So I've got the OK to take three weeks next May to bike around Holland.
What I'd like is advice on where to go, what to see etc. We'd like to keep mileage below 50 to 60 per day and not have too rigid a schedule. If we get "behind" I figure we can hop a train to get back on course. We plan to tour without a tent but stay mainly in "friends of the bike" places. this seems like a great way to meet people. Has anyone done this?
The only place we definately want on our itinerary is Ouihuizen, near Groningen, as this is where my wife's family comes from. Apart from that, I'm open to suggestions including forays into Germany or Belgium. I look forward to your advice and thanks in advance.
Chris

This page has 7 links to information about bike touring in Holland and will be a good place to start your planning.

Ray

Hiya,

although I am originaly from Holland, I haven't cycled long distances a lot there.
I would advise the following: There is this great site called de Wereldfietser (which translates as World Cyclist) and they have a very good forum, with tonnes of regular visitors.
They would be happy to help you. Just go their website: www.wereldfietser.nl and click on forum (top left navigation), click on registreren (top right) and then Ik accepteer... (= I accept...).
You will then be asked several questions, BUT here is a button to change the languag to English !!!!
Good luck!
Aaldrik from San Blas, Mexico

The Netherlands is not very large. For example, North to South - from the island of Schiermonnikoog in the north to Maastricht in the far south, I cycled 331km. From Amsterdam to the German border in the east I cycled about 220km. So with three weeks and mileage less than 50-60 (miles), you should pretty much be able to go anywhere. A journal from my trip in 1993 where I cycled 1440km and visited all provinces is here: https://www.mvermeulen.com/holland.txt

In addition to the wereldfietster.nl site, I found the local tourist offices (VVV) to be quite helpful. Many towns will have one and you should be able to use them to get pointers to local hotels and attractions. That should also fit with your not too rigid a schedule approach.

I don't have a huge list to recommend, other than to say that traveling by bicycle will allow you to see parts of the country not on the typical tourist routes. For example, assuming you start in Amsterdam and go towards Groningen, you can plot routes across Afsluitdijk and perhaps visit one of the islands off shore. You can than stop in some of the smaller provincial towns in Friesland and Groningen. It is definitely interesting to see some of the small port towns, some of the agricultural areas with canals, the Veluwe, etc. The far south you'll actually find some hills and in the southwest the large delta works areas are quite impressive.

Small country but lots of things to see, so I found I didn't ride big distances each day. I also found I spent a lot of time navigating and making decisions-there are so many options-but that is part of the fun.

I liked the old Hanseatic league cities, Zwolle, Kampen, Deventer, with their medieval city centres, there is even a Hanseatic bike route with posted signage.

The natives were friendly once you get used to them.

Raybo's link is a good one. Some stuff I hadn't seen before. I've been here a year now, and the most fun so far has been in Limburg. The hills and valleys dotted with castles and tiny towns. I didn't tour there, but set up in Maastricht and did day rides around the countryside and into Germany and Belgium. The bike route network 'Knoopuntnetwerk' is well designed and flows seamlessly between the countries.

If you're touring in the spring, try to ride in the area around Lisse, among the tulips and intoxicatingly aromatic hyacinths. Beautiful coastal riding near there.

In 2010, the Tour de France starts in Rotterdam at the beginning of July, so you could swing by there if interested.

I've heard the riding on the North Sea islands is also great.

Limburg province in April:

One thing this picture doesn't convey is how sweet those yellow flowers smell!

Ray

I moved from the Netherlands to Chicago 12 years ago. I hardly ever 'miss' the Netherlands. That is until I see pictures like this. It brings memories of low traffic roads, rolling hills, cattle grazing on the hillside, one small town after another.......makes me want to move back.....

Ok, enough with the melancholy. I think most of has been said already. Holland offers a good mix between cities and small towns. A clockwise tour would be a good startingpoint. Just some highlights on a possible tour (as said before, most it may have been mentioned):
Amsterdam - No explanation needed
Alkmaar - Cheesemarket
Volendam - old fishermen town
Afsluitdijk
Friesland (province) - endless canals interuppted by even more small towns
Groningen (province) - Similar to Friesland, but with better vistas
Groningen (city) - student town, very walkable. Climb the Martini toren for great views
Drente (province) - small towns and wide open spaces
Deventer - Old, well preserved town. Largest 2ndhand book market in the country (early August?)
Veluwe - Largest national park
Nijmegen - old town, all the way back to roman times
Limburg (Province) flat in the north, hilly in the south
Maastricht - Old town, very walkable, least 'Dutch' town in that it has a Belgian-French history and atmosphere
Zeeland (province) - mussels and 'Deltawerken'
Gouda - Another cheese market
Den haag - Capitol, Mauritshuis, Panorama Mesdag
Leiden - Old University town

Services (food, lodging, bike shops) are never far away in the Netherlands, highways typically have separated bikepaths running next to them, numerous well-marked routes. All that makes Holland a great country to bike around.
Duppie

What? No Delft?
Sorry. Big Vermeer fan here. Delft is my favorite place in The Netherlands.

There is delightful cycling to be found on Texel Island, in the north, I mean, the nord of the country. Lekker!

Just watch your bicycle in Amsterdam. I wouldn't leave mine on the streets for five minutes, unless, maybe, I had two or three sturdy locks. Bicycles have a way of disappearing in this otherwise very fine city.

Thanks for all the advice everyone. Especially the pics. I'm not sure I can wait a year now! We will definately be visiting the tulip fields. That is another thing my wife wants to see and why we are going in May. Also hope to miss some of the crowds this way. The guidebooks say temps in the 60's that time of year and reasonably dry. Is this about right?
I've also considered hitting the end of April for Queen's Day. Would this be worthwhile?
Thanks again
Chris

Last year we had full on summer heat in May then a chilly summer. Be prepared for anything. Queen's Day is hoot. No cycling in Amsterdam that day. Standing room only. Kind of like being at a rock concert that's having a garage sale the size of a city.

Here's a place to visit in the area near Lisse if you like flowers. https://www.keukenhof.nl/
Happy planning!

Amsterdam is the place to be during Koninginnedag. It is definitely a festive and interesting time to visit Amsterdam.

With an interest in tulips, you may also want to add Keukenhof to your list: https://www.keukenhof.com/

If you get tired of the flat up north come on down to Maastricht, from here there are cycling routes leading into the hills in the Ardennes, Belgium and the Eifel in Germany. A bit more chalenging but a lot beter views.
Following the LF routes its the best way to get to Maastricht. LF7 starts in Holland but crosses over to Belgium near Limburg and the LF3 is on the Dutch side of the river, both are great. I should mention that if its Sunday its beter on the Belgian side as some shops (like bakeries) are open.
Maps of the LF routes can be found in any ANWB shop in most cities.
cheers

regarding staying at "friends of the bike" places, I guess you've visited www.warmshowers.org - there are quite a few members located in the Netherlands who may be able to host you.

Amazing county. Flattest place I've ever been. Lovely people. My favourites were more to the northeast - particularly Delft, Haarlem, Zwolle, Groningen. I have never seen so many cyclist in one place (but then again, I've never been to China). I found the southwest a bit more congested. Haarlem was definitely our favourite.

When I first posted this, I didn't have my guidebook, and it's attendant Dutch, handy. What I meant by "Friends of the bicycle" places was Vrienden op de Fiets, which are homes of Dutch bicyclists where you can stay for a fee. Anyone familiar with this? It seems a great way to really meet the locals.
Chris

I liked the one place I stayed at. Had a hard time getting a place after the first one. The year I used Vrienden op de Fiets, the book wasn't updated, had more than one person say they had taken their names off the list. Having a cell phone to make and receive calls is very important---many times people are at work when you call, so you leave a message hoping they call you back.

I too am heading for Holland, in Jun though. I am starting Amsterdam to Hamburg and then continuing along the North Sea Cycle Route.....hope to eventually end up in Norway...I have about 4 weeks and will be camping,hostelling,and budget places

Flower Blossom,
How long ago was that? Also, its my understanding that you have to reserve a place in advance(which I certainly understand) but this doesn't quite fit in with my seat of the pants approach to scheduling. How did you go about making contact?
Chris