Operation Pheasant: A WOll inspired gravel loop from Breda (by operatiefazant.nl)

Route Description

This is a beautiful gravel route inspired by visiting WOll memorial sites in and nearby Breda. The ride was originally created by operatiefazant.nl at 95km. I’ve shortened this version slightly to make it a bit more accessible.

The route sets off at the Maczek memorial site in Breda, a museum dedicated to the liberation of Breda. On October 29th the city was liberated by the 1st panzer division of the Polish armed forces, led by general Maczek. From here the route goes east to ride some of the best gravel- and forest tracks in the area. At the most eastern point of the route you pass through the “mocking airfield” de Kiek. This tactic was used by the German army to tempt allied pilots to mistake de Kiek for the real airfield at Gilze-Rijen.

After this historic point the route turns south and then west again, to return to Breda. Again on some of the most beautiful routes in the area. When you get close to Breda I made the route go through the city’s beloved Mastbos, back to Kamu bikes & coffee in the city center. The original route by operatiefazant.nl includes an extra loop west.

• Tip: At the start of the route there’s a museum at the Maczek memorial site which is well worth visiting.
• Tip: When I rode this it was a sunny day after a dry period. The route has some sandy roads that can be very loose in long dry periods.
• Tip: The route ends at Kamu bikes & coffee, which is a great cycling inspired place to rest-up.