And so it begins
2 июля 2023 г., Нидерланды ⋅ ☀️ 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 ofЧитать далее
A blur of a day
3 июля 2023 г., Нидерланды ⋅ ☁️ 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.Читать далее
A walking tour of Amsterdam
4 июля 2023 г., Нидерланды ⋅ ☁️ 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?
5 июля 2023 г., Нидерланды ⋅ ⛅ 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.Читать далее
First real riding day
6 июля 2023 г., Нидерланды ⋅ ⛅ 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 ofЧитать далее
Layover in delft
7 июля 2023 г., Нидерланды ⋅ ☀️ 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
8 июля 2023 г., Нидерланды ⋅ ⛅ 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.
Helene RimbergI knew you would! Imagine free self dispensed sunscreen in US 😝
Onto Boxtel
9 июля 2023 г., Нидерланды ⋅ ☁️ 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 toЧитать далее
Farmlands and away from canals
10 июля 2023 г., Нидерланды ⋅ ☁️ 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 thatЧитать далее
Back to the Maas
11 июля 2023 г., Нидерланды ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C
A warm day spent amongst forests and along the river. 3 ferry day.
A rest day of sorts
12 июля 2023 г., Нидерланды ⋅ ⛅ 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 itЧитать далее
Goodbye Maas. Hello Belgium
13 июля 2023 г., Бельгия ⋅ ☁️ 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.
Helene Rimberg
Yes. She has a story to her egg that has something to do with COVID
Doug’s Birthday
14 июля 2023 г., Бельгия ⋅ ☁️ 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 coffeeЧитать далее
Belgium is not flat
15 июля 2023 г., Бельгия ⋅ ☁️ 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 someЧитать далее
Leuven
16 июля 2023 г., Бельгия ⋅ ☁️ 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.Читать далее
Brussels
17 июля 2023 г., Бельгия ⋅ ⛅ 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 andЧитать далее
Huevel= hilly
18 июля 2023 г., Бельгия ⋅ ☀️ 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 )Читать далее
Flanders
19 июля 2023 г., Бельгия ⋅ ☁️ 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
20 июля 2023 г., Франция ⋅ ☁️ 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
21 июля 2023 г., Франция ⋅ ⛅ 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 thoughЧитать далее
To the Channel
22 июля 2023 г., Франция ⋅ 🌬 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 windyЧитать далее
Hello England
23 июля 2023 г., Англия ⋅ 🌬 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 inЧитать далее
Canterbury
24 июля 2023 г., Англия ⋅ ☁️ 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 seeЧитать далее
Westward
25 июля 2023 г., Англия ⋅ ☁️ 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 ourЧитать далее
A real rest day
26 июля 2023 г., Англия ⋅ ☁️ 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 toЧитать далее