cycliste urbain clement_soupart
🚴♂️
Prochaine émission à la rentrée !
#lessocquettesentitane #parlonsvelo #radio
#bxl #brussels #bruxelles #gravelbike #genesisbike #ultracycling #bikepacking #fixedbike #cyclist #bikeporn #cyclinglife #fixedgear #instacycling #bicycling #rideyourdream #cyclingaddict #cyclingphotography
#ピスト #サイクリング
Ce vendredi 8 juillet (18-19h30) lessocquettesentitane ont le plaisir d’accueillir :
🚴♀️
Delphine, Baptistine unbullitdanslaville et Gerger viennent nous parler de leur expérience (et de leur exploit) à la Race around the Netherlands #RATN2022 1900km aux Pays-Bas en 6 jours
🚴♀️
La nomade sédentaire - Bruxelles à vélo lanomadesed
🚴♀️
Rendez-vous ce vendredi sur le 92.1fm, en stream radiocampusbruxelles ou sur notre chaîne YouTube pour le live !
🚴♂️
Animé par le cycliste urbain clement_soupart
🚴♂️
Prochaine émission à la rentrée !
#lessocquettesentitane #parlonsvelo #radio
#bxl #brussels #bruxelles #gravelbike #genesisbike #ultracycling #bikepacking #fixedbike #cyclist #bikeporn #cyclinglife #fixedgear #instacycling #bicycling #rideyourdream #cyclingaddict #cyclingphotography
#ピスト #サイクリング
Bikepacking race setup, pack light travel far 🎥
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Full review of my bikepacking race setup for Race Around the Netherlands on my YouTube channel in link on my bio 🔝
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#bikepacking #bikepackinglife #ratn2022 #ultracycling #cyclinglife #cyclingshot #cyclingvideo #cyclite #tailfincycling #bikepackingbags #bikebag #cycling #cyclinggear #raphawomen #rapha #cyclingapparel #cyclinggear #gcninspiration #cyclingday #cyclingchallenge #cyclinginspiration
The first ultra cycling race has many challenges 🌬 One of them was to figure out my setup.
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Check out my setup and gear list for the Race Around the Netherlands #ratn2022 on my new video on YouTube in the link on my bio 🔝
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📸 photo by adventurebikeracing
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#bikepackinglife #bikepacking #ultracyclingchallenge #ultracycling #ultracyclist #gcninspiration #cycling #cyclite #tailfincycling #rapha #raphawomen #neverjustaride #takethelead #choosecycling #cyclingphotos #cyclingshot #cyclinggear #cyclingtech #gcn #cyclingcolombia #cyclinggirl #cyclingvideo #youtube #cyclingrace #rapharcc #cyclingapparel #cyclingaddict #cyclingadventures
Een toevallige ontmoeting met de 74-jarige Rien van Dam. Op de Oosterscheldekering raakten we aan de praat. Over de RatN... zijn elektrische Cube fiets... Mathieu van der Poel... voormalig wereldkampioen Harm Ottenbros (die één dag eerder was overleden) en nog veel meer. En hoewel de heer van Dam mij verzekerde géén kaas te hebben gegeten van internet en Social Media, ontving ik een dag later al een eerste bericht van hem: “Een zon ☀️ overgoten dag, windje in de rug, wat wil je nog meer. Succes met je ronde. Groeten Rien 👍”
"Its about the journey and the people you meet along your way!"
(foto's: Ryan Davis)
#racearoundthenetherlands #ratn #ratn2022 #adventurebikeracing #cycling #adventure #everydayriding #vrouwenpolder #oosterscheldekering #neeltjejans #deltawerken #zeeland
We received the full officials albums of the #RATN2022. I really like this one. Tuesday was my first day of work and I felt on gravel after 2h of work ... I'm now stuck in the office for the next two weeks and I have 4 stitches in my left knee ... Hopefuly it will heal well for the #Horizontaal.
📷 adventurebikeracing
#ratn2022 #deproloog #deprolooginamerongen #cycling #finisher #finishline #race #racearoundthenetherlands #cycling #cyclinglife #cyclingphotos #cyclingshots #cyclingpics #cyclingpassion #cyclingaddict #canyon #canyonbikes #apidura #apidurabags #camelbackbottle #freeride #pleasureride #ultracycling #ultracyclist #ultracyclinglife #ultracyclingrace #velo #ciclism #ciclismo
I often get asked how long have I been cycling for.. the answer is a little more than 7 years. Yes, thats a #chihuahua on my back. I'd been riding a little bit by this point to and from work and really shedding a lot of weight as you do when you start commuting by bicycle; although at the time I did not know I would lose so much weight simply by riding a bicycle.
I took the #chihuahua for a few rides now and again in the backpack, but soon got bored with 'walking the dog' when I finally got my first road bike - a Carerra Vanquish from good old halfords_uk
On the right... my most update photo from #ratn2022 thats the Race Around the Netherlands, an almost 2000km 'race' forward slash 'adventure' around the cycling capital of the world.
Life begins at 40 they say, well for me, it began at 38; I quit smoking after some 16 years, I turned my life around, I got my health back, I found a new hobby, something I really enjoy, a hobby that can challenge you if you so wish, a hobby that is only limited by your imagination. A hobby which eventually became my passion, a hobby I know live and breathe.
My one regret... I wish I found #cycling much sooner!
Here's to the next 7 years! 🍺
The Race Around the Netherlands (adventurebikeracing) is a long and fast ultra-distance race, in fact, the flattest on the calendar.
Being such a lengthy race with what seem to be similar roads it’s always exciting to receive a first hand account of the race. This is what Sherry (sherry.cycling) has done! Her account weaves together first-hand POV footage with footage she gathered on a recce prior to the race. Sherry provided entertaining updates throughout the race, with her McDonald’s snack breaks and plenty of riding shots.
Have a watch of her infectiously positive film via the link in bio!
#ratn2022 #racearoundthenetherlands #ultracycling #ultradistance #ultracyclingrace #ultradistancerace #ultracyclingfilm #bikepackingrace #bikepackingfilm
Taken almost as long as the race itself... but here we have it, my vlog of the #racearoundthenetherlands Landing on my channel over the course of May.
I tried with the thumbnails to capture the diverse landscape of the #netherlands Such a beautiful country and to see so much of it in a space of a week is awesome!
Now it's time to plan the next big adventure!
#ratn2022 #ratn adventurebikeracing katiekookaburra1 jossridley
Race Around The Netherlands 🇳🇱 My first ultra cycling bikepacking event 1950 km #ratn2022 Full movie on YouTube Sunday 15 of May.
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adventurebikeracing
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#ratn2022 #ultracycling #bikepacking #cycling #cyclinglife #choosecycling #buzzalong #cycling #cyclinglife #cyclingphotos#cyclingadventures #cyclinggirl #cyclingtour #cyclingday #cyclinglifestyle #adventurebikeracing #dotwatcher #gcninspiration #cyclite #tailfincycling #bikepackingbags #bikepackinggear #raphawomen #rapha #raphaamsterdam #gcninspiration #gcn #cyclingvideos
#RATN2022 D+5 : this morning I woke up at 7h so I thought I was back on my regular time schedule of 8h a night. But I fel asleep 15 min later and woke up at 11h 🤪 I guess my body still need some rest. I'll be back at work tomorrow, we'll see how it goes.
Thank to quixoticgeek for this picture of my arrival. The smile says it all 😁
#GenesisBike #GravelBike #Gravel #bike #bikelife #slowtravel #ultracycling #bikepacking #TheNetherlands
Small things that make your day better , an ultracycling classic during tough days 🚲
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#ultracycling #cycling #bikepackinglife #neverjustaride #macdonalds #cyclinglife #cyclite #bikepackingbags #ratn2022 #adventurebikeracing #dotwatcher #gcn #gcninspiration #cycling #cyclinglife #cyclingphotos#cyclingkit #cyclingadventures #cyclinggirl #cyclingfans #cyclingtour #cyclingstyle #cyclingwear #cyclingday #cyclingjersey #cyclingclub #cyclinglifestyle #raphaamsterdam
Very happy, I´ve made it in 8 days, 8 hours, 43 min. 2000km, 3900 m of elevayion and 2 flats. Although it was hard it was most of the time fun and this thanks to Baptistine, Delphine, Geraldine, Willem, Werner, Tobias and Tiago. We met quite lot of times and it was always nice talking to each other. And congrats to Micheal for a super organisation.
#ratn2022 #racearoundthenetherlands
The best ice cream in the Netherlands can be found in Kessel and Grubbenvorst (ijssalon.clevers). In 2018 and 2019, these villages were on the route of the RatN. This year we cycled on the other side of the river Maas. So this morning I got on my bike to visit Kessel after all. 90 kilometers for an ice cream, but it was worth it!
#racearoundthenetherlands #ratn #ratn2022 #adventurebikeracing #clevers #cleversijssalon #ijssalonclevers
adventurebikeracing Race around the Netherlands 2022 done ✔️
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uewekenuewe und ich haben die Strecke von 1950km in circa 5d und 2h geschafft. Es war sowohl körperlich als auch mental ein hartes Rennen und es gab schon auch die andere downphase bei beiden von uns.
Trotzdem bin ich stolz auf uns als Team, da wir von Anfang bis Ende perfekt harmoniert haben. Außerdem freut es mich auch, dass ich so ein Rennen mit 2400km Jahres-KM fahren kann 😀
uewekenuewe ich freue mich auf das nächste Rennen ;-)!
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#ratn #ratn2022 #ultracycling #roadbike #rennrad #outsideisfree #anadventureaday #weitradeln #netherlands #goschnpoliern #dotwatcher
Farewell Netherlands, will be back for the Limburg Hills again for sure!
One thing that went well:
6 hour night stops, 4 hours sleep with an hour faff each side
One thing that needs improvement:
How to get more energy for the morning shift? Up to 2nd breakfast was a mission every day!
Most useful bit of kit:
Hands free earphones for the mobile phone, making all phone calls on the move (checking in at home, calling ahead to hotels for bike storage questions) makes a huge difference to stoppage time
Biggest lesson learnt:
GET TO DAY 4!!! days 1-3 were a sufferfest but by day 4 I had ridden myself strong and my digestive system was the most efficient it has (genuinely) ever been. Was so close to scratching in Groningen after day 2!
Best highlight of the route:
Limburg climbs at dawn, cannot be beaten!
What's next? :
London-Edinburgh-London
1500km in 125 hours, August 2022. Now to maintain the fitness and recovery from this race to benefit fully for the next one!
#ratn2022 #Cap123
#racearoundthenetherlands #adventurebikeracing #londonedinburghlondon
Yesterday one year back.
#RatN2021 day 10, Finish!🏁🍾
Nadat de eigenaar van de B&B nog een fotootje wou maken, ben ik om 08:15 vertrokken.
Lekker weer maar doen kalmpjes aan. De Garmin geeft ook aan hoeveel km'trs er nog te gaan zijn en als deze onder de 100k komt dan is het aftellen.
Best een raar gevoel als je nu met maar 113k stopt, en het is klaar.
Het voelde eigenlijk als een soort 'tussenstopje', zo van... straks nog ff 87k doen... maar ik hoef echt niet meer verder.😄
Mijn ouders staan een stukje voor de finish nog een laatste keer aan te moedigen.❤
Je merkt toch dat je hoog in de emotie zit, met wat er in de week is gebeurd met het wind en de storm en alle andere trammelant, waarbij je ook sportieve snellere jongens met beter materiaal zag afstappen.. dat gaat ook in je hoofd zitten, want ga ik er dan wel door komen? Maar verstand op 0 en door voorwaarts is voorwaarts en die beweging moet er in blijven. En voor de finish moet je echt bij de eindstreep komen en er overheen gaan.
Als je heel alleen de laatste straat in rijdt en je het begin van de route voor je ziet dan heb je het cirkeltje rond. 1 jaar en 11 maanden voor de race lag ik op de operatietafel en werd mijn rug vastgezet op L5-S1. Ik kon daarvoor amper 00:45 minuten op een fiets zitten zonder er pijn aan over te houden in de rug, en staan en zitten was een crime. Weer leren lopen en bewegen, alles is anders... en toch... ik heb (op het laatste bed na🙈😋) in die bijna 2000k geen centje pijn gehad in de rug.
Thank God for that!🙏
En wat heerlijk als er familie en vrienden staan die je opwachten.👍🏁🍾🎉😃
Het was afzien op momenten, maar ik had het nu achteraf niet willen missen.... (misschien iets beter weer was fijn geweest, zoals dit jaar ofzo). 😁
It was an amazing experience to be part of Race Around NL 2022. I could complete half of it but I had amazing moments like in the videos. Hope you like the mix. Don’t forget to turn on the sound. // Yarış sırasında çektiğim videolardan bir reels paylaşıyorum. Umarım beğenirsiniz. #ultraendurancecycling #ratn2022 #racearoundthenetherlands
Day 5. Another 300+km day and everything is getting a little bit sore. Early start and it is cold, really cold. Passing through Rotterdam (didn’t really liked that) and over ‘Neeltje Jans’. Zeeland is more like it and it is getting warmer as we going more inland. Let’s safe a little strength for tomorrow.
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#specialized #diverge #specializeddiverge #brm #randonneur #audax #audaxbelgium #rapha #belgiumrandonneurs #ratn22 #ratn2022
Finished Race Around The Netherlands 🇳🇱 #ratn2022 my first ultra cycling event and finishing as first woman after 1900 km in 5 days, 13 hours. It was an incredible journey with many extreme highs and extreme lows, unexpected challenges and a great learning curve.
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Met so many great people, fellow riders and dotwatchers that kept me going when I was battling with sleep deprivation, small niggles and big pains. Thanks to everybody cheering me on and the Adventure Bike Racing team to make this event possible.
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#ratn2022 #dotwatcher #ultracycling #cyclinglife #bikepacking #cycling #cyclinglife #cyclingphotos#cyclingkit #cyclingadventures #cyclinggirl #cyclingfans #cyclingtour #cyclingstyle #cyclingwear #cyclingday #cyclingjersey #cyclingclub #cyclinglifestyle #rapha #raphawomen #cyclite #tailfincycling #bikepacking #neverjustaride
Dag 9 #RatN2021
Alle plaatsen in zuid-Limburg waar het woord 'berg' in voor komt, daar kun je verwachten dat je een keer moet klimmen.😁
Voor het eerst denk ik dat ik zulke beklimmingen doe. Bij de eerste klim heb ik veelste laat in de gaten dat die nog ff blijft stijgen en moet ik afstappen, op de Keutenberg ben ik ook te laat om terug te schakelen, en val stil. Voor de rest rollen we naar boven.
Er is net voor het 3-landenpunt nog een dotwatcher die naast mij komt fietsen. En roept tegen het groepje achter mij (zie foto) wat er al is gebeurd aan dagen, km'trs en weer.... zo wordt ik naar boven begeleid.😃
De dag verloopt goed en de B&B waar ik verblijf is een heerlijke plek. De gastheer kookt een fantastische maaltijd, en 's morgens maakt hij nog een fotootje.
Morgen nog 112km naar de finish.
And... action!
#racearoundthenetherlands #ratn #ratn2022 #adventurebikeracing #surly #surlymidnightspecial #surlybikes #revelatedesigns #ortliebbikepacking #gillesberthoud #sportful #girohelmets #shimano #dtswisswheels #trpbrakes #trphylex #schwalbe #sondynamo #garmin #cycling #adventure #everydayriding
Race Around The Netherlands 2022. #ratn2022 What an adventure, lots of fun, meeting great new people and of course some suffering and a sore butt. But we did awesome! Finished 2nd pair and 2nd woman. In 6 days and 11 hours.
HAMMERTIME!! Will never be the same…
Thanks for all the support during the week🥰
Super trots op mijn pap rieksvanlubek die vannacht om 4.33 de Race Around the Netherlands georganiseerd door adventurebikeracing finishte in Amerongen. Een lange laatste rit waarin hij in Thorn startte, de Limburgse heuvels reed met een extra beklimming naar het 3 landenpunt door een navigatiefout. Daarna heel Limburg weer naar boven om via Nijmegen terug naar proloog.cc te rijden wat een week geleden het startpunt was. In 6 dagen 20 uur en 33 minuten heeft hij de 1960km van de Race Around The Netherlands voltooid als ik het goed uitreken 😉 Mam stond aan de finish om pap op te wachten! De eerste foto is door knolhilda gemaakt en de andere 3 heb ik gemaakt toen ik woensdag in Scheveningen afscheid van hem nam!
Dag 8 #RatN2021
Op naar Limburg.
Heb eventjes goed geslapen, maar heb nog nooit zo'n levensechte nachtmerrie gehad. Deze kamer voelt niet 'koosjer' als ik het zo maar even mag zeggen...
Ik werk mijn social media wat bij, pak mijn spullen en stap er maar weer op 250k wil ik minimaal halen vandaag.
Ik ben nog geen kilometer weg en merk dat mijn mobiel het niet meer doet, en kom er even later ook achter dat mijn routes uit de Garmin zijn en dat ik nog tot Alphen kan komen. Dat betekend dus nog 80km en dan is het einde oefening als er geen oplossing is...😢
Even niet opletten en ik fiets een eind verkeerd, de route loopt aan de andere kant van de dijk en besluit om over het gaas en de dijk te klimmen i.p.v. terug te fietsen. Even later als ik onder een windmolen door fiets hoor ik een klap, ik schrik me rot! Komt er een wiek naar beneden?! Maar een paar tel later ploft er een onthoofde eend een paar meter voor mij op de weg.😮
...
Het enige koppel in de race probeert mij in deze nog te ondersteunen, maar helaas kom ik er niet verder mee, maar ben ze erg dankbaar voor de moeite die ze hebben gedaan. In Goes bij een benzinepomp nog geprobeerd de boel te resetten, maar helaas... zou dit het einde zijn? Als je zo vermoeid bent dan spelen emoties ook hoger op, men wat baalde ik, zo ver gekomen en ook al is +/-500km nog ver, het voelt zo dichtbij.....
Ik besluit om iig die 80k af te fietsen en dan te zien 'hoe nu verder'.
En als een wonder, op de laatste km een phonehouse in het dorpje. Ik moet echt een nieuwe mobiel aanschaffen en de routes zijn weer gered. IK KAN DOOR!🎉
3 weken later sprak ik iemand hierover, diegene zei dat ie aan mij moest denken die ochtend, want er was iets aan de hand. Die heeft gebeden, en om de tijd dat ik weer opstapte in Alphen zonder dat ie het wist, had ie het gevoel dat het allemaal weer goed was....ik vond het bijzonder...👌😃✝️⚓❤
Uiteindelijk nog mooie gravelpaden gehad en heb ik de 250k kunnen volbrengen met lekker weer en wind in de rug.
Een lekker in een mooi hotel en uitrusten.
Morgen wordt het klimmen in Limburg.
We started the day in the mist. Legs were good then after 20km not anymore. I had no energy, no rythm. I stop to close my eyes 5 minutes. It didn't really changed anything. Luckyly seing graveljohnny was a good moral boost ! Thank you ! After that I was on a high then on a low again. Seeing the sea helped a bit then seeing Els and Gerger also helped. But still it felt like I wasn making any progress. It's only around 18h that the music kicked in and that was able to create a bubble. The slow downhill until the end helped me up the average speed of the day.
#RATN2022 #GenesisBike #GravelBike #Gravel #bike #bikelife #slowtravel #ultracycling #bikepacking #TheNetherlands
Day 4. Long and difficult day. Road works, windy, cold. Everything starts to hurt. But beautiful landscapes everywhere you look. I like this part of the Netherlands (but a bit warmer).
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#specialized #diverge #specializeddiverge #brm #randonneur #audax #audaxbelgium #rapha #belgiumrandonneurs #ratn22 #ratn2022
RaTN 2022 - Finished
1989 km in 5d12h26 (25th place)
SUMMARY
Saturday April 30th I took off for my Race around The Netherlands. The inital plan was to finish in 5-6 days, but the main goal was to enjoy, touch my limits, stretch them and see how close this brings me to the finish line. All together I was amazed by my overall fitness and my mental game and succeeded to finish quite fast. However, saddle pain, numbness in toes and fingers, stiff knees and stiff achilles heels never made this easy. I learned a lot about feeding, hydrating and dosing my energy throughout the day, making my riding times also more efficient from day to day. I really enjoyed most of the riding as well. Our country is really beautiful and the bike is the best way to discover it as the infrastructure is amazing for cyclists (except for Rotterdam). I didn't define my next goal yet, but after this adventure I'm quite sure there will be more coming up!
#ratn #ratn2022 #adventurebikeracing #endurancecycling #bikepacking
Race around The Netherlands 2022
Detailed report day 5 & 6 👇
Day 5
Kamperland - Stein (317 km)
Had a good sleep and breakfast at the hotel, so started a bit later than planned at 7.30AM. I made my plan and decided up front to ride to Stein on this day, in order to finosh the next day. Though the plan gave me a good focus for the day, the start was far from easy. Crossing some villages/cities with a lot of cobbles/brick roads hurted my bum a lot and took some of the morale. After the difficult morning I was settling in and riding decently till I arrived in the hotel at 11.15PM
Day 6
Stein - Amerongen (300 km)
Early out with the plan to finish today in daylight. Started at 5.20AM and covered most of the climbs (Cauberg, Keutenberg, Gulperberg, Vaalserberg) before lunch time at KFC. After this there was 'just' 200km to go and knowing my pregnant wife and daughter would be at the finish line made my legs speed up and slightly releived my saddle pain. I was able to push it and even overtake some other racers in the final hours of my ride. At 8.26PM I arrived in Amerongen and was hugged and kissed by my beloved ones.
#ratn #ratn2022 #adventurebikeracing #endurancecycling #bikepacking
Past the 1000 miles marker today! Enjoyed the first few climbs this evening, have now stopped in valkenburg for the night to give the neck a rest. The question is: to empty the tank tomorrow to finish in the best time, or to revert to touring pace and finish Sunday afternoon?
#ratn2022 #Cap123 #racearoundthenetherlands #adventurebikeracing
Race around The Netherlands
Detailed report day 3 & 4 👇
Day 3
Workum - Andijk (247 km)
After a couple of hours of sleep I took off at 8 AM again. I couldn't really find my rhythm in the morning, and still struggled a bit with the tailwind down to Amsterdam. A couple of road works, detours and some headwind later I decided to make the day a bit shorter and take some more rest. I was mentally supported by a friend who rode along for 20km. Just past the halfway point I steered off the route to my sleeping place, at which I arrived at 7.15PM.
Day 4
Andijk - Kamperland (363 km)
Waking up after a good and longer sleep I took off at 6 AM, full of good spirit. The saddle pain took an hour to let me settle in, but especially after turning from headwind to tailwind in Den Helder (50km) I was good to go for a long ride and rode most of the Dutch west coast. Crossing Rotterdam in rush hour was a true crime. However, crossing the deltaworks with sunset was rather special. Checking in at the hotel at 10.30PM and took a bath(!)
#ratn #ratn2022 #adventurebikeracing #endurancecycling #bikepacking
Race around The Netherlands 2022
Detailed report day 1 & 2 👇
Day 1
Amerongen - Emmen (424 km)
At 8 AM I took off from Cafe De Proloog in Amerongen. Even though I told myself to start easy, the adrenaline and excitement took over and I covered the first 200km within 7 hours. After this I decide to settle in and peace steady. The plan was to ride as far as possible, maybe through the night. Once I arrived in Enschede (250km) I booked a hotel in Emmen at which I arrived 2.30 AM. The body felt still quite fresh, although it happily accepted a couple hours of sleep.
Day 2
Emmen - Workum (338 km)
Remained in bed a bit too long, setting off at 8 AM again. The body and mind were fresh and so I faced the headwind easy but steady. Crosswinds along the dikes in the north and avoiding thousands of sheep took some of the pace, however I made it to Holwerd just before the dark where I was cheered up by my wife. After that I rode another couple of hours to arrive in Workum at 0.30AM. Mind was still good, body (bum) started to get annoyed a bit.
#ratn #ratn2022 #adventurebikeracing #endurancecycling #bikepacking
RATN reflection…
1,980km in under 6 days at a rough riding average of 26kph
Placed 33rd out of 121
The plan before the race was to have a shorter, easier first day and then wind it up gradually during the week to see if I could handle a bigger load each day. In my mind, this was race training for TCR later in the summer where I need to be hitting 300km on easier days to get round.
In the end, the smooth tarmac and favourable weather and wind, meant that I got in most evenings around 8pm after 6am starts. I got a decent rest each night in comfortable hotels. I even had the luxury of a couple of hours off the bike each day as my pace was so good.
Thanks to everyone for your words of support and encouragement, especially Linda. The 2 main questions I get are how do I do it and how am I feeling?
With regards the first, I don’t really know how or even why. I suppose I like the solitude of it, no real noise externally or internally - a small little contained world which is simple and pure. I also like the challenge - to see what I’m capable of mentally and physically, to see if I can push through dark periods, through occasional pain. But most of all, I just love seeing the world from a bike - the sounds, the smells, the pace. I never listen to music on the bike, as I like to soak it all in.
Although I prefer riding alone, I did meet some special people on the trip - Heero, Brennan, Richard, Paul and Johan to mention just a few. It’s lovely to chat for a few moments before moving on.
And how am I feeling? A list of things that hurt during the race - feet, knees, bum, hands and neck. I’m not sure you can do this sort of thing without enduring some pain. And there is a worry in the sport that people take too many painkillers. I know everything will heal, but my knees aren’t in great shape - they constantly woke me up in the night in pain. Hopefully I haven’t done any lasting damage. I was probably pushing too hard a gear for my current fitness level. In my head, I feel good today, but I know there is a low to follow as the endorphins wear off and people start coming back into my little world.
But anyway, thank you to Michael for a great race! #ratn2022