4daagse
 Well,
after last year's cancellation of the 90th 4daagse it is a retry this
year! Everything is set, we have done quite a few kms for training, so
we are ready!
On this page you can see a few updates of our journey. Updated until Friday... did we make it?
4daagse picture book
Paul is doing 50km, Hanneke
40km, the official distances (times 4 as you understand :-). First day
is Tuesday July 17, last day is July 20. In the picture book, a new day
is represented by the clock, use the slider to get to the latest
pictures.
Monday July 16:
Getting ready. Arranging ID cards, walking through Nijmegen and preparing food and music. It's bedtime early!
  
DAY 1 - Tuesday July 17:
The day of Elst. For route see: here.
Well, day one: DONE. What a difference with last year's first day:
still sour feet, but certainly not as tired as that time. The weather
(issue No. 1) was quite good: when I got up - very very early - it was pooring down, but
when I cycled to the train station, it had stopped and it never started
again. So about 23 deg C and semi-sunny.
Paul started at 04.25, Hanneke about one our later. So we passed the
bridge, and went to Bemmel. There we could witness live radio (Giel on
3fm), and get a coffee at the church. After Bemmel we went into the
Betuwe. Around the fields of Arnhem the 40km and the 50km split. The
50km loop seems quite long (well, 10kms...), as you circle the Arnhem
Ohra building. The only 'famous' (well) Dutchman spotted is Eindhoven's
Johan Vlemminkx... Jeujh...
Then, just after the 40 and 50 meet, Elst. Very busy, a lot of people,
music etc. Here we were topped up by Hanneke's ma. Next village
Valburg, Slijk-Ewijk and Oosterhout. In Oosterhout you can energize for
the final stretch, the famous (in negative sense) Oosterhoutse Dijk.
This year lots of wind, lots of singing, and much better atmosphere.
And Vitens arranged a water supply. You could even pass a carwash spray
for a refreshment. After Lent, you can climb the bridge again (not as
in Sydney by the way). Hanneke finished around 14.30, Paul around
15.30.
A very nice day, we both finished in good shape. And good precautions
taken by the organising comittee! See the updated picture book for some
more photos. And our apologies if some photos are a bit blurry... some
are shot walking ;-)
   
DAY 2 - Wednesday July 18:
The day of Wijchen. For route see: here.
According to the experts the toughest day. Well, tough it was. Weather
was good (warm; sunny, 22 - 24 deg C), the crowds were very
enthousiastic, we made it (about half an hour delay compared to the day
before), and we are tired. No blisters, luckily. But we notice that
getting up in the middle of the night and walking all day long starts
to become a factor now! Wijchen, Balgoij (50km), Niftrik (50km) and
Beuningen were very crowded. Yesterday about 380 participants (out of
some 38000) did not make it, I guess the number for today is higher.
Fot pictures see the picture book (new ones added - day 2 starts with the second clock).
   
DAY 3 - Thursday July 19:
The day of Groesbeek. For route see: here.
Today's update: to start with the most important: we did it, again. We
both finished around 15.00. About half an hour earlier as the day
before. Actually things went quite well. The weather was very good,
maybe a bit too warm around noon, but perfectly dry again. The route is
very nice: leaving Nijmegen south towards Malden. Then into Limburg to
Molenhoek, Mook, Middelaar, Plasmolen, and Milsbeek. The 50km
route loops through Ottersum, the point most distant from
Nijmegen in the 4daagse. This is a bit boring, actually, since it
crosses the fields for quite a long time, on straight roads. After
merging with the other routes, the first hill is close: getting to
Grafwegen, very close to Germany. Next big village is Groesbeek. From
Grafwegen on, countless people filled the streets, watching and
celebrating the 4daagse. They really give you positive energy to move
on in difficult times. After Groesbeek the famous Zevenheuvelenweg is
waiting for you... This can really kill your legs if your are not
prepared... (luckily we trained here ;-). Reaching Berg en Dal, you
think you made it. But actually you need to walk for at least one hour
before reaching the centre. If the hills didn't kill you, this will.
However, this day seemed to be less dificult compared to
yesterday. 1.726 people did not make it yesterday, today 1.087 people had to give up: 34.307. Okay, time to prepare a lunch package again.
   
DAY 4 - Friday July 20:
The day of Cuijk, and arrival at the Via Gladiola. For route see: here.
Well, to make a long story quite short: WE MADE IT It wasn't easy this last day, but hey that doesn't matter now. Around 16.00 we arrived at the Wedren, complete soaken wet. Luckily we had some sandals and dry and clean socks.
Summary of the day: quite tough, muscles were complaining and getting stiff, and blisters (Hanneke) were starting to annoy.
Score of the day: two official royal medals, one stiff muscle (Paul) and 3 blisters (Hanneke). Not bad right?
It took some self-motivation to keep on walking every now and then, but
after some waiting of Paul after the temporary bridge across the Maas
in Cuijk we continued together to Mook (the 50km and 40km routes
before Cuijk are quite different). Then it poored like ... and we were
completely wet within seconds. Umbrellas were useless: apart from the
lightning, the rain just went through the umbrella fabric. Great. With
shoes like bathtubs we coninued into Nijmegen. After about 1.5 hour
rain, things became better again. And then the Via Gladiola helps to
survive. Luckily the rain did not scare all the people watching, so
still a big party. DONE!
At this moment we don't feel like possessed from the 4daagse fever...
maybe in 20 years or so ;-) However, we are glad we
experienced it, we are happy we made it, and we would like to
thank you for supporting us by supplying food, sending emails and cards
and sms's and phone calls. Next time we will take the late shift again:
join the 4daagsefeesten!
   
Other links:
Maps in Google Earth: here. Open file in zip, and Google Earth will open (if installed).
www.4daagse.nl
 www.tvgelderland.nl/
Other media like KRO and SBS.
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