I took the train back to Sloterdijk station, bicycled through Amsterdam, and then onwards to Hilversum and Amersfoort, Netherlands. I had a huge breakfast, then a coffee and a banana cake, then an ice cream, and later a spicy Thai dish with two glasses of beer, followed by a sweet dessert. The sun was shining all day long, and I felt great. I have been out now for almost four weeks; it's time to go back home, I think.
I love bicycling in the Netherlands. Yes, the odd brick-paved roads hurt when riding with a Brompton. And then the winds, not to speak of. But I appreciate the attention to detail in guiding bicyclists with signs, in particular at intersections with other traffic. I also appreciate the general courtesy of the people, including even most of the car drivers I've come across.
Another day with formidable tailwind. I bicycled on the dam next to the huge Zuiderzee in the Netherlands towards the town of Enkhuizen. I even got the chance to compete with a rather impressive sailing boat. Guess who won the race! It was me with my Brompton! I mean, even the sailing boat had the same wind.
I have known the word Edam since I was a little boy. After all there exists the world-famous Edam cheese. The taste of Edam cheese is probably known to many of you out there, too. But now I am for the first time on my way to this little town named Edam. I chose one of the many magnificent bicycle roads through the countryside north of Amsterdam, Netherlands. The wind is with me, so I fly with my Brompton folding bike at a speed above 20 km/h.
Since I assume that many of you have been waiting for this: Here are my tulips from Amsterdam. Just for you. Although it's a bit late in the season, they are still quite OK. No need to water them, I have organized this. 🙂
To some people, it is Rome. To some people, it is Mecca. But to bicyclists, the number-1 place in this world must be Utrecht in the Netherlands. What a perfect place for bicyclists! I took myself up to Moreelse Bridge and, looking down on the central station, contemplated over my style of travelling with a Brompton folding bike and an Interrail ticket. On my way from Austria back to Stockholm, Sweden, I am taking a relaxing stopover in the Netherlands.
Its size is ridiculous. I do not mean the tiny folding size of the Brompton. This time, I mean the huge size of the Cathedral in Cologne, Germany. This morning, its spires reached into the clouds. People knew how to build impressive things back then.
Off to new places! I'm done with Austria for this time. It was nice to be here, but my Interrail ticket gives me another four days of traveling. Let's see what's waiting for me in the coming days. Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose.
We are back in town after several days of bicycle touring through southern Austria. When I was younger, I definitely preferred the bicycle paths going radically up and down the Alps. I favoured Transalp in any respect. But now, still feeling young, I understand the purpose of the less strenuous paths next to rivers. I can finally maximize leisure.
Another splendid day on our bicycle tour along the river Drau in southern Austria. The valley is called Rosental here. In contrast to this lovely name, the area has seen plenty of hostilities between the Slovenian and the German speaking population throughout recent history. The village names are shown in both languages; I like it.
