Dutch Trip 11 May – 15th May 2006 Trip organised by Bob Sorley Report by Dorothy Craw / Photos by Rob Wood

The Thursday ferry from North Shields to IJmuiden saw the 12 of us cyclists plus a wheel-less traveller board on a warm and balmy evening. Myra, Dorothy and Jayne shared a cabin and the men were split between 3 other cabins all in the bowels of the King of Scandinavia.

It was very calm and we all took advantage of the delicious buffet and later the cabaret entertainment until the small hours

Docking at 8am we were soon cycling off eastwards, getting our first taste of Dutch cycleways. Crossing the Noordzeekanaal by ferry we continued, in bright sunshine, northeast to the open air museum of Zaanse Schans for lunch.This village was created as a monument to 17th century village life and people live and work there as clog makers, in the cheese factory,  in the pewter shop or the windmills (oil, mustard, power generating). It was a fascinating piece of living history. The cycling was easy, the sunshine glorious and the company delightful but Paul was unhappy with his saddle…. We continued via Edam to Volendam on the IJmeer lake (formerly the Zuider Zee) where we caught a ferry to Marken, an island (ex fishing , now touristy) community still little changed despite the causeway which links it to the mainland. Coffee and icecream stop. And a puncture.

All aboard the ferry

Time for food

Along the causeway we headed south on the cycleway on a dyke  passing through swarms of flies (yum yum) or easing past the occasional roller blader, and skirting beautiful peaceful villages with people unwinding at the end of a busy week with a glass of wine overlooking the lake. Pity we had no time to join them. Bob’s doubts about finding his way through Amsterdam were unfounded due to the helpful locals and we arrived at the YH by Vondelpark at 6.30 for a 3 course meal after 46 miles. It was still incredibly warm and the park was crowded with elegantly dressed cyclists, picnickers, family outings and groups of friends  lazing around. Some of us went exploring: pubs, music venues and I really loved the relaxed atmosphere of the place. Saturday some of us went to visit the tulip fields at Keukenhof park, others visited the musems,others explored the city streets or biked to Haarlem and Paul bought a new saddle…… Some of us experienced the nightlife and typical pubs of central Amsterdam – brown cafes – and. ‘t Dokterje was full of character.

On a clear dry Sunday we cycled right through the centre of A’dam to the station (multi storey cycle parking!) and onto the cycleway which took us to the quaint town of Haarlem,where we stopped off for coffee in the main square. At times my learned cycling behaviour was challenged when, for instance, at a roundabout I had right of way and cars were actually waiting for me! Car drivers really respect cyclists here especially if you’re wearing a helmet and so obviously a foreigner. Continuing across to the North Sea Cycle Route at Zandvoort we had a great selection  of seafood to choose from a stall for a quick snack before we headed northwards through a beautiful wooded national park back to sunny Ijmuiden and the ferry. Back in North Shields in the pouring rain at 9am Monday. It seems that Paul’s saddle worked! Bob had planned a great route and it  was a wonderful taster for more cycling in Holland.

Bob takes time to relax.

A wet Home coming again to Tyneside !!

Back to reality - North Shields !!

Bob has said he will oganise another ride next year if you are interested.