Fietsvierdaagse

{{Unreferenced, date=February 2009 The fietsvierdaagse ("cycling four-day") is a Dutch bicycle event. The event consists of four days of recreational 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 In general, a rural area or a countryside is a geographic area that is located outside towns and cities. Typical rural areas have a low population density and small settlements. Agricultural areas and areas with forestry typically are descri ...

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 trail A trail, also known as a path or track, is an unpaved lane or small road usually passing through a natural area. In the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, a path or footpath is the preferred term for a pedestrian or hiking trail. Th ...

s ''(fietspaden)'', where participants are not bothered by

cars A car or automobile is a motor vehicle with wheels. Most definitions of ''cars'' say that they run primarily on roads, Car seat, seat one to eight people, have four wheels, and mainly transport private transport#Personal transport, people in ...

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 Nature, in the broadest sense, is the physical world or universe. "Nature" can refer to the phenomena of the physical world, and also to life in general. The study of nature is a large, if not the only, part of science. Although humans are ...

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 A medal or medallion is a small portable artistic object, a thin disc, normally of metal, carrying a design, usually on both sides. They typically have a commemorative purpose of some kind, and many are presented as awards. They may be int ...

. The most famous ''fietsvierdaagse'' is th
Drentse Fiets 4daagse
in the province of Drenthe. Other major ''fietsvierdaagsen'' are th
Internationale Fietsvierdaagse Nijmegen
around the city of Nijmegen an
Fietsvierdaagse "De Achterhoek"
in the region of

Achterhoek The Achterhoek (; Dutch Low Saxon: ''Achterhook'') is a cultural region in the Eastern Netherlands. Its name (meaning "rear-corner") is geographically appropriate because the area lies in the easternmost part of the province of Gelderland and th ...

, but many local communities in the

rural In general, a rural area or a countryside is a geographic area that is located outside towns and cities. Typical rural areas have a low population density and small settlements. Agricultural areas and areas with forestry typically are descri ...

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 commonly refers to: * Something of, from, or related to the Netherlands * Dutch people () * Dutch language () Dutch may also refer to: Places * Dutch, West Virginia, a community in the United States * Pennsylvania Dutch Country People E ...

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. Dutch culture Dutch words and phrases Cycling in Drenthe Sport in Assen