I was just wondering if anyone lives in the Netherlands...particularly anywhere around Leiden. I go to school at Webster University and in August i'm going to the Webster campus in Leiden for 16 weeks. I know the cycling scene is amazing over there. I'm really looking forward to it. If anyone has any advice, please share.

Thanks,
Wes

it's windy.

I know this is a longshot but I got a friend working for the UN in the Hague and I'll be out there in July for a bunch of days with nothing to do while she's at work. Is there a place that people know of where I can rent a fixie that will be fun to ride? not really looking for a beater cruiser I already know i can find one of those...

You won't be able to rent a fixie since nobody rides them over here except for a few messengers and hipsters such as myself. But you will find plenty of bikeshops that can sell you a single speed beater-slash-workhorse for less than 50 euro's, don't buy them from junks. Also, in bigger cities such as Den Haag or Leiden, don't park pretty bikes out on the street unless it's with a few hefty locks attached.

There's a bike hire place under Den Haag Centraal station, and one on Paulus Buijsstraat in the State Quarter . I don't know if any of them will be able to kit you out with a fixed-gear, but.

The Hague is lovely. Have a great time!

I'll be there for a few days in the near future as well!

I have never been to the hague before but from what i remember from amsterdam, the streets are all cobbly. Will that be the case in Den Haag? if so i guess that'd change the kind of bike i'd most like to ride.

Yep, I live in Amsterdam.

I spend a semester at Leiden University. But i didn't bring my fix. And in hindsight, i'm kinda glad i didn't. There is just way too much cobblestone. So unless you're running very wide/low psi tires, you're gonna feel it and flat a bunch of times. But then again, there are so many bike paths outside the city (and every city in the Netherlands) that you can make inter-city trips with ease. Den Haag is only 10+ km from Leiden. And on my beater it would take me close to an hour! I'm sure on your fixie you could do it in 20-25 mins. (the train takes ~12 mins)
So all in all.... bring it... check out the countryside and do some light touring. I really regret that i didn't.
~ellis

The Hague has the best cycling streets EVAH! Really wide cycle lanes with right of way and really good surface. I envy them!

You should see some of the streets we have in Amsterdam

Hi Wes,
I live in NL (expat from US) and live in Haarlem (near Amsterdam). I don't know Leiden but the best part of cycling here are the miles and mile (or kilometers...) of bike paths. That's the most frustrating part of riding in the US (midwest) is fighting with cars!

It is windy, and you won't find much elevation. But you can get everywhere on your bike, and if you want to dodge the wind, there are plenty of paths for cyclists that are more covered. Rode to the beach yesterday and it was great (windy but great!!).

There are cobblestones but you can also avoid the uncomfortable ones. Anyone who cannot find a good path here is not looking...I also have my hybrid (for bumpier rides) and my race bike (for the nice smooth rides where I want to do alot of mileage).

Good luck in NL, and have some great rides!!