XXX Corps, a modern Hells Highway route?

Dear all,

Having got my 2010 cycle tour of the D-day beaches almost sorted out,
(Link here: http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/Penfoldsmith )

Thoughts are turning to completion of a cycle tour along a modern day XXX Corps route from the 17th september 1944 start point to Frost Bridge Arnhem. The tour to be named 'I Rode the Road'

Now obviously the single road used in 1944 has long since changed (I would imagine) so, does any forum member have access to 'the knowledge' of a modern day alternative route taking in all the objectives?

Also does the new route give access to campsites or has progress turned the whole area into an expanded Industrial nightmare?

Any help would be appreciated B)

 

Dear all,

Having got my 2010 cycle tour of the D-day beaches almost sorted out,
(Link here: http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/Penfoldsmith )

Thoughts are turning to completion of a cycle tour along a modern day XXX Corps route from the 17th september 1944 start point to Frost Bridge Arnhem. The tour to be named 'I Rode the Road'

Now obviously the single road used in 1944 has long since changed (I would imagine) so, does any forum member have access to 'the knowledge' of a modern day alternative route taking in all the objectives?

Also does the new route give access to campsites or has progress turned the whole area into an expanded Industrial nightmare?

Any help would be appreciated B)

The Major and Mrs Holts Guide to the Operation Market Garden Battlefields would be a good first port of call, there is also a first class accompanying map

 

Thanks James,
The Holt Market Garden guide book is on my wish list as the D-day tour has also sought their advice

 

There is a specific Hell's Highway guidebook but I can't confirm if it covers all or part of the route.

I think you will be able to follow most of the route quite closely. In 2004, me and my father decided to drive the route from Joe's Bridge to Arnhem. The Arnhem end was planned but the Hell's Highway bit was a spur of the moment thing. We had some difficulties in and around the larger towns where we were persuaded onto bypasses. I think we missed Veghel and Son because of the lack of planning but got all the others.

I wonder if it would be worth including the Arnhem drop and landing zones in the tour? Wouldn't it be a shame to go all that way and miss them?

 

They have recently lainched something called the Liberation route which may be of interest.

Liberationroute.com || Liberation Route || liberation, route, bevrijding, market garden. veritable, luisterlocatie, rijnlandoffensief, 1944, 1945, nijmegen, arnhem, brug, tweede wereldoorlog, wo2, airborne, parachutisten, militairen, jan van hoof, so

 

The long supply route from Normandy to Holland would be a real challenge for a cyclist...

The old Red Ball route.
That makes me wonder if there some old red ball signs stuck in the hedges along the way?
Sapper

 

thanks Sapper
found this on Wiki


Red Ball Express - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

Thanks to Clive

 

Where is that, Andy?

It is harder to follow XXX Corps route than it was due to the road changes mentioned above. The best thing is to get a decent map, and the two guide books mentioned, and sit down to some serious planning!

 

Paul, I pulled it off the link Clive aka CL1 posted above.

La Queue-lez-Yvelines, Yvelines, France.

 

Thanks - Yvelines, that's a long way from home!

 

Thanks for the replies so far, some stuff to work on there.

The DZ's around Arnhem are a definate, I've been before on the 60th anniversary of the raid, so I have a great campsite lined up for the Arnhem/Oosterbeek end of things.

The Red ball route is a fantastic idea, but as both the D-day and 'I rode the road' tours are in the planning for 2010 the wife might have a tad of a fit if I suggest being away even longer
Maybe that could be an event for 2011?

Looks like I have to invest in some half decent maps of the Netherlands, I have tried Google maps as an idle method but to be honest that drove me bonkers Give me paper maps anytime of the day.

 

Hello and welcome to the forum..

I'm sure there is a map in ATB's Operation Market Garden showing the exact route towards Arnhem including the units that took diversions. But both volumes cost £80 ish and are far to heavy and big to carry. I have often thought about doing the same route on my bike too although mine has an engine

SatNav works well with the right programme

If I get time etc I'll have a look to see if I can scan them for you unless someone beats me to it.

 

Drew5233,

Many thanks for that....ATB's? please excuse my silly question, but what is that?

I take it that the ATB would show the original route and not a modern clone of that?

 

Sorry Graham they are publishers:

Market Garden

 

ATB = After The Battle.....Brilliant link Drew, thanks for pointing me in the right direction a lesson learned.
Those two volumes would be a fantastic buy and the pictures they include must be awesome...Great work by the author(s)

 

I highly recommend the Market Garden set as there is a lot of original information in them. The only danger is you might spend more time stopping than cycling.

 

I highly recommend the Market Garden set as there is a lot of original information in them. The only danger is you might spend more time stopping than cycling.

Too get your breath as well as look at them...I decided they were far to heavy to take on a M/bike let alone a P/bike.

 

Just curious but exactly how long was the distance between the British Lines and Arnhem Bridge?

 

From Neerpelt to Arnhem today via a non-motorway route GE says it is 86.4 miles. Obviously that would be slightly different 70 odd years ago.

By the way here's a great site regarding OMG....Probably the best I have come across with lots of interactive bits.

Remember September '44