The generosity of Altena

The sun is already gently shining through the haze as I disembark my bike at the ferry in Woudrichem. It is still early, but already some people are walking through the fortified town. While cycling through Woerkum I am occasionally greeted with a friendly "mogguh. Today I am going to take the tasty regional bike route through Altena. A bicycle route of 32 kilometers that winds right through the beautiful polders and over dikes. The route is designed so that I will navigate past local estate stores and roadside stalls.

Through the beautiful polders
The first stretch goes through the pleasant streets of Woudrichem and along the historic harbor with Museumwerf D'n Huig. Soon the horizon widens and I cycle over the dike along the floodplains. I dismount at the entrance to Groesplaat and climb the stairs of the bird-watching hut. I can understand fantastic birding from this sheltered height. My bike route bends off, into the picturesque Oudendijk. It still feels sleepy on a Saturday morning. A single other enthusiastic cyclist passes by. It's May Bike Month so I'm sure I'll meet many fellow cyclists today. Along the road is a fresh green painted shack with chicken wire in front of the door. 'For sale, fresh range eggs' I read on the chalkboard. There is indeed a box of brand new eggs, money you can deposit in the matching tin. After Oudendijk I cycle to the Kraaiveld estate. Between the green grass of the beautiful polders lie the remnants of the war. I cycle along the path past the bunkers and hear the sharp call of the lapwing. Mr. Lapwing has it in for me and makes diving flights right over my head. I think that their nest must be in the neighborhood. On Kraaiveld Estate you will find an estate store where on weekdays you can indulge in fresh bread from the Hardeman baker, vegetables from the estate and more delicious things. Outside is a terrace where you can take a breather next to the chickens, meanwhile you can power your bike at the charging point on the wall.

Buying into the short chain
The sails of the Uitwijk and Zandwijkse molen are already turning merrily as I drive by. Both mills used to pump the polders. On the side is a large water wheel which is set in motion by the turning of the sails. The miller lets me take a look inside. It was small and the wood above me creaked from the force of the wind. Over a hundred years old, and still in good condition. The miller gives another demonstration of how the braking of the wings is done. With his entire weight suspended from a thick rope, he makes sure that the blades come to a stop. Great workmanship! More interested people arrive and I cycle on. Suddenly I feel the wind whistling through my wheels. Or should I pay more attention now? I deviate slightly from the route so that I can stop by the farm store Uppel's meadow meat. On Bloemweg I can already see a cheerfully flapping banner along the side from afar. It is a farmhouse with a cozy seating area in front. On the tables are pots of exuberantly blooming flowers. A white double door with square windows gives access to the small store. Inside, the shelves are full of all sorts of delicacies and trinkets. You quickly see what this place is all about; at the back of the store are large refrigerated display cases filled with beautiful cuts of meat. Most of it is homegrown, local buying in the short chain doesn't get any more local.

Fresh from the land
With an arc I cycle back to the route and end up on Provincial Road North. I follow this for some time and at junction 56 I continue for a short distance. On my left I find Wim and Co, a stall where you can buy potatoes and onions. For a few euros you load your bicycle basket with Frieslanders or Melody potatoes. Payment is simple via a QR code. A little further along the route you cycle past Hof van Heden. A harvest garden where the tastiest fruit and vegetables are grown organically. I park my bike in the shade and walk around the garden. There is a large greenhouse, beds full of still small vegetable plants and a real eco toilet. A gazebo has plants for sale so you can get started in the garden at home. The strawberry beds are in full bloom, which bodes well for a few weeks from now!

Woudrichem on the horizon
Soon now I leave the polders and farmlands behind me and cycle along the dike. The blue water of the Afgedamde Maas sparkles under the sun. People are clearly enjoying the beautiful surroundings. I see pleasure boats and meet many cyclists on the dike. A local businessman makes good use of it. Along the road is a stall with bunches of peonies for sale. A cheerfully striped parasol with ribbons keeps the delicate flowers out of the sun. The route meanders further along the dike and eventually makes a sharp turn into Struikwaard. This is clearly a popular bike route. Cows are calmly grazing in the polder below me. Everything is so green and peaceful here. Before I know it I approach my destination Woudrichem. Here you can visit the corn mill Nooit Gedagt where you can buy flour. This route is over for me. Not only was it beautiful along the way, but I also notice the satisfaction of buying produce directly from the farmer. For example, I talked to several people who run roadside stalls. I learned about their methods and about their products. I also know that my money goes directly to the farmer! An investment in myself and the local economy.