WHEN: 3-4th May
WHERE: Studio INFMS
WHAT BIKE: Gravel bike with a minimum 35mm tyre, but as usual Curve recommend the wider the better!
TERRAIN: Mixed terrain. Expect sealed, unsealed, bike paths and probably some mud!
ROUTE FILE: HERE
COST: FREE! But registration is REQUIRED. Register HERE.

The spirit of the GravNL Odyssey is that it’s a route and targeted finish time. It gives everyone something to aim for and an excuse to go out, ride their bike, have fun, live an adventure, make friends and discover new places. 

It's not an event in the traditional sense. If you're expecting aid stations, any kind of organization or support then you will be very disappointed! The route is simply intended to be a bit of fun. An inclusive ride with the unique opportunity to all gather at the end to share stories from the road and meet new friends.

It is a 520km mixed terrain adventure divided in four sections. Starting from Studio INFMS and winding through the Veluwe area, it makes its way to the vibrant Amsterdam city center en route to the coast, it’s famous dunes and bike paths. It veers inland again to bucolic Leiden and into the absolute flatland of the Polders, where water is more present than land. 

After a short ferry crossing across the Hollands Diep river (7AM-MIDNIGHT) and a visit to Breda, it enters the woods again and meanders along the Belgian border, crossing into beer and chocolate land and some of its National park to finally finish in Maastricht, a charming old town tucked at the cross-over of three countries (Netherlands, Belgium and Germany).

Along the way you’ll pass by a selection of Curve dealers, including StudioINFMS, WHEELRUNNER, RAAS, KAMU and of course finishing at OFF_THE_MAP.

They are NOT checkpoints or aid stations! Riders will need to be completely self-sufficient

If you pass there during opening hours come in and say G'day! They will greatly appreciate your visit and being bike shops they will be able to assist you if mechanical support is needed. If you arrive outside of regular opening hours, sorry but, you won’t be able to visit some of the best bike shops on the continent. Just keep on rolling…

As they’re also cafes, you will be able to get your favorite brew at Studio Infms at the start and Kamu in Breda is a good option for a  big feed on Sunday (10:00-17:00).

That is something only you can work out, with the objective of being on time in Maastricht for Sunday night! Starting Friday afternoon will get you plenty of time to enjoy the full route and have two good nights of sleep. Starting Saturday morning is probably what most people will do but that means bigger days on the saddle and less hours of rest! We will be at the start all day Friday and will start riding ourselves Saturday at 9am for those wanting to join!

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Is the GravNL Odyssey a Race?

The answer is NO. If people want to push themselves to see how fast they can ride it and whether that speed is faster than their friends, they’re welcome to. If you want to bikepack it in one, two, three, four, or fourteen days, make it a friends and family trip, that’s perfect too! 

It doesn’t matter if you’ve ridden all the ultra races on the calendar or never tried a multiday adventure, let’s all have fun out there!

Do I have to ride it all?

There are many ways to jump on or off this route, to make it just the right amount of adventure for you! Do you want to start earlier and take your time to ride it? Good on ya! Not feeling like riding 500km but still wanting to be part of the fun? 

Starting at Wheelrunner, Raas or Kamu are good options. If you want to ride extra and ride from home, that works too! Make it your own adventure!

The GravNL Odyssey will be good early season training for the long distance racers or the perfect challenge for those willing to familiarize themselves with longer distance riding and the excitement that comes with it.

Where do I sleep ?

With many camp sites and towns on the route, finding a place to sleep on the go shouldn’t be an issue. If you’re confident in calculating how long things might take you and the distances you can manage each day, you can book them in advance with some careful planning. It’s best to be conservative with the distances you’re planning to cover each day. In the event of adverse weather, mechanicals or with the added amount of faffing that can occur when the kilometers accumulate, things can take longer than you think!

What do I need to take?

This will depend on your approach to the ride. We’ve compiled a packing list for flashpacking that can be found on the Curve website HERE. If you’re camping along the way, then simply add your sleeping kit to this. The gear you pack will depend on how much comfort you’re in the market for. If you need a hand working out how to pack your kit onto your bike, have a chat with our amazing Curve dealers or get in touch with us! 

A few notes about essential items: 

Lighting : Maybe you’re not planning on riding in the dark, but what if things take longer than you think? Pack lights that make daylight to ensure it’s much less scary when riding at night in the woods! Bring a good rear light for those road sections too. 

Repair : tubeless repair kit, small sealant bottle, spare tube, puncture repair kit, pump (check that it still works), chain quick-links, and multi-tool (with chain breaker).

Clothing : take clothing suitable for the weather conditions; arm warmers and leg warmers if needed, and wet weather gear. Fatigue impacts your body’s ability to regulate temperature and you can waste a lot of energy trying to stay warm. It’s good to have a warm vest or jacket in your pack just in case. 

Bags: Make sure you have sufficient storage on your bike for what you need to carry and some spare space so that it’s easy to get things back where they came from when you’re tired. Standard bikepacking bags are a good choice. A saddle pack is a smart option and can fit a lot of stuff. Feed bags are a great option for carrying food in a way that's readily accessible on the bike.

What do I do when I’m done in Maastricht ?

Wherever you are going home to, there are many train options available in Maastricht and bikes are welcomed on board for a small fee (Dutch, Belgian and German trains). If you want to stay for the night, there are plenty of options in town, hotels, hostels, B&B, camping, etc.

The Green Elephant Hostel is a good cycling friendly option!

Have a question that hasn’t been answered?? Feel free to reach out!
Go to one of our Dutch dealers or send it through in an email to tom@curvecycling.com.

Info night will be held at Wheelrunner (Amsterdam) in April, exact date to be confirmed.

Like all Curve events, please sign our waiver before attending! It can be found HERE