PlugPlug Groote Heide

PlugPlug Groote Heide is a gravel ride from the Achelse Kluis, the abbey at Hamont-Achel, into the heathland that stretches from there towards the green edge of Eindhoven. It is a relaxed, fully organised day out rather than a race, and riders can even decide on the road how far they want to go.

The landscape is almost flat: the Leenderheide, Stabrechtse Heide, Stratumse Heide and Lieropse Heide follow one another, with heather as far as the eye can see and woodland in between. Around 70 percent of the route is unpaved, with quiet rural lanes linking the gravel, and riders navigate by GPS.

Count Me In runs the PlugPlug Gravel series with the same formula at every stop: coffee at the start, feed stations stocked with sports nutrition, mechanical and breakdown support, a bike wash and an après-bike. Unlike other PlugPlug rides the meal afterwards is not included here, but riders can eat at the brasserie after the ride.