A Short Cycle Tour in the Netherlands

In this video we take a ferry from Newcastle Upon Tyne in the North East of England to Ijmuiden on the West coast of the Netherlands.
From here we cycle out to Woerden and then onwards to Gouda, Leiden, the Keukenhof Gardens and Haarlem.
We cycle on the dedicated 'Fietspads" which are a network of separated tracks for bicycles and other small vehicles.
Although the weather was at times cold and wet, we cycled through polders and bulb fields before heading back on the ferry after 4 days of cycling.

[@dawnekaye2240]

Really enjoyed that Andrew, brought back many happy memories. Margaret will be a pro for the next adventure. Such a laugh about the fire pit...x

[@solway17carlisle]

Hi Dawne - it was nice to mix cycling with looking around so covering a bit less distance but you’ll love the bike paths and the coffee.Hopefully you’ll have warmer weather 👍

[@laurie-ellenprice1564]

But ripped off with the fire though, it looked so cosy just what you needed! Great tour, thanks for sharing. You're both very inspiring! :)

[@solway17carlisle]

Thanks Laurie-Ellen - it’s a great place for cycling if you ever get the chance…not so good for lighting camp fires 😀 Thanks for watching - best wishes

[@davidcollier6520]

Thanks for posting this, we love cycling in the Netherlands too and the places were nicely familiar. You are an inspiration managing to cycle and camp, hat's off to you.

[@solway17carlisle]

Hi Dave - Thanks…It’s lovely to cycle abroad and enjoy the great cycling infrastructure. Since this video we have discovered Vriends Op de Fiets - worth a look if you are seeking bicycle friendly hosts in the Netherlands. Kind Regards…

[@WYSNEUS]

Fantastic Journey

[@solway17carlisle]

Hi - Thanks we enjoyed it, especially the bulb fields

[@vanderquast]

Nice tour but bad weather 😊😟greetings from The Netherlands 🌷

[@solway17carlisle]

Thanks - yes, mixed weather but lovely countryside, towns and of course fantastic cycling. All the best 👍

[@Koen030NL]

Nice tour of holland! Now go and explore the east of the netherlands. I can highly recommend the Twente and Achterhoek regions. Maybe combine it with the national park "de hoge veluwe". Also the southern part of Limburg is really nice if you like hills :). Thinking about a cycling trip to England, any recommendations?

[@solway17carlisle]

Hi - Thanks so much for the advice. Certainly look at those areas. I’m the UK we have ‘NCN’ routes (National Cycle Network) - explore via Sustrans and see what takes your fancy. If you came via ferry to Newcastle you could do the ‘’C2C’ which ends up in Whitehaven on the west coast. Another option would be ‘The WY of the Roses’ across Yorkshire and Lancashire- Morecambe to Bridlington via York. All the best…

[@solway17carlisle]

Also look at ‘Cycling UK’ and in the menu click ‘Routes’ 👍

[@Koen030NL]

@@solway17carlisle thanks so much for the advice! Still a bit anxious to go cycling abroad, comming from our safe cycling network in the netherlands 😅.

[@solway17carlisle]

@@Koen030NL Nothing compares to the Netherlands for cycling, but just keep clear of the A roads and seek out the quieter country lanes. Cycling has become very popular over here in the last few years so there’s more awareness of cycling amongst drivers. North of the UK is generally quieter than southern counties. Possibly have a look at some cycling apps eg Komoot for cycle friendly routes. All the best…

[@Linda-hs1lk]

Agree. They always seem to get stuck in the west eventhough the other parts are so beautiful, more even than the west.

[@SideWalkAstronomyNetherlands]

Leiden, you better check out the Gardens, (Hortus botanicus) and the Observatory... both world famous.. Keukenhof you can skip... it's a tourist trap :)

[@solway17carlisle]

Ah, Thanks - next time perhaps. Thanks for the tip 👍

[@urbandiscount]

What a great tour. Lots of familiar places too ;)

[@solway17carlisle]

Yes, thank you and thanks for watching 👍

[@BorderRambler]

Enjoyed that Andrew , oh to have a cycle infrastructure like the Dutch …. It looked brilliant having dedicated routes just bikes . The weather looked very British mind you must have brought it with you lol . Is that a new MSR ? Atb Dave

[@solway17carlisle]

Hi Dave - it’s a great place for cycling and bikes are everywhere and used by all ages. The tent is a 2 person MSR Hubba Hubba (like yours) - it has nice internal space for us. Definitely looking forwards to warmer weather! Cheers - Andrew

[@captainchaos3667]

I grew up in Woerden. Funny to come across it in a KZbin video. 😀

[@solway17carlisle]

A lovely place - Thanks for watching

[@davidarmitage728]

Thanks for the info, we are thinking of cycling a similar route next year, looking forward. Dont think we are as hardy as you two, cheers

[@solway17carlisle]

I’m sure you’ll have a great time the cycling network there is superb. Thanks for watching 👍

[@SideWalkAstronomyNetherlands]

Haarlem the bierthplace of Antony Fokker the famous aircraft maker, and Corry Ten Boom, the famous misionary.

[@computeraddic675]

Ken-ne-mer-land!

[@BillEvans1956]

Good video. What navigation app are you using? I’m off to cycle LF Maasroute tomorrow.

[@solway17carlisle]

Hi Bill - I use Komoot and regular maps. Also in the Netherlands the Knoopunkt system of bike paths is very helpful. Hope you enjoy your trip 👍

[@computeraddic675]

Obviously not a Dutchman!A helmet on a bike!😄

[@solway17carlisle]

Hi - different ethos in the Netherlands for sure…but to me riding without a helmet is like driving without a seatbelt. Thanks for watching 👍

[@mardiffv.8775]

@@solway17carlisle The Dutch do no wear helmets on their slow city bikes, thanks to excellent separated cycle infrastructure, the cyclists are shielded from cars. Only on fast road bikes or mountainbikes the Dutch wear helmets.

[@jsb7975]

Sorry you had to endure such gloomy weather

[@solway17carlisle]

Ah were used to it - We wanted to see the Tulips so it was a bit early in the year

[@xxcunninxx4882]

Sadly is illegall to set tent in NL

[@solway17carlisle]

Ah yes, that’s a shame. Strictly speaking it’s the same in most countries but ‘stealth’ camping is often practiced if you can’t realistically find the landowner - set up late, leave early

[@xxcunninxx4882]

@@solway17carlisle people in NL usually make basic fishing card so with card nearby water is legally for camping xD

[@SideWalkAstronomyNetherlands]

It's not Cowden, it is Gouda, with a ch sound at the start, dutch g= like scottish ch, as in lochness,

[@solway17carlisle]

Ha ha! I’m getting some stick for mispronunciation - Thanks for the detail 👍

[@arthurhagen3826]

You actualy pronounced it almost perfectly the frist time! Gowda. Later you reverted to Gooda ;) ... and the 'ui' is a problem for almost every foreign speaker. If you know French ... it is pronounced like their word for eye :)

[@solway17carlisle]

Hi Arthur - pronunciation is soooo tricky! I live in a village in north Cumbria called BURGH by Sands. Americans would pronounce it ‘Borrow’ by Sands, others would say ‘Burr’ by Sands. But if you live here it’s BRUFF by Sands!! Thanks for commenting- love the Netherlands’I’ll be back” 👍

[@captainchaos3667]

I thought your pronunciations were admirable. 👍

[@solway17carlisle]

Thank you! 😃

[@SideWalkAstronomyNetherlands]

Woerden, with an oe as in shoe..

[@solway17carlisle]

Thanks for that ad well - must do better next time 👍😊

[@SideWalkAstronomyNetherlands]

Aye what? Ah IJ-MUIDEN, or the mouth of the IJ.

[@solway17carlisle]

Thanks - some interesting posts there - been cycling in my area today - lots of places ending in ‘thwaite’ - Norse for a clearing in the woods I think. Kind regards…

[@SideWalkAstronomyNetherlands]

Ruigen-hoek, rough-hook.

[@solway17carlisle]

Thanks for that 👍😊

[@Linda-hs1lk]

You're in The Netherlands, take off the helmett, lol. You really look like a tourist like that.

[@solway17carlisle]

Don’t give a shit what I look like - I don’t want a head injury

[@stephenvanwijk9669]

It is illegal in The Netherlands to operate a smartphone, while driving a bicycle. Although this law is not really enforced. Many smartphone addicts, mainly generation Z, have their thumbs on that thing, while being on the bicycle. Anyway, it is a reason why we not wear helmets, unnecessary, keep your attention at the traffic, at all times. Our eyes and brain are our helmets, combined with a well established infrastructure, and communication, I always make eye contact with car drivers, who also regularly drive bicycles in The Netherlands. They understand your situation and are held back by law, bicycle drivers are also legally well protected in The Netherlands. If you go really fast, it might be an effective preventative measure. But that’s not your case. At that speeds you must be really clumsy to land on your head. Mostly legs and arms will take the first blow. But that’s a rare occasion with bicycle drivers in The Netherlands.

[@solway17carlisle]

Hi Stephen - interesting comment about using the smartphone whilst cycling…I can imagine lack of attention would be a problem there. I am from a ‘culture’ where cycling equates to a ‘risky sport’ so always wear high viz and a helmet. Thanks for watching and your comment. Best wishes…