Scrubbereiden

Scrubbereiden is a type of recreational activity that originated in the Netherlands in the mid-20th century. The name is derived from the Dutch words "schubben," meaning to scrub, and "rijden," meaning to ride.

In scrubbereiden, participants ride bicycles specifically designed for scrubbereiden, with a unique type of gear system that allows for a dual-speed mode. This enables riders to quickly switch between high and low gears, creating a scrubbing effect on the bike's rail, or "steun," as it is called in Dutch.

The bikes are equipped with non-moving rear wheels, which seem counterintuitive to traditional cycling. However, this design allows riders to direct the bikes manually, thus successfully manipulating the vehicle according to the desired direction of travel. This is in stark contrast to traditional bicycles, where the tires are responsible for propulsion and steering.

Part of the charm of scrubbereiden lies in the sports-driven spirit of Dutch culture. Competitions are often held to see who can master the sport and ride the scrubbereiden bike the fastest. The specifics of these competitions feature various techniques of riding with differing speed on clamp-based events.

Traditionally, the primary riders of scrubbereiden were farmers and construction workers. However, in recent years, the sport has expanded and has been gaining popularity among urban dwellers who find the recreational bike fun to be a niche hobby. Interest in the niche sport, scrubbereiden continues to grow.