GIANT DETOUR NL
Giant Detour NL unfolded in 2020, against the backdrop of a world in lockdown. With the pandemic in full force and travel restrictions everywhere, my plans to cycle to Portugal were quickly put on hold. By September, I let go of the idea altogether.
But with daily Covid cases dropping in the Netherlands that fall, domestic travel restrictions were lifted - offering a brief window of freedom. Seizing the moment, I packed my bike as if preparing for a bigger adventure and set off to rediscover the beauty of the ‘Southern Sea’ route.
This multiday ride around the IJsselmeer, the Netherlands’ largest freshwater lake, was a perfect escape. Even though it was late in the season - shorter days and colder temperatures creeping in - the weather couldn’t have been better. I even managed to squeeze in some camping, savouring the open air and the sense of freedom that only a bike ride can bring.
It didn’t last long. Not long after I returned, restrictions were reactivated, and the world seemed to shrink once more. But for those few days, the road, the lake, and the ride reminded me why I keep chasing adventures - even when the world feels like it’s standing still.
