Story posts theme Land
On May 5, 1840, the first shovel went into the ground to dig the Ringvaart. The beginning of the reclamation of the Haarlemmermeer. And so there are many other important events in the history of the municipality. You can learn more at the story posts in the landscape. There is a QR code on the pole. You can scan this to read more about the history. Do you want to rent a bike in Nieuw-Vennep? See where this is possible.
Starting point
You will find on the border of North and South Holland Tasting room Bregje on the ring canal. This bike tour starts here. Please note this restaurant is open from 17.00pm. If you want to drink a cup of coffee before your trip, that is Venneper Lodge a good alternative. Depart from Bregje in a southerly direction to Lisserbroek. Just before the viaduct with the N207 turn left into the green area. Cycle junction 1 is located on the roundabout with the IJweg.
1 Estate de Olmenhorst
Take the roundabout to the left and after a kilometer you will come to Estate de Olmenhorst. The estate is known for its fruit orchards and there are also numerous activities and events. You can in the Fruit shed buy fresh products or pick up a picnic basket. You can eat them together between the trees. In the harvest month there is an apple picking. At De Olmenhorst there is also the first story pole on your route: 15 FRUITS. This pole tells you more about the establishment of the estate by Stephanus de Clercq. After your visit, turn right onto Lisserweg and then left after 150 meters onto Turfspoor.
2 Abbenes
You drive towards Abbenes where you cross the Hoofdvaart again at the bridge. There is also a photogenic church here: the Protestant Church of Abbenes. After a short distance turn right and then left onto Dr. JP Heyelaan op. The next one is at house number 64 story pole: 6 SONG. Dr. JP Heije wrote many well-known children's songs, including “See the moon shine through the trees” and “De Zilvervloot”. He is buried in Abbenes. You then continue your route over the viaduct of the A44 back to the Ringvaart.
3 Coin treasure
At the Ringvaart you turn left and after 200 meters turn left again a few meters onto the Kaagweg. Here you will find story pole 13 COIN. This tells you about a great Roman find in 1920. A farmer came across no less than 12.389 coins! Get on your bike and follow the Ringvaart via cycle junctions 10, 5 and 4. You will then arrive in Burgerveen at the Westeinderplassen. Of course you can make a short stop here or continue your route immediately.
4 people in hiding
Via the Venneperweg you drive towards Nieuw Vennep. You pass the A4 motorway and then turn right onto the Rijnlanderweg. You cycle through the typical polder landscape. After 2,5 kilometers you will find the story pole 5 RESISTANCE. During the Second World War, a farming family sheltered people in hiding. Continue your route on the Rijnlanderweg, turn left onto the Bennebroekerweg and pass under the railway. At bicycle junction 62 you will find the following on the Hoofdvaart story pole 4 AUTHORITY. This tells you the story about the first meeting of the Haarlemmermeer city council.
5 Deepest point -6.80 NAP
Turn left after junction 62 to cycle along the Hoofdvaart again on the east side. At the Calatravabrug you will find the lowest point of the entire Haarlemmermeerpolder. No less than 6.80 meters below sea level. On story pole 14 DEEP you learn more about it.
End point
Continue along the Hoofdvaart and in Nieuw-Vennep center turn right at the second bridge near the White Church. You are now on the Venneperweg. When you cycle out of this, you are back at the starting point Proeflokaal Bregje. Would you like to know more about the history of the municipality of Haarlemmermeer? Then visit Haarlemmermeer Museum in Hoofddorp or Museum Cruquius in Cruquis.