52 to Brussels

🇬🇧 English version below

Tour dates: Route 131.9 + ferry (cum. 4,202 kilometers), Ø 20.8 km/h, travel time 6:19 hours

Weather: Very sunny and warm all day up to 24°, wind brisk but not stormy from N/E, sometimes helpful

Well rested, I wake up at 6:30 am. This is exactly the right time for me, as I want to leave by 7:30 a.m. at the latest. This is the only way I can reach the Westerschelde ferry, which leaves at 8:48 am. It's 21.8 kilometers to get there.

Mitra and Mario take a few more photos of my departure. I really enjoyed the two days with them and now I'm really fit to go to Brussels and then on my way home. After all, I've been on the road for over 8 weeks now!

First I drive past the two places we visited yesterday and the day before. These are the two places Veere and Middelburg. But I'll drive by outside, since I've already taken some photos of these two places.

I arrived early at the ferry in Vissingen, I didn't need any of the reserve time. The boat covers the 7 kilometers quickly and I'm back on my bike.

I always take my first break after 30 kilometers of driving. Since I've already taken a break on the ferry, I drive at least 40 km before I can take a little break. Since I know that today's tour is relatively long, the break is really short. But it is also important that I always have enough energy to be able to cover such distances at all and therefore have to eat and drink enough in this weather.

In Terneuzen there are large locks that are currently being rebuilt. However, as a cyclist I am lucky, in contrast to the cars, I can simply drive through.

Even after that I can still drive quite a bit along the coast. But slowly it goes away from the sea inland and I have to say goodbye to the salt water. I love the sea and the wind doesn't bother me much either. I really enjoyed the many hours along the water and the dunes.

In Terhole, an ideal table is right next to my path. The ideal place to take my lunch break here.

Soon I come to Hulst, another beautiful Dutch town. I treat myself to a little tour of the town, which has a lot to offer the eyes. But soon I'll be on my way again, there are still many kilometers to Brussels.

And suddenly there is a long, straight stretch ahead of me. It first leads through a forest, at the end of which the border to Belgium is crossed. Belgium is already the seventh country that my trip takes me to. It never ceases to amaze me what can be achieved with a bicycle.

I cross other beautiful places in Belgium that deserve to be looked at more closely. But I don't have time for that because I really want to reach Brussels today.

As usual, I didn't reserve a hotel in Brussels either. I only looked for a free room on Booking.com, but without booking it in advance. I always want to see what kind of company it is and if they have room for my e-bike. The hotel selected today has been a complete success so far. Not only is the hotel conveniently located, but the room I was offered is very nice and the people at the reception are very nice as well. A member of staff, whom I seem to have impressed with my trip, gave me a voucher for breakfast, which is not included in the room rate. Thanks a lot. 🙏