MEET A FRIEND OF MAATS
RIK DE VOOGD
Rik de Voogd is from Hook of Holland, Netherlands. A coastal town belonging to Rotterdam which is situated 30 km to the east. Rik is a regular and a friend of Maats. We have created this page to make sure you don't miss a thing of his adventures!
"Ever since I quit racing bikes and stumbled upon Instagram, I have this dream. This dream about riding around in areas which are not the most familiar ones for us as cyclists. My favourite tagline: "the best roads, are the ones you haven't ridden", pretty much says it all."
"It was on Instagram where I discovered a world in which cycling wasn’t necessarily about results or numbers. I got interested right away, started my very own profile, and digitally connected with cyclists from all over the world. These people showed me that adventures, great gear, and having a keen eye for photography, can be a perfect combination whilst riding bikes."
NOWADAYS
"For me, Instagram is still the place to get inspired, but most importantly, it's this place to connect with like-minded people: Other cyclists from all over the world."
RIK'S KIT OF THE MOMENT
What is your favorite kit at the moment?
Three seasons ago I discovered the Pas Normal Studios Control Heavy Jersey. That one is really great. Light yet warms up quickly. With a good baselayer underneath, it is quickly good for the somewhat mild Dutch winters. If it gets a bit colder, a long sleeve jersey can be worn underneath or I prefer a stow away gilet or rain jacket over it. The Control Light Neck Tube is the finishing touch. A highly versatile and functional product. An added layer of protection for winter riding to pull up when cold, and pull down when warmed up. About cold feet. I don't use overshoes. Very old-fashioned, I grab a plastic bag, pull it over the top of my shoe and put on too large a size of HEMA sports socks. Cut a hole for your cleats and easy does it.
Most beautiful place you have ever rode your bike?
That has been very recently! Greece! The southern most part of the mainland. A peninsula actually. The region is called the Peloponesse and without my knowledge it is fantastic for cycling. A great combination of beautiful coastal roads along beaches, coves and cliffs. And more inland mountains with an overdose of hairpin bends. And all without meeting a single mortal. There's really no one there! And yet the roads are fantastic and in every village you can drink the best coffee and buy fresh fruit. I fell in love!
Bucket list cycling destination?
My dream is actually to ride in locations that are far from the most obvious for us cyclists. Now I'm not gravel biking yet, but I don't think it will take long. I think the gravel culture will make many countries suitable for cycling tourism. After Greece I became very curious about the rest of the Balkans. I think the road bike is not a very suitable idea for many countries in that region. But with a sturdy gravel bike you can always manage. On the road bike, I am especially curious about the other side of the Atlantic. North America for example. But South America especially attracts me.
What prompted you to start a blog and Instagram account about your cycling adventures?
The long story is detailed on my website. The short story is that I raced for years and at one point was very done with it. I was looking for a new meaning when the performance lapsed. When someone pointed me to Instagram I laughed at first, but once I took a look I was inspired by all kinds of people who were busy with cycling and photography. That combination immediately felt really good! My website and blog is an addition to what I can't put on Instagram. The attention span of the average Instagram user is quite low, but I also gathered a whole crowd of very loyal followers who wanted to know a lot more. The website and blog were born.
What is your favorite route in The Netherlands?
I think that a tour from my own home offers a lot of diversity. Within a route of 50 kilometers already. Within a few steps from my home in Hoek van Holland I ride north through the dunes towards The Hague. If I turn to the east earlier, I ride between the greenhouses. If you turn a little more southeast, then you ride between the meadows. And once again to the right, you ride west again to Hoek van Holland along the Nieuwe Waterweg. However, my favorite route is a little longer. Then I ride on the boulevard of Scheveningen, straight through the dunes and nature reserve Meijendel in the direction of Leiden. Nowadays I like to drink a good espresso there, and then back via Delft or Rotterdam for an ice cream.
