CB500X - Solo Norway trip Part 37 - Lost in the Netherlands

This is Part 37 of my trip continuing the journey crossing into the Netherlands. After a great breakfast at the guesthouse in Bad Holzhausen, I set off in the direction of Bruges on another beautiful morning. A couple of heavy rain showers along the way didn't diminish the ride and even getting lost in a housing estate due to a road closure all added to the experience. I found a small campsite in Mierlo, near Eindhoven where I had a very welcome beer or two and a meal of chips and possibly ham or chicken and mushroom croquettes.
The whole journey took me through the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Sweden and into Norway right the way up to Nordkapp, the furthest point you can travel by motorcycle or car in mainland Europe and then back through Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Germany, Belgium and France over a 7 week period late May - mid July 2023
I am back in the UK now, but please do add your comments and I'll get back to you.
Choice of background music? I use the library provided by my editing software Cyberlink PowerDirector which is meant to copyright approved, but it is being challenged by the copyright owner, so my choice of music, which was always a bit limited is even more so now. Ho hum!
Hoping you can "Like" the video, as this does help the channel.
All my best wishes, thanks again for watching
Nick
CB500X 2022 model
Hepco & Becker Tank bars
Rally Raid CB500X 2019-on Engine Guard-RRP 747
SW Motech Footrest Kit
R&G Kickstand Shoe-RRP 474
Outback Motortek Pannier rack and Rear rack (including exhaust heat shield)
Metzeler Tourance Next tyres
SW-Motech dry bag (60 litres)
Lomo dry bag motorcycle waterproof panniers -soft
Oxford tank bag (need to use rain cover in heavy rain)
Garmin Zumo XT GPS device
Rally Raid Billet Multi-Mount for 12mm (1/2") Crossbar - part number RRP 643
GoPro Hero 10 (helmet mounted)
Adhesive universal helmet mount for GoPro
Purple Panda microphone (helmet mounted)
Sonicake wireless microphone (walking about)
Insta360 X3
DJI mini 3 Drone
Vango Tryfan 300 (3 person tent)
Sea to Summit Camp Plus Self Inflating Camping Mat
Trekology air bag (topping up mat inflation)
SLAAPLEKKER 800 Goose down mummy sleeping bag
Eurohike sleeping bag liner
Trekology Aluft pillow
Cyberlink PowerDirector 365 - video editing
RST textile jacket
RST textile trousers (slight seepage in crutch area in heavy rain)
TCX Airtech 3 Gore-tex boots
Nolan 80 helmet

[@vrocuk2099]

Thanks for another great video, I also bought my new to me CB500x this week :)

[@bikingtravels]

Enjoy!!!! Great choice. Nick

[@JimCWoodard]

Another enjoyable video. Sometimes it’s fun getting lost (if you’re not in a hurry); you get to see some interesting things that you would have never seen otherwise. Cheers, Jim

[@bikingtravels]

Yep, no hurry and no worry 😀 Nick

[@davestraight8219]

weeze - weezah - the area dusseldorf airport is in - came back from there on saturday - hope you walked all the way round bruges :D

[@bikingtravels]

Hope you had a good trip and, absolutely to a walk around Bruges Nick

[@Phiyedough]

I think I would have knocked on a door and asked directions. I had to do that in Ireland a couple of times but that was before the days of GPS.

[@bikingtravels]

It did cross my mind, but all part of the fun and games! Nick

[@Greggspies]

I've been past the music festival few years back it's massive. Many times we've driven through closed roads and driven over unsurfaced bits for short sections, workers just waved us through

[@bikingtravels]

It looked like it was getting ready to be a really big event, I have ventured through roadworks in the past, and had to turn back a couple of times too 😀 Nick Nick

[@Angel_EU34]

Congratulations on managing to get away from the dutch road authority shenanigans Nick haha. How many videos from the trip left?

[@bikingtravels]

Yep, got there eventually... and just a couple now Nick

[@quentinjackson6015]

A pleasant and relaxing video to watch - in spite of the detours! I guess by this stage of the journey you were happily anticipating some home comforts and catching up with family etc......Homeward bound can be a special feeling in itself, but perhaps it was hard to remain still for a few days after returning home from such an adventure? Thanks for sharing. Cheers.

[@bikingtravels]

Many thanks, and yes a nice gentle ride with as you say the comforts of home beckoning. Nick

[@georgedunseth8114]

Your Garman doesn’t seem very effective 😢

[@bikingtravels]

I think it might be the user! 😀 Nick

[@gurnstein]

Nick, do you have standard sprockets 15t & 41t or the 16t front that brings the revs down a tad for motorways?

[@bikingtravels]

Thanks for the question, but I am happy with the all round performance of the standard sprockets, especially as I prefer to avoid motorways where possible Nick

[@donmartin8336]

Hello Nick, really enjoying following your epic Scandinavian adventure. As a fellow biker, I have contemplated such a trip myself but at the age of 63, wonder if I’m too old now? I’m retired, fit and in good health and prefer riding solo. If you don’t mind me asking, how old are you Nick, and, do you think age should be too much of a consideration if you’re young at heart? Kind regards my friend, Don from Yorkshire.

[@bikingtravels]

Hi Don, firstly, thanks very much for the comment and questions. No, I don't think age in itself is a consideration, I think it more depends on health and attitude. I turned 66 this year and I ride reasonably regularly with guys quite a bit younger and older than me. Last year on my UK north tour, I met a chap at a campsite who was in his 80s from Ireland, riding a 40 year old bike with gear held together with duct tape. He still enjoyed touring before he got too old. On my Norway trip, I met a chap in his early 70s cycling and camping through Scandinavia, he'd already cycled 1000 Kms when I met him at a campsite in Helsinki. So, age itself is not an issue... in my opinion. Very glad to hear you're fit, healthy, retired and with a positive attitude. In addition I have a very understanding wife which helps! I highly recommend going for it as we just can't tell what's round the corner. Good luck!!! Nick

[@blearyview2254]

I came across a couple of roads in Netherlands that were closed and their diversions were mental. After a bit I decided just to head in the direction I wanted to go and eventually I ended up back on route. I am sure it would have been easier if I could have understood what the signs said so a lot of it was my own fault for not speaking the language. All part of the fun.

[@bikingtravels]

I'm guilty of that too. As I was in no hurry it just added a few more miles in the sun Nick

[@thebuyerboy]

Nice video mate. How did you change your speedo to Kmh or are you reading mph ? Hope found your camping pitch in the end.

[@bikingtravels]

Many thanks, and yes to both, I changed the reading to kph on speedo and GPS device. But, I'm away at the moment without the bike so can't confirm the process I'm afraid. Nick

[@thebuyerboy]

@@bikingtravels No need to confirm the process mate I was just curious. All the best and stay safe out there.