Cycle trip to the Netherlands April 2007
Report by Ken Davidson      

Organised by Sustrans Ranger Robert Sorley
His support team Ranger Ken Davison middle marker and bringing up the rear Ranger John KirkbrideNumber of cyclists taken part twenty four

Day one - pickup points
[a] Newcastle Quayside [b] The D.F.D.S North Sea Ferry Terminal building, North ShieldsWith all twenty four riders assembled by 4pm at the ferry terminal, Bob would lead them to the passport control cabin.Here the riders would receive their boarding cards [cabin swipe cards] and in no time, we were making our way on board, with the bikes secured, it was time for a quick wash and brush up before meeting on deck 8 and the café area.Here Bob would go over the plans for the following days ride.After a good nights sleep [crossing very smooth] and breakfast on board, it was time for the riders to sort out their panniers and machines, in time to disembark fromThe King of Scandinavia.

Bob had contacted a Dutch cyclist [Hennie] prior to the ride and he was to greet us all on the quay side, after all the bikes and rides were accounted for Bob and Hennie [our guide for the day] would set off in the direction of Dan Haag or as we British call it, The Hague.The route south would take us first through Ijmuiden then a cycle ride through the beautiful villages of  Driehuis – Santpoort – and Bloemendaal before stopping in the village of Overveen [short break here].Leaving Overveen, we continued on the North Sea Cycle Route, this would lead us to our next stop Zandvoort; this sea side resort is very popular with the people of Amsterdam.

Here we would enjoy a break to take in the fantastic views of Zandvoort and sit and relax with an ice cream or cup of coffee.Soon it was time to resume our journey south and with every one accounted for, and the temperature in the high 70s, Hennie would lead the ride through the dunes,After a short ride we would leave this route and soon arrive to the area where the Dutch Tulip fields are, pictures taken and a short stay we were soon heading back south in the direction of The Hague, stopping on the outskirts to have a head count, and with today’s guide leading it was not long before we arrived outside the Hostel [Stayokay Den Haag Hostel] with Bob and the rest of us saying a big thank you to Hennie.

The day ride of 52 miles and the heat were the topic of conversion over diner.                The hostel says open until 1am but most people were ready for an early nightAnd so ended the second day.Day three It was agreed over breakfast that we would all do our own thing for the day. Our guide for the day, Robert, was a Dutch cyclist, who had taken part in my eco trip in 2004, who would meet up with the main body of riders outside the hostel and take the ride of the day to the town of Delft.  With its canals, cathedrals, shops and cafes there was plenty to see and visit.

The temperature by mid morning was steady climbing into the high eighty’sHaving spent the morning looking around the town, it was agreed we head back to the Hostel to freshen up, before returning to our bikes and setting off for the beach.

The beach area was packed but we managed to find a cafe that specialised in fish and chips, so this was to be our lunch stop and give us the opportunity to get out of the heat of the sun.All too soon the time came around to remount our bikes and head back to The Hague, and with Robert leading it was back to the hostel for a shower and change of clothes before assembling in the dining room for our meal.
The day before we had sat outside for our meal, today we would dine indoors as the heat of the day was still in the high 80’s.After the meal most of the group went for a walk around The Hague.

The last day
Having enjoyed our breakfast it was time to sort out the bikes and panniers, and then it was off to see the Parliament Building before taking a slow ride out of The Hague. It is around 41 miles back to Ijmuiden using the North Sea Cycle Route. After about an hours ride we came to an area in the dunes that was taped off - asking a marshal standing near by what was going on, his reply was that up to 8,000 cyclists were to take part in a cycle ride [I found out later that the ride had to be stopped due to the heat of the day].
After a short break it was back on the bikes and on to our lunch stop an hour later, having ridden 18 miles in just over two hours.Riding past Katwiijk it was not long before we arrived in Noordwiijk aan Zee then a stop at a café just out side Zaandvoort to enjoy a coffee, and then back on our machines and heading through the forest section of the North Sea route that would take us into DriehuisWe arrived in Driehuis at 3.15pm - this was going to allow the rider’s time to sit and enjoy a tea break at a small cafe some 1 mile from the Ferry Terminal.
Bob would ride on ahead to check in at the passport office, while John Kirkbride and I would lead the ride back to the Ferry landing,
The night time entertainment on board would keep most of us out of our beds until midnight.Arriving safe and sound back in England well North Shields, we would all say our good byes and go our separate ways home, after a great holiday.

Thanks Bob and John.

Words and pictures by Ken Davison