Ouddorp, Goedereede

Why not get on your bike towards the end of the day? So near sunset, when most people are heading home? You don't have to sit inside, do you? There is a lot to do outside, it will surprise you.

As darkness falls, the world changes significantly. What seems obvious during the day is no longer so. It takes effort to find something in your pannier, or even in your jacket pocket. Suddenly, you can no longer rely on your eyes. The signs with the cycle junctions can hardly be seen. You'll have to use a light to read the numbers, or the lights on your bike. Oh well, most modern bikes have hefty spotlights on board.

By the way, did you know that the less light you use, the more you start to see? You develop your night vision, to the point where you start cursing streetlights and bright lights on houses or farms, so much do they blind you. That's a thing about the southern part of this route, though. When cycling along a motorway, like the N57 here, it is best to wear a cap with a large visor. Point the visor downwards, so that oncoming traffic does not blind you. If you don't, you are guaranteed to get the urge to stare into the bright lights. Before you know it, you lose control of the wheel and drive off the path or road. And you immediately know where the expression 'looking into the headlights like a rabbit' comes from.

In dark areas, you learn to rely on your other senses. You usually hear something before you see it, especially when there is not as much traffic noise as during the day. OK, that Barn Owl suddenly letting out its bizarre rolling screech, you didn't hear it coming. But you get used to that soon enough and you won't see it anyway. That huge rustle in the bushes over there? A hedgehog. Nicknamed 'the hoover', because of the noise it makes. Or is it because of the way it scours the ground for food with its proboscis? No matter, you've spotted him before he's noticed you. And that feels good, very good. Oh yes, the hedgehog almost only searches for food in the dark.

With a bit of luck, in the summer season you will find an evening or night when the flowers smell more intense than they ever will during the day. And the peace and quiet, that wonderful tranquillity of a rural area. Yes, there is sometimes a souped-up moped or car that you can follow for miles. Forget it, you have something else on your mind. Think of the moon and star lovers who live in surrounding, heavily light-polluted cities. Those people have to get into their cars on clear nights to peer at the mighty sky in the Delta region. You don't have to do that. You're already there, on your bike!

And oh yes, you are not allowed to enter the nature reserves during the hours when the sun is hiding. Isn't necessary either: there is plenty to see from the paths and roads.

This premium cycle route has been compiled by our editor: Matthijs Termeer