Tacx Fortius i-Magic RLV HD The Green Heart Classic Holland - £23.99

Set between the four largest cities in the Netherlands is the Green Heart, a rural farming area with many fine old Dutch towns and villages.

In addition there are ponds, rivers and many more beautiful sights as well as its own cycling tour. The unique feature of this event is that virtually the entire course lies several meters below sea level and hence does not require any climbs.

The route (157km)

The extremely flat and long route of the Green Heart takes in many points of interest. The ride starts in Rotterdam then heads along the canal to Aalsmeer and the village of Nieuwkerk to pine IJssel. This is the lowest point in the Netherlands at –6,74m below the sea! From here its open pasture land as we head towards the would famous cheese Mecca of Gouda. Between Leimuiden and Uithoorn we drive along the Westeinder which is a renowned water sport area rich in small fishing ports. After we pass Amstelveen we start to ride into the immense suburbs of South East Amsterdam. After some time in the city we ride pass and then actually under the world famous Ajax Stadium. We leave the city via Amsterdam-Rijnkanaal to Loenen which can be a really difficult section with the wind in the south east. If you can see the waves breaking in the wind then you will have no chance to see the splendid village of Nigtevecht!

Once you climb away from the canal via the large bridge onto the N201 we go straight through the Vinkeveense lake with its many small islands. Eventually we make a left turn into a strong head wind and start to head towards Utrecht via Harmelen. We pass the Utrecht university and cross the canal to leave the city. The roads become easy and sheltered as we pass Nieuwegein, Ijsselstein and the swinging bridge between IJsselstein and Lopik. The landscape improves here with twisty roads and small hamlets making for a perfect last chance opportunity to make an attack. Anyone that can gain 200m on the bunch here will be out of sight. In the last 10km the roads widen and straighten making it extremely tough to get away from a speeding bunch. Lastly comes the last few kilometres into the finish in woerden which is quite fast with just a few bends.

This film has been taken during the first edition of the Campina Tour of the Green heart on Sunday 25 March 2007.