For the Zak van Zuid-Beveland, I spurn making a detailed plan. It’s well-defined, incredibly well-endowed and just, well, made for meandering. As you’ll find with the local roads, as they bring you through yummy spots like Nisse, Ellewoutsdijk and Hoedekenskerke. Or past those rows of sturdy trees on the legendary flowery dikes. Best in mid-spring, when the fruit orchards are in flower – swathes of red and white blossom as far as the eye can see, and fields of riotous wild plants alongside your path. Not to mention the hard-working fruit growers – reward yourself at a producer’s roadside fresh stall, or pop into a farm shop. See your smile evolve, your joy flowing with the juice. Chance is a fine thing, especially on wheels – but make the best of the maps of the bike hub network. It maxes your control on just many klicks you’ll pedal.

The coastal bike trail from Breskens to Terneuzen is truly one of my favourites. Much of it flips between the awesome and awe-inspiring, along the Westerschelde estuary –often untamed, yet dominated by the hulking freighters so close by. Come high tide, the trail gets flooded: at ebb time, you’ll discern the sandbanks. If you remember to bring your binoculars, enjoy seeing the seals and birds. Of course, feel free to take the inland bike trail through the polder. Or even head the other way. The bike hub network map of ‘Zeeland Zuid’ is your guide.

Bikes are made for this: the nature, the ambience of Tholen en Sint Philipsland. It’s here as a cyclist that you’ll find areas of water, quiet and nature. On the route ‘Een moment voor Tholen’, you’ll be wafted through delightful polders and an islandful of villages and wee towns. In Tholen town itself, the old defences and walls are much in evidence. Heading out to Sint-Philipsland, the nature area of Rammegors flaunts its flora and fauna – you’ll wallow in watching the warblers from the bird hide.

The route – easily split in half – includes several ancient farmsteads which are still intact, their history explained helpfully on nearby panels.

It’s often rightly called the ‘Island with no end’, Noord-Beveland – you’ll feel that on your bike! It’s tucked in between the waters of the Oosterschelde estuary and the Veerse Meer lake, with loads of water-side bike trails. Whether you set out in Colijnsplaat, Kamperland, Kortgene, Kats or Wissenkerke. Behind those dikes, the enticing inlay wetlands with accompanying birds. All in all, a joy to pedal along. Watch out for other bikers on the narrow bike paths – give them space to spread out.

You’ll enjoy the rich diversity of the landscape of Schouwen-Duiveland. Myself, I use the free parking space of the Havenpoort in Zierikzee as a starting point for my up-country rides around here. Within 10 minutes, you’re in the Schuddebeurs woods. Pull yourself across on the raft from the Schouwsedijk and head past one of our youngest circle villages, Noordgouwe, towards Brouwershaven with its photogenic windmill, village harbour and town hall. Take the coastal dike towards Dreischor, gazing out over the Grevelingen lake before absorbing our role model circle village, the country’s pride. Quite some circularity here: the streets encircle the church.