Netherlands Liberation Trail
Fri 2 - Tue 6 May 2025 Nijmegen, Netherlands Fundraising required

Netherlands Liberation Trail

Pedal through the Liberation of the Netherlands: A historic tour to freedom, filled with commemoration and camaraderie, to help support the Armed Forces Community.

  • Fri 2 - Tue 6 May 2025
  • Fundraising required
Nijmegen, Nijmegen > Wageningen, Wageningen

Netherlands Liberation Trail

08:00

Age 18 & over

Full payment

£2250.00

Registration fee

£300.00

Balance

£500.00

Minimum sponsorship

£1450.00

Registration fee

£300.00

Minimum sponsorship

£1950.00

  • 338 km road cycling

Event overview

This unique event offers more than just a scenic ride; it’s a tour through time, with three days of pedalling with purpose in the cycling capital of the world.

This is a chance to immerse yourself in Allied Forces’ history and Dutch culture, honour heroes, whilst celebrating the victory and liberation of the Netherlands.

Ride with the Royal British Legion to join our North Sea neighbours in pedalling through the Netherlands’ historic journey and celebrate the nation’s official Liberation Day, a final milestone in the lead up to the much anticipated 80th anniversary of VE day.

To conclude the festivities, dinner will be served in the vibrant courtyard of the iconic Hotel de Wereld, the location where the surrender papers were signed by the Germans, ending the war in the Netherlands.

Become one of the top fundraisers and you’ll get the chance to stay at the Hotel de Wereld on the final night!

Highlights

  • Historic cycle tour in the world's cycling capital
  • Celebrate the liberation of the Netherlands
  • Follow the path of the Rhineland Offensive
  • Cross the border into Germany
  • Visit the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery
  • Arnhem Sunset March with local veterans
  • Commemorate Dutch Remembrance Day
  • Follow the path of British Airbourne Troops
  • Attend the national Liberation Day Festival
  • 25+ years of organising cycle challenges
  • Create unique memories and make friends for life
  • Help support the Armed Forces Community

Fitness level

You should have a basic level of fitness with the commitment to prepare properly in training for the challenge - cycling a few miles to and from work is not going to be enough preparation for this ride.

Solo riders

Many supporters sign up for the challenge as an individual - this is a fantastic way to meet new friends. Just leave the team name blank when you register.

Teams

There’s no minimum or maximum size of team. When you register, make sure to add your team's name to ensure you are recognised as a team.

Bike type

A standard hybrid, road bike or E-bike is suitable for this challenge.

E-bikes are actively encouraged for this challenge. Riders will need to ensure responsibility for E-Bike charging, facilities will be available.

  • Bag transfer
  • Rural
  • Toilets
  • Urban

Event HQ

Saint Pancras Station
Euston Road
London
Greater London
N1C 4QL
UK

Meet at St Pancras before travelling by Eurostar to the Netherlands. Your bike will be transported by the team to meet you in Nijmegen.

  • Check points
  • First aid
  • Food stations
  • Marshals
  • Point to point
  • Return transport
  • Single start
  • Sleeping facilities
  • Sweeper
  • Toilets
  • Water stations

Route summary

  • Day 1 | Travel - St Pancras International to Nijmegen (via Amsterdam) 
  • Day 2 | Nijmegen – Nijmegen (approx. 118km, 524m) 
  • Day 3 | Nijmegen – Arnhem (approx. 130km, 457m) 
  • Day 4 | Arnhem – Wageningen (approx. 90km, 450m) 
  • Day 5 | Travel - Wageningen to St Pancras International (via Amsterdam)
RBL riders

Route description

Starting from Nijmegen, follow the path of the Rhineland Offensive, the pivotal final battle for Liberation of the Netherlands. Cycling through beautiful landscapes, you’ll also cross the border into Germany and visit the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery.

Day two of cycling leads the group along "Hell's Highway," tracing the efforts of Operation Market Garden amidst stunning scenery. This day will conclude with the atmospheric Arnhem Sunset March, where the group will stand with local veterans, observing two minutes of silence to commemorate Dutch Remembrance Day.

The final day of cycling perfectly rounds up the historic tour as the group rides into Wageningen (known as Liberation town), following the path of British Airborne Troops. The tour will culminate with the Liberation Day Festival, a Dutch annual fete, commemorating victory and freedom of the nation, known as the largest liberation festival in the country.

  • Medal
  • Post-race meal
  • Technical t-shirt

Included

  • Three days of cycling; you’ll leave London by Eurostar on Friday afternoon and return to London on the following Tuesday
  • Four nights of 3* hotel accommodation
  • Medics, mechanics, and ride captains all on hand throughout the ride
  • An official RBL cycling jersey
  • Full pre-ride support including a dedicated supporter care team, training plans and fundraising advice
  • Meals from Saturday to Tuesday breakfast
  • A dedicated historian will be your personal tour guide at all the sites and battlefields
  • All your luggage transported to each overnight stop
  • Access to further support on the dedicated Facebook cycling group
  • An exclusive money-can't-buy medal for completing the ride!
riders

Not Included

  • Travel to/from London at the start/finish
  • Spending money including bar bills
  • Travel insurance
  • Bike insurance
  • Bike and cycling clothing/equipment

  • Fundraising incentives
  • Fundraising materials
  • Fundraising required
  • Fundraising support

Help the Armed Forces Community

For over 100 years Royal British Legion has provided much-needed welfare and comradeship to millions, and are working tirelessly to ensure that those who have served and made sacrifices for us are being looked after no matter what challenges they and the country faces. With your help, they receive the help that they need and deserve.

riders

Royal British Legion

The UK's leading Service charity providing care and support to serving members of the Armed Forces, veterans of all ages and their families.

The custodian of remembrance and appreciation through the annual poppy appeal and also providing members of the Armed Forces, veterans and their families with rehabilitation, advice and guidance all year round.

Of money you raise £25 can pay for an online training course for a veteran to help them secure a job or £100 could help someone's rehabilitation by attending an arts programme.

  • Age 18 & over
  • Entries open
  • Enter online
  • Event merch available
  • Fundraising required

Entry fees

Pay the full trip fees.

Full payment

£2250.00

Pay the registration fee now. Cover some of the trip costs by Oct 2024. Raise funds for Royal British Legion.

Registration fee

£300.00

Balance

£500.00

Payment due by 01/10/2024

Minimum sponsorship

£1450.00

Pay the registration fee now. Raise funds for Royal British Legion.

Registration fee

£300.00

Minimum sponsorship

£1950.00

The Royal British Legion has been organising cycling challenges for nearly 30 years, so you can expect the best possible ride experience.