IJsselstein, Oudewater, Montfoort

They just seem like nice little towns you pass through on this cycle route. Yet they have something special: castle lords and monkeys, witches, farmers' sons, water nymphs... This makes cycling not only fun and healthy, but also educational! In addition, of course, a piece of beautiful nature cannot be missing during our cycle routes. That's why we let you enjoy a bit of cycling along the water's edge during this route.

Squire Kees lived in a castle with his lord around the 14th century. The lord of the castle also had a small monkey, whose name was Kees, just like his beloved squire. On the day the monkey died, the bell-ringer rang the bells in memory of the squire, who rushed to the castle upon hearing the bells. Because of this misunderstanding, the inhabitants of IJsselstein got their nickname: monkey ringers.

Witches now seem to be legends from fairy tales and stories, although between the 15th and 18th centuries it was truth for many people. People suspected of witchcraft were unfairly weighed and found to be witches all over Europe. Except here, at the Witches' Watch in Oudewater, no one was ever condemned as a witch here. Why? Add the Pit stop to your itinerary and read on!

Discover the story of the farmer's son and the water nymphs in the Pit stops along the way. Add them to your route, dismount and read on.