A day in Amsterdam

[Julia9054]

I am spending a day in Amsterdam at the end of October and my first thought is to hire a bike and experience the bicycle culture first hand. I'm looking for tips on the best place to hire bikes from, do they supply locks or should I take one and where to go and what to see whilst I am there.
Thanks
Julia

 

[derrick]

Can't help on the bike hire, but you need to get out of Amsterdam and head of down the canals.

 

[Koga]

I don't think it is worth it for just one day. It is (was?) notorious for stolen bikes and navigation may also be a challenge.

 

[nicholas]

It seems like a good idea but tourists and traffic always get in the way use the trams clean ontime and regular

 

[snorri]

Discount Bike Rental is a quirky little shop in a back street which will offer you a traditional Dutch bike or a conventional (to uk eyes) model. Locks are included in the rental charge as is a stiff lecture on cycle security in Amsterdam!
http://www.iamsterdam.com/en-GB/Ndtrc/Discount Bike Rental
Make sure you have a map before starting out, I find Amsterdam notoriously difficult to navigate around due to the central area being built to a radial rather than grid pattern.
As a cycling experience, it can be fun to go to the Centraal Station and get involved in the cycle traffic crossing on the (free)ferry to North Amsterdam. It is perhaps just my view, but I think there are better cities than Amsterdam to see the cycling culture, but it's fun anyway.
Here's a taster for you
http://www.terena.org/webcam/
Perhaps you could arrange a time and wave to a friend back home?

 

[Glow worm]

Not sure about bike hire, but you could do worse than a circuit of the Vodelpark. On a sunny day, it's a really lovely ride and right on the edge of the centre. A little further out, toward the south west, is Amsterdam Bos. I entered the city via this large park and series of nature reserves on my way from the Hook and it is really stunning - a brilliant off road way of reaching Amsterdam (not that riding on the roads over there is ever a problem of course!).

 

[sheddy]

See it from the water. Get a one day ticket for the Canal Bus. Hop off and on as you please.
http://www.iamsterdam.com/en-GB/Ndtrc/Canal Bus Hop on Hop off day ticket

 

[Koga]

[QUOTE 2709594, member: 45"]It's worth hiring a bike even for a couple of hours. Proper Dutch bikes are a very different experience -sit upright, back-pedal brake- and a great way of just pootling around. I agree that Vondelpark is a nice place to ride around, but the city experience is something that you can't miss.[/quote]
Just keep reminding yourself to use the back brake and don't forget when you really need it, which is ironically when you will be most likely to forget .....

 

[Koga]

[QUOTE 2709799, member: 45"]The only issue I get with them is not having as much control over where the pedal is when I'm pulling away.[/quote]
Yes you have to get used to them. I like the gearing on them, just right for city traffic, but slightly heavy to get started.

 

[JC4LAB]

http://www.mikesbiketoursamsterdam.com/
Used these guys when there..went on one of their Guided rides...although I had my own bike(My main bike is a folder)Used em also in Munich.. They alsoo rent out....Everyone in Amsterdam appears to have a chain the thickness of a ship achor chain which says it s all...Finding your bike again in a mass of others can take a bit of time..

 

[slowmotion]

Get a good map of the central (main canal) area and study it beforehand. Then you just navigate by the radial ( main) canals and the minor ones that join them at right angles. The central area is really compact and you are really unlikely to get hopelessly lost. Nearly all the locals speak English and are quite friendly. Have fun.

 

[CopperBrompton]

As you'll likely arrive at Central Station, the easiest (though not cheapest) place to rent from is right outside the station. But there are plenty of others - just google for them once you know where you'll be. Cycling in Amsterdam is definitely something that has to be experienced, but I'd echo the suggestions to get out of town a little if you have time. The rental bicycles are not the highest-spec bikes around, but everywhere is flat and cycling there is a joy.

 

[Julia9054]

Thank you for all your replies, everyone. Never been before and I'm really looking forward to it.

 

[nicholas]

you will love it what ever your into me museums and culture only kidding try barnies breakfast café

 

[slowmotion]

The locals ride at a brisk, but not fast pace. If you are on a local bike without your customary gears, you may find that some of the humpback bridges over the canals are a bit of a surprise, but it's all fun learning about it. A really wonderful city to visit.