Holland / Netherlands

With any luck, you'll be able to seek shelter from the cold, wind, and rain. :)

(Sorry.)

So a logistics question, if I flew into Amsterdam with a bicycle and huge bicycle bag is there anywhere near the airport or the like where I can store that bag for say four days whilst I cycle over to Utrecht and back?

http://www.schiphol.nl/Travellers/AtSchiphol/Luggage/LuggageService/LuggageLockers.htm

or

http://www.ns.nl/en/travellers/about-your-trip/travelling-by-train/facilities-at-the-station

Is it going to be too cold to attempt that ride in late November?

Hopefully it won't be too cold, as that's when I'm going! I reckon it'll be about the same temperature as here, though maybe a bit more windy.

If you're happy to ride through the winter here it's the same, but maybe a little colder and maybe wetter. Definitely windier. With the right kit you'll be fine.

Got back from my trip yesterday and I must say cycling around there this time of year was completely fine. Between following all the cycle signs, asking locals for directions, and occasionally checking my phone's GPS, it was pretty straightforward most of the time.

For the cycle from Amsterdam to Utrecht I was recommended a scenic route going via Waver but what I quickly realised is you need to sometimes ignore the signs pointing to Urecht as they are going to take you a direct and less scenic route.

I'll definitely have to go again, and this time get the ferry instead of flying. Flying worked out a bit too extensive in the end as British Airways now charge £40 each way for extra bags, and then I had to pay 50 euros to store my bicycle bag at the airport for a week.

If you're happy to ride through the winter here it's the same, but maybe a little colder and maybe wetter. Definitely windier. With the right kit you'll be fine.

Ferry is awesome-I really liked it and it's really cheap if you do the rail n'sail thing.

Seriously thinking of moving back to Holland. If only it was less windy, and maybe had a few hills for variety....

Still. Great place for riding.

Hello,

I'm planning on catching the ferry, then up to amsterdam in august. i have been looking at routes and it seems like the option would be to follow the north sea cycle route. I plan on going fixed, (is this a suitable option?) but will have others in the group who i have no idea of their bike fitness or even what bike they are going to ride. This seems the best option for a easy paced ride up there. Is this the best route to take??

Yes almost totally flat, just some rolling dunes. Wind shouldn't be a problem then.

And the ferry is great, very comfortable if you go overnight. And you feel like a boss cycling out of a big ship.

nice one. Cant wait to go now.

Me and him are planning to do the North Sea route this summer; getting the ferry to HvH, heading as far north as we can be bothered, stopping for a day in Amsterdam then getting the train back to the ferry port. Can anyone recommend a hotel in Amsterdam with good bike parking facilities? I really don't fancy leaving them locked up outside overnight. Alternatively, parking near the train station would probably work as long as it's secure enough to prevent someone walking off with your bike.

Don't know hotels but most big train stations have guarded bike parking, costs a euro a day I think.

Can anyone recommend a hotel in Amsterdam with good bike parking facilities? I really don't fancy leaving them locked up outside overnight.

Go to Air BnB. I stayed in a great appartment last time I was there. Good value for money too and most people will let you take your bikes inside with you.

Go to Air BnB. I stayed in a great apartment last time I was there. Good value for money too and most people will let you take your bikes inside with you.

Don't know why I hadn't thought of that - we've had great Airbnb experiences in Germany, and himself will worry much less if he can see his bike at all times.

Don't know why I hadn't thought of that - we've had great Airbnb experiences in Germany, and himself will worry much less if he can see his bike at all times.

It's true. I will...

Would anyone mind lending me a beater in Eindhoven anytime between 25th fed to 10th march?

Ok, so no bike. Anyone up for hanging out?

It's NL, just steal a bike.

#jokez

I'm planning to cycle from London to Harwich, get an overnight ferry to Hook of Holland then cycle to Amsterdam. I'll stay for a few days and then cycle back.

Has anyone got any advice on the routes, any places or roads to avoid?

Also, are there any interesting but shortish places to cycle out of Amsterdam?

Thanks

My advice would be get the train from Liverpool Street to Harwich and spend more time riding in Holland.

And get some nice super pollen when you are there.

And stay in Haarlem instead of the dam.

or cycle to dover.

ferry from dover to dunkirk and then hack up through a little bit of france, a little bit of belgium and then cruise through the nederlands to dam. then once your done head back down to hook of holland for the ferry.

i've done that and it was a superb trip

found the route i took:

http://www.bikemap.net/route/345506#lat=51.707007770369&lng=3.679625&zoom=8&maptype=ts_terrain

that's pretty identical to the route i took a couple of years back
the antwerp to amsterdam canal section was lovely
and i especially loved the bit along the coast between france and antwerp
such nice coastal cycling
ah to be out there on the roads in the sun again !

All good suggestions, plenty of routes for me to try another trip.

I should have been more specific. It's less of a cycle holiday, more of a trip to Amsterdam with cycling being the primary mode of transport. Most of the people I'm going with aren't big cyclists so I figured two days of cycling each way would be enough.

Thanks though, those routes have given me food for thought for a longer trip.

in that case fly to amsterdam with your bike and cycle back!