Delightful Dockum

Netherlands (Friesland): Stage 06 Leeuwarden to Dokkum 48 Km (Mon 17 July 2023)

Weather: 13⁰C min – 20⁰C max, partly sunny, windy

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“I don’t know who hit the Fast Forward button on my life, but I know it wasn’t me” ~ Anita Opper (Zen to Zany)

Heavy rain greeted me again when I awoke this morning so I delayed my ride until it had cleared and the roads had dried out. By the time I set off it had turned into quite a nice day, with plenty of blue sky and fluffy white clouds. The wind wasn’t as strong as yesterday and, as luck would have it, was a tailwind most of the way.

LF-Routes (Landelijke Fietsroutes, Dutch for countrywide cycling routes) are long-distance cycling routes that form a network in the Netherlands and Belgium. The routes, criss-crossing both countries, are primarily intended for recreational multi-day bike tours, such as cycling holidays.

Today I followed mainly the “LF-K” route and enjoyed traffic-free riding through lovely farmland and several small villages. It is hard to tell whether it was a wide bike path or a narrow road, but all I know is that it made for good traffic-free riding.

The Dutch seem to have a shared unspoken language when they’re on a bike; there’s rarely any yelling or frantic signing, and instead, most rely on body language and simple cues in order to maneuver together in harmony. Learning this secret language is key to a stress-free cycling experience.

Harmony was shattered this afternoon while I was sitting on a bench overlooking the canal, minding my own business and enjoying the sunshine. An elderly lady was riding too fast on the narrow path behind me and crashed heavily into a young lady riding in the opposite direction, landing on the back of the bench I was sitting on. Apart from a sore hand she assured us she was OK and continued on her way.

Dokkum has a rich history that dates back to the 9th century, and it is known for its well-preserved historic centre, which features many beautiful buildings and landmarks. The city has lots of shops restaurants, and cafes, and is a popular destination for outdoor activities like cycling, hiking, and boating.

But after spending a few hours already on my bicycle I’ll settle for a quiet walk around this delightful town, then choose from the many restaurants for dinner tonight.