Biking and greenhouse growing, a cyclical combination!

Biking from greenhouse to greenhouse and collecting your own ingredients for a perfect, healthy and fresh meal. That is Bakkie Fietsen, a trend setting recreational activity that has been created by Dutch tomato grower Roel de Bakker. "I was just looking for a fun way to show people from outside the industry what greenhouse growing is all about," said the grower who runs a 6.1 hectare vine tomato nursery together with his brother Bart. It got a bit out of hand, and nowadays Roel has over 70 fully sponsored bikes and has scaled down his activities in the nursery. Last weekend, the colleagues and editorial staff of Hortidaily.com, Freshhplaza.com and Groentennieuws-AGF.nl where welcomed by the cycling grower to join him for a ride. Hereby a photo report, at full speed!

P.S. No doping was involved while making this photo report!

Grower Roel de Bakker welcomed us at his 6.1 hectare greenhouse in Kwintsheul.

Roel explained the principles of hydroponic cultivation; from sowing, grafting and pollination, to twining and harvesting. De Bakker is growing Merlice vine tomatoes from De Ruiter.

Also Biological crop protection was explained. De Bakker even found a macrolophus.

After the first introduction, it was time to pick your own bike, including an old fashioned vegetable box on the front fork.

Each bike was sponsored by a local greenhouse supplier.

First stop: Ter Laak Orchids. Completely automated cultivation and storage of beautifull phalaenopsis.

Second stop was at Eggplant grower Ted van Luik.

After the eggplants, we furthermore stopped at the De Ruiter's Pepper Experience Centre. Everybody was awarded with a tasty Ramiro point pepper.

Later on a cucumber an a few more tomatoes. Then it was time to Barbeque!

If you would like to experience Greenhouse Biking 'Bakkie Fietsen" yourself, please visit www.bakkiefietsen.nl or www.facebook.com/BakkieFietsen