A new cycling (experience) route in Eersel
The legend of the Gloeiige, the cursed squire of Eersel, has been incorporated into a cycling route with the aim of making cycling more of an experience. To this day, the Gloeiige wanders past the places where he committed his crimes. These places form the special locations where one can feel free to get off during the approximately 30 km long cycle route through the municipality of Eersel. An exciting, local story and a piece of history are thus linked. The story is part of four exciting cycle routes launched in the Kempen region.
Glowing beer at the Emperor
Hard work has been done to add experiences to the route, but great strides have also been made to add to the route, for example, at the Keizer - Eten & Drinken, the 'Gloeiende biertje', a Belgian Triple - with a touch of pepper - to the menu. Dorien Verschuijten, Marketing Manager of TerSpegelt talks about this first.
Art & collaborations on the route
In addition to the spectacular 2.5-metre sculpture of the Gloeiige in the woods around the Cartierheide, a number of 'Art in Nature' will be placed on the route. These artworks will be created by various local artists. Sketches have already been presented of, for instance, 'De Rode Loop' a work of art by Jeannette Koster, in which she plays with an infinite wheel of Glowing Footsteps. The sketch of work 'KletsPlek' by Netti Henselmans also appeals to the imagination, a beautiful throne for the Glowing on which you cannot actually sit, surrounded by a circle of simple boulders for the Contentious People among us. Several pillars depicting the story and a number of whispering posts have also been placed on the route, taking the cyclist into the tragic fate of the Gloeiige.
Experience route
'It is the combination of experience, history, art, nature and enjoying a bite to eat and a drink that should give the cycling experience even more quality for visitors and certainly also its own residents. Together with the Eersel entrepreneurs, we will ensure that the route will have even more points of contact.' Says Jim Steenbakkers - Visit Eersel Manager.
The tragic story of the landlord
Last Monday 21 March, the route was officially opened in the presence of several cooperation partners. The statue of the Gloeiige was also officially unveiled. Storyteller Jan Hoek spoke vividly: '...dark clouds were gathering over Eersel castle. A bolt of lightning struck down on the squire's castle. Everything went up in flames, except the pump in the market square. It was still there. The squire, he was not dead, not alive. He was to remain Gloeiien forever...'
About the route
The cycle route starts at Natuurpoort Terspegelt and is about 30 kilometres long. Along the way, cyclists will come across all kinds of things. There are plenty of opportunities to stop and enjoy art and culture, as well as snacks and drinks. Tickets of the route are available at various accommodations and at the Visit Eersel Informatiepunt .
Discover the route