Biking the Netherlands 2012
How did we create this picture? It was 4 separate photos combined into one on the computer.
Our cozy hotel in Amsterdam.
The typical housing of Amsterdam and other Dutch cities with houseboats along the canals.
The unique housing is iconic as seen in these pins sold at a local market.
The Dutch are much more open about sex. Quite the variety don't you think!
My camera couldn't help but snap this picture as we were walking to the train station in Amsterdam.
I believe Julie could walk on water with those wooden shoes.
The night before our six-day biking trip. We're ready to go.
The Tulip Bicycle company picked us up at our hotel in Amsterdam, drove us to Haarlem, and gave us our bikes, maps, and GPS. So we started biking from Haarlem, not Amsterdam as the map shows. The first day we biked to Leiden, traveling along the North Sea coast through the sandhills.
Just as we were about to begin we had our first rain shower so we slipped into the train station for a coffee break.
Stopping for a brief break while traveling through the hilly and windy sandhills on our way to Leiden.
Haarlem to LeidenJulie MartensNetherlands 2012BikingNetherlands
Palm trees along the North Sea! This local oasis was doing no business on this cold, rainy morning.
Out of the sandhills Julie was speeding toward Leiden.
Julie MartensNetherlands 2012Utrecht to AmersfoortBikingNetherlands
I'm checking the printed maps that our under plastic on the front of my bike to see where Julie is taking me.
For each day we would have 3-4 maps that showed us the route we were traveling. Here it shows our route coming into Gouda, where we stayed overnight, and then the route leaving Gouda.
But the essential navigation tool was this GPS which provided far more precise information on the route to follow.
Here's Julie getting the GPS ready to mount on her bike as we begin the day's ride.
Sometimes it seemed that Julie's GPS said to go one way and my map said to go the other way. Julie was always right!
Julie MartensNetherlands 2012Utrecht to AmersfoortBikingNetherlands
Each day was an adventure bringing us to new places and beautiful scenery.
Amersfoort to OtterloJulie MartensNetherlands 2012BikingNetherlands
Stopping to take a photo.
And here she comes.
Julie MartensNetherlands 2012Utrecht to AmersfoortBikingNetherlands
A self-portrait as we passed through the tulip fields. In the panniers I carried my camera gear and had my tripod strapped onto the back.
Haarlem to LeidenJulie MartensNetherlands 2012RainerTulip fieldsBikingNetherlands
Another rememberable scene.
When there wasn't a dedicated bike path separate from a road, the road would have a bike path marked like this. As we traveled we would always look for the red path.
We stopped often to view the sights along the way.
Julie MartensLeiden to GoudaNetherlands 2012SheepBikingNetherlands
And to refresh ourselves.
Julie MartensLeiden to GoudaNetherlands 2012BikingNetherlands
One of the nice pubs where we had lunch.
We especially liked traveling through this section of Holland.
Ducks, geese, swans, and as shown here coots are plentiful. Here's a mother with her 3 young chicks on the nest.
We're biking along one day and suddenly come to this spot. Julie's GPS and my map show we cross over the canal, but there is no bridge. Suddenly from across the river this small ferry appears to transport us to the other side.
Julie MartensLeiden to GoudaNetherlands 2012SheepBikingNetherlands
Boarding. Now this is service accommodating bikers. It cost us 1 Euro to cross.
A morning coffee break at this pub.
These fellows were part of a bicycling club and had passed us earlier, but we found them in the pub refreshing themselves.
And back on the road again.
Julie MartensNetherlands 2012Utrecht to AmersfoortBikingNetherlands
I was having to pick up the pace to keep up with Julie.
Netherlands 2012RainerUtrecht to AmersfoortBikingNetherlands
Another photo op. If you haven't seen our attempt at scenic photos of the trip, go to the Netherlands 2012 gallery.
Most traffic signals also had signals specifically for bicycles.
Julie MartensNetherlands 2012Utrecht to AmersfoortBikingNetherlands
Okay, you can go Julie.
Julie MartensNetherlands 2012Utrecht to AmersfoortBikingNetherlands
Some days we would have a picnic lunch. Bread, cheese, meat, and some wine comprised the menu.
Coming into the busy city of Utrecht.
We were always happy when we found our hotel. Julie would check us in and I'd guard the bikes. After unloading the panniers we would park the bike in a secured area, usually indoors.
Typically we would travel about 35 miles a day and arrive at our next hotel about 3-4 pm. Our hotel was always conveniently located so we could walk around the city to see the sights.
Designed to transport 2 children.
You can understand that so much biking and walking required a rest, but I think I'm looking at the wrong thing.
And nothing like a little dessert after an enjoyable day.
And the next morning we're on our way again.
Preparing to take more photos.
Geese are everywhere in the Netherlands.