Cycling Paradise on Earth
Netherlands & Belgium: Stage 01 – Hook to Hague via Delft 38 Km (Tue 5 July 2022)
Weather: 14⁰C min – 19⁰C max, fine but partial cloud at times
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”
Sena Line’s ferry from Harwich to Hook of Holland is a great way to get from England to Europe with a bicycle. No bike box required, just ride your bike onto the boat, tie up and take your pannier bags with you to your cosy cabin, directed by friendly and helpful stewards.
By the time the ferry sailed at 11 pm I was already asleep, stirring only a couple of times during the night and wondering if the boat was actually moving because the sea was so calm. Before I knew it was 6 am and I was awoken by an announcement that we would be berthing in an hour (7 am UK / 8 am EU).
It was quite a sight to see about 50 enthusiastic cyclists streaming off the boat headed for the border control kiosks. Expecting to be required to show my COVID vaccination certificate and the entry form I had dutifully completed for the Dutch authorities, I was pleasantly surprised to be only asked for my passport and a question about the duration of my stay.
In no time at all I was cruising along smoothly and effortlessly on a network of the most perfect cycle paths you could ever experience. I had always heard that the Netherlands is a cycling paradise on Earth, but it has to be experienced to be believed. Very rarely do you ever have to ride on a road or even cross one (there are tunnels underneath). The cycling infrastructure in the Netherlands is so good I am not surprised that cycling accidents are reportedly so few, even considering the number of people of all ages who ride.
Traffic rules are so bike-friendly the Dutch don’t need helmets, and very few wear cycling attire. It was early on a Tuesday morning so there were hundreds of cyclists on their way to work – wearing office clothing, hair streaming freely behind them.
With such flat terrain and perfect paths you might think that riding in the Netherlands could get boring, but nothing could be further from the truth. There were delights everywhere I looked … cows grazing contentedly, horses, sheep, goats, ducks, reedy canals, and even a traditional Dutch windmill.
After 20 km I arrived at the stunning town of Delft, where I enjoyed a good breakfast while sitting in the sunshine looking out over a canal … and bikes, bikes, bikes … everywhere you look. Having only a short ride to the Hague and plenty of time to kill before my hotel check-in at 3 pm, I spent a couple of very pleasant hours just strolling around Delft.
Today’s stage was short but very, very sweet. If the rest of the tour is as good then I am in for a treat.
Glad to hear your latest adventure got off to such a smooth and pleasant start. Some of the cows in the pictures look a bit short-legged and lumpy – although I’m the pot calling the kettle black with that! Gorgeous photos, as always – I see you even spied some red poppies.