Since my Cross Country bicycle tour in 2008 I have wanted to do another tour. Europe was an attractive idea because of it’s bicycle friendly culture. I was drawn to Holland since two of my cross country bicycle tour friends were from Holland. I had hoped to meet with them but because of a previously scheduled tour in Italy, they were not available.
I suggested the idea of a bike and barge tour to my wife, and my brother and his wife and got the interest and go ahead signal. I started researching options and found a “Southern Holland Relax tour” by Cycle tours that sounded interesting. The ride distances ranged from 20miles to near 30. There was the option to stay on the barge if you preferred to take a day off. That sounded good to Pat and Wendy. My cousin from Indiana and his wife also joined us. The June 4 email in the next post summarizes our trip.
Following the bike and barge tour after three days with my wife and brother and his wife in Amsterdam, I stayed an additional week for a self directed tour of Northern Holland. I document my experience in a series of daily accounts.
In preparing for this self directed tour I purchased a book on touring Holland By Bicycle. The book was very helpful in providing information on suggested routes. I also joined a bicycle touring club "Vrienden Op de Fiets", means friends of bicyclist. With this membership I recieved a membership card and a catalog listing of contact information and addresses for Dutch residents that provided bed and breakfast accommodation for bicyclist. I used this resource on my tour to reserve a place to stay overnight, usually calling ahead each night for the next night.
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