The best traffic-free bike rides in Solterheide

a drink and a bite at the mill

Kim Clijsters 3.0 refers to the third phase in Kim Clijsters's extraordinary sports story, in which she sought her place again in professional tennis after previous comebacks and a rich career. Clijsters became one of the greatest Belgian sports icons of all time, with a career characterized by talent, perseverance, and the courage to start over again and again. After her first retirement in 2007, her story seemed complete, but in 2009, she surprised the tennis world with an unprecedented comeback. As a young mother, she immediately won the US Open and confirmed her status as an absolute world champion. In 2012, another retirement followed, this time definitively—or so it seemed at the time. Her record was solid, with multiple Grand Slam titles and a world No. 1 ranking, along with a reputation as a complete player with power, speed, and fair play. Clijsters 3.0 began in 2020 when Kim, at the age of 36, announced her intention to compete at the highest level again. Not driven by rankings or titles, but by a love of the game and the personal challenge of discovering her limits. This third phase was fundamentally different from previous comebacks, and modern women's tennis was physically faster and younger than ever. Clijsters had to compete against a generation that had grown up with her as an idol. Although this comeback didn't yield any major sporting successes, Kim Clijsters 3.0 took on a different meaning. It was less about winning and more about inspiring resilience and demonstrating that top-level sport remains possible even after classic career moments. She became a symbol of lifelong learning, of starting over without guarantees, and of daring to fail in the public sphere. Today, Kim Clijsters 3.0 primarily represents a mentality: not being stuck in a version of yourself, but evolving with every phase of life. Her third chapter confirmed that her legacy lies not only in trophies but also in her role as an example for athletes, parents, and anyone who ever considers pursuing a dream once more.

The Dorpermolen is a corn watermill with a metal undershot wheel on the Bosbeek stream at Dorpermolenstraat 2. There, it forms a typical village landscape in the shadow of St. Dionysius Church. The Dorpermolen is one of ten remaining watermills along the Bosbeek stream in Maaseik, but it is distinct from the others. The elegant mill building is positioned perpendicular to the stream and has a hipped roof on the waterfront. There is a 1.2-meter drop and a very narrow bypass on the right bank. The millwork of the Dorpermolen (dating from the 17th or 18th century) is still entirely made of wood and is in its original condition, which is very rare. Two pairs of millstones lie in the stone loft. It was built in 1530. The mill building was a half-timbered structure filled with clay. (Mill Echoes)

idyllic place, and ready to grind (was on Sunday morning)

Nice

In the 14th-15th century, a new Gothic church was built in Reppel, with a two-aisled nave of two bays. This Gothic church was made entirely of marlstone. The western tower has two sections under a constricted spire (slate). The substructure and plinth are made of fairly roughly hewn limestone blocks. In 1790, the three naves were placed under one roof; the southern nave had already been widened and built of brick. Only the western tower and the choir remain of this small Gothic church. In 1925, under the pastorate of C. Lenaers, the nave of the old church was demolished according to a design by architect J. Deré, and a new nave was built perpendicular to the original orientation, between the tower and the choir, with a choir on the northern side. The church is located within the walled churchyard. The new church is a two-bay cruciform church, with a straight bay choir and three-sided closure. Saddle roofs (slate). Brick plinth with natural stone trim. Pointed arch windows in a profiled brick and natural stone frame, with natural stone tracery. The straight choir bay is blind. Sacristies on both sides of the choir. Inventory of Immovable Heritage: Parish Church of Saint Willibrordus, https://id.erfgoed.net/erfgoedobjecten/70775

These decommissioned fighter jets and supply aircraft stand right by the roadside as witnesses to the past.

Moderate climb on good surface