Dust, Sand, and Bicycle Bell Symphonies – The TET Netherlands on an RE Himalayan
Ah yes, the 17th of May 2025. Mark it, because that’s the day the real adventure began—not just a ride to visit mom or flirt with German curves, but the proper, trail-dusted, slightly sweaty kind of motorbike journey that deserves to be called “adventure riding.”
Destination? The Trans Euro Trail (TET) Netherlands, Section 5.
Steed of choice? The mighty Royal Enfield Himalayan.
Mood? Equal parts excitement, curiosity… and mild skepticism.
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TET: Where Three Countries and Zero Elevation Meet
To get to the trailhead, I had to first ride 115 km from the cozy comfort of my B&B. This took me to the Dreiländereck—where Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands all shake hands politely. It’s also the highest point in the Netherlands. Drumroll please… a staggering 327 meters above sea level.
Yes, I know. Breathtaking. Literally, if you sprint up it with a hangover.
The ride there? Honestly, a bit of a snooze-fest. Flat land. Wind turbines. Some roads so straight they could’ve been designed by a ruler-wielding maniac. But hey, I made it.
At the trail start near Vaals, the scene looked exactly how you’d expect Dutch off-road riding to look: full of people… on bicycles. Forget ATGATT—here it’s lycra, squeaky brakes, and bike bells.
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Section 5 – Gravel Dreams and Tarmac Reality
So, I finally rolled into TET NL Section 5 with my Himalayan ready to get dirty. And it did… a little.
The trail itself? A scenic shuffle through towns, backroads, and light gravel. Plenty of tarmac. A surprising number of small towns. Not much technical challenge, but enough loose stuff to give the bike that satisfying layer of trail dust. No mud, no water crossings—just the occasional dusty drift and dry trail.
Still, it was a solid 230 km day, with 115 km of that on the TET. I called it a night when I stumbled upon a picturesque B&B near the German border—but still Dutch territory. Quiet, cozy, secure bike parking, and a comfy bed. €110 with breakfast. Not exactly budget overland prices, but my butt approved of the mattress.
Final verdict for Day 1? Great vibes, nice weather, and enough dust to keep things interesting. Could’ve used more off-road spice, though. Here’s hoping tomorrow delivers.
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Rain Delay, Dutch Edition
Woke up the next morning to the sound no motorcyclist really wants—rain tapping out its annoying little rhythm on the windows. But after a solid night’s sleep and a breakfast that reminded me why European mornings are worth waking up for, the rain backed off. Wheels hit the road at 9:30 AM.
The day’s goal? Finish Section 5 and smash through Section 3. Challenge accepted.
The terrain? More tarmac. More gravel. Still not quite the hard-core off-roading I fantasized about while watching YouTube TET compilations, but the riding was easy, scenic, and relaxed. Until… a little twist in the tale.
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Section 3 – Surprise, It’s Sand Season!
Somewhere in Section 3, the trail gods decided to make things interesting. Out of nowhere, a steep climb appeared—topped with deep, shifty sand. Finally! Something to sweat over.
The Himalayan took it in stride. Chugged up, powered through, didn’t complain. That low-end grunt really earns its keep when the trail turns soft and steep. No drama, no drops, and—somehow—no swearing. Okay, maybe one swear.
I wrapped up the day in Emmerich, a town that knows how to make a rider feel welcome. Landed in a brand-new B&B hotel—good value, comfy bed, and the kind of shower pressure that makes you forget about sandy boots.
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Section 2 – Welcome to the Sandbox
Back on the trail the next morning, and oh boy, did Section 2 change things up.
Gravel? That was yesterday’s news. Today, it was all about sand. Endless, soft, wiggle-your-bars-and-hold-on sand. It took a few kilometers to get used to the wobbly feeling and that weird delay between throttle input and forward movement. But once I found the rhythm, it was genuinely fun—like off-road surfing with 21” wheels.
Still, it’s exhausting.
You start thinking, “Should I stand?” then 10 minutes later you’re wondering if your thighs have entered early retirement. It’s the kind of workout that makes you question your snack-to-muscle ratio.
After 220 km and six solid hours on the bike—across sand, tarmac, gravel, and mental terrain—I called it. Checked into a hotel that promised much and delivered… well, not much. Overpriced, underwhelming. But hey, at least I didn’t fall asleep in a ditch.
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Final Thoughts: A Dusty Prelude to Bigger Things
So far, the TET Netherlands has been a curious blend of charming towns, smooth tarmac, occasional gravel, and—finally—some rewarding sand. It’s not extreme. It’s not a test of man versus nature. But it is enjoyable.
You don’t ride the Dutch TET to battle the elements—you ride it to learn your bike, shake off the daily routine, and cruise through countryside most tourists would miss completely. Plus, it’s a great warm-up for the gnarlier stuff that lies ahead in other TET countries.
The Himalayan has been brilliant—simple, reliable, and always ready to plod or pounce depending on what’s under the wheels. No breakdowns, no tantrums, and not even a single complaint from the suspension.
As for me? I’m sun-kissed, slightly sore, and fully stoked. Tomorrow brings more sand, more towns, and more unexpected moments. Hopefully not more expensive hotels, though. That’s the real off-road challenge.
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To be continued…
Because when the trail calls, you don’t decline the call—you just downshift and go.
#dustysocks
#TETNetherlands #RoyalEnfieldHimalayan #AdventureMotorcycling #GravelAndSand #TwoWheelsToFreedom #DutchByTrailNotByTrain
Great one🥰