The
fietsvierdaagse is a
DutchThe Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
bicycleA bicycle, also known as a bike, pushbike or cycle, is a human-powered, pedal-driven, single-track vehicle, having two wheels attached to a frame, one behind the other. A person who rides a bicycle is called a cyclist, or bicyclist....
event. The event consists of four days of
recreationRecreation is an activity of leisure, leisure being discretionary time. The "need to do something for recreation" is an essential element of human biology and psychology. Recreational activities are often done for enjoyment, amusement, or pleasure and are considered to be "fun"...
al cycling. Mainly during spring and summer several
fietsvierdaagsen are organised throughout the Netherlands. The
fietsvierdaagsen are annual events and most take place in the
countrysideRural areas or the country or countryside are areas that are not urbanized, though when large areas are described, country towns and smaller cities will be included. They have a low population density, and typically much of the land is devoted to agriculture...
of the Netherlands. A
fietsvierdaagse tour is always divided in four separate courses; one for each day of the event.
The
fietsvierdaagse is a typically Dutch event. The Dutch landscape is rich in bicycle trails
(fietspaden), where participants are not bothered by
carsAn automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor...
and other traffic. As the countryside is rather flat, it makes for easy and relaxed cycling. The
fietsvierdaagsen are organised by local foundations, which set a route that the participants are to follow. The
fietsvierdaagse is a family event and many people participate in it. However, the events are especially well attended by older adults who have more free time or are retired, and isn't quite as popular among children and young adults. Every year they subscribe to a four-day cycling tour through the local area. The goal is not to set a time, but to enjoy
natureThe natural environment encompasses all living and non-living things occurring naturally on Earth or some region thereof. It is an environment that encompasses the interaction of all living species....
and to finish the tour. When the participants have completed the four days and have passed through all checkpoints, they usually get an award, often in the form of a small
medalA medal, or medallion, is generally a circular object that has been sculpted, molded, cast, struck, stamped, or some way rendered with an insignia, portrait, or other artistic rendering. A medal may be awarded to a person or organization as a form of recognition for athletic, military, scientific,...
.
The most famous
fietsvierdaagse is the
Drentse Fiets 4daagse in the province of
DrentheDrenthe is a province of the Netherlands, located in the north-east of the country. The capital city is Assen. It is bordered by Overijssel to the south, Friesland to the west, Groningen to the north, and Germany to the east.-History:Drenthe, unlike many other parts of the Netherlands, has been a...
. Other major
fietsvierdaagsen are the
Internationale Fietsvierdaagse Nijmegen around the city of
Nijmegen and
Fietsvierdaagse "De Achterhoek" in the region of
AchterhoekThe Achterhoek is a region in the eastern part of the Netherlands, Europe.Its name is geographically appropriate because the area lies in the Eastern-most part of Gelderland, and therefore of the Netherlands, protruding into Germany...
, but many local communities in the
ruralRural areas or the country or countryside are areas that are not urbanized, though when large areas are described, country towns and smaller cities will be included. They have a low population density, and typically much of the land is devoted to agriculture...
areas of the Netherlands have their own
fietsvierdaagse.
A specific version of the
fietsvierdaagse is the
avondfietsvierdaagse ("evening cycling four-day"). That is a four-day cycle tour
in the evenings.
The
DutchThe Dutch people are an ethnic group native to the Netherlands. They share a common culture and speak the Dutch language. Dutch people and their descendants are found in migrant communities worldwide, notably in Suriname, Chile, Brazil, Canada, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, and the United...
tend to organise all different kinds of four-day events: another example is the
wandelvierdaagseThe wandelvierdaagse is an annual Dutch walking event where the participants walk for four days.-History :In 1909, the term 'wandelvierdaagse' was introduced fo the first time in the Netherlands. The Dutch Association for Physical Education organised in those days walking marches...
("walking four-day"). It is not exactly clear why these events must be held in four days, but four days fit nicely in a week.
It is difficult for people from countries with less of an established cycling culture than the Netherlands to fully appreciate how large these events are. The Drentse Fietsvierdaagse attracts over 30000 participants and is one of over 60 fietsmeerdaagse (i.e. 3 or 4 day cycling events) held around the country each year. A surprisingly large proportion of the total population of the country takes part in these events.