🚴🌊Cycling through the sea🌊🚴: The Afsluitdijk: Den Oever to Harlingen

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Werkspoor1200

Type

Bike

Distance

25.813 mi

Duration

01:38:37

Avg Watts

96.00 Watt(s)

Recorded on

02/07/2023

Added on

04/07/2023

Total ascent

167 ft

Noorderdijkweg 28, 1771 MJ Wieringerwerf, Netherlands

Havenplein 5, 8861 XA Harlingen, Netherlands

Description

Built in the 1930s, the Afsluitdijk (Enclosure dike) is actually a dam which protects the the coastline of large parts of the Netherlands from flooding. With its 32.5 kilometer's of length it is a marvel of engineering. The dam enclosed the Zuiderzee, separating it from the Waddenzee turing it into a sweet water lake, the IJsselmeer - named after the river IJssel which feeds it. This is where all the water of the northern most branch of the Rhine ends up. The Afsluitdijk houses a Highway (the A7) and always had a connection for slow traffic as well. Unfortunately, due to delayed construction works the bike path is closed since 2019. The authorities temporarily opened it for cyclists and hikers on July 1 and 2 2013, as the bike lane will closed until 2024/2025. The dam will have two biking routes afterwards: one on the side of the Waddenzee (offering a magnificent view), one on the protected side of the dam (next to the highway). This ride was shot during a temporary opening: you will start in North-Holland in Den Oever. You will pass the Stevinsluizen (a system of locks) where construction works are still ongoing. You will actually ride on the A7 highway for a short stretch, before crossing the dam to the seaside. From there you will take the new cycling way. At Breezanddijk (an artificial island halfway along the Afsluitdijk) you will cross over to the old cycling way alongside the A7 highway. After 30-somthing kms you will exit the dam at the Lorenzsluizen and head towards the Frisian mainland. From Zurich (Surch) it is a short stretch along the sea to the port of Harlingen. Filmed with strong winds in the back; so try to keep the pace. The ride offers nice views of the sea, marvels of engineering. Although a flat ride, it shows you what the Netherlands is about.

Strava segments

Portions of this video are actual Strava segments