Fietsvierdaagse
Encyclopedia
The fietsvierdaagse is a Dutch
bicycle
event. The event consists of four days of recreation
al cycling. Mainly during spring and summer several fietsvierdaagsen are organised throughout the Netherlands. The fietsvierdaagsen are annual events and most take place in the countryside
of the Netherlands. A fietsvierdaagse tour is always divided in four separate courses; one for each day of the event.
The fietsvierdaagse is a typically Dutch event. The Dutch landscape is rich in bicycle trails (fietspaden), where participants are not bothered by cars
and other traffic. As the countryside is rather flat, it makes for easy and relaxed cycling. The fietsvierdaagsen are organised by local foundations, which set a route that the participants are to follow. The fietsvierdaagse is a family event and many people participate in it. However, the events are especially well attended by older adults who have more free time or are retired, and isn't quite as popular among children and young adults. Every year they subscribe to a four-day cycling tour through the local area. The goal is not to set a time, but to enjoy nature
and to finish the tour. When the participants have completed the four days and have passed through all checkpoints, they usually get an award, often in the form of a small medal
.
The most famous fietsvierdaagse is the Drentse Fiets 4daagse in the province of Drenthe
. Other major fietsvierdaagsen are the Internationale Fietsvierdaagse Nijmegen around the city of Nijmegen and Fietsvierdaagse "De Achterhoek" in the region of Achterhoek
, but many local communities in the rural
areas of the Netherlands have their own fietsvierdaagse.
A specific version of the fietsvierdaagse is the avondfietsvierdaagse ("evening cycling four-day"). That is a four-day cycle tour in the evenings.
The Dutch
tend to organise all different kinds of four-day events: another example is the wandelvierdaagse
("walking four-day"). It is not exactly clear why these events must be held in four days, but four days fit nicely in a week.
It is difficult for people from countries with less of an established cycling culture than the Netherlands to fully appreciate how large these events are. The Drentse Fietsvierdaagse attracts over 30000 participants and is one of over 60 fietsmeerdaagse (i.e. 3 or 4 day cycling events) held around the country each year. A surprisingly large proportion of the total population of the country takes part in these events.
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
bicycle
Bicycle
A bicycle, also known as a bike, pushbike or cycle, is a human-powered, pedal-driven, single-track vehicle, having two wheels attached to a frame, one behind the other. A person who rides a bicycle is called a cyclist, or bicyclist....
event. The event consists of four days of recreation
Recreation
Recreation is an activity of leisure, leisure being discretionary time. The "need to do something for recreation" is an essential element of human biology and psychology. Recreational activities are often done for enjoyment, amusement, or pleasure and are considered to be "fun"...
al cycling. Mainly during spring and summer several fietsvierdaagsen are organised throughout the Netherlands. The fietsvierdaagsen are annual events and most take place in the countryside
Rural
Rural areas or the country or countryside are areas that are not urbanized, though when large areas are described, country towns and smaller cities will be included. They have a low population density, and typically much of the land is devoted to agriculture...
of the Netherlands. A fietsvierdaagse tour is always divided in four separate courses; one for each day of the event.
The fietsvierdaagse is a typically Dutch event. The Dutch landscape is rich in bicycle trails (fietspaden), where participants are not bothered by cars
Automobile
An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor...
and other traffic. As the countryside is rather flat, it makes for easy and relaxed cycling. The fietsvierdaagsen are organised by local foundations, which set a route that the participants are to follow. The fietsvierdaagse is a family event and many people participate in it. However, the events are especially well attended by older adults who have more free time or are retired, and isn't quite as popular among children and young adults. Every year they subscribe to a four-day cycling tour through the local area. The goal is not to set a time, but to enjoy nature
Natural environment
The natural environment encompasses all living and non-living things occurring naturally on Earth or some region thereof. It is an environment that encompasses the interaction of all living species....
and to finish the tour. When the participants have completed the four days and have passed through all checkpoints, they usually get an award, often in the form of a small medal
Medal
A medal, or medallion, is generally a circular object that has been sculpted, molded, cast, struck, stamped, or some way rendered with an insignia, portrait, or other artistic rendering. A medal may be awarded to a person or organization as a form of recognition for athletic, military, scientific,...
.
The most famous fietsvierdaagse is the Drentse Fiets 4daagse in the province of Drenthe
Drenthe
Drenthe is a province of the Netherlands, located in the north-east of the country. The capital city is Assen. It is bordered by Overijssel to the south, Friesland to the west, Groningen to the north, and Germany to the east.-History:Drenthe, unlike many other parts of the Netherlands, has been a...
. Other major fietsvierdaagsen are the Internationale Fietsvierdaagse Nijmegen around the city of Nijmegen and Fietsvierdaagse "De Achterhoek" in the region of Achterhoek
Achterhoek
The Achterhoek is a region in the eastern part of the Netherlands, Europe.Its name is geographically appropriate because the area lies in the Eastern-most part of Gelderland, and therefore of the Netherlands, protruding into Germany...
, but many local communities in the rural
Rural
Rural areas or the country or countryside are areas that are not urbanized, though when large areas are described, country towns and smaller cities will be included. They have a low population density, and typically much of the land is devoted to agriculture...
areas of the Netherlands have their own fietsvierdaagse.
A specific version of the fietsvierdaagse is the avondfietsvierdaagse ("evening cycling four-day"). That is a four-day cycle tour in the evenings.
The Dutch
Dutch people
The Dutch people are an ethnic group native to the Netherlands. They share a common culture and speak the Dutch language. Dutch people and their descendants are found in migrant communities worldwide, notably in Suriname, Chile, Brazil, Canada, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, and the United...
tend to organise all different kinds of four-day events: another example is the wandelvierdaagse
Wandelvierdaagse
The wandelvierdaagse is an annual Dutch walking event where the participants walk for four days.-History :In 1909, the term 'wandelvierdaagse' was introduced fo the first time in the Netherlands. The Dutch Association for Physical Education organised in those days walking marches...
("walking four-day"). It is not exactly clear why these events must be held in four days, but four days fit nicely in a week.
It is difficult for people from countries with less of an established cycling culture than the Netherlands to fully appreciate how large these events are. The Drentse Fietsvierdaagse attracts over 30000 participants and is one of over 60 fietsmeerdaagse (i.e. 3 or 4 day cycling events) held around the country each year. A surprisingly large proportion of the total population of the country takes part in these events.