My first tour! 15 years old

[Alex11]

Been trying to blag my way to a cycle tour so much lately, I think it has paid off. Basically, my Mum loves cycling but isn't a long distance cyclist and wouldn't consider doing it. I'm too young to just go on my own with friends. I'm half Dutch and we have a lot of relatives over there who obviously!! love cycling. There is one particular family who do cycle tours around the Netherlands almost every holiday of the year, camping, with loads of gear on the back of the bikes. There is the Mother, Father, a Daughter, and then the son who is just a few months younger than me. :-) My Mum is very close friends with them and she has managed to get me onto a tour with them next summer! She was saying how I'd love to do one and she offered, which was extremely kind, so I'm really excited! :-)

Planning on getting the Eurostar (cheap because I'm a youngster) with my Triban 3 in a bike bag over to the Netherlands and then they will pick me up and they'll sort me out with sleeping gear and some bags. I've got a rack for the Triban.

Cannot wait! So excited!

 

[steveindenmark]

Sounds great Alex.

We went on a cycle tour in Holland a couple of years ago, near to Edam. We were surprised to find it that it was not as flat as we thought

We had a great time. Don`t forget your camera.

Steve

 

[Alex11]

Looks good Steve. Depends where you go in the Netherlands. There is an area in the west which is actually quite hilly!

 

[avalon]

It should be a great experience for you and one that will stay with you for the rest of your life.My dad took my brother and me on my first cycle tour when I was 15. It was probably one of the best holidays I have ever had.

 

[Alex11]

I think maybe it is good to have my first one in the Netherlands as it'll ease me into cycle touring as everything is flat and cycling is very easy there.

 

[rich p]

Nice one Alex. You'll be one up on many cyclists on the forum who have never toured at the age of 15. Good luck.

 

[Teuchter]

Nice one Alex, good to hear that the younger generation isn't a total loss! One of my step-sons is 15 and he ranks the idea of getting on a bike as only slightly more appealling than poking pencils in his eyes.

Bloody hell I feel old now.

 

[Crackle]

Good luck Alex and enjoy. My two lads, a bit younger than you now, have done a couple of small tours now, the last one I wrote up in the family cycling section. If you're anything like them, you'll love the whole experience.

 

[Alex11]

Nice one Alex, good to hear that the younger generation isn't a total loss! One of my step-sons is 15 and he ranks the idea of getting on a bike as only slightly more appealling than poking pencils in his eyes.

Bloody hell I feel old now.

God I'm looking forward to it, I know a few bits of Dutch but need to start learning a bit harder now!

 

[Alex11]

How far in advance can you book a Eurostar ticket?

 

[BigonaBianchi]

Very cool! This reminds me of when I rode to Paris at age 16..I think you will have so much fun!

 

[Alex11]

To answer my own question, I've found out it is 4 months in advance. As soon as the tickets come onto the web to Rotterdam, I'll book!

 

[Alex11]

Another update : We're probably going to be 4 days touring :-)

My sisters GF and I get on very very well, he is 20 so able to get campsites etc. We've been planning to do a cycle tour from here in Wiltshire to Falmouth in Cornwall via a coastal route in late June/Early July after my GCSEs! that will be before the Dutch trip.

 

[TheDoctor]

To answer my own question, I've found out it is 4 months in advance. As soon as the tickets come onto the web to Rotterdam, I'll book!

It's 4 months ahead for Eurostar, but 3 months ahead for other European trains, such as Thalys. Having said that, there are InterCity trains from Brussels to the Netherlands, which you don't need to book in advance.
Seat61.com has all the info.
Sounds great - bet you're looking forward to it!!

 

[RWright]

Sounds like it will be a great trip. Better get those legs in shape.