Bussloo Voorst

History takes many forms, and some of those forms meet in this cycle route. Will you immerse yourself in the history of Bussloo and Voorst or will you keep the round trip nice and short and enjoy an extended rest in the Bussloo recreation area to the full? If you really only want to cycle around the recreational lake and get back to the beach as quickly as possible, you can also shorten the route by cycling to junction 28 at junction 29 in one go, and you will be back on your lounchebed after eight kilometres.

Let's start with the origins of the recreational lake. Between 1968 and 1977, sand was excavated at Bussloo for the construction of the A1 motorway. To make the land suitable for the construction of the new motorway, some 12 million m3 of sand was raised, which was excavated at Bussloo. That excavation created a lake that was opened for recreation in 1978. There is room for various outdoor activities, such as surfing, canoeing, pedalos, or diving. But you can also have a great time on one of the beaches near the lake.

By the way, did you know that there is a real bus at the bottom of the lake, with a stop? The reason is less mysterious than you might think. In 1997, bus drivers and avid divers Ton and Ernst were given an old bus by their employer. After members of the local diving association demolished and cleaned the bus further, it was lifted into the water with the help of the army and others. Since then, it has been part of a trail for amateur divers that now also includes an underwater house and a shipwreck.

But there is more history in this beautiful area. Before you cycle towards the IJssel you pass Volkssterrenwacht Bussloo. In 1965, the idea for an observatory on the Veluwe originated. The official opening of the VSB took place on 18 November 1975 during that evening's total lunar eclipse. For the time being, the observatory's telescopes mainly offer a nice view within our own galaxy. Since our galaxy is no larger than about 100,000 light years, we see the most distant objects as they were 100,000 years or less ago.

The utensils at thrift shop De Struintuin in Voorst already have quite a history behind them, but are certainly still suitable for a second or third life in the present. De Struintuin is a bit further from the route, but worth making a detour for. Then it's time to cycle towards the river IJssel. In the beautiful floodplains, you can see the ruins of an old castle from the 13th century. A little further on De Oversteekplaats, part of more recent history. At this important spot for the liberation of the Veluwe in 1945, there is a memorial stone to remind us that young people died for our freedom.

This is probably enough history for one cycle route. Return to the present and end your day out on a lounger on the beaches of recreation area Bussloo or on a pedalo of course if you haven't cycled out yet.