Hi Rich, hows it going?
After reading through this post in Germany, I decided to head back to the UK through Holland and see the Afsluitdijk for myself (the wrong way!). Well I wanted to be able to answer your Q properly!
I came in from Germany in the NE of Holland, and went to Groningen and Leuwarden in the North. Groningen is a fantastic place. Maybe I just think that because it is a University town and therefore full of pretty girls on bicycles! But bicycles rule here, the roads around town are just full of them and the few cars are forced to go at bicycle speed, brilliant. Leuwarden was smaller, had fantastic cycle routes, and, for some reason, the most learner drivers ever. Nothing much here. I also went up to the north coast, which was pretty remote and typically dutch - flat, wind turbines, cows and sheep.
Then the Afsluitdijk. I went through Zurich which is tiny, but I noticed at least one hotel, think it was called De Steenan Man or something, looked ok. The Afsluitdijk itself was ok, like others have said just a very long, straight path. But most of the time while you are riding you are between the road and a flood defence so its not like you feel you are riding across the sea. Its a novelty but not amazing. Had a few people toot their horns (I think in support) and when I got to Alkmaar the next day a woman came up to me and said she saw me riding across it, so it might make you a minor celebrity. I obviously went south across it, but didn't have any issues with the wind, maybe I was lucky but I never had any problems with it in Holland.
Now for the best bit of cycling I did in Holland - the west coast. It is brilliant, not like the rest of Holland at all. Its dunes country and you actually get some small 'hills' despite being so near the sea. I followed LF1 down the coast and would highly recommend it. All cycle paths and through some spectacular scenery. Definately the best bit of the country that I saw.
I also dipped inland to Alkmaar and Amsterdam, and then went down through Den Haag and Rotterdam. Not much to see in the last two, but if you do find yourself down there, try and take in Delft, its the best town down there.
So, my suggestion would be to DEFINATELY try and work the west coast into your route (LF1) but I would also suggest going somewhere else to get a taste of the 'real' Holland too
Hope this helps
I'll probably put something on CGOAB when I get the chance too with pics etc
Chris
After reading through this post in Germany, I decided to head back to the UK through Holland and see the Afsluitdijk for myself (the wrong way!). Well I wanted to be able to answer your Q properly!
I came in from Germany in the NE of Holland, and went to Groningen and Leuwarden in the North. Groningen is a fantastic place. Maybe I just think that because it is a University town and therefore full of pretty girls on bicycles! But bicycles rule here, the roads around town are just full of them and the few cars are forced to go at bicycle speed, brilliant. Leuwarden was smaller, had fantastic cycle routes, and, for some reason, the most learner drivers ever. Nothing much here. I also went up to the north coast, which was pretty remote and typically dutch - flat, wind turbines, cows and sheep.
Then the Afsluitdijk. I went through Zurich which is tiny, but I noticed at least one hotel, think it was called De Steenan Man or something, looked ok. The Afsluitdijk itself was ok, like others have said just a very long, straight path. But most of the time while you are riding you are between the road and a flood defence so its not like you feel you are riding across the sea. Its a novelty but not amazing. Had a few people toot their horns (I think in support) and when I got to Alkmaar the next day a woman came up to me and said she saw me riding across it, so it might make you a minor celebrity. I obviously went south across it, but didn't have any issues with the wind, maybe I was lucky but I never had any problems with it in Holland.
Now for the best bit of cycling I did in Holland - the west coast. It is brilliant, not like the rest of Holland at all. Its dunes country and you actually get some small 'hills' despite being so near the sea. I followed LF1 down the coast and would highly recommend it. All cycle paths and through some spectacular scenery. Definately the best bit of the country that I saw.
I also dipped inland to Alkmaar and Amsterdam, and then went down through Den Haag and Rotterdam. Not much to see in the last two, but if you do find yourself down there, try and take in Delft, its the best town down there.
So, my suggestion would be to DEFINATELY try and work the west coast into your route (LF1) but I would also suggest going somewhere else to get a taste of the 'real' Holland too
Hope this helps
I'll probably put something on CGOAB when I get the chance too with pics etc
Chris
