2010-10-22 London Amsterdam London

I thought of this last night while putting my winter bike together, for me it'll be the ideal wind down before a winter break.

The idea is:
Friday 18:45 - ride out to Harwhich (75 miles)
Friday 23:45 - Ferry over to Hook of Holland (sleep on ferry)
Saturday 07:45 - ride to Amsterdam (70 miles)
Saturday 12:00 - couple of beers, plate of cheese and mustard etc.
Saturday 17:00 - ride to Hook of Holland (70 miles)
Saturday 22:00 - Ferry over to Harwhich (sleep on ferry)
Sunday 06:30- Ride back to London (75 miles)

For one person the ferry costs including the cabin and bicycle storage is £112. For four people the price is £99 each and we get a room with a window. I'll be booking tickets on the 15th of September.

I'll be doing this fixed, 66" with small panniers.

Far be it from me to say who can and can't ride their bike from London to Amsterdam and back. But I might not wait around if:
1)You don't have experience of 70 to 100 mile rides and aren't capable of maintaining at least a 16mph average over this distance with little or no stops.
2)You don't know how to repair your bike and don't have all the spares and tools to do so
3)You bonk because you haven't brought enough food and drink
4)You get lost in amsterdam
5)You're too tired/lazy/drunk/stoned/soft/whatever to ride back to the ferry. (I'm assuming we'll all be a little slower on the way back though and will also try to plan a train option for those that want it)
6) You can't see where you're going because you're lights are no good and you didn't bring spare batteries.

Hope some of you can join me.

Is there a groupsave option in the brothels?

Great idea, but can't commit yet.

I was wondering how long it would take before this thread was brought down to that level :)

I'll be finding a cosy cafe/bar somewhere to while away the hours before heading back to the ferry. There's also an amazing second hand light shop, with 50's, 60's and 70's table, wall and pendant lights at a fraction of the price you're ripped off for in the London shops. And the best architectural book shop I've ever found. I'll be leaving plenty of space in my panniers for bringing stuff back.

I was looking to do a 24 hour ride to Amsterdam before the winter too. Sign me up!

1. STE5
   
2. Shinigami (Tibbs)
   

I'm doing this next month so if it all goes well I might put my name down for this one as well.

i'd love to have done this, but i'll be at uni, and nowhere near london at the start time.
have fun.

Did the first part of this 12 days ago.
Just a coupla things...
From Homerton to Harwich was 90 miles.
That was pretty direct, but only on the A12 for about 10 mins.
You need to be on board the ferry by 11pm. (which leaves you closer to 4 hrs)
I'd say the 5 hrs you left were a little ambitious (though probably not for you on your own).
Once off the ferry, the bike paths are good, but the signs can sometimes be misleading, particularly when navigating the towns on the way out of the Hague and on up to the Dam.
One of the main cycle paths was also closed about 15 miles outside the city.
Anyways... just a few points.
Sure it'll be great.
Hope you like Herring ; )

Where about you leaving London from...? im mustard

Neat idea. Can't commit yet, but will watch this space.

i'd love to have done this, but i'll be at uni, and nowhere near london at the start time.
have fun.

It's a weekend ride, skive a day or two either side of it and you're golden.

Hope you like Herring ; )

I always felt Lee was the funnier of the two.

/woeful attempt at humour

On a serious note, this sounds like a lot of fun, will have to see what shape my life is in come September.

Possibly maybe.

Never been to Amsterdam, this sounds like a great final big ride for the season.

I will apply to the Mrs. for a pass.

Sorry, I'm out. Going to do it with some of my mates and they feel apprehensive about doing it with more seasoned cyclists.

For anyone interested in doing this solo, I did this exact journey minus the first London to Harwich leg because I came straight from work and didn't have time to pack and ride.

The HvH - Amsterdam stint was straight forward enough but it was a nightmare getting out of HvH...probably lost an hour trying to find reference point 10 on the LF1. From then on there were only a couple double backs to check signs but it was plain sailing up to Zandvoort (also bare in mind I was going on memory from internet research and hadn't printed any maps out, that's how easy it is to follow).

From Zandvoort you could choose to follow the LF1 a bit further up the coast then cut right into Harlem or you could go inland on the LF20 and take a more scenic route to Harlem then onto the Dam. I did the latter and it was worth it I think, some beautiful rolling landscapes.

It got a bit confusing about 7/8 km outside of the Dam, with some places having 2 signs for Amsterdam pointing in very different directions. Follow the green ones, even if they don't have a route marked on them, or signs for Amsterdam Centrum and you'll be fine.

Once into the middle of town the guys in Prestocycle Shop were awesome in giving directions...printed me a map to help me find my hotel. Nice shop with some top clobber in it as well.

The weather was absolutely dire the whole way to the Dam. I got rained on non-stop and it was bitterly cold. Luckily I had the wind in my sails which made the sweeping paths coming out of Den Haag particularly enjoyable - I averaged 32mph for that 11km section. The head wind on the way back wasn't as fun, mind.

Anyway, depending on where I'm situated come end of October I will probably put my down for this.

Oh and I'll get some pics up tomorrow!

Bump.

Anyone interested?

I'm booking tickets tomorrow.

would be up for this, but am going to see mr scruff on saturday night which i have been looking forward to for ages

Ooo that sounds like a good one, would be up for it next time.

spring, ben?

Joe, if spring, make it a last training ride? We also need to talk long weekend ideas etc.

yes! need to get some warm cycling gear and do some serious winter training