Graze the Flatlands: An ode to the Netherlands by Glenn Van den Herrewegen
From Flanders, with love.
Against all the odds
Growing up with severe asthma, sports were never a big part of Glenn's life. It wasn’t until he discovered The Traka 360 in 2025, and finished it in 15 hours despite suffering three flat tires, that he realized something crucial: even when the odds are entirely stacked against you, hard work makes things possible.
That realization was the true starting line. From that moment onward, he made a promise to himself: he would ride and finish the massive Traka 560, qualify for the Road World Championships, and celebrate every part of the journey it takes to get there.
Ever since then, it’s been game on.
An ode to The Netherlands
Preparing for those massive endurance goals requires countless hours of solitary training. Chasing racing goals as an amateur often means riding solo, but on Dutch roads, you are never truly alone. With a quarter of these iconic flatlands dedicated to the dairy industry, the countryside is alive long before the rest of the country wakes up.
When you're out before dawn, the cows are the ones sharing the sunrise and keeping you company. At its core, this collaboration is a celebration of the Netherlands and its rich agricultural roots. It’s a tribute to the countryside that makes riding here so special, and a beautiful reminder of farmers and cyclists uniting to share those roads.
Mieke 123 - Making a true ode means keeping things local. While OPEN is a Swiss-based brand, it holds deep roots in the Netherlands, as one of its founders is Dutch. Tailwind Wheels was also an essential partner in this collaboration; by hand-building the wheels right in Alkmaar, they added significant local value to the concept.
But the crown jewel is the bike's design. The frame is a completely unique 1/1 custom, patterned directly after Mieke 123, a real Dutch dairy cow living at Boerderij Polderzicht. Her farm sits right on the "Ronde Hoep," one of the most famous cycling loops and a staple training ground for riders all over Amsterdam.
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