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A Cycling Tour through Netherlands and Belgium

October 29, 2024 | James Lin

The majority of the routes on the tour consisted of paved roads surrounded by greenery, like this

Cycling is a great way to get in shape, improve one’s mental health, and reduce one’s carbon footprint. Ever wonder what it is like to go cycling in two of the world’s most bicycle-friendly countries? Well, I recently went on a bicycle tour through the Netherlands and Belgium in September. This is the story with pictures.

Getting the Wheels in Motion

For starters, I own a folding Brompton bicycle, am a member of several cycling clubs, and bike about five times a week, both to/from work and recreationally.

How events unfolded

Ottawa, where I live, is one of the more bicycle-friendly cities in Canada, as is neighbouring Gatineau, and I regularly explore both cities on two wheels. I do it because it is good for my physical health and for the environment, puts me in a good mood, helps me connect with nature, and cycling is just plain fun!

It was only natural that when a chance arose to join a bike tour in Europe, I did not require much convincing to get into gear, and the fact that it took place in some of the world’s cycling capitals only helped grease the chain.

My family and I, including Impact Net Zero founder Charles, joined a cycling tour organized by a company named Backroads, who was not involved in the writing of this article (so just to be clear, I am not their “spokes”-person). The tour lasted six days, including five nights, and took us through the cities of Amsterdam and The Hague in the Netherlands, and Bruges in Belgium.

The author (right) with his father, Impact Net Zero founder Charles

The Bike Tour

Each day was divided into a morning ride and an afternoon ride. Bicycles were provided as part of the tour, and each one was outfitted with a GPS outlining the day’s route, allowing riders to ride apart from the rest of the group and from the tour leaders, if desired, without getting lost.

Day 1 (53 km)

We met up with the tour leaders and the other participants at a Starbucks in Amsterdam. Not counting the leaders, there were 14 participants. We were shuttled to Edam (yes, like the cheese), where we received an orientation, including a description of the day’s itinerary, how to use the GPS, and rest stop locations. We got on our assigned bicycles, and then we were off.

The majority of routes on the tour consisted of bike paths surrounded by greenery, like this one

Along the way there were ample opportunities to stop for picture-taking, such as when passing by the many iconic Dutch windmills, which move water to help keep the country dry despite being below sea level.

No Don Quixote in sight, fortunately (or unfortunately?)

In addition to the segregated bike paths, we also passed through many residential neighbourhoods.

Shhh! Hard to convey in a picture how quiet these neighbourhoods are.

And are ewe kidding me?

We ended the day on the outskirts of Amsterdam after a day of cycling. Despite the exertion I was not too tired, although my bicycle was certainly two-tired.

Stuff I Learned #1: I got to interact with the other participants while cycling, at rest stops, and at the dinner table in the evening. By the end of Day 1, I realized that cycling enthusiasts do not require much coaxing in order to get along, especially since the people who join this tour really enjoy cycling and the outdoors.

Day 2 (73 km)

On our second day we biked from the province of North Holland to South Holland.

Stuff I Learned #2: While the name Holland is sometimes used interchangeably with Netherlands in English, Holland refers in fact to the two aforementioned provinces located within the country of Netherlands.

Another path surrounded by greenery

Sand dunes

This day was notable because we passed by some wildlife up close, which largely ignored us (and that is a good thing).

Ever seen wild horses before? Yay or neigh?

Don’t honk at these bovines, their horns are bigger

And no trip to the Netherlands would be complete without passing by some iconic flower fields!

How flourishing!

We ended the day in The Hague, home to the International Court of Justice. Also home to a statue of the ill-fated 17th century statesman Johan de Witt (look him up).

Day 3 (85 km)

We started our third day in the town of Kinderdijk in South Holland, famous for its many windmills, and cycled to Gouda.

Stuff I Learned #3: Gouda is pronounced HOW-da, as in “How da ya say that cheese’s name?”.

Windmills…

Cheese…

And swans!

This proved to be the most challenging (but also most rewarding) ride of the tour because it started raining heavily soon after we set off for the afternoon ride. And it was a long ride too, and at times it felt like I was spinning my wheels (which I technically was). Coupled with a brief but muddy slosh through a forest trail, we returned to The Hague that evening with a layer of dirt and a renewed sense of purpose.

Day 4 (47 km)

This was our “rest” day where we cycled a shorter distance. We started cycling in the town of Vlissingen in the province of Zeeland.

Follow the leader

We crossed the border into Belgium, marked by a couple of posts on the road, where the tour leader held a small “Welcome to Belgium!” ceremony.

Stuff I Learned/Experienced #4: This was my first time crossing an international border on a bicycle!

Papers please!

Like Netherlands, Belgium also has its share of waterways.

Time for reflection…

Like Colin Farrell we ended up In Bruges. This was one of the shorter rides of the tour, at 47 km. Why is that, you ask? Well…

Day 5 (104 km)

This day’s ride was the longest one of the tour. From Bruges we did a looping tour of Flanders.

Cycling among the trees

We broke for lunch in the city of Diksmuide, overlooking the iconic Flanders Fields.

Stuff I Learned/Noticed #5: As a Canadian, I remarked the absence of a particular crimson flora (which were out of season).

In Flanders Fields in September, the green grass blows

We also experienced the emblematic European cobblestones on our bicycles.

It was very bumpy; I can see why angry riders fly off the handle

We had a tailwind for most of the afternoon, which, coupled with nice weather, made for a pleasant ride. Despite being the longest section of the entire tour at 60 km, it was one of the easier ones.

Cycling along the canal

As a former competitive rower, I had to “let it run” and take this picture

We ended back in Bruges, and this would turn out to be the last ride of the tour.

Day 6

There was an optional short ride on the final day of the tour (technically all rides on the tour were optional). I did not do it, deciding to switch gears and go for a walk (imagine that) around Bruges.

Thoughts

While I cycle regularly and am reasonably fit, I had never, ever cycled so much in such a short period. In a normal given week, I may do 40 to 50 km. On this tour I cycled 362 km in five days. This was a good exercise in learning what I am capable of.

After the tour I developed an increased interest in cycling, and after some research decided to buy a second bicycle, this time a road bike.

A Giant Defy Advanced 2, for you gearheads

Through my research I am now also able to discuss things like group sets and tire clearance. The Brompton will remain my commuter bike, and the Giant will be my “for fun” bike.

Is Cycling for You?

This is a hobby that has something for everyone. Even if one has not ridden a bicycle in a long time, it is never too late to start again as it is not a skill one forgets. It is like, um, I can’t think of the right analogy.

If cycling is one of those “always wanted to but never got around” activities for you, then hopefully this article encouraged you to give it a turn.

Ending Joke

What’s the difference between a well-dressed man on a bicycle and a poorly-dressed man on a unicycle? Attire.

James Lin

James is the son of INZ founder Charles. He has a PhD in economics from the University of Alberta.

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3 Comments

  1. roy friedland on October 30, 2024 at 8:50 pm

    James,
    Thanks for this! I loved the pics, and learned even more about the trip I journeyed with you. What a great time! Enjoy your new back. Just looking at that seat makes my butt hurt. Please give my best to Mom, Dad, and Sis.
    All the best,
    Roy

    • James Lin on October 30, 2024 at 9:29 pm

      Thanks Roy! The new bike is surprisingly comfortable. I am now a carbon fibre convert.

  2. roy friedland on October 30, 2024 at 8:51 pm

    Your new bike! Hope you will never need a new back. ✌🏼

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