Yet Another Cycling Forum
General Category => Rides and Touring => Topic started by: Wowbagger on 13 May, 2019, 04:58:21 pm
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Very much a work-in-progress, we are planning a tour, possibly a fortnight long, using our wonderful Thorn tandem. At the moment I'm looking at going out on 5th August, and returning on 19th. The first thing to decide, in my view, is how we get there. I had expected that Eurostar, all the way to Amsterdam, would be cheaper than the ferry, but it would appear not. Firstly, the direct trains from London leave at very inconvenient times: two of them are too early in the day to be of much use - leaving on the 11.04 from St. P would mean trying to take a bike on a train to Lpoo St at a time when such things are banned by Later Angrier. The preferred, train, leaving at 12.58, is £125 per person to get out there, and £51.50 each to return. Add to that £30 each way for each bike (can't take tandems on Eurostar), as well as fares to and from London (OK, we would need to buy tickets to Harwich as well), and that becomes expensive - considerably more so than the ferry. So it seems that the ferry, at £330 return, takes out a load of stress and when we get there, we just start cycling.
We want to combine cycling with culcher and sight-seeing, so some days we might spend a couple (or more) of nights in a city, Otherwise, we would probably want to cover about 40 miles a day when cycling. At the moment, places I'd like to see are Utrecht (we've been there once before, but only to catch a train, never stayed), Delft, Maastricht, the Frisian lakes plus of course other places recommended by the YACF travel-writers' association... ;)
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Hoorn (just north of Amsterdam) is worth a look.
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Very much a work-in-progress, we are planning a tour, possibly a fortnight long, using our wonderful Thorn tandem. At the moment I'm looking at going out on 5th August, and returning on 19th. The first thing to decide, in my view, is how we get there. I had expected that Eurostar, all the way to Amsterdam, would be cheaper than the ferry, but it would appear not. Firstly, the direct trains rom London leave at very inconvenient times: two of them are too early in the day to be of much use - leaving on the 11.04 rom St. P would mean trying to take a bike on a train from Southend at a time when such things are banned by Later Angrier. The preferred, train, leaving at 12.58, is £125 per person to get out there, and £51.50 each to return. Add fo that £30 each way for each bike (can't take tandems on Eurostar), as well as fares to and from London (OK, we would need to buy tickets to Harwich as well), and that becomes expensive - considerably more so than the ferry. So it seems that the ferry, at £330 return, takes out a load of stress and when we get there, we just start cycling.
We want to combine cycling with culcher and sight-seeing, so some days we might spend a couple (or more) of nights in a city, Otherwise, we would probably want to cover about 40 miles a day when cycling. At the moment, places I'd like to see are Utrecht (we've been there once before, but only to catch a train, never stayed), Delft, Maastricht, the Frisian lakes plus of course other places recommended by the YACF travel-writers' association... ;)
May I recommend the Veluwe, it's the lumpy bit in the middle of the Netherlands, very pretty, has wolves, and boar.
Out towards the German border near Enschede etc... is very pretty too.
You may find the article I wrote on my blog for riders or RatN of interest, some of it's points are of general interest to cycling in .nl.
J
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Marken might be worth a visit, it's an old seaport on what used to be the Zuider Zee. And the old windmills, there used be a preserved windmills museum at Kinderdijk (which may still be there - it's a few years since the sock family visited)
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Leiden, when we went to Amsterdam to watch son #2 play American Football Mrs PC couldn’t understand why I had booked 2 nights in Leiden on the way back. Afterwards she understood and says she preferred it to Amsterdam! ;D
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Sadly Amsterdam is now a bit grotty. The only bit I ever really go to is the Jordaan.
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The ferries are booked, and I have booked one night in Zandvoort for 6th Aug. That's an approximately 60km day for day 1.
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Marken might be worth a visit,
Seconded. I instantly thought of Marken for you Wow, but for the twitching. Take some binoculars for a stroll out to the lighthouse.
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As you're in Zandvoort you might also consider Haarlem, its quite close and has a couple of nice museums
(Teyler and Frans Hals) - Grote Markt with the Sint Bavo Catherdral is worthwhile seeing too. From there you can
cycle through the polder to Spaarndam (Traditional Village) and via the short ferry to North Holland where the
usual places await (Zaanse Schans Windmills, Volendam/Marken ....)
If classical music is your thing its the Amsterdam grachten festival from 9 August onwards, a week where the
canals are turned into open-air concerts areas.
A lot of people do prefer the smaller cities these days as Amsterdam, like many places, suffers due to the sheer
numbers visiting. If you do go you might want to consider taking accomodation outside the city and using public transport.
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My last 2 NL trips for reference. https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=104738.0 & https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=109325.msg2321485#msg2321485
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Last weekend we rode to Leiden and then had a night in the Hoge Veluwe north of Arnhem.
We did 460km in three days (210km the first day) but it’s harder work in NL for us as the cycle paths can be tricky for Velomobiles.
http://www.auntiehelen.co.uk/klauss-birthday-castle-tour-kempen-to-leiden/
http://www.auntiehelen.co.uk/klauss-birthday-castle-tour-leiden-to-arnhem/
http://www.auntiehelen.co.uk/klauss-birthday-castle-tour-arnhem-to-kempen/
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Thanks all! And I hope Klaus had a wonderful birthday!
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With regards to Maastricht, on the Fridays Tour 2017 we stayed a couple of days (we had a rest day, on which I obviously didn't rest) in the Maastricht area. I say area, because we'd chosen to visit the same weekend as Andre Rieu's annual waltz schmaltz concerts, so city centre hotel prices were all ££££. Which leads me to my tip. About 10km south is the lovely little town of Eijsden. Some excellent restaurants, lovely river views, Hotel Le Bonheur cheap but cheerful.
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With regards to Maastricht, on the Fridays Tour 2017 we stayed a couple of days (we had a rest day, on which I obviously didn't rest) in the Maastricht area. I say area, because we'd chosen to visit the same weekend as Andre Rieu's annual waltz schmaltz concerts, so city centre hotel prices were all ££££. Which leads me to my tip. About 10km south is the lovely little town of Eijsden. Some excellent restaurants, lovely river views, Hotel Le Bonheur cheap but cheerful.
Agreed - plus great selection of food places by the river a short walk away.
Here's all the Euro routes I have which includes the aforementioned tour to Maastricht
https://ridewithgps.com/events/58216-euro-routes
(https://images2.imgbox.com/20/15/RwJxsLof_o.jpg) (http://imgbox.com/RwJxsLof)
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The ferries are booked, and I have booked one night in Zandvoort for 6th Aug. That's an approximately 60km day for day 1.
Zandvoort has an F1 track, and excellent sand dunes.
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Must go to Holland again, it's great
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and as an antidote to "old" Holland, Rotterdam has got some fabulous modern architecture
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I've just changed the dates on this trip. Discovered that my brother and his wife are planning their annual Big Family Bash on 17th Aug and we don't want to miss that.
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Just back from a week in the Netherlands, in Frieseland, which we hadn't been to before.
We're already planning the next visit!
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I like the Hague a lot. There are some nice bike friendly hostels, it's close to the hoek port, and it's one of the prettier towns in NL because it wasn't mangled in the war. An ideal first stop or on the way home place.
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I've been booking accommodation. We are mostly in Vrienden op der Fiets accommodation, but I have booked 2 nights in Groningen for 8th/9th August. I will get on with the remaining nights this evening.
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Stay on the road. Keep clear of the moors! https://nltimes.nl/2019/06/20/video-first-wild-wolf-pups-born-netherlands-200-years?fbclid=IwAR2L2Qwj8_k_kq5RMMhjchQRwOonA3IVRUv0oy4FWZnHLGhJxhDbFGKn7rU
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We have a plan!
Saturday 3rd August - ferry
Sunday 4th - Zandvoort
Monday 5th - Edam
Tuesday 6th - Hippolythoef
Wednesday 7th - Franeker
Thursday 8th - Groningen
Friday 9th - Groningen
Saturday 10th - Emmen
Sunday 11th - Oldenzaal
Monday 12th - Zutphen
Tuesday 13th - Bussum
Wed 14th - Alphen an de Rijn
Thursday 15th - ferry.
All but three of the nights will be with Vrienden on de Fiets. We have booked a hotel for the two nights in Groningen and when in Bussum we will be staying with my nephew and his family.
I shall start plotting detailed routes soon. Most days are around the 60k mark, so a little short of 40 miles.
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I'll send you those maps I promised !
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I'll send you those maps I promised !
Thanks!
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We have a plan!
Saturday 3rd August - ferry
Sunday 4th - Zandvoort
Monday 5th - Edam
Tuesday 6th - Hippolythoef
Wednesday 7th - Franeker
Thursday 8th - Groningen
Friday 9th - Groningen
Saturday 10th - Emmen
Sunday 11th - Oldenzaal
Monday 12th - Zutphen
Tuesday 13th - Bussum
Wed 14th - Alphen an de Rijn
Thursday 15th - ferry.
All but three of the nights will be with Vrienden on de Fiets. We have booked a hotel for the two nights in Groningen and when in Bussum we will be staying with my nephew and his family.
I shall start plotting detailed routes soon. Most days are around the 60k mark, so a little short of 40 miles.
Where have you booked in Groningen? Jon and I have stayed in Hotel Miss Blanche (https://hotelmissblanche.nl/) and can thoroughly recommend it.
For food, we'd recommend Bistro Het Gerecht (https://bistrohetgerecht.nl/) (particularly if you like seafood).
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We have a plan!
Saturday 3rd August - ferry
Sunday 4th - Zandvoort
Monday 5th - Edam
Tuesday 6th - Hippolythoef
Wednesday 7th - Franeker
Thursday 8th - Groningen
Friday 9th - Groningen
Saturday 10th - Emmen
Sunday 11th - Oldenzaal
Monday 12th - Zutphen
Tuesday 13th - Bussum
Wed 14th - Alphen an de Rijn
Thursday 15th - ferry.
All but three of the nights will be with Vrienden on de Fiets. We have booked a hotel for the two nights in Groningen and when in Bussum we will be staying with my nephew and his family.
I shall start plotting detailed routes soon. Most days are around the 60k mark, so a little short of 40 miles.
Great choice of towns (slightly biased opinion: I've lived in Groningen for the past 20 years and I'm originally from Emmen). You do know that between Hippolytushoef and Franeker you'll have to (partly) take the bus since the Afsluitdijk is currently closed for bikes?
Also I'm guessing that between Emmen and Oldenzaal you'll take the shortcut through Germany. May I recommend that you take the bicycle path, following the border, through the "Bargerveen" (roughly from Zwartemeer to Nieuw Schoonebeek). It's one of the last remaining moors in the Netherlands, very scenic and dead quiet usually.
Between Groningen and Emmen, I would just follow the LF-14 (a signposted long distance cycling route). Or use part of this audax ride: https://www.randonneurs.nl/brevet/brm-200-groningen-rondom-bourtangermoor-2/
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Thanks. Didn't know that about the bus. Hope it can manage a tandem.
We were intending to nip in and out of Germany but that sounds ike a good recommendation about the scenic route.
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Where have you booked in Groningen? Jon and I have stayed in Hotel Miss Blanche (https://hotelmissblanche.nl/) and can thoroughly recommend it.
For food, we'd recommend Bistro Het Gerecht (https://bistrohetgerecht.nl/) (particularly if you like seafood).
We have a pretty good deal through Booking.com with the Best Western, a very grand looking place. €172.80 for two nights. We can cancel this at no cost up to 8th August.
I'll have a look at your alternative suggestion. Ta.
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Just remember, your UK debit and credit cards are largely useless in .NL. Unless your card says "maestro" or "v-pay", it won't work outside of touristy areas. Don't be pulled into thinking it works cos you can buy something at a station. It won't work in 99% of places in .NL.
Carry cash just in case, but watch out for places that say "Alleen pinnen". Generally that means locals only, maestro and vpay only.
J
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Just remember, your UK debit and credit cards are largely useless in .NL. Unless your card says "maestro" or "v-pay", it won't work outside of touristy areas. Don't be pulled into thinking it works cos you can buy something at a station. It won't work in 99% of places in .NL.
Carry cash just in case, but watch out for places that say "Alleen pinnen". Generally that means locals only, maestro and vpay only.
J
I've never had a problem using a Visa Debit card in the Netherlands - including in small villages. That said, Maestro is more prevalent.
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Just remember, your UK debit and credit cards are largely useless in .NL. Unless your card says "maestro" or "v-pay", it won't work outside of touristy areas. Don't be pulled into thinking it works cos you can buy something at a station. It won't work in 99% of places in .NL.
Carry cash just in case, but watch out for places that say "Alleen pinnen". Generally that means locals only, maestro and vpay only.
J
I've never had a problem using a Visa Debit card in the Netherlands - including in small villages. That said, Maestro is more prevalent.
Well it tripped up everyone at the start of RatN in the supermarket, as well as the café at the start etc...
I have UK, NL, and DE debit cards. Only my Dutch maestro works everywhere in .NL.
Every time I talk about this, someone says "but my card worked when I was there!" Great, you were lucky.
I'm sat next to the Ajax stadium in Amsterdam, just bought some fries. Maestro, vpay, or cash only. This is a genuine issue for non Dutch people in the Netherlands.
J
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Thanks. Didn't know that about the bus. Hope it can manage a tandem.
We were intending to nip in and out of Germany but that sounds ike a good recommendation about the scenic route.
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Where have you booked in Groningen? Jon and I have stayed in Hotel Miss Blanche (https://hotelmissblanche.nl/) and can thoroughly recommend it.
For food, we'd recommend Bistro Het Gerecht (https://bistrohetgerecht.nl/) (particularly if you like seafood).
We have a pretty good deal through Booking.com with the Best Western, a very grand looking place. €172.80 for two nights. We can cancel this at no cost up to 8th August.
I'll have a look at your alternative suggestion. Ta.
Since I live in Groningen, I don't have a clue about hotels. "Bistro Het Gerecht" is a nice place, but on the expensive side. If you need recommendations for a place to eat, just name your preferred cuisine and budget and I can give suggestions.
Also willing to look at your route (once you've finished it) and suggest improvements.
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Just remember, your UK debit and credit cards are largely useless in .NL. Unless your card says "maestro" or "v-pay", it won't work outside of touristy areas. Don't be pulled into thinking it works cos you can buy something at a station. It won't work in 99% of places in .NL.
Carry cash just in case, but watch out for places that say "Alleen pinnen". Generally that means locals only, maestro and vpay only.
J
I've never had a problem using a Visa Debit card in the Netherlands - including in small villages. That said, Maestro is more prevalent.
Well it tripped up everyone at the start of RatN in the supermarket, as well as the café at the start etc...
I have UK, NL, and DE debit cards. Only my Dutch maestro works everywhere in .NL.
Every time I talk about this, someone says "but my card worked when I was there!" Great, you were lucky.
I'm sat next to the Ajax stadium in Amsterdam, just bought some fries. Maestro, vpay, or cash only. This is a genuine issue for non Dutch people in the Netherlands.
J
Ah, Ajax taking advantage of the controversial away fries rule!
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I have a prepaid "travel money card" from the Post Office. It says "Mastercard" on it. I'm led to believe that I can use it in European (and other) cash machines. I never have - and I can't recall exactly how much I've put on it. Will have to check.
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I have a prepaid "travel money card" from the Post Office. It says "Mastercard" on it. I'm led to believe that I can use it in European (and other) cash machines. I never have - and I can't recall exactly how much I've put on it. Will have to check.
Any UK bank card should work at a Dutch cash machine, what charges they decide to extort, is anyones guess. If it says "Mastercard" and doesn't say Maestro, it won't work in most shops, bars, cafes, and the life.
J
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Julia is correct. We have issues using our German credit or debit cards in NL, including for me once at a car park barrier and another time at a card-only restaurant where they didn’t take any cash. Fortunately I have a v-pay debit card from Germany tucked away and that worked. Google Pay didn’t work for Klaus either.
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Julia is correct. We have issues using our German credit or debit cards in NL, including for me once at a car park barrier and another time at a card-only restaurant where they didn’t take any cash. Fortunately I have a v-pay debit card from Germany tucked away and that worked. Google Pay didn’t work for Klaus either.
Oh yes. Google pay and the apple version, that doesn't work either.
J
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I couldn't use my UK cards at the Albert Heijn in Hook, but they do have a cashpoint by the tills, presumably because they get a lot of people off the ferry coming to pay and realising that none of their cards work. I vaguely recall that you can't use your UK cards in any Albert Heijn, but one of the other major Dutch supermarket chains will take Visa - of course I can't now remember which one it is...
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I couldn't use my UK cards at the Albert Heijn in Hook, but they do have a cashpoint by the tills, presumably because they get a lot of people off the ferry coming to pay and realising that none of their cards work. I vaguely recall that you can't use your UK cards in any Albert Heijn, but one of the other major Dutch supermarket chains will take Visa - of course I can't now remember which one it is...
UK cards work in the AH on Dam square (cos tourist central) and the one at Vijzelgracht (opposite the Heineken rip off).
Pretty much every AH has an ING cash point in the store. Jumbo don't take UK cards, haven't tried any other supermarkets.
J
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Jan and I have abandoned this trip an cancelled the bookings for the time being. With my aunt being as ill as she is, I don't want to be away from her for such a long time. The Netherlands will still be there in another month or two. i doubt that Phyllis will.