We're ready to ride and explore....we think!: From Amstelveen to Woerden
Another great breakfast....thanks Mieke!
Hans and Mieke had volunteered at a Nature Camp at Tull en t'Wall, the site of a fortress south of Amstelveen. Their passion for its historical significance and its peaceful beautiful setting made us keen to stay there. We will try to go there in the next few days. Before we could leave, Hans took us to a local ANWB map store and Mieke continued to extend her hospitality by offering us fresh coffee and cakes before we left. As well, to ensure that we found our way, Hans rode his bike with us for 5 km.
Approaching Nes a/d Amstel on the Amstel River, a typical Dutch road - red lanes for bikes and a single centre lane for 2 way car traffic.
What a great day of riding. It is true, Holland is a cyclist's paradise. Cycle routes are everywhere and even those roads without a designated route have a separate cycle lane. It impresses us that their narrow roads have 3 lanes: 2 for bikes and one lane for 2 way car traffic. Bikes are a valued means of transportation here and are given every consideration. Drivers are courteous and patient.
Typical signage for cycling - fiets (bike) and fietspad (bike path). This route is used by bikes only as it passes through farmer's field by a canal. These are usually not paved, but the service is rideable, even when fully loaded.
Armed with a good bike map and watching for signs like these, one can never lose their way in Holland. The number in the circle represents the route #.
It seemed that what the duck really wanted was food. The two Spanish children from Madrid off to the left, had been visiting us as they were fascinated by our bike, but the duck proved to be most entertaining. The duck really enjoyed our spicy Indonesian crackers.
