After our launch event in Eindhoven, we return home to Oud-Berchem with our second Heart for Gaza event! Once we have completed our cycling, running, and walking routes in and around the city, we will come together for a lively street party in F. Coosemansstraat, which will be transformed for the occasion into a vibrant meeting place with food, drinks, and music.
Everything will be focused on our friends from the Gaza Sunbirds, with whom Mohammed and Alaa will join us that day.
An event organised by Koersklub Rood-Wit (B).
€11,559 raised
On March 30, we set off from Sint-Hubertus Church on Victor Jacobslei, in the heart of Oud-Berchem, for a unique gravel ride with a deeper purpose. We begin the day with a warm welcome and complimentary coffee and tea. At the start and finish location, you’ll find stands selling posters, T-shirts, and more—all proceeds going to support the inspiring Palestinian para-cycling club Gaza Sunbirds.
Our 92 km gravel route is the heart of this ride, taking you on a beautiful mix of singletracks, forest paths, and gravel roads. You’ll pass iconic spots such as the Fort of Borsbeek, the Nete River, the Abbey of Westmalle, and the Lovenhoek nature reserve. The route combines adventurous off-road trails with historic and scenic landscapes before returning to Antwerp city center via Merksem and some urban gravel sections. You can find the full route description at the bottom of the page.
After the ride, you can enjoy a delicious meal, prepared by Palestian chef Nour Elnono and served by volunteers—with all proceeds supporting Nours Kitchen for Gaza collaborating with the Sunbirds. DJ Papa Mojito will bring a unique blend of music from around the world (Latino, merengue, salsa, raï, soukous, cumbia, Balkan, Punjab …), mixed with a touch of folk and Dutch-world sounds. At parties, he’s also known to throw in some rock ‘n’ roll, electro swing, new wave, 60s-70s-80s classics, waltzes, and even dance music.
This is a wonderful opportunity to connect in a relaxed atmosphere with fellow cyclists, including Mohammed Abu Asfour and Alaa al-Dali from the Gaza Sunbirds.
Join us and let your heart race—during and after the ride! ❤️🚴
Drawing a heart-shaped route from Antwerp with a considerable amount of gravel roads was no easy task. But the inspiration of putting the heart on its side made it possible after all!
Almost starting in the centre of Antwerp, you dive into the field towards Mortsel after only 2 km. Via the Fort of Borsbeek, Vremde and ride through the fields to Emblem where we cross the river Nete. Between Kessel and Nijlen, we meander along singletrack and beautiful gravel lanes far from the typical ribbon development (lintbebouwing) to Bouwel, where we cross the Albert Canal.
We now enter the Kempen, a popular region in the Antwerp gravel scene. In Grobbendonk just before the town hall is the statue of Herman Vanspringel aka Monsieur Paris-Bordeaux, the local cycling hero. Behind this village lies a small gravel valhalla. In fact, around Vorselaar there are fewer paved than unpaved roads! We cross the beautiful Lovenhoek nature reserve.
Passing the wooded area of Halle-Zoersel, it then goes on to Westmalle Abbey, which in addition to its world-famous beer is also loved for the wooded area around it.
On the way back to Antwerp, we have some very nice stretches of compact gravel that we could not pass up, such as the Brechtse Heide, the Hof Ter Mik with its bombastic ‘medieval’ gate, the Inslag, the park of Brasschaat and the Peerdsbos. We now cycle back into the conurbation of Antwerp via Merksem. There we take some urban gravel strips before arriving back in Antwerp city centre.
Join us for a heartwarming community meal in support of war victims in Gaza. This special afternoon will bring together neighbors, cyclists, runners, and walkers from all walks of life to enjoy a festive meal while contributing to a vital cause. Food will be prepared by Palestinian chef Nour Elnono.
Café ROOD-WIT in Oud-Berchem, once known for its billiard history, no longer features the game. Today, it’s a cozy gathering spot where the café cycling team “ROOD-WIT” and locals enjoy drinks and community, while its nostalgic charm endures.