Aalden, Mantinge, Zweeloo

According to the Dutch dictionary, folklore is: ‘everything a people has created. Such as, for example: poetry, lore, songs, stories, art and rituals.’ Cycling province Drenthe is full of folklore. For instance, Rene Karst sang ‘As ik deur Drenthe fiets’ and Skik became world-famous in the Netherlands with the popular song ‘Op Fietse’, voted the best Drenthe song ever. Great inspiration to jump on your bike in search of real Drenthe folklore.

This route starts in artists' village Zweeloo. Famous painters who once worked here for a while include Max Lieberman and Vincent van Gogh. Zweeloo has no physical museum; the motto of the Zweeloo Artists' Village Foundation is “Our museum is outside”. However, the foundation does have an Artists' Hostel where exhibitions are held regularly and where you can find out more about the stories of the artists who have been here.

A nice example of ancient Drenthe rituals are of course the dolmen, the burial vaults of the ancient Funnel Beaker people. This is where the dead were buried with so-called grave goods, such as pots, jewellery and weapons. Two of these dolmens, namely D49 and D50, are right on this route and are interesting sights to hop off for.

Of course, there is always room for creating new folklore too. Perhaps cuddling or walking with alpacas will become a whole new custom for us, which it has been for much longer in South American Peru or Bolivia. If you don't want to visit the alpaca farm in Tiendeveen, and prefer to make the route a bit shorter? Then cycle from node 18 straight through Mantingerveld to node 62.

The folklore elements on this route are linked by the beautiful Drenthe countryside. The beautiful Mepper Hooilanden, the impressive Sleenerzand and the Mantingerveld are all sources of inspiration for artists, poets and, apparently, musicians. And from today, for you too?