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Drenthe. A land made for cycling

Hembrow Cycling Holidays is based in Assen, the capital of the province of Drenthe. While the Dutch know Drenthe as the "cycling province" and it's a very popular destination for them, Drenthe is still virtually undiscovered by cyclists from the rest of the world. This least densely populated area of the Netherlands, criss-crossed by thousands of kilometres of cycle-paths separated from the road, offers peace and tranquility. Cycling in Drenthe is always an enjoyable experience.

There's no need to pore over maps and websites to find the best places to go. We have used our local knowledge to plan routes for you using the extensive network of traffic free cycle-paths in this area. Each day you will have a pleasant ride ahead of you. Each day you'll see something different. You will ride through areas of stiltegebied which offer almost complete silence well away from any motorised traffic, but also take safe routes to town centres.

You will ride through woods and heath, along dikes, by canals, across bridges, to farms and windmills, cafes and restaurants, museums and monuments, flower fields and hunebedden.

This website includes four example itineraries for individuals, couples, families and groups. However, our cycling holidays are for everyone. Whether you are experienced or a relative newcomer to cycling, wish to cycle alone or bring a group, we have a holiday which is perfect for you.

Our cycling holidays provide an experience which is "All Pleasure and no Stress". We plan, you ride. Our ready planned routes lead in all directions from our base in Assen into the countryside.

Use the buttons on the left to select the type of holiday you are interested in.

Please do not travel to cycle. It's not a responsible
thing to do in the face of climate change

How we tour

We don't like to be too hurried on holiday and we don't think you want to be either. We start each day after leaving plenty of time for breakfast, we stop somewhere nice for coffee & lunch and we return to our hotel or B&B in plenty of time for an evening meal. Cycling should be fun and enjoyable, not stressful and difficult.

Start from your home. Don't travel thousands of kilometres by powered transport in order to ride a bicycle a short distance.

About us

Judith and David Hembrow are experienced cycle tourists and campaigners who now live in Assen in the Netherlands. We are both Dutch citizens who grew up in the UK and we chose to live in Assen because this is a wonderful place to cycle.

In the past we have toured, raced and commuted on our bikes. We've ridden alone, with each other, with friends and with children and we have worked in cycle promotion in the UK.

We no longer encourage people to make international journeys in order to cycle. No-one should be making such journeys for any reason at all. There are pleasant places to cycle near everyone's home.

Study Tours

Assen boasts some of the best cycling infrastructure in the world. The resultant cycling modal share is beyond cities in other countries. Because the infrastructure is so exceptional, in addition to the holidays, we also offer tours for transport professionals and campaigners which show off the infrastructure and the methods of planning which have achieved such results.

There are more details of the Study Tours on the Study Tour web page.

Also see our page of photos of Dutch cycling facilities some of which are featured on the tours and for those with an interest we have links to articles on cycling infrastructure and policy in the Netherlands.