Hollands Venetie Tocht

The Hollands Venetië Tocht begins at Theater De Meenthe in Steenwijk, leading participants into the watery Weerribben-Wieden region near Giethoorn, a village often called the Venice of the Netherlands. This yearly charity cycling tour, not a race with closed roads, offers paved routes suitable for casual riders, families, club cyclists, and those seeking a longer ride. Participants can select from various distances, typically from around 35 or 40 km to 120 or 125 km. The start is staggered throughout the morning to avoid congestion. The routes traverse National Park Weerribben-Wieden, pass Giethoorn, and wind through villages in the Kop van Overijssel area. Shorter-distance cyclists receive snacks for their journey, while those on longer routes utilize refreshment stations providing drinks, food, and restrooms. The start and finish area is equipped for convenience with parking, train access, changing facilities, showers, and GPS files available post-registration. The entry fee is modest, with all proceeds supporting charities like the Duchenne Parent Project. One past edition featured a sponsor breakfast where Hanne Tersmette, a former cyclist and nature vlogger, spoke on sports and the environment.