Early start this morning with the idea of beating the wind, which seems to pick up around lunchtime. Only 8c so time for long trousers again ! Cycling in the Dutch towns is a great experience , lovely cycle paths and infrastructure. Joined the morning rush hour and of course took a ferry !
After a fairly long ride to get out of the suburbs, it was back to the North coast cycle route. Generally this takes twice as long as taking the most direct cycle path and it involves lots of twists and turns and small hills, but you are rewarded by great views and wildlife. Disturbed this one having a morning bath
What I didn’t expect to come across on the cycle path was a huge articulated lorry. I think he was delivering sheep to their grazing area
At this point it’s worth saying that these cycle paths are pretty amazing, either tarmac or intricately laid cobbles/bricks. I much prefer the tarmac as it’s faster to ride on and less bumpy.
Eating enough food is becoming a bit of an obsession. I’ve packs of biscuits stuffed in the panniers and sweets, but my go to at the moment are mini stroop waffles yum !
Talking of food, it started raining heavily this morning. I couldn’t face slugging through the dunes as the wind was picking up as well, so made a detour through some small towns. Happily one has a bakery that did pastries and hot drinks, it was also right next to a covered car port that so hid under that to enjoy them, even though the rain had now stopped.. I wasn’t alone though, almost immediately felt the sensation of being watched.
He got incredibly close to me, he was obviously the decoy though as about half a dozen of his mates also stalked me from the other side. It was like a scene from “The Birds”
Avoiding the wind didn’t last long by around 11 it was blowing a hoolie again. Still the day was brightened by my first windmill and tulips, although most of the tulip harvest is almost done. Came across farmers dead heading the remnants of harvested field.
Also had my first Dutch pancake, as I was nearing Den Helder – Cheese, mushrooms and bacon and lashings of syrup, washed down with coffee and what I think was a small shot of Adovcaat and whipped cream. That or very odd tasting custard
Fuelled by a healthy lunch it was off to the dunes again, including some gravel tracks before heading into Den Helder.
Last night I stayed in an AirBnB for the first time. Another new experience for me tonight and tomorrow. I’m staying with Vrienden op de fiets hosts. It’s a wonderful Dutch scheme where people host cycle tourists for a nominal fee of €22.80 B&B. What do you get for it, we’ll tonight it’s basically my own 1 bed apartment, stocked fridge and an invite to dinner tomorrow night ! Hoping I can book a few more of these on the tour
Steady Pedals 