Hi from the Netherlands
 

I've been lurking a lot here the past few weeks (especially the vintage forum) so figured I'd sign up. I might post. I might not. I might forget about the forum after a while. It happens :lol:

So anyway, I'm a 6'5 ginger, mid 20s, living near Amsterdam. Being Dutch I've cycled all my life though not much longer distances. 10km rides to school/work, the occasional 50-ish km trips on holidays and whatnot. Rode a lot with my parents when I was in my early teens (85km from Amsterdam to Texel, rides like that). Always rode simple bikes, no single speed Dutchies but Gazelle, Batavus etc 5/7/8 speeds, drum brakes and all.

I rode the Coast 2 Coast and Walney to Wear (from Newcastle to Whitehaven and back) on a 10yr old Trek w/ Nexus 7 and drum brakes last summer. My 6'8 brother rode a 70cm frame 7-speed Gazelle. The C2C being mostly a road bike/sportsy people route, we got some weird looks... Both from locals and fellow cyclists.

Now my Trek is starting to act up and I'm in the market for a new bike, preferably one I can use for both my daily commute (15/15km trip across ever-windy flat grasslands) and the occasional 50-80km ride. Mostly looking for a sturdy yet sportsy 5-8 speed bike. Derailleurs don't last long with me for some reason. I test rode a Roetz Vigour today which was pretty nice and I hope to try an Achielle Sam sometime next week. Because well, apart from wanting a sturdy bike, I also like being hip (I already have a Kraftwerk cycling jersey :roflmao:).

I'll be around!

Welcome! I did a ride through your fine land of cycling last year, lot of great cycling to be had there!

Oh, and heads up, membership in the Vintage forum requires you to post lots of pictures, hope you have a good camera :D

Welcome to BForums DR, I think I would love to cycle there, without the wind, I love flat terrain.

Welcome, fellow ginger :)

As Jefnvk mentioned...pictures! You should show your bikes off over in C&V. We'd all like to see.

Thanks for the welcome all!

Ha, yes, with all the well paved roads and flats it is lovely to ride here!

I'lll be lurking the vintage forum mostly but who knows... If I end up getting a nice looking Achielle or other newly built but vintage looking bike, where do I post that?

Attachment 568931
This is me (left) and my brother in Melmerby, third day of our trip and the morning after crossing Hartside Pass. The first two days were the toughest because we had to get used to the climbs (and the northern Pennines have lots of steep climbs surprisingly, much more so than the Lake District or Yorkshire Fells). I was pretty knackered, haha. The lady that owns the B&B had a good chuckle at us. City bikes, regular clothes, no padded shorts and waaaaaay overpacked for a 2 week trip. I bought a new raincoat and wore my old running shoes and an old pair of loose sports pants. Definitely learned a lesson there.

Hurray, there's more of us! Will do when I get an actual vintage.

Cool, join us in the touring section too!

Welcome! Hope you enjoy your time here!