Dutch Stages
The igus:bike tour through The Netherlands – From windmills to waterworks!
For one unforgettable week, the Dutch igus team took the igus:bike on a unique cycling journey through the Netherlands — showcasing local innovation, sustainability, and the country’s remarkable relationship with water.
The tour began in Soesterberg, the birthplace of igus Netherlands, and headed straight to the iconic windmills of Kinderdijk, celebrating both our roots and the country’s heritage in water management.
Next stop: Wageningen, where the team visited two leading research institutions, WUR and MARIN, highlighting how Dutch science continues to push boundaries. The ride continued along the Grebbedijk, combining nature and history with breathtaking views over the river plains.
In Amsterdam, the focus shifted to water and innovation, with a visit to The Great Bubble Barrier, a clever solution to plastic pollution. The team then cycled through the capital’s famous canals before heading north to the legendary Afsluitdijk, a feat of engineering that protects the Netherlands from the sea.
The fourth stage took riders to Rotterdam, where they crossed the Erasmusbrug and Willemsbrug, symbols of resilience and renewal. The journey continued toward the Delta Works, showcasing how the Dutch have turned the battle against water into world-leading engineering.
The journey ended in South Limburg, where scenic climbs and the iconic Vaalserberg — the Three-Country Point — offered a memorable finish to the tour. Here, the igus:bike was officially handed over to Tim Küsters, marketing manager of the Belgium team — a symbolic moment of connection and shared vision.
From historic cities to coastal defenses, the igus:bike Tour of the Netherlands proved how mobility, sustainability, and innovation go hand in hand — on two wheels and across borders!
Stage 1 From our roots to the windmills of Kinderdijk
Date: 1. September 2025
Starting Point: Soesterberg
Destination: Kinderdijk
Distance: 21 km
Riders: Justine Burcham & Mark van de Waal
The igus:bike tour has officially begun, and what better place to start than where it all began: Soesterberg, the birthplace of igus Nederland. This first stage, fittingly called “From our roots to the windmills of Kinderdijk,” takes us back to our origins before leading us to one of the most iconic Dutch landmarks.
Stage 2 From WUR and Marin to Wageningen Marina
Stage 2 of the igus:bike tour connects innovation and heritage. Starting in Wageningen, home to WUR and MARIN, we visited BABETTE, a machine full of igus parts, and spoke with Johan Bucher and Matthijs Brouwer. At MARIN, Jan de Boer showed us cutting-edge ship testing facilities.
The tour continued along the scenic Grebbedijk, offering views of the Rhine and Dutch countryside. Justine enjoyed the peaceful landscape, while Mark highlighted the area’s history. Once a WWII battleground, the dike now symbolizes Dutch resilience. Tomorrow: Amsterdam!
Date: 2. September 2025
Starting Point: Het Paradijs, Sijsselt, Ede
Destination: Parsian Maze
Distance: 21 km
Riders: Justine Burcham, Mark van de Waal & René van Dijk
Stage 3 Canals & Tides
Date: 3. September 2025
Starting Point: Kattenburgerstraat 5, Amsterdam
Destination: Kattenburgerstraat 5, Amsterdam
Distance: 16 km
Riders: Justine Burcham & Mark van de Waal
Day 3 of the igus:bike tour explores water and innovation — from Amsterdam’s canals to the Afsluitdijk. We start at The Great Bubble Barrier, where rising bubbles guide plastic waste to a catchment system without harming wildlife. Justine interviews Carla Wessels, who sees potential for collaboration with igus.
Cycling through Amsterdam’s historic canals, riders pass iconic sights like the Rijksmuseum. In the afternoon, we head north to the Afsluitdijk — a 32 km dam that protects land and now generates energy. It’s a day where sustainability, engineering, and history flow together.
Stage 4 The battle against the water
Stage 4 of the igus:bike tour was all about water. Nowhere is the human-water relationship more visible than in the Netherlands. Starting in Rotterdam, we crossed the iconic Erasmusbrug and Willemsbrug—symbols of resilience and innovation.
Riding southwest, we reached the Haringvlietsluizen, part of the Delta Works, built after the 1953 flood. These massive sluices protect the land and preserve nature. Cycling through this region, we saw how the Dutch turned water from a threat into opportunity—shaping land, ports, and history. A ride through engineering, nature, and national identity.
Date: 4. September 2025
Starting Point: Strandje Stellendam
Destination: Statendam, Rotterdam
Distance: 11 km
Riders: Justine Burcham, Mark van de Waal & René van Dijk
Stage 5 The Amstel Gold Race mini
Date: 5. September 2025
Starting Point: COBOD, Nordhavn
Destination: The Three Country Point NL / BE / GER
Distance: 11 km
Riders: Justine Burcham & Mark van de Waal
Stage 5 of the igus bike tour led Mark and Justine into South Limburg, climbing to the Three-Country Point atop Vaalserberg. There, they handed over the igus:bike to Tim Küsters of igus Belgium.
The ride through rolling hills echoed the spirit of the Amstel Gold Race. At the summit, borders blurred and ideas connected. The tour proved that innovation and sustainability can cross boundaries — just like the igus:bike.