Travelling with Tactic: The Netherlands on the bike - TACTIC SPORT

Travelling with Tactic: The Netherlands on the bike

Your guide to the Netherlands on the bike

Your guide to riding your bike in The Netherlands

In a country where there are more bicycles than people the only right way to explore the country would be on the bike. We set out from Noordwijk, where our Dutch showroom is based, on a surprisingly sunny and warm day in March. The group of friends showed us some of the amazing scenery and architecture The Netherlands has to offer.

The Dunes

Nationaal Park Kennemerland

The first highlight is the national park Kennemerland, which is characterized by its rugged dunes and long beaches. The park is home to rare plants and animals.

With a car there are only a few entrances into the park, on your bike, however, you can explore the endless bicycle lanes and dedicated gravel paths. You might be able to run into Scottish Highlanders or Wisents, also known as Europe’s last wild bison.

Your guide to riding your bike in The Netherlands
Your guide to riding your bike in The Netherlands

The Climbs

Het Kopje van Bloemendaal

Although the Netherlands lacks proper climbs, they take great pride in the climbs they have. “Het Kopje” is only 1.5km long with a total ascent of 45m, but it is a famous climb in the region and at the top, you have a beautiful view over the area.

It is just under an hour from Amsterdam on the bike and many pros and avid amateurs will pass over here during their rides. Therefore, getting the Strava KOM on this segment won’t be easy, it is currently held by Jordi Meeus from BORA-Hansgrohe.

Your guide to riding your bike in The Netherlands
Your guide to riding your bike in The Netherlands

The city

Amsterdam

You haven’t experienced Amsterdam unless you ride through it on the bike. The sheer amount of bicycles and lack of structure might seem scary at the start. But the Dutch have the art of travelling by bike pretty well figured out with dedicated bicycle parking and junctions optimised for cyclists.

Your guide to riding your bike in The Netherlands
Your guide to riding your bike in The Netherlands

The Canals

The Canals in Amsterdam are probably the most recognisable feature of the city. They have mainly been built during the 17th century and were dug for purposes of water management, defence and residential development.

Each year, between 12.000 and 15.000 bicycles are pulled out of the canals. They have either been dumped there or fallen in there by accident.

Rijksmuseum

The largest and most visited art museum in The Netherlands is home to the famous “Nachtwacht” (Night Watch) by Rembrandt van Rijn. The building was designed by Dutchman Pierre Cuypers and opened in 1885. It contains a tunnel in the central axis with entrances at ground level and a bicycle passage.

The passage has been incorporated into the building since its opening but has been the topic of many discussions. In recent years it has turned out there are almost no accidents and bicycles will be able to pass underneath the museum for the foreseeable future.

Your guide to riding your bike in The Netherlands
Your guide to riding your bike in The Netherlands

9 straatjes

Created as a marketing concept in the 1990s as a marketing concept, the area of the “9 straatjes” (nine streets) is a popular shopping area in central Amsterdam. Part of Ocean’s twelve is filmed in this area. It is home to many small luxury shops and trendy brand stores.

Your guide to riding your bike in The Netherlands
Your guide to riding your bike in The Netherlands

The Windmill

De Kleine Molen

The Netherlands has many windmills, which either served to grind grain or manage water levels. “De Kleine Molen” in Cruquius was built in 1879 to pump the water out of the area. The windmills pumped water out of the ground to dry the low lying land and prepare it for cultivation or buildings. These low lying wetlands enclosed by dikes are called “polders” and there are about 3000 of them in The Netherlands.

In 1944 the windmill in Cruquius was put out of service on orders of the German occupier to flood the Polder. After the war, the windmill was equipped with an electric pump, but it got hit by lightning in 1967 and had to be restored. Right now the windmill serves just a decorative function and gets into action during weekends or special days.

Your guide to riding your bike in The Netherlands
Your guide to riding your bike in The Netherlands

The Food

Como & Co

In the middle of the “bollenstreek” (flower region), you will find this idyllic restaurant on the beach of the Oosterduinse lake. The lake has been dug to provide sand for a nearby factory in the 50s and 60s and is now a popular spot for swimming. The restaurant serves a hearty Dutch meal after a long day on the bike.

Your guide to riding your bike in The Netherlands
Your guide to riding your bike in The Netherlands

Exploring off the bike

Not everything happens on the bike, so we made a guide for your off-bike adventures as well, read it here:

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