Holland / Netherlands

Don't try riding in North Holland. Drenthe is much more beautiful - the no. 1 cycling place in the Netherlands with an enormous amount of cycle paths. Single-speed and fixed are not a bing thing over here yet, although it's starting to come. But still - I asked my LBS for a flip-flop hub last week and he looked at me like I was from Mars...

I lived (and cycled) in Amsterdam for two years and I have to say while is definitely a cycling friendly city, it's not a place for going fast. Many of the cycle paths are actually build out of bricks over sand, which when riding a dutch bike with 40 psi in the tyres is a bit like being in a boat. On a track frame with a 90" gear and 100psi it feels like torture, and when the wind is in your face it's relentless. Weird cuz you would expect to be able to cycle places fast in Holland - in reality, everyone takes it very slow and easy.

Single-speed and fixed are not a bing thing over here yet, although it's starting to come. .

Amsterdams famous Amsterdam is currently siting at least a 150% rise in Fixed/Single Speed; or more likely Single Speed conversions with coaster brakes from 290SQM.

Amsterdam Shopping:

No real stores that cater for the 'on trend'. But Lohmans is good for finding bits, mainly Roadie and MTB but they do have some 'Trackie' stuff.

Stevens is good for repairs and advice.

And these guys are good and do internet/mail order service...

Singlespeed Central
Amersfoort

Tel: +31 614 715 883
Web: www.singlespeedcentral.com
E-mail: shop@singlespeed.nl

I lived (and cycled) in Amsterdam for two years and I have to say while is definitely a cycling friendly city, it's not a place for going fast. Many of the cycle paths are actually build out of bricks over sand, which when riding a dutch bike with 40 psi in the tyres is a bit like being in a boat. On a track frame with a 90" gear and 100psi it feels like torture, and when the wind is in your face it's relentless. Weird cuz you would expect to be able to cycle places fast in Holland - in reality, everyone takes it very slow and easy.

Spot on!
Bloody cobbled streets and locals cycling the wrong way down them. And don't get me started on those tourists!!

Amsterdams famous Amsterdam is currently siting at least a 150% rise in Fixed/Single Speed; or more likely Single Speed conversions with coaster brakes from 290SQM.

Amsterdam Shopping:

No real stores that cater for the 'on trend'. But Lohmans is good for finding bits, mainly Roadie and MTB but they do have some 'Trackie' stuff.

Stevens is good for repairs and advice.

And these guys are good and do internet/mail order service...

Singlespeed Central
Amersfoort

Tel: +31 614 715 883
Web: www.singlespeedcentral.com
E-mail: shop@singlespeed.nl

And don't forget www.m-gineering.nl! Most bike shops will be able to cater for your needs though, as long as you explain to them what you need...

Spot on!
Bloody cobbled streets and locals cycling the wrong way down them. And don't get me started on those tourists!!

Right, like London's got the perfect roads and really well-behaved cyclists... Just put a few psi less in your tires and you'll be fine. But don't get me started on the tourists either....

Right, like London's got the perfect roads and really well-behaved cyclists... Just put a few psi less in your tires and you'll be fine. But don't get me started on the tourists either....

???

Trying to work out if you're having a pop or not.
As I'm not sure, and there's too much aggro on this forum at the moment, I'll pass.

Tot ziens!

at Archi - there are two "shops" i came across that cater to fixed riders. very well stocked, in fact my vintage MINT 1950's Model 14s came from there as did a lovely track stem and I was offered Dura Ace mint cranks and rings all at the same place. Its a courier company that's owner is well cool and has impressive bits.. they had 4 frames / complete builds for sale there too. Not too cheap though.
Infinity. I believe.. but he's got to like you before he'll show you whats for sale.
;0

???

Trying to work out if you're having a pop or not.
As I'm not sure, and there's too much aggro on this forum at the moment, I'll pass.

Tot ziens!

I was just making a sarcastic remark based on my experience with cycling in London. :-) Nothing aggro intended and the suggestion about riding with a little less pressure was actually well-meant and genuine.

Hoi!

I was just making a sarcastic remark based on my experience with cycling in London. :-) Nothing aggro intended and the suggestion about riding with a little less pressure was actually well-meant and genuine.

Hoi!

Ha! Just as well that I didn't bite, and make myself look like a right 'Hufter'.

Thanks for the advice.

at Archi - there are two "shops" i came across that cater to fixed riders. very well stocked, in fact my vintage MINT 1950's Model 14s came from there as did a lovely track stem and I was offered Dura Ace mint cranks and rings all at the same place. Its a courier company that's owner is well cool and has impressive bits.. they had 4 frames / complete builds for sale there too. Not too cheap though.
Infinity. I believe.. but he's got to like you before he'll show you whats for sale.
;0

Repped for top info.
I'm guessing you mean these guys

http://www.infinity-express.com/

Me and the lady cycled around Holland in September, clocking about 100km per day for 7 days. It was excellent and I fully recommend it to anyone. Stayed mainly in cycle friendly B&Bs which had prices capped at 17euro per night and kept our bikes safe etc.

Amsterdam to the ferry at Hoek is a nice ride, not too far at all depending on the route you take and you can get some nice coastal paths and dunes etc going that way. It's a fantastic place to cycle really, motorists are way better and share the road where required without feeling the need to lean on their horn or shout and you can pretty much navigate without a map as the cycle routes are pretty well signposted between towns.

It's so true about the wind though, when it's in your face it can get you down. We cycled across a 32km dyke that goes over the sea where it's inland and the wind was in our faces the whole way. The girlfriend nearly had a sense of humour failure but it was averted by me making sure we had plenty of apple pie and cream at the half way refuge.

i'm thinking of heading over to the Netherlands for 3/4 days of cycling just before christmas. My question is, will it be far too cold and windy?

depends how hard you are...

http://goamsterdam.about.com/od/planatrip/a/december_guide.htm

i'm thinking of heading over to the Netherlands for 3/4 days of cycling just before christmas. My question is, will it be far too cold and windy?

Yes! And probably wet as well.
But HTFU and don't let the weather stop you ;)

cool. I will HTFU and go for it. gonna get the night boat on the 19/11, ride to Amsterdam, The Hague, somewhere else and back to the Hook. Will get the night boat back on the 22nd. If anyone can recommend hostels/b&b with bike storage, please let me know.

I wouldn't write off Rotterdam, not nearly as cutey as Am'dam but some interesting modern architecture and some good galleries, it's also easier to get about on a bike due to it being not so hemmed in as Am'dam

I wouldn't write off Rotterdam, not nearly as cutey as Am'dam but some interesting modern architecture and some good galleries, it's also easier to get about on a bike due to it being not so hemmed in as Am'dam

yes, Rotterdam is lovely, but I cycled there last year. Have never cycled to Amsterdam so fancy giving it a go.

Watch out for tourists, tram tracks and wet cobble stones. Oh and the cross winds between the canals (I wrote that knowing for sure someone will change the wording:)

It is good fun though and well worth doing. Enjoy!

Had no less than 3 ss bikes stolen in Amsterdam in just under 6 months working there. That was good times ;-(

this winter will be my first trip to europe, coming from chicago, and i was wondering what the fastest and cheapest way to get from london to amsterdam would be

this winter will be my first trip to europe, coming from chicago, and i was wondering what the fastest and cheapest way to get from london to amsterdam would be

Fastest - Cheap flights on EasyJet from London Luton to Amsterdam.
Possible Cheapest - Ferry from Dover to Calais, then the train from France to Amsterdam

fastest would be train, longest and cheapest would be day train/ferry

http://www.stenaline.co.uk/ferry/rail-and-sail/holland/