Goose driver route

In the polders north of Antwerp, they hold on to the old tradition of goose riding. In the past, farmers and laborers would ride through a living goose on a horse to grab its head. Those who successfully did this would be crowned 'king' for a year. Around 1927, the bloody spectacle with the living goose was abolished and replaced with a dead goose. However, the Antwerp polder villages still have something else to offer. They have been partially amputated by the expansion of the port but have been able to preserve some beautiful pieces of nature and some pleasant village squares. The port's growth forever relegates Oosterweel, Oorderen, and Wilmarsdonk to the history books. Berendrecht and Zandvliet lost a large part of their polders. Life here seems to be quieter than elsewhere, perhaps due to the awareness that these villages would not survive a new expansion of the port.

WAYMARKING
Mostly marked with hexagonal signs. According to a statement from the local cultural service, this waymarking will no longer be maintained and will instead be replaced by that of the cycling network.

SAFETY
Relatively safe cycling path. Caution on some sections over larger roads.
Mostly paved road, some sections unpaved. 15% traffic-free.

RECOMMENDED STARTING POINT
At the height of the Sint-Catharinakerk in the Dorpsstraat of Stabroek. The description does not follow the course of the official route of 49 km, which also passes the Dutch and Belgian Putte. Those who love rhododendrons should cycle this route in May or June. There is a beautiful display of flowers along the route.

INFORMATION
Municipality Stabroek (Cultural Service), Dorpsstraat 99, 2940 Stabroek, 03 568 80 80, kulturdienst@stabroek.be, www.stabroek.be.

Bike RENTAL
There are no bicycles for rent near the starting point.

Food and Drink
Brasserie La Pipe, Hoogeind 108, 2940 Stabroek, 03 773 58 48, www.lapipe.be.