July 20, 2022
Otterlo to Amsterdam
end of our journey
We left Otterlo in the morning when it was not hot, slightly overcast and a little breeze from the west. Perfect! Too bad its a short ride, but we had decided to take the train to Amsterdam due to the expected heat.
The ride turned out to be really pleasant. As always in Holland, great bike trail but surprising for the microclimates through which we passed. Extremely arid, then lush by turns.
When we had the luggage piled by the door prior to getting the bikes, the receptionist exclaimed "you get all that on two bikes???!!!".
Then quickly out of Otterlo - as it's not big - we started on this concrete pathway with a pile of sand beside. It looked arrow straight.
All of a sudden we are in a forest with tall trees, the temperature seemed to drop a few degrees, and shade was welcome.
A little further and the forest was the Netherlands we thought we knew!
Then bang. Arid and pine trees.
Then we saw what the sand was for. We rode fast through that dust cloud, and I came to realize why you never want to be the last horse in a posse.
We came to the town of Ede, and I think everybody in town had a green thumb. I could not believe the hydranges, and these ....snowballs?
We were exactly 60s late for the train, but there will be another in 30 minutes. See, the stuff fits on the two bikes!
| Heart | 2 | Comment | 2 | Link |
1 year ago
In the Netherlands, Spa is the common mineral water. Spa blau (blue) is non-fizzy, and Spa roud (red) is with gas. Marjory got to sit down with her bike, while I jammed up the entrance/exit doors. But we made it to Amsterdam!
At the train station, there are a few bikes in the parking lot. This is a tri-level bicycle parking lot!
We rode around town before handing our bikes into the De Vakantiefietster shop to be boxed up for our flight. This fountain has two faces (not counting Marjory!), I am not sure why. Janus?
| Heart | 5 | Comment | 2 | Link |
1 year ago
1 year ago
Rooms will be ready in 1/2 hour, so a coffee is ordered! Note the hooks up on top of the facades for hauling stuff up the outside. The tight turns in the staircases make it very difficult to get deliveries upstairs.
We checked in, and delivered the bikes. It was very weird to walk away from them, and head down the street bike-less. We have spent the last 7 weeks worrying about their storage, or sitting on them. All of a sudden, no bikes!
We wandered the streets of Amsterdam absorbing the sights, lots to see and lots of people to watch. You can see restaurants along the canals, people boating in the canals....
...and some people living on the canals. There is one large channel here with occupied houseboats. I bet these were hot places to be yesterday. Hot and humid.
We ventured to the Anne Franck museum, where hordes of people were waiting their turn to enter. If you decide to go here, book online and reserve a time slot.
| Heart | 4 | Comment | 3 | Link |
Your entires about the Netherlands trip were delightful! Tot Ziens!
Karen
8 months ago
The canals and the bridges over them are packed with throngs of tourists, but add to the picturesque views here.
We had dinner along a canal tonight, and reflected on the trip we just took. What a great finish!
This is my last entry to this blog. We certainly learned a lot about bike touring, and about Europe on this tour. Most of all, we learned that we CAN do this, the distance was not a problem, and the bikes are terrific (go Koga!).
Thank you so much for coming along for the ride. See you next time!
Today's ride: 22 km (14 miles)
Total: 1,538 km (955 miles)
| Rate this entry's writing | Heart | 10 |
| Comment on this entry | Comment | 9 |
1 year ago
1 year ago
We enjoyed reading your post and seeing the photo's of the scenery. Where to next???
1 year ago
1 year ago
See you guys soon.
1 year ago