Exploring the Amstel River region

Taylor Swift and her Swifties

We feel like we have hit the jackpot. Originally we were looking for a hotel to spend our last 3 days, but a Vrienden op de Fiets offers so much more. We booked this before we left home. All of our experiences staying with Vrienden hosts have been exceptional. We have learned that the optimum for us is to have the privacy of our own space and this one offers that with a separate building and wonderful, hospitable hosts…Wes and Rineke.
We are staying in a rural setting on the outskirts of Oudenkirk an de Amstel.

The bakery in Oudenkirk has been in the same family in 1897. It looks like a good place to have some lunch.

Liked the well worn stone figure on the wall of the bakery featuring the baker and the year of its opening in this village.

Yummy offerings…note the round Soccer cake in the background. The EuroCup is happening now and like all of the countries involved, Holland is very invested and supportive of their team.

We had grilled sandwiches with bakery bread, local cheese and meat.

The Dutch pride and support for their team is on display with the orange banners and special offerings on the “ soccer” ⚽️ table.

How civilized is this? Coffee always comes with a cookie.

We were delighted to see this massive milk carton alongside the road advertising our host’s initiative to support local wild birds with his milk production. Even though Wes is now retired, it is good to see his likeness remaining on the product.

We have been fascinated by this outbuilding with the four pointed poles and the reed roof. It is a clever way to store hay, and the roof is raised or lowered to accommodate how much hay is being stored.

Cyclists and pedestrians are well protected in Holland.

We have enjoyed seeing unusual architecture like this on our travels through Holland.

Amsterdam Bijlmer Arena is huge. We have come in search of a bike store.

The usual chaotic scene of bike parking here.

And then things got interesting. We have been in a bit of a travelling bubble and had no idea that Taylor Swift will be performing at this arena. This was our first sighting of a “Swiftie”.

Swifties are strolling in the area waiting for the concert later today

The jersey features the map of the bike route Rondehoep in this area which is beloved by locals. The route combines the bustling streets of Amsterdam with the beautiful countryside of North Holland. It explores the area on both sides of the Amstel River including the Poulder region where we are staying.

This route is well used by birders, cyclists, runners and walkers.

We love visiting bike stores wherever we travel and this one did not disappoint.

Shopping for groceries, we were happy to see Wes in the milk cooler.

The Dutch have the best soft serve ice cream. There is always room for ice cream!

The lift bridge in Oudenkirk is ready for us to cross over. As usual, bikes and walkers are given priority.

Imagine this, a bike shop dedicated only to bike clothing.

A Dutch Pancake (Pannenkoeken) house. The restaurant features the traditional oversize thin pancake and Poffertjes which are fluffy mini pancakes.

This monument honours the memory and travails of Eliezer and other kidnapped and enslaved Africans who found their final resting place here.

Cyclists, walkers, equestrians and cars coexist here on rural roads.

Returning from a ride in the area. Our house is beside the orange tractor which has historic significance. After WW2, the Marshall Plan was an American Initiative to provide foreign aide to Western Europe. This tractor came from the US and were donated to farmers. Orange is the national colour which is a fitting colour for these donations.

Our home for 3 days, the former stable with a nice area for eating outside.

Today's ride: 33 km (20 miles)
Total: 2,138 km (1,328 miles)

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