The Netherlandzz Ride
Thread started by
Roadblock at 03.26.07 - 3:21 pm
My recent business triip to the Netherlands became all about pleasure when I rented a bicycle and rode likely the most bicycle friendly transportation infrastructure in the entire world. The country is designed from A-Z to be travelled via bicycle and incredibly beautiful.
I got to ride from Amsterdam down the Amstel river to Leiden, the Hague and many small towns and villages in between. Dropped in on bars and basically tripped my ass off on how amazing their society is (and a space cake or two). The Netherlands is probvably the most beautiful country I've ever travelled.
I'm mulling over the idea of a Netherlands ride. The ride would take place over 2 weeks. we would ride the entire country and visit cities historical landmarks, windmills, museums, pubs and coffeehouses. Staying over at cheap hostels and rolling out the next day to the next city.....
I imagine the cost of this kind of trip would be in the range of $1500-$2000 including airfare, food expenses and hostel stays. From what I understand you can place your bicyle dis-assembled in a container and check it in as a piece of luggage in a sealed box or container. If they don't know it's a bicycle they wont charge you..... otherwise I understand the charge is $80. If you prefer not to bring a bicycle they can be rented locally for about $10 a day.
Anyone care to join? If I can get 5-10 people together for a August ride I would be stoked. It's kind of a pipe dream right now but maybe it could work......... still figuring it all out but advance notice will make things waaaay cheaper.
email me if you are interested. serious only please. you must be open-minded and be okay with the randomness of getting lost in adventure and frequent coffehouse visits.
I'm going to start mapping this out...........
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Damn don,
Those are gorgeous photographs...So surreal. You've gotta post more somewhere cuz i'm addicted.
richtotheie03.26.07 - 3:23 pm
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I will have more soon.... fucking trying to work but my mind wanders off into bicycle land.... fuck it gimme 15 mins I could pull some more photos.
Roadblock03.26.07 - 3:33 pm
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RB,
Awesome, I'm already planning a bike tour/trip ttrough Europe this summer. I shoould be out there July 15 thru Aug 15 (unless I can afford to stay longer)!!!
In other words, count me in ;-)..........
420LaHaRR03.26.07 - 8:50 pm
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I probably would not be one to participate in this trip.
some thoughts to ponder or look into.........
Did you look into purchasing used bicycles there? That might be easier then bringing your own bicycle, and cheaper then renting. Do they have facilities, like the kitchen, where you could fix your ride, if something needed adjustment or repairs? Those might be obvious questions, but I know nothing about the Netherlands.
sexy03.26.07 - 9:16 pm
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holy shit!
420LaHaRR & bikes in the land of 420 & bikes
can't wait for summer
spiraldemon03.26.07 - 11:58 pm
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Since you didn't point this out, let me take the liberty of doing so:
Folks, the Netherlands, besides being beautiful, bike-friendly, and socially liberal, is one of the
flattest countries in the universe. Those of you who may be intimidated by longer tours because you picture yourselves struggling to crest mountain ranges might want to take this into account.
I, for one, am intrigued...very intrigued...
(*strokes imaginary beard*)
PC03.27.07 - 3:15 am
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short of, say, selling blood/my soul/my bikes, I don't think I could afford this, which sucks, cause I'd love to go... I'm going to have to satisfy myself with some inside the US travel courtesy of a bump ticket I received on the way back from florida at xmas time.
FuzzBeast03.27.07 - 3:54 am
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"Did you look into purchasing used bicycles there? That might be easier then bringing your own bicycle, and cheaper then renting. Do they have facilities, like the kitchen, where you could fix your ride, if something needed adjustment or repairs? Those might be obvious questions, but I know nothing about the Netherlands."
good points. purchasing a bike might be cheaper if you end up getting charged the fee for transporting a bike. From what I was told, you can check in your bike - concealed in a box - as a piece of luggage. but if they find out it's a bike they might charge you an $80 fee for transporting it. lame as hell but that's how it goes down so I've heard.
I rented a bike but being as tall as I am there weren't any bikes available that actually fit me. besides I love my big red cannondale so much I'll pay the extra just cause it fits me like a glove, it's sporty and it's fucking sexy as hell to be riding my favorite bike across my favorite country. others might not have difficulty in finding a bike over there that fits them.
yes the whole place is flat. you can ride a single speed dumpy dutch bike and be fine. everyojne in the country does it so buying a bike over there even a crappy one is fine. I saw exactly 3 bicycles that werent the classic dumpy dutch bicycles. 1 fixed gear and 2 geared road bikes...
Laharr are down to put in 2 weeks in the netherlands my brother? I will schedule this for august 1st -15th to match your schedule. let me know.
"strokes imaginary beard" <
Roadblock03.27.07 - 11:52 am
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sorry got cut off
"strokes imaginary beard" <
oh yeah and sexy, I saw quite a few bicycle shops and bicyclke repair garages. It shouldnt be a problem.
Roadblock03.27.07 - 11:55 am
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I've been planning to visit the netherlands for the past year and a half or so, so this seems like a great opportunity.
The only issues I see are getting time off, and the whole money thing. But I am definitely very interested in doing this. In reality I'm sure I could bust my ass to save up some cash and I would certainly quit my job to go to NL if they didn't want to give me 2 weeks off.
Keep us posted.
kyber03.27.07 - 11:59 am
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RB,
2 weeks in the Netherlands sounds like a blast. BTW, don't let my schedule trip you up, that return date could change depending on how much I can save before leaving. Lets wait a day or three to see what dates are most convenient for the group.
Seriously though, the sooner a date gets set, the sooner we can get tickets and the lower our airfare will be.
420LaHaRR03.27.07 - 12:17 pm
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Here is a bike I saw at a flea market in Amsterdam. I met a few people who were travelling through the Netherlands on bikes and they suggest buying a used bike. The cost of a used bike is roughly same as a few weeks of rental. You can sell the bike before you leave and recoup some of your money.
sc_nomad03.27.07 - 12:29 pm
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Buying beater bikes sounds good but remember we are currently on the shitty end of the exchange rate.
420LaHaRR03.27.07 - 1:48 pm
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It's pretty random what week we start just want to make sure that you can commit to the 2 weeks laharr. I know you'd be all good for this "trip" let's build this on your schedule because, I dont have a schedule..... I dont even have a scheduled job/regular job... so I don't care one way or the other when it happens.
Roadblock03.27.07 - 3:29 pm
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Aight, let me check the schedule and I'll get back to you soon.
420LaHaRR03.27.07 - 4:19 pm
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you know come to think of it, maybe this should extend out beyond the netherlands? I bet we could get the netherlands done in about a week. it's a pretty small country. then move on to another cycle friendly country? - if there is one....
Roadblock03.27.07 - 6:13 pm
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Denmark (Copenhagen specifically) is regarded as very bicycle friendly. And it's relatively close to The Netherlands. I'm sure a train could get us there? No idea how much it would cost though.
Whatcha think?
kyber03.27.07 - 8:23 pm
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If you put a time frame together, maybe those of us who can't take the entire 2 weeks can come out and join up for 5-7 days...
Samhain03.31.07 - 12:00 am
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A timeframe will be good. I will be going to Europe later this year and we can meet somewhere for a couple of days.
sc_nomad03.31.07 - 1:29 am
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Still working out some details, but how do the middle two weeks of August (6 thru 20) sound?? If we can play with/extend our dates we could even get three Friday night rides. As the limiting factors are going to be cash flow and time off of work it's understandable if everyone can't do the whole trip. Personally I'm trying to scrape enough together fundage for a 2 month trip, but any rida is welcome to join us even for just one day.
Lets here some date suggestions you International Ridazz you...
420LaHaRR03.31.07 - 11:24 am
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Oops!
Lets "hear" some date suggestions you International Ridazz you...
420LaHaRR03.31.07 - 11:26 am
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i'm interested in the Netherlands ride. trying to save up right now. we'll see what happens.
t.bone04.2.07 - 8:52 am
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Here is something to plan around. The post event for the World messenger championship will be in Amsterdam this year, the actual race will be in Ireland and the pre event will be in Britain. It will happen sometime in August. I will post details as I find out more.
I'll probably go since I have a voucher for a flight. All I need is to save my pennies and stop eating.
sc_nomad04.2.07 - 3:58 pm
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I saw some pictures from the Netherlands posted on this site, so I guess you guys have already been and come back.
I went to Amsterdam when the World Cup was going on last Summer, and I must say that the one of the sexiest things I have ever seen in my life is a good looking woman all dressed up and riding a bike.
And they are all over the place in Amsterdam.
BillyB06.6.07 - 3:22 pm
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