A long and varied ride from Mechelen to the polders around Kieldrecht towards Saeftinghe. The route cuts straight through open farmland — endless straight roads, windmills on the horizon, and the kind of wind that never really turns in your favor.

It’s a mix of asphalt, gravel, and a few old cobblestone sections along the dikes. Between the green fields and the industrial backdrop of the port, you get a bit of everything: flat countryside, quiet farm roads, and views that seem to stretch all the way to the sea.

About halfway, I stopped at Fort Liefkenshoek for a quick break and a solid piece of rice pie — pure fuel before heading back into the wind.

A tough ride overall, but rewarding. The kind that reminds you how big and raw the Scheldt region can feel when you’re out there on your own bike, with nothing but the sound of tires, wind, and the occasional flock of sheep under a bridge.