And so it begins
July 2, 2023 in the Netherlands ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C
Two days after we retiring and we are off. After a relatively stress free morning of last minute packing we get to the airport. Easy check in! One nine hour flight stands between us and the rest ofRead more
A blur of a day
July 3, 2023 in the Netherlands ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C
The sun never set and a day was much condensed. Sleep did not come easily on the plane so a bit foggy upon arrival. Manage to set up our bikes and ride through Amsterdam amongst the hordes of cyclist.Read more
A walking tour of Amsterdam
July 4, 2023 in the Netherlands ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C
Late start as forgot to set alarm and slept until 9:00. Regardless managed to get in 12 miles of walking throughout the city. Sun popped in and out and winds dieras the day progressed.
A hurricane?
July 5, 2023 in the Netherlands ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C
Huge rains and winds during the night which continued into the morning. Thought we would stay safe another night but that wasn’t possible. Sheltered in the restaurant and then set out around 2:00.Read more
First real riding day
July 6, 2023 in the Netherlands ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
Beautiful riding through countryside and amongst canals. Many types of animals including llama and Turkey. Lots of navigating - following the number nodes. Make it to nature campground outside ofRead more
Layover in delft
July 7, 2023 in the Netherlands ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C
Beautiful day finally and opt for a day to get organized. Head back to Delft and explore the town.
Onto the Maas route
July 8, 2023 in the Netherlands ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C
Manage to skirt Rotterdam and find our way to first official route - Maas route of EuroVelo 19. 3 river crossings including one self powered. Hot day but no complaints.
Onto Boxtel
July 9, 2023 in the Netherlands ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C
Nice early start only to be delayed by first ferry. Wait it out. Cruise through nature preserve. Lots of birds and wetlands. Very humid. Continue along out Maas Route past old fortresses. Veer off toRead more
Farmlands and away from canals
July 10, 2023 in the Netherlands ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C
Shortish day to get back to the Maas route. Lovely cycling weather. Cycle infrastructure is amazing as we continue to follow the “nodes”. Sort of like connect the dots but with numbers thatRead more
Back to the Maas
July 11, 2023 in the Netherlands ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C
A warm day spent amongst forests and along the river. 3 ferry day.
A rest day of sorts
July 12, 2023 in the Netherlands ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C
Very stormy night and the winds were brutal in the morning. Opted to rest and focus on fixing the noise in my bike. After Doug’s valiant attempt, took it to a bike shop. 15 minutes of magic and itRead more
Goodbye Maas. Hello Belgium
July 13, 2023 in Belgium ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C
A very blustery day but not in our favor. Sun with rain showers seems to be the weather for us. A few more ferries and then we head west into Belgium.
Doug’s Birthday
July 14, 2023 in Belgium ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C
Unable to make it to France to celebrate Bastille Day (and Doug’s birthday) so Belgium had to do. Sunny but windy day and the riding was relatively easy. A few introductions to hills. Nice coffeeRead more
Belgium is not flat
July 15, 2023 in Belgium ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C
Day starts sunny but clouds up quickly. Wind is blowing hard and not in our favor. More riding through fruit orchards and wheat fields. Ride on almost every imaginable surface and then hit someRead more
Leuven
July 16, 2023 in Belgium ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C
Decided to take advantage of inexpensive campsite and proximity to a few cities and so some sightseeing. First, Leuven, a small university city that happened to be hosting a volleyball tournament.Read more
Brussels
July 17, 2023 in Belgium ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C
A little more complicated trip via public transportation but make it to Brussels. Lovely city with historic buildings everywhere. Seems many important dignitaries are in town as well. Eat frites andRead more
Huevel= hilly
July 18, 2023 in Belgium ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C
Easy start to the day as we head south of Brussels. Sunny day gets cloudy but not windy for a change. Follow a few marked routes and later realize that Hueval (one of the routes we are following )Read more
Flanders
July 19, 2023 in Belgium ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C
Continue along past canals, odd art work and shrines of cycling. No need to go up ‘the wall’. Lots of elevation on cobbles. Another night with warm showers host.
Onto France
July 20, 2023 in France ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C
Calm winds and relatively clear sky as we head out on lovely bike path. Cruise along towards France, barely noticing that we cross the border. Wind around Lille and head off route to campground
I hate wind
July 21, 2023 in France ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
What should have been an easy ride along the canals was way more challenging with headwinds. Day started with baby peacocks and a gang of baby chickens trying to eat our breakfast. Sun was out thoughRead more
To the Channel
July 22, 2023 in France ⋅ 🌬 19 °C
Left after having our breakfast stalked by a gang of baby chickens. Stop in Saint Omer to view ruined cathedral and one still standing. Pastries of course and continue northward to Calais. Very windyRead more
Hello England
July 23, 2023 in England ⋅ 🌬 21 °C
Pack up and head to the ferry. Incredibly long wait amongst cars and caravans to get through all customs. Bumpy ride over. Land in Dover and pass Dover Castle. Rolling hillside to nice campground inRead more
Canterbury
July 24, 2023 in England ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C
Getting used to riding on the opposite side of the road as we ride through the countryside (more wheat fields) to Canterbury. Decide to invest in a England heritage pass to ensure we stop and seeRead more
Westward
July 25, 2023 in England ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C
Wake to a beautiful blue sky. Get our first view of the North Sea and looming clouds. Which of course open up on us. Seek shelter and wait it out. Continue on towards Rochester Castle. Push on to ourRead more
A real rest day
July 26, 2023 in England ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C
Our host, Caroline, offered their garden for longer to allow us to rest. We were not about to pass that up. Did some route planning and bike cleaning. Doug also helped harvest honey. A little walk toRead more