Everything is unpacked, cleaned and put away except for the bike, which needs some post tour TLC I covered a couple of km short of 1100 over the 15 days, no proper rest days as such but I did have several days where I kept the distances low, notably the day on Texel and in … More The Aftermath

By the time I’d got onto the Ferry last night l was starving. I made extra sandwiches from the breakfast spread but they were gone by mid morning. I’d survived the rest of the day by finishing what was left of my packet of Oreo’s cookies and most of my remaining mini waffles. I really … More Day 16 – Harwich to Home 36km

Today really was a day of two halves, one of the best moments of the trip and some of the worst. My scenic route for day came in at over 120km, having seen the weather forecast, I planned a short cut at the start to bring the overall distance down to around 80-85km. The short … More Day 15 – Gornichem – Hook of Holland 90km

Today was going to be a very short day, as I couldn’t do all the way back to the ferry in one day. Rather than go direct, I decided to detour to see a couple of sights. As with the previous day the ride started with a short climb from the B&B up to the … More Day 14 – Wamel to Gorinchem 62km

Today started with crossing another bridge, this time across the IJssel, heading south towards Nijmegen. It was a beautiful sunny day, still cold first thing, but not too windy, although what there was still wasn’t behind me. Tomorrow looks like only the third day when I’ll have a tailwind ! The ride was mainly on … More Day 13 – Arnhem – Wamel 82km

If you’ve no interest in military history, you may find a lot of this post a bit boring but I didn’t feel I could pass through Arnhem without spending some time reflecting on one of WW2 s most audacious and some would argue heroic failures. Anyone who has seen the film “A bridge too far”, … More Day 12 – Arnhem to Arnhem 50km

After a great night’s sleep, fantastic buffet breakfast and a not too unreasonable hotel bill, I set off quite late, from Bronkhorst. The first surprise awaited me just around the corner. The road disappeared. I could see where it started again, the other side of the river. Fortunately there was a cable ferry to get … More Day 11 – Bronkhorst- Arnhem 37km

Not too many pictures from today’s ride. It was a killer day, although short the wind was gusting to 30-35mph, so it was head down and grind the granny gears. Still a good mix of urban and country, but much more populated than the North The real highlight of the day came at the end. … More Day 10 – Boekelo to Bronkhorst 71km

I’m writing this post in a pub/restaurant, a sign that I’m in the more populated part of the Netherlands. This morning started off at my B&B on a farm. The owner and his wife used to farm chickens, 12000 in all, but when the eldest son said he didn’t want to follow them into the … More Day 9 – Albergen – Boekelo 82km

So I’m going to start this post with a whinge, most unlike me I know ! Last night’s hotel was stylish, upmarket and very comfortable. However it was a case of style over substance, beautifully designed rooms, lovely walk in double shower with waterfall heads, but nowhere in the room to hang towels. Lovely Designer … More Day 8 – Coeverden to Albergen 85km

Early ish breakfast and hit the road, as last check in at the hotel tonight was 1700 and I didn’t want to risk missing it. Vries was like a ghost town when I left at 8.30. Todays ride took me mainly through woodland , at least until lunch. After a couple of hours I decided … More Day 7 – Vries to Coeverden- 92km

I can’t praise the hotel I stayed in enough last night, the owner was super helpful, gave me a free upgrade to a better room and delivered me a fantastic breakfast this morning on my pre reserved table literally right outside my door. Not only that, but he also brought along a bag and told … More Day 6 Moddergat – Vries 87km

A pretty uneventful day, and shorter than I would have liked, but dictated by availability of accommodation. Finding somewhere to stay has been an issue this week ( turns out it’s a traditional holiday week for the Dutch). Following on from yesterday’s theme of poor camouflage, I spotted this as I left the very pretty … More Day 5 – Berlikum to Moddergat 72km

An early start today, this time not to catch a ferry, but a bus ! 30km ride to Den Oever where I needed to get a bus across the Afsluitdijk. Not too inspiring a ride, but I did pass my first windmill up close. Despite a short unexpected detour, I managed to make the 0930 … More Day 4 – Den Helder to Berlikum 70km

Staying two nights in Den Helder, so I can get over to Texel Island, the largest of the Wadden Island group. As in the previous three days, today’s journey started with a ferry. This one was a bit posher than I expected for a 20 min trip. Texel itself was lovely and all the better … More Day 3 – Day trip Texel Island -45km

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 … More Day 2 – 79km IJmuiden to Den Helder

The day started off with a beautiful view again. I would have missed it if I’d got up at the right time for breakfast, but as I got the time wrong I was up an hour early ! Breakfast was your typical greasy spoon or continental, as I paid for the full buffet experience I … More Day 1 Rotterdam to IJmuiden 87km

Bed for the night has a great view of either the front or back of the ship, or is it fore and aft and boat, you can tell I don’t do this often !

Quick dinner before getting on the ferry not sure the choice of beverage was the most appropriate I’m not the best sailor in the world so hoping that a very unhealthy Steak Pie and mashed potatoes washed down with beer, will help calm any issues. Otherwise

So tomorrow evening, I set sail for the Netherlands. Spent most of the day packing, and repacking. Think I’ve finally got myself sorted. I’ve 17 days there and no detailed plan beyond the first couple of days. I’ll probably head up the long distance North Sea route, then pick up the Saxon trail which takes … More All packed !