Thanks to Wielerverhaal/Luc Vandevenne
When we recently introduced you to the new BLUE sports centre just across the border in Eede, we told you that the centre wants to be there for every athlete. So also for the cyclist. Claudia and Pascal want to achieve this through bike fitting, targeted sports nutrition advice and the right muscle training. But because a cyclist prefers to be on his bike, we have already drawn up a cycling route. 118 km along the Belgian-Dutch border and through Zeeuws-Vlaanderen.
This route takes us through the history of Zeeuws-Vlaanderen. We notice how old towns are connected to each other but are still separated by a border today. Brian van Goethem summed it up nicely when we talked to him about Zeeland during a conversation. “That is across the water”, he said. “This is Flanders.”
A lovely sun welcomes us at the BLUE sports centre in Eede. Anyone who needs some supplies for the journey can drop in and stock up on some sports nutrition. With a few bars in our pockets and sports drink in the water bottle, we set off.
From the parking lot we turn back towards Belgium. Just before we cross the border again, we pass on the left the building where the Belgian sports nutrition producer Svensson, the company of Claudia and Pascal who now also set up the training center BLUE, used to be located. At the bicycle dealer who has moved in, you can quickly get an inner tube.
Bruges and the North Sea
After a short while we turn right onto the Schipdonk Canal. Make no mistake: first we cross the Leopold Canal and only then we turn right to follow the Schipdonk Canal. These 2 canals run parallel to each other for a long time. Where the Schipdonk Canal had an economic importance because of the connection of Kortrijk via Ghent with the North Sea, the Leopold Canal was mainly there for drainage. After all, the Dutch closed the original canals when Belgium became independent. Large poplars give the area its own character and provide a cool shade.

After about 18 km we leave the canal near Damme. The picturesque town with the beautiful market square is more than worth a visit. Then we happily take the Damse vaart which takes us to another picturesque town: Sluis. In a former life Sergio Herman built his name and fame here, but now it is mainly a cozy place. The beautifully preserved ramparts show the importance of Sluis in earlier times. After all, it was located on a, later silted up, side arm of the Scheldt and formed the connection between Bruges and the North Sea.
Groede Podium
When we arrive at the Zwin a little later, we get a good picture of what it used to look like here. This sea arm was the first connection between Bruges and the North Sea. With the silting up, the outer harbours of Damme, Hoeke and Sluis were created. And a little later the canals. It brings us to Cadzand. This former island (Kezand or sandbank) has now become a bustling seaside resort and during the weekend a horde of tourists flock to the wide beach. We follow the cycle path on the dike. A bicycle bell on a racing bike does not look nice, but here you can use it well in sunny weather. Nevertheless, it is very nice to cycle and a few kilometres after Cadzand it is already a lot quieter.

Shortly before Breskens we turn inland. We cross the Groede Podium: a collection of well-preserved bunkers that were part of the infamous Atlantic Wall from World War II. Due to the heavy vegetation, the bunkers were well-preserved, including original drawings by soldiers during the war.A little further we cross the beautiful Groede. Another well-preserved town that still carries the atmosphere of the past. Then we turn north again and soon we ride along the banks of the Western Scheldt. On the other side we see Vlissingen and in the distance we already notice some smoke plumes from the port of Terneuzen. Although we are riding on a bank reinforcement in concrete blocks here, it is nice to cycle. But that could also be due to the tailwind.
Nature and history
In Hoofdplaat we turn inland again and via Biervliet – the name unfortunately does not live up to its promise – we drive to Hoek. We follow the road parallel to the somewhat busy Hoofdweg for about 5 kilometers, but near Hoek we dive into the quiet nature again. In the meantime we drive past an old creek that used to be a connection to the Western Scheldt. We also come across a few border posts that here and there mark the separation between Belgium and the Netherlands. In Philippine the terraces are packed with mussel-eating Flemish people. We immediately feel a hunger coming on and quickly eat a Svensson bar. But those mussels looked tempting.

The Sluisbeek is literally the border between both countries and when it turns into the Leopold Canal we know it is not far anymore. In Sint-Jan-in-Eremo we cross the beautiful creek area that is also a remnant of an old sea arm. Finally there is Sint-Laureins where the banks of the Leopold Canal bring us close to Eede again. A beautiful ride. Both in terms of the beautiful nature and the rich history that is still tangibly present here.