Cycling & the First World War 1914–1918

A cycling tour on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the First World War.


This is a cyclist's version of the travel book Velden van Weleer (‘Fields of Long Ago’) by Chrisje and Kees Brants. The tour starts at the small town of Nieuwpoort, in Flanders, and then runs via Diksmuide, Ieper (Ypres), Arras, Albert, Péronne and Reims to Verdun. Illustrated by 250 photos, the book takes us past more than 100 waypoints and provides detailed directions for cyclists. Along the way, we see forts, museums and trenches – vivid, painful reminders of a cruel past.


“This is more than a nice cycling tour. It’s an enriching experience that will stay with you the rest of your life. It’s suitable for every season and any type of weather. Indeed, the more rain, mud and flat tyres you experience, the deeper the impression the trip makes on you!”


Ronald Groeneweg