In 2016, on the occasion of his 65th birthday, the Michel Pollentier cycle route was proposed by the city of Diksmuide. It is a 62 km long route that is fully signposted and shows you the best of the region between Diksmuide and Nieuwpoort where fierce battles were fought in the 1st world war.
During the route you will pass 2 cities: Diksmuide and Nieuwpoort where you can enjoy a terrace. There are also plenty of cafes with an outside terrace along the De Ijzer.
Since 2020, there is also a shorter route of 33 km, also signposted.
Michel Pollentier a successful cyclist
For those who would not know the name Michel Pollentier: this Flemish rider born in Keiem (Diksmuide) on February 13, 1951, has built up a wonderful career with 89 victories among the pros including a victory in the Giro d'Italia of 1977, Belgian champion in 1977 and 1978, 1st in the Tour of Flanders in 1980.
The pink jersey with which Michel Pollentier won the 1977 Giro d'Italia
In 1977 he was even named Belgian Sportsman of the Year. Unfortunately, many know Michel Pollentier for his attempted fraud in the Tour de France of 1978 in which he hid a pear filled with fresh urine under his cycling clothes. He was then wearing the yellow leader's jersey and was immediately kicked out of the Tour. This incident resulted in the concept of The pear of Pollentier.
The long cycling route of 62km
This route starts in Keiem where Michel Pollentier was born and heads towards the city of Diksmuide along the Handzamevallei. Via the Ijzer you pass De Ijzertoren (the Museum Aan De Ijzer) and you cycle in the Polders of Bachten De Kupe, along quiet back roads you arrive in the picturesque Sint Jacobskapelle.
cycling along De Ijzer
On the Oude Zeedijk you can choose the long route of 62 km (straight ahead Oude Zeedijk) or the short route of 33 km (Cayenne Street on the right). The long route goes towards the coast along Lampernisse, Zoutenaaie, Avekapelle, Wulpen, Oostduinkerke and Nieuwpoort. In Nieuwpoort city you pass the Kaai and the monument of Albert I, the 3rd king of Belgium who died after a fall from the rocks in the Ardennes.
In Sint Joris (Ramskapellestraat 13a) you can see Michel Pollentier's tire center, which he founded in 1985 after his career and is now managed by his son Dimitri. Again you cycle along the banks of the Yser up to the Schoorbakkebrug, after which you cycle via Schore along the Polders to Leke.
Finally you will return to the center of Keiem via the Moerestraat and the Wittepoortstraat where you can enjoy the beautiful ride in a cafe.
The short cycling route of 33km
The short route takes you past the villages of Oostkerke, Stuivekenskerke and Schoorbakke back to Keiem.
At the tourist office of Diksmuide there is a route map available or you can also download the roadbook at the following link> Michel Pollentier fietsroute
You can also scan the QR code on the sign at the start in Keiem.
Both routes are very well marked with red signs with the name of the route as well as the number of km so that you know perfectly which cycle route you are on.
