Ronde van Nederlands

[xilios]

[Goes straight to google maps to see]

I have 10 days to do the 750 miles.

Seems more of a race than tour. We've cycled some LF routes and they mostly go through very small villages and hamlets and designed to be riden slowly and enjoyed.
Have you thought about taking a train through some flat and boring parts of the north and visiting more of Limburg in the south.
Anyway you choose I hope you have a nice tour enjoy Holland.
cheers

 

[ComedyPilot]

Seems more of a race than tour.................Anyway you choose I hope you have a nice tour enjoy Holland.
cheers

Unfortunately the length of 750 miles is set by the route, I can't change that.

The length of time I have to do it is set by Mrs CP, and I CAN'T change that!!!

 

[xilios]

The length of time I have to do it is set by Mrs CP, and I CAN'T change that!!!

Roger that

 

[chris__P]

The LF routes take you quite a scenic route (i.e. not the most direct way) but are generally well signposted and enjoyable. I say generally because I did lose track of them from time to time. If you find yourself behind schedule, you can always save time by following direct main roads (almost every road has a cycle path next to it) although not as scenic. Of course Holland is very flat so you should be able to do it in the time if you don't mind putting the hours in. Best part is definitely the west coast

 

[Haitch]

Unfortunately the length of 750 miles is set by the route, I can't change that.

CP, you can change the route any time you want to. You are not obliged to follow someone else's suggestion.

If I remember correctly most of the route along the coast from Harlingen to Lauwersoog for example is a single strip of tarmac through fields. Every couple of hundred metres there is a gate from one field to the next and you have to stop and open it. Depending on the season, sheep will be grazing in the fields and lying on the tarmac. All very pretty and jolly (apart from the sheep droppings) but it would be very difficult to travel at speed along this stretch (the same might apply to other stretches as well).

80 miles a day for 10 days is doable but if you are running short of time, use the other LF routes in the link I gave above to plot a more deadline-friendly route.

 

[Haitch]

The LF routes take you quite a scenic route (i.e. not the most direct way) but are generally well signposted and enjoyable.

The LF routes can sometimes be circuitous, more appropriate for a pleasant day out with ice cream and a picnic. If you have a decent map (avaialble from any VVV tourist information office in Holland), study it in advance and see if you can smooth out the route.

A couple of hundred metres to the left of my house the LF9 turns to the right and takes the unwitting cyclist about 2km through a housing estate before popping out again 50 metres to the right of my house. The extra distance isn't all that great but it will slow you down -- more junctions, short residential streets instead of faster through routes, and the constant need to look for signs (one of which in this case is missing). On some LF routes, these little diversions can really add up.

I hope I don't sound too alarmist, CP, but it might be something you want to consider.

 

[ComedyPilot]

The LF routes can sometimes be circuitous, more appropriate for a pleasant day out with ice cream and a picnic. If you have a decent map (avaialble from any VVV tourist information office in Holland), study it in advance and see if you can smooth out the route.

A couple of hundred metres to the left of my house the LF9 turns to the right and takes the unwitting cyclist about 2km through a housing estate before popping out again 50 metres to the right of my house. The extra distance isn't all that great but it will slow you down -- more junctions, short residential streets instead of faster through routes, and the constant need to look for signs (one of which in this case is missing). On some LF routes, these little diversions can really add up.

I hope I don't sound too alarmist, CP, but it might be something you want to consider.

Thanks for the information Alan, I will take heed. I have seen the route do some 'odd' turns similar to the one you describe, and will shortcut accordingly although I still would like to complete it as a round trip. As a realist, I know that if I have to jump on a train to make up time I will do.

 

[snorri]

As a realist, I know that if I have to jump on a train to make up time I will do.

Seems a pity to rush a cycle tour in The Netherlands, there's lots to see and savour.

 

[ComedyPilot]

Seems a pity to rush a cycle tour in The Netherlands, there's lots to see and savour.

10 days is all I have (this time)

 

[NickC]

Let me know what day you're passing through Eindhoven and I'll be somewhere along the route holding out a hot cup of coffee for you to grab and drink on the move, along with some pix of the countryside (because for sure you won't have time to stop or take a look round, the distance you'll need to be covering per day).

 

[ComedyPilot]

• LF1 de vuurtoren van Noordwijk (kaart traject 21)
• LF10 dijkhoogtemarkeringsstenen op plaats waar Slachtedijk bij zeedijk komt (kaart traject 29)
• LF14 hunebed ten zuiden van Drouwen (kaart traject 35)
• LF4 de Bommelas in het Buurserzand (kaart traject 42)
• LF3 bij het veer Vierlingsbeek - Bergen (kaart traject 4)
• LF13 het wachthuisje naast de grenspaal bij Horendonk (kaart traject 12)

During the ride the Dutch cycle club who maintain the route set challenges for people doing the tour of the Netherlands. Just take a photo next to the objects listed above. Email the pics in and you get a t shirt.

Thanks to Google streetview I have found them all, and made a note on a sticky and put it in my map for when I do the ride.

Thanks to babelfish I have a bit of an idea what they want!!!

 

[ComedyPilot]

Let me know what day you're passing through Eindhoven and I'll be somewhere along the route holding out a hot cup of coffee for you to grab and drink on the move, along with some pix of the countryside (because for sure you won't have time to stop or take a look round, the distance you'll need to be covering per day).

Cheeky!!

I will post on here when/if I find any internet cafes, so people are more than welcome to meet me for a brew.

 

[Haitch]

Good luck, CP. The terrain's not that demanding and as long as you enjoy being in the saddle you'll be fine (weather permitting). Just take the LF routes at their pace not at yours (which might be faster).

 

[ComedyPilot]

Good luck, CP. The terrain's not that demanding and as long as you enjoy being in the saddle you'll be fine (weather permitting). Just take the LF routes at their pace not at yours (which might be faster).

That's what I'm going for, the ride.

I am well accustomed to 10 hour days in the saddle, so my mileage is not going to be a problem.

I appreciate what people have said about it being a race, however the route is something I would like to do, but I DO NOT* have any more time available than 10 days.

* (courtesy Mrs CP)

 

[Haitch]

I appreciate what people have said about it being a race

80 miles in ten hours is 8 mph average, hardly a race. You've got bags of time, more than enough to enjoy the countryside. Have fun.