Oh dear, it seemed like a good idea at the time.

[stever1]

Hats off to you .you can always sell the bike and book a flight home .

Plan B
If I don’t like it today I’ll find a ditch to throw the bike in and walk to a train station
On a more positive note I have been using my bike a bit this year as a way of exercising and burning calories so I’m hoping all will be well and the idea of doing it in Europe is that’ll be more of an adventure
It does feel strange with the extra weight of the gear on the rack though.

 

[grantmac]

Looks like a great idea. There are millions of bike paths and just head south from Europoort and you are in nice albeit flat countryside. If you want a bit more adventure take the bike on the train and head east past Utrecht to “ The Veluwe” which is very nice

 

[stever1]

Looks like a great idea. There are millions of bike paths and just head south from Europoort and you are in nice albeit flat countryside. If you want a bit more adventure take the bike on the train and head east past Utrecht to “ The Veluwe” which is very nice

Flat is good for me. I can’t do big hills.

 

[grantmac]

here are a couple of useful websites.

Homepage - Fietsersbond Routeplanner

routeplanner.fietsersbond.nl

Maak je eigen fietsroute met de fietsknooppuntenplanner | ANWB

Plan met de ANWB Fietsknooppuntenplanner eenvoudig je eigen fietstocht met behulp van het knooppuntennetwerk.

www.anwb.nl

 

[stever1]

Update.
Well. What a good start.
First off the ferry. Through passport control including ETIAS in 8 minutes.
So by 09.00grs I was setting off.
It’s now about 11.20 and km sat at my first coffee stop about 30 miles done already.
I feel I’m dtarting to enjoy it and the bike is just right for what I’m doing.
The weakest link will be me

 

[grantmac]

Nice.. if you head further south it is quieter and nicer riding. Try heading to Brielle and then a round trip back through Rockanje and Oostvorne. Dont know how long you plan on staying mind....
Again just follow the cycle paths, all of which have clear road signs with distances etc. These are the red ones.

....and if your feeling adeventurous head south across the ''Islands'' and dykes

 

[stever1]

Nice.. if you head further south it is quieter and nicer riding. Try heading to Brielle and then a round trip back through Rockanje and Oostvorne. Dont know how long you plan on staying mind....
Again just follow the cycle paths, all of which have clear road signs with distances etc. These are the red ones.

....and if your feeling adeventurous head south across the ''Islands'' and dykes

View attachment 519687

The route took me through some of the places you named. I also went over quite a few dykes ……I think, see route in other post

 

[stever1]

Well, what a day.
After my first coffee stop at 20 miles, not 30. I continued south, generally on cycle track and quiet roads. They have its sussed here. No traffic problems much nicer to ride than at home.
It helped that the weather was generally a following breeze and not to hot.
My second stop ( for lunch) was at Buitenhaven after 41 miles. I was starting to feel the heat by then so decided to have stops more often.
Anyway, my plan was to get to middleburg/vlissingen late tomorrow and get ferry then stop somewhere just after the ferry.
Well. All that happened today. Total mileage for the day was 71 miles, minus about 4 miles on the little ferry so I’ve pedalled about 66 or 67 miles.
Crossing the barrier dykes on pedal bike is fabulous, time to enjoy the views.
I was thinking about getting as far as Calais, but it’s only about 120 miles away now so I may go further and get a ferry back from one of the ports further west…..who knows.
It’s really surprised me that I’ve achieved this , but let’s see how I feel in the morning
I’m going to continue south along the coast and see how it goes.
OH MY GOODNESS, THAT FIRST BEER WHEN I GOT HERE WAS LIKE NECTAR OF THE GODS

 

[simondippenhall]

Well done @stever1 .

A bit more effort required than on the Goldwing.

Good for you and safe onward, keep us posted.

 

[LockieP]

Inspiring. Good on yer!

 

[brut33]

Well it's turned out to be a good idea after all. I hope you get past Calais and who knows you could reach St.Malo at this rate.
You certainly earned your beer and I hope it keeps going well for you.

 

[Orinoco]

Excellent, thanks for posting, I’ve recently started cycling, just a few miles each week and enjoining it. It’s one of those thoughts I’ve had, jumping on a ferry with the bike and panniers, but not yet… maybe just the IoW!

Good luck with this, will be following. Cycle.Travel is a great app, really useful

 

[stever1]

Well it's turned out to be a good idea after all. I hope you get past Calais and who knows you could reach St.Malo at this rate.
You certainly earned your beer and I hope it keeps going well for you.

Aaaah. You’ve said it now. St Malo…..it can’t be unseen.
Realistically I think that’s a bit far.
Lunchtime yesterday I was thinking Calais was 5 or 6 days riding. Which would be good
Leaving a couple of days for a train ride home.
I’m now wondering if I can make Dieppe. I felt ok when I started this morning which was a surprise as I’ve never ridden as far as I did yesterday
I’ve planned to ride to Ypres today which is 49 miles. When I get there I’ll re assess.
I think my biggest drawback will be my mindset.

 

[Skippy]

What a brilliant thread. Now following and btw, thank you. Excellent stuff.

 

[Tonibe63]

"I think my biggest drawback will be my mindset"
Isn't it often the case for all of us .

One year we camped on the banks of Lake Constance and got talking to a couple in their mid 60's who were also camping. They had flown from British Columbia with their push bikes in to Amsterdam and were on their way to Budapest in Hungary , it made our trip on the good ship GS look like a walk in the park .
Enjoy the ride and thanks for the updates

 

[EVskiy]

Blimey @stever1!!! Well Done! You can't beat cycling on the continent. Enjoy the ride, the views and much more sedate pace of cycle life. Much time to see and to enjoy the views. Any trouble with the bike and I doubt you'll have any issues getting it sorted in Holland. Cycle shop are as frequent as corner stores, dodgy barbers and vape shops over here.

 

[AccyStan1200]

Top effort, following, thanks for posting.

 

[Jockser]

You're a better man than me, I couldn't cycle to the corner
Following along now...

 

[stever1]

Excellent, thanks for posting, I’ve recently started cycling, just a few miles each week and enjoining it. It’s one of those thoughts I’ve had, jumping on a ferry with the bike and panniers, but not yet… maybe just the IoW!

Good luck with this, will be following. Cycle.Travel is a great app, really useful

In effect I started cycling properly in march along the local cycle track. Now I’m here.
If an old, fat, lazy duffer like me can do it anyone can.
Incidentally. What bike you riding ?

 

[Davey B]

Bloody well done Steve. Safe riding mate.