It’s already been a week that we are riding on the Dutch roads ! How time flies!
But today is a dangerous day ! We’ll be driving very close to Belgium. And we’ll be passing within 800m of Essen train station, which can take us back to Brussels in 1h20! So if you’re feeling a bit under the weather, don’t take the easy way out.
By the time Delphine and I leave Vrouwenpolder, the mist of the previous day has almost cleared. I go ahead and make my first stop in Vlissingen. I do a ravito and a 10-minute nap, as I’m already feeling a bit sluggish.
A little further on, Johnny, a dotwatcher I met last year, is waiting for me. It’s so nice that he’s still here!
Near Waarde, I come across a fietscafé where Els (and Marie Lou!), Géraldine and Tobias are already present. After this little break, I set off again in the company of the girls, but they soon drop me as I’m slower. But that’s okay, it’s always nice to see people, even if it’s only for half an hour.
This part of the journey is spent on country roads, not very interesting and not very beautiful. So my mind wanders to the end of this RATN. My aim is to arrive before the Sunday’s evening cut-off time. And there are still quite a few kilometers to go, with all the Limburg hills. I’ve got a couple of ideas in mind, but I’ll have to see what time I get in the hotel in the evening to make up my mind.
I’m motivated enough to push on my pedals and arrive at the hotel at 8.30pm. I’ve already taken Delphine’s key, as reception is about to close. I barely have time to eat a burger when the restaurant closes too.
Delphine is going to arrive with her motiviation really low because she had miscalculated and had to do more kilometers than planned. That’s horrible. As a result, she doesn’t see how she can go on and finish in time. So I explain my plan to her: finish in one go. Start later the next day to take advantage of the breakfast buffet and then ride until we arrive. Being careful at night, but not taking a hotel. Just take naps when you have to. She’s not convinced and tells me she’ll see the next day. She needs to sleep, so the late start is a good idea anyway.
