Spokes and Lycra: :Lia's cycling adventures around the Netherlands
Day 1, 19 July 2011: From Heeze to Kaatsheuvel
One would have thought that I would have had enough of cycling after doing the 2000km cycling journey from Amsterdam to Budapest but not so. Holland is the best country for cycling in the world, the roads are very good and there are cycle paths everywhere!!!! Further, it is flat so there are no hills to tackle which is great but … we must never underestimate the wind factor! When the wind blows, and that is almost always in Holland, you rather wish it is pushing you in the back. If the wind is facing you and blowing strong you can compare it with climbing a fair size hill or even a mountain!
I have always had a love for cycling and was therefore determined to make the most of the opportunity whilst I can and so when Graeme left this morning for his work in Kyrgyzstan, I hooked the panniers back on the bike and left for a approx 3 week trip around Holland. We had been staying with my oldest brother and his wife in Heeze, Brabant which is located in the south of Holland for a week. Oh, I must tell you that whilst there we made a fabulous day cycle trip into Belgium and surrounding areas and we made a car trip to Brugge, both were fabulous outings. It was great to see a bit of Belgium and ghee, Brugge is a very interesting city!
Oh yes, I was telling you about leaving Heeze this morning (it was a bit difficult to say goodbye to Graeme as we have had such lovely weeks together). I have a book full of cycle paths all over Holland so you are able to plan a trip using various points or intersections leading you along cycle paths or country roads safely to which ever destination you want to go to and really, you can't go wrong (says I who has no sense of direction). With some guidance and assistance from Graeme I had done some forward planning and dotted down all the point/intersection numbers I would find along the way, so well prepared I set out this morning. And, I am happy to report that all went well, not once did I get lost!!!!! I must have cycled approx 60-65 km today and enjoyed every moment of it. Holland may be very small but each province appears to be different and so is the province of Brabant. Old farms with thatched roofs and the people speak with a soft melodious lilt. I cycled through farm landscapes, forested areas, some heath and dune type planes and small sleepy type villages, that is the beauty of these cycle maps, it avoids the busy roads and cities where possible unless of course you wish to travel through the cities. I met a number of groups of older cyclist along the way on a day outing. One group was made up of four older man (retirees) all wearing a red caps. At the time I was making a picture of a landscape through a man made picture frame which had been placed in the middle of a field. One of the men suggested I stand behind the picture frame and he would take a photo of me and so it happened. I asked if they belonged to a Man's red cap club but apparently they are a group of friends who cycle every week on a Tuesday.
I enjoyed my lunch sitting on a bench next to a canal and saw the bridge pulled up to let some leisure boats through. I enjoyed the ride today and was pleased that the rain which was forecast did not bring to much water. What daunted me a bit was sitting in a restaurant this evening and eating a meal on my own but I was determined not to let it bother me too much and I enjoyed my meal of pasta. After diner I went to my Friends of the bikes accommodation address where I now sit freshly showered on the bed writing this blog. Friends of cyclist is an organisation of which you can become a member and for a small fee you receive bed and breakfast in private people's homes. Tonight I am staying with a lady who enjoys long distance walking or cycling herself and she now enjoys being a host to people who enjoy the same. It is a cheaper way to travel and a wonderful way to meet local people.
Sorry folks, I am too tired to write more tonight.
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