With more than five thousand participants and radiant summer weather, the sixtieth edition of the Drentse Fiets4daagse, according to the organization, has become a success. In Diever, Dalen and Westerbork it was busier than last year: there the number of cyclists rose by around 30 percent.
According to chairman Alfred Schoenmaker, the event was “one big party”. “It was cozy and relaxed and it was enjoying people and landscape,” he looks back with satisfaction. “We had hoped for 6,000 participants, and with 5,100 we did not stay far from there. In fact, there are a thousand more than last year. We are very satisfied.”
In addition to the bike rides themselves, activities were organized at various starting locations. In Diever, five hundred people came to the barbecue, while the bingo attracted three hundred participants there. The joint breakfast in Diever and Westerbork was also popular, each with twelve hundred participants. In Dalen, another 380 cyclists joined for an early bite. “Everything ran smoothly,” said Schoenmaker. “But of course we are going to evaluate it, see where it can be even better.”
The chairman said he received many positive reactions from participants, although the organization keeps the door open for points for improvement. “We have tried new things and we learn from that. For now, the pleasure that everyone has had dominated.”
The organization also looks ahead to the 61st edition of the Bicycle4Daagse. The ambition is clear: eight boarding places spread across Drenthe. “That’s the endeavor,” says chairman Alfred Schoenmaker. “But if we get six, we are already very satisfied.”
The organization hopes, among other things, to welcome Meppel as a starting location. It is also spoken with Assen. “And we would like to set up something in the Kop van Drenthe,” said Schoenmaker. Volunteers are indispensable. “We focus on the fact that people take the initiative themselves. The interest is there, now.”