Dear Rider,

With only 6 days remaining before the start of ‘The Golden Eagle’, the second edition of DeMap, time has come to reveal the details of our competition. Don’t be afraid: we won’t ask you to ‘riemt er zelf maar ene af’, nor are we promoting a meat- based lifestyle. But we can imagine that the tension is increasing and we ourselves are really craving for the starting shot. So do get your (digital) maps out, read carefully the following rules and start planning and optimizing your journey.

The start

All participants must start - one by one or in duo - this Saturday, between 7 am and 9h30am at De Wouwershoeve, De Lusthoven 58, 2370 Arendonk. Please bring your face mask with you and respect the social distance. You can choose your own bicycle type. Road bike, mountainbike, gravel bike: it's up to you. Electric bikes are not allowed.

What happens at the start?

Every participant will receive a race number (a page from ’s biography, written by Achiel Van Den Broeck: ‘De miljoenenfiets van Rik Van Steenbergen’), a small stamp booklet and some vegan energy powder drinks. The organizers will take a picture, put a first stamp in your booklet and will note down your exact starting time. After that, you are ready to go.

The finish

This time, the start is also the finish. Every participant must reach the finish line and receive the finish stamp within 12 hours after his/her starting time. So if you started at 07h35, we expect you to arrive back at De Wouwershoeve the latest at 19h35.

How do you get there?

There are parking places 200m from De Wouwershoeve for those arriving by car. The closest train station of Turnhout is located 12 km from the start. Overnight stay - the early eagle catches the worm If you are still looking for a place to stay before or after the event, we can recommend:

• Bed & Breakfast Brug 6 • Bed & Breakfast Elegantier Rules of the game

Next to the two basic stamps (one point each) – start and finish – there are plenty of other ways to gain stamps/points, and thus plenty of ways to plan your trip, to create your own map.

However, first and foremost, before explaining the details, we would like to stress again that DeMap is not meant to be a competition, but a way to offer adventurous cyclists a frame to map new rides and to challenge themselves. So speed is definitely not of the essence. Secondly, we think it is technically impossible for any (human) rider to visit all bonus checkpoints and finish within 12 hours. The challenge is thus to choose and plan wisely. At the following checkpoints, you won't find any of us. To prove your passage, take a picture of yourself at the described place, your race number included. Once you have reached the finish, we will check your 'DeMap-selfies' and calculate your points. Having said that, we are sure you are curious to find out how to win these points. Well, here is the overview:

We proudly present 5 normal and 2 special loops

Each normal loop consists of 3 checkpoints (worth 1, 2 and 3 points) and 1 moonshot. If you visit all three checkpoints of one of the normal loops, you get 3 extra points. Each moonshot is worth 5 points. So the maximum score for every normal loop is (1+2+3+3+5) 14 points. You are free to choose which, and how many, checkpoint(s) you add to your personal map. Each checkpoint has its own value.

If you: • dress up like an eagle, you get 2 extra points • bring a fresh zucchini to the start, you also get 1 extra point • ride alone, you get 2 extra points • succeeded in our flash ‘DeMap’ challenge last week: 2 extra points

Be aware: every time you pass at the start/finish location after visiting one or more checkpoints, you earn 2 extra points. Loop 1. RIK, the track hero

The second edition of DeMap is dedicated to Rik Van Steenbergen, who won The (1944, 1946), Paris-Roubaix (1948, 1952), -San Remo (1951) and La Flèche Wallone (1949, 1958). But besides these classic wins, Rik also excelled on the track and won 40 six-day events. To pay homage to our track hero, we offer you 3 ‘track’ checkpoints.

1 point I am a circular cycle path in the woods, close to node 272 of the cycling network in Limbourg. As I am 10 meters above the ground, I’m not made for cyclists who suffer with a fear of heights. In total, I am 700 meters long. Ride a lap on me and gain 1 point.

2 points I am only 20 years old, so Rik Van Steenbergen – who died in 2003 – never got the chance to win a track race on me. A giant ski & snowboardcenter throws its shadow on me. There ‘s also a football pitch, a quarterpipe and a long jump box in my close proximity. I am 400 meters long, have sloping curves and an oval shape. I’m located in a city that is twinned with an Ethiopian town that is well-known for its rock-cut monolithic churches. Ride a lap on me and gain 2 points.

3 points Rik won the ‘Ruban Jaune’ in 1948, after riding the fastest ride longer than 200 km so far. He finished Paris-Roubaix on the track of Roubaix after 246km over 5h38’ 26sec. Pass again exactly 5h38min after your departure at the start/finish location and pick up your ‘Ruban Jaune’, for 3 points. But pay attention: the minimum distance already covered by then should be at least half of 246km, thus 123 km.

Moonshot Ride with a fixed gear bike all day for 5 extra points.

Loop 2. RIK, the rainbow man

On August 26 th 1956 Rik Van Steenbergen became world champion on the road in Copenhagen. In bad weather conditions – cold and windy, rain showers all day long – Rik won the sprint of a small group, followed by and . It was his second world title, after his victory nine years earlier, also in Copenhagen. A year later, he would win his third rainbow jersey in Waregem. This loop is dedicated to the podium of the 1956 race.

1 point Although I have no legs or feet, I proudly stand in front of Frituur De Wissel, with a poem of Willie Verhegghe next to me. Make a selfie with me and get 1 point.

2 points I am made by Philip Aguirre y Otegui. With my hands in the pockets of my jacket I oversee the Grand Place of my hometown. 2 points if you give me a warm hug and take a picture of this beautiful moment.

3 points I am a plaque in honor of the bronze medalist of Copenhagen ’56, who also became world champion in the by beating in the 1948 indoor finals. You can find me on the wall of a “grand café”. Smile while you take a selfie here, for 3 points.

Moonshot Find and take a picture - on the day of DeMap - of an original rainbow jersey of a world champion of the pros, amateur, youth, road, cyclocross, track, MTB, man or woman, dead or alive. 5 points.

Loop 3. RIK, the golden eagle

We are not only fond of Rik Van Steenbergen, we also love animals. Not least eagles, as we chose Arend-onk as our base for our second edition.

1 point You can find me at 107.9 MHz in Arendonk. For 1 point, take a picture of my entrance.

2 points In mythology I’m often depicted fighting with the eagle. In this desert in this small city - known for its football club, where Mirek Waligora and Khalilou Fadiga used to play – you find me in a wooden shape not so far from the big lake. I am often climbed by children, as I am part of the ‘adventurous childrens’ walk’. Climb me and take a picture for 2 points.

3 points I am a fire tower in a famous nature reserve, known for its purple haze and unfortunately also for its regular bush fires. But did you know this is a popular breeding ground of sea eagles too? On April 11th this year, Mario Egthuijsen saw an eagle in the moorland surrounding me. Climb me, take a picture and get 3 points. And oh yeah: don’t forget to search for an eagle, all along this watchtower!

Moonshot If you figured out the 1 point-location in this loop: try to feature live on me on Saturday June 12th and get 5 extra points.

Loop 4. RIK, the pornstar

After his career, Rik Van Steenbergen was on the skids for a while. In 1968, he acted in the porn movie ‘Pandore’, to gain some extra money. The film only got bad reviews, but he inspired us for this loop.

1 point I am sex club close to the border and my name rings a bell with a lot of cyclist fans. In the eighties I was even seen in the , as my founders bought a double-decker to follow the riders and serve as the very first ‘team bus’ in the peloton. Take a picture of the Club from the street for 1 point.

2 points ‘Pandore’ was filmed on the Greek island Thassos. This is also my name. Although I am located in a Dutch city, people can order gyros, souvlaki and baklava in me. My phone number is 076 5620702. For 2 points, take a picture of my façade. 3 points On September 9th 2010, ‘Pandore’ was shown to the public for the last time. In Cinema Zuid in Antwerp, not in one of my rooms. I am an erotic shop and cinema with a ‘whispering garden’, where you can discover the strength of silence in the good company of Buddha. Find me next to the railway station of the city I am located in and get 3 points. Tip: a direct train ride to Antwerp from this place will take 48 minutes.

Moonshot If you figured out the 1 point-location in this loop: find the box with the combination lock and pick one ‘cigar’. Think about Bill Clinton for a brief moment. Then, ride back to the parental house of Rik Van Steenbergen in Arendonk, where his father Zander used to work as a foreman and where our hero learned to ride a bike. Today, the façade is still referring to this glorious past (and to a famous painter). Light your cigar here, keep the flame burning for at least 20 seconds and make a video of yourself while smoking. 5 points will be your reward.

Loop 5. RIK, the terror of the terrils

During his life Rik Van Steenbergen witnessed a giant change in the landscape of his region. Terrils rose up and collapsed again. But some of these remainders of the hard labour in the coal mines still dominate their surroundings. We offer you three of them giants.

1 point I am a ‘steenberg’ in a small city with a brown bear in its coats of arms, upright with a ring in his nose. Next to me there is a bikepark, where you find rock gardens, drop zones and chickenways. Make a jump on me for 1 point.

2 points I am a ‘steenberg’ in a small city with a green oak leaf in its flag. On my top, there is a strange construction that looks like a cigar, with a solar panel next to it. Take a selfie here and get 2 points.

3 points I am a twin- ‘steenberg’ in a small city with a star, a bishop’s staff and – ow yeah! – an eagle in its flag. You find me in a giant nature reserve, with a cablepark and a Center Parks resort on its territory. Climb me, enjoy the view and get 3 points. Watch out for hiding soldiers/terrorists.

Moonshot Find a (e)Rik or (e)Rika and sing a song for him or her. A song that’s referring to eagles, of course. ‘Hotel California’ maybe? Or ‘Save Tonight’ by Eagle-Eye Cherry? Or do you dare to tackle the high notes of Eagles’ classic hit ‘Take It Easy’? 5 points will be your reward. That’s two more than Hooverphonic in the latest Eurovision Song Contest.

Special loop A. THE BIG HEART

Rik Van Steenbergen was said to be a medical wonder. According to the doctors, he had a giant heart. That’s why we reward each one of you who is able to “ride a heart” as part of your route. Let loose the Strava-artist in yourself and win 3 points. But be sure your ‘heart-loop’ has a minimum distance of 25 km and passes by the start/finish line at De Wouwershoeve in Arendonk.

In addition: who can run a heart of 2 km or more, also passing by the start/finish line, gets 2 points.

Special loop B. THE SMUGGLER

Our hero Rik Van Steenbergen grew up during the Second World War. As poverty was the daily reality and the border nearby, he often smuggled food from the to Arendonk. Of course, he had to be very careful: if the customs officer on his bike saw him crossing the forest, he risked a fine or even a short imprisonment. To honor Riks enormous courage, we are organizing a smuggling game during ‘DeMap – The Golden Eagle’. Without a doubt it will be the highlight of this edition. To keep the mystery alive, we save the details for Saturday. But we can already lift a corner of the veil here: • There will be 5 points at stake during this game • If you manage to smuggle the special gift from our start location to 51°21'40.5"N 5°07'46.7"E without being caught by our custom officers, you will receive 5 points. If you get caught by an officer, you loose one point. • The Belgian officer will ride his bike - and how! - , his Dutch colleague will try to catch you on his running shoes. • To participate in this game: present yourself at the start/finish line between 12h and 15h.

That’s it. You can start mapping out your route now.

Oh yes, also important to state is that we very much think about the environment: in case you lose your booklet and its plastic wrap, we will unfortunately have to fine you with 2 points. It’s fair, because we care.

Last but not least, if you believe all of the above is way too complex and you actually are not a planner-fanatic, just drop us a line and tell us to help you. No hard feelings. In exchange for 5 points, we will send you a map with all the points listed to make life and planning a bit easier for you.

Important stuff before the start

We like to remind you again of some basic rules:

Please wear your helmet at any time and be careful in traffic. You are participating as an individual and on your own responsibility. Check again our Terms & Rules.

Don't forget your face mask. You can leave some luggage with us at the start, if you want to. Bring your good mood.

At the start, please also provide us with your own telephone number as well as a name and telephone number of a relative in case of emergencies. Keep the following phone numbers with you, in case you want to reach out to us, the organisation, during the day: +32 498 12 91 88 and +32 456 17 85 08. No erotic pictures please.

Don’t forget to tag us on social media.

There will be some drinks and snacks as well as a small podium ceremony with some prizes for the winners around 20-21h.

(And yes, those who want watch the Red Devils game, there will be a small screen on site)

Okay? Come on, then.

You have six days to turn yourself into an eagle. You are a hunter now, no longer a prey. You symbolize power, beauty, independence. You are almost ready for De Map #2 – The Golden Eagle

Good luck and have fun.

Team DeMap