Author Topic: Circular tours from Amsterdam - recommendations  (Read 2630 times)

gibbo

  • Riding for fun, cake and beer.
    • Boxford Bike Club
Circular tours from Amsterdam - recommendations
« on: 15 September, 2019, 03:52:21 pm »
Hoping to do three days riding in the Netherlands next June but being based out of Amsterdam. Looking for recommendations for circular rides of around 120km for the First 2 days and then a drawn out ride from 'dam to the ferry at the Hoek.

Also any recommendations for cycle friendly accommodation? Happy for hostels or similar that would work for 6 people.

TIA,
Gibbo.

quixoticgeek

  • Mostly Harmless
Re: Circular tours from Amsterdam - recommendations
« Reply #1 on: 15 September, 2019, 04:11:35 pm »


What sort of things do you want to see on your rides? Is 120k out and a train back to ams ok? It certainly makes for a more interesting trip.

J
--
Beer, bikes, and backpacking
http://b.42q.eu/

bludger

  • Randonneur and bargain hunter
Re: Circular tours from Amsterdam - recommendations
« Reply #2 on: 15 September, 2019, 04:26:33 pm »
If you're historically minded I would really recommend getting the hour's train out to Arnhem, of 'A Bridge Too Far' fame. It is very humbling to be riding around and go over a bridge called 'Irish Guards Bridge' or whatever. There is also a really lovely park you can explore by bike to the north. There are 'official routes' e.g. https://www.holland-cycling.com/where-to-go/day-trips/93-arnhem-airborne-cycle-route but I'm sure the ones off ridewithgps would be fine, see e.g. https://ridewithgps.com/routes/4777788

I couldn't recommend it enough. Stunning.
YACF touring/audax bargain basement:
https://bit.ly/2Xg8pRD



Ban cars.

gibbo

  • Riding for fun, cake and beer.
    • Boxford Bike Club
Re: Circular tours from Amsterdam - recommendations
« Reply #3 on: 15 September, 2019, 05:25:43 pm »


What sort of things do you want to see on your rides? Is 120k out and a train back to ams ok? It certainly makes for a more interesting trip.

J
Not too fussed. Anything and everything although suspect the group would prefer to ride rather than train but I’ll mention it as it could open up the options.

gibbo

  • Riding for fun, cake and beer.
    • Boxford Bike Club
Re: Circular tours from Amsterdam - recommendations
« Reply #4 on: 15 September, 2019, 05:29:57 pm »
If you're historically minded I would really recommend getting the hour's train out to Arnhem, of 'A Bridge Too Far' fame. It is very humbling to be riding around and go over a bridge called 'Irish Guards Bridge' or whatever. There is also a really lovely park you can explore by bike to the north. There are 'official routes' e.g. https://www.holland-cycling.com/where-to-go/day-trips/93-arnhem-airborne-cycle-route but I'm sure the ones off ridewithgps would be fine, see e.g. https://ridewithgps.com/routes/4777788

I couldn't recommend it enough. Stunning.
Cheers for that. I love WWII history so this is something that would appeal. I take it the train thing is easy i.e. can you just rock up and ride or do you have to book?

quixoticgeek

  • Mostly Harmless
Re: Circular tours from Amsterdam - recommendations
« Reply #5 on: 15 September, 2019, 05:54:05 pm »
Cheers for that. I love WWII history so this is something that would appeal. I take it the train thing is easy i.e. can you just rock up and ride or do you have to book?

This is the civilised world. You pay for a bike ticket (€6.90 per person per day), and get on a train. Get in where the bike symbol is. In theory each bike space on the double decker intercity trains takes 3, so with 6 you may want 3 at each end of the train. But I've seen 12 plus in the space in summer.

No need to book, public transport here is run to transport the public, not to annoy them...

Depending on timing I may be around to show you what's what, if that helps.

J
--
Beer, bikes, and backpacking
http://b.42q.eu/

gibbo

  • Riding for fun, cake and beer.
    • Boxford Bike Club
Re: Circular tours from Amsterdam - recommendations
« Reply #6 on: 15 September, 2019, 08:01:58 pm »
Cheers for that. I love WWII history so this is something that would appeal. I take it the train thing is easy i.e. can you just rock up and ride or do you have to book?

This is the civilised world. You pay for a bike ticket (€6.90 per person per day), and get on a train. Get in where the bike symbol is. In theory each bike space on the double decker intercity trains takes 3, so with 6 you may want 3 at each end of the train. But I've seen 12 plus in the space in summer.

No need to book, public transport here is run to transport the public, not to annoy them...

Depending on timing I may be around to show you what's what, if that helps.

J
Many thanks. Will let you know nearer the time on your generous offer.

bludger

  • Randonneur and bargain hunter
Re: Circular tours from Amsterdam - recommendations
« Reply #7 on: 15 September, 2019, 08:16:18 pm »
If you're historically minded I would really recommend getting the hour's train out to Arnhem, of 'A Bridge Too Far' fame. It is very humbling to be riding around and go over a bridge called 'Irish Guards Bridge' or whatever. There is also a really lovely park you can explore by bike to the north. There are 'official routes' e.g. https://www.holland-cycling.com/where-to-go/day-trips/93-arnhem-airborne-cycle-route but I'm sure the ones off ridewithgps would be fine, see e.g. https://ridewithgps.com/routes/4777788

I couldn't recommend it enough. Stunning.
Cheers for that. I love WWII history so this is something that would appeal. I take it the train thing is easy i.e. can you just rock up and ride or do you have to book?

The museum on the north side, west of the bridge, is small but I highly recommend it. It's a sobering museum indeed. https://www.airbornemuseum.nl/en/organisation/the-museum

Every year a bunch more weapons the allied airbourne soldiers had to dump into the river before surrenduring get dredged up...
YACF touring/audax bargain basement:
https://bit.ly/2Xg8pRD



Ban cars.

Re: Circular tours from Amsterdam - recommendations
« Reply #8 on: 15 September, 2019, 08:19:43 pm »
The Hartenstein in Oosterbeek is also a must if making the journey, as is the cemetery.
Get a bicycle. You will never regret it, if you live- Mark Twain

Vince

  • Can't climb; won't climb
Re: Circular tours from Amsterdam - recommendations
« Reply #9 on: 15 September, 2019, 08:51:40 pm »
The Ringvaart is a good circular ride. Pleanty of cafes enroute. The old pumping house Cruquius is worth a visit.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ringvaart
216km from Marsh Gibbon

Martin

Re: Circular tours from Amsterdam - recommendations
« Reply #10 on: 15 September, 2019, 08:51:54 pm »
Vollendam then over to Zaanse Chance and back to 'dam is a good tourist trip, also Kinderdijk.

Or just make up your own ride with this?

http://zuid.fietsrouteplanner.info/

(probably not the right site but there is a huge network of routes all linked by maps where you can plan any distance you like)

Re: Circular tours from Amsterdam - recommendations
« Reply #11 on: 15 September, 2019, 08:56:13 pm »
Bergen aan Zee was a nice little place from memory.
Get a bicycle. You will never regret it, if you live- Mark Twain

quixoticgeek

  • Mostly Harmless
Re: Circular tours from Amsterdam - recommendations
« Reply #12 on: 15 September, 2019, 10:22:58 pm »
The Ringvaart is a good circular ride. Pleanty of cafes enroute. The old pumping house Cruquius is worth a visit.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ringvaart

Really?

I may be jaded in that it's my primary training ground, but there really are much nicer places round here to ride...

Vollendam then over to Zaanse Chance and back to 'dam is a good tourist trip, also Kinderdijk.

Yes, that works well, just be warned in months without an r in, both Vollendam and Zaanseschans are HEAVING with tourists.

Kinderdijk from Amsterdam is a good 150k round trip, depending on how scenic you want to make it. Tho you have to be careful as the ferry that makes it most direct isn't always running, so you may have to add 10-15km and go via Schoonhaven.

Quote
Or just make up your own ride with this?

http://zuid.fietsrouteplanner.info/

(probably not the right site but there is a huge network of routes all linked by maps where you can plan any distance you like)

The thing is you can make up a route, but without some local knowledge you may end up missing out on a much better route nearby.

Bergen aan Zee was a nice little place from memory.

There's quite a few nice places up that neck of the woods. You can do a good 120km or so from Amsterdam up to Den Helder, and then take a train back. Have done that a few times. The only major issue is you have quite a lot of industry to get through to get out of Amsterdam, and thus the first 10km or so sucks. Or you go out through Amsterdam Noord, but then you're just adding 10k for the sake of it.

Just checking my strava routes,

https://www.strava.com/routes/18309254 - This one may interest, tho it has a few slight diversions because I've factored in some tiles I need...

https://www.strava.com/routes/13029297 - Another variation on the same.

https://www.strava.com/routes/17386814 - Best done end of April, through the Tulip fields, and along the dijks, onto the rijn kanal back to Amsterdam.

https://www.strava.com/routes/17259862 - Zaanseschans, and some of the area North of the Noord Zee Kanal. Very nice in spring, or a month with an r in it.

These are just routes I already have on strava. Remind me later in the week and I'll see if I can come up with a couple of other nice ones.

If you were open to the idea of a 200, I have a nice 200km ride which is the route that will be used for an Audax in March, it goes from Amsterdam, to the center point of the Netherlands, through the Veluwe, and back through the Utrecht hills. It's rather pretty.

I wish AUK allowed perms run by people outside the UK, I'd love to offer some 100's and 200's from Amsterdam for people.

J
--
Beer, bikes, and backpacking
http://b.42q.eu/

gibbo

  • Riding for fun, cake and beer.
    • Boxford Bike Club
Re: Circular tours from Amsterdam - recommendations
« Reply #13 on: 16 September, 2019, 11:53:16 am »
All good info, many thanks to all.

My mate who's organising the trip is proposing we stay in Amsterdam at £65/ night. Is there any merit (i.e. is it cheaper) in staying outside of the city and using public transport to get in and out? Does the cost of transport outweigh the potential cost saving?

quixoticgeek

  • Mostly Harmless
Re: Circular tours from Amsterdam - recommendations
« Reply #14 on: 16 September, 2019, 12:00:21 pm »
All good info, many thanks to all.

My mate who's organising the trip is proposing we stay in Amsterdam at £65/ night. Is there any merit (i.e. is it cheaper) in staying outside of the city and using public transport to get in and out? Does the cost of transport outweigh the potential cost saving?

Public transport is dirt cheap. Utrecht to Amsterdam Centraal is about €5 each way.

If you're playing tourist, chances are you'll get one of the multi day unlimited transport cards anyway.

There's a few budget hotels around Sloterdijk area, and there's an A&O hostel in Zuid Oost if you want really cheap.

If you're saving €10 a night, per person, it's worth being further away.

J
--
Beer, bikes, and backpacking
http://b.42q.eu/