Introductions - Hi from the Netherlands!

Hi!

I've been lurking here for a few month's and finally signed up. I'm 22 years old and have been riding my roadbike for some years now. My bike is nothing special, a 1994 Trek 370, but I just like to take it out on the road and ride it a few times every week. I'm thinking about upgrading but that won't happen anytime soon (I'm a poor student, what can you expect eh?)

Anyway, I enjoy reading the forums here and hope to contribute something every now and then.

Erik

Hiya Erik and welcome to the forums, seems like the Netherlands would be a great place to ride, i've been there twice, but never with a bike.

welcome Erik. I'm relatively new here and can assure you there is no shortage of information and entertainment.

Many welcomes, Erik!!!! :)

Erik, where about in the Netherlands. ? I've toured a lot there, great place-and the beer's pretty good too!

Chewa, I'm in Arnhem, near the Hoge Veluwe national park which has a great network of bikepaths. I go to college in Nijmegen and commute there a few times each week.

Originally posted by Erik
Chewa, I'm in Arnhem, near the Hoge Veluwe national park which has a great network of bikepaths. I go to college in Nijmegen and commute there a few times each week.

Excellent cycling area. We try to get to the Veluwe whenever we tour. (Its not quite as flat as other areas.) We've recommended it to friends who are heading to see Het Loo palace this year.

One of my favourite routes is from Apeldoorn to Arnhem then south, with a stop at the gliding centre at Terlet. We've also stayed in Epe and Nunspeet a couple of times, normally on our way to cross the border.

We are to be in south Netherlands this year (starting from Zeebrugge in Belgium) but time commitments mean we probably won't make it to the Veluwe this time.

I was backpakcing round Europe a few years back and had a wonderful afternoon cycling round the Hoge Veluwe. Made a great change from sitting on trains or spending time in nasty hostels. I wish we were as well organised about cycling and providing places that over here.

Hi Erik,
I spent a semester in the Netherlands (The Hague) and the biggest joke around town was how long you would have your bike before someone stole it....and then you'd either have to buy a new "used" bike...or steal one back. I didn't quite have the heart to steal one so I bought a used bike- but I'm sure I know where the guy who sold the bike to me got it!
Is that a problem in Arnhem?

Chewa and Cyclemonkey, it's so cool that you know this place, I'm glad you enjoyed your time here.
Hi Erik,
I spent a semester in the Netherlands (The Hague) and the biggest joke around town was how long you would have your bike before someone stole it....and then you'd either have to buy a new "used" bike...or steal one back. I didn't quite have the heart to steal one so I bought a used bike- but I'm sure I know where the guy who sold the bike to me got it!
Is that a problem in Arnhem?It is a problem here but maybe not as much as in The Hague or Amsterdam. This may sound weird, but I have never had any of my bikes stolen. A good lock (or two) should be enough to protect your bike. That's also why many people have locks that cost more than their (old and cheap) bikes! Also, I'd advice you do not buy bikes that are obviously stolen as you are as guilty (or more) than the junk that stole it and if the police catch you it'll cost youa few hundred euro's.

I think my time at the Hoge Veluwe was one of the highlights of my trip. Getting so much space was fantastic after spending 3 weeks living in cheap hostels and travelling on packed trains - plus the weather was great there. I'd love to go back sometime.

On the bike theft front, I've been lucky too, but I'm always very careful too. I never leave my bike outside and I have a garage at home, and luckily my office has locked bikesheds. Not all workplaces here are as enlightened though.