Anyone who cycles sometimes dreams of a world where cyclists have some measure of respect.  A land where automobile drivers see you as a valid user of roads, where transportation planners facilitate two-wheeled transport, a place where one doesn’t feel that they are possibly putting their life at risk simply by heading down the road on a bike.  Imagine a place where drivers of all sorts of vehicles fueled by fossil fuels or electricity expect you to be there too…and don’t honk, throw things at you or yell insults.  Pshaw you say, don’t be silly!

But this is where we have spent the past days!!  I always assumed that when other traveling cyclists told me that the Netherlands were a great place to cycle that they were actually just sort of lazy and they liked that it was a flat place where one didn’t have to worry about climbing.  But as soon as we hit Belgium,

 

the cycling conditions began to change:  no more narrow, rough shoulder-less roads of the United Kingdom and rough, difficult to ride bike paths.  Instead we began to find a world with good bikes paths that just got better and better.  Imagine places with nicely paved bicycle paths generally separated from traffic.  Now add traffic lights with sensors for upcoming bicycles that change the lights in favor of the cyclists as you approach the intersection & the cars must wait for you!  Imagine markings and signage telling cars that you, the meek little bicycle, have the right-of-way and in fact, when a stupid American cyclist (me :-/) stops for cars the drivers look at you with some irritation as they now have to wait longer before they can go since they won’t continue on their way until you have passed!

 

Imagine bridges with separate bike lanes, and even separate bike bridges, and roads with 2 lanes for cyclists and only one lane that the motorized vehicles have to share.  I know, you are thinking that you heard about easy access to legal drugs in the Netherlands and that perhaps I have been imbibing but no, it is all true!!

Everyone seems to cycle here.  In the countryside we saw many “hardcore” cyclists in full cycling regalia who blasted by us as though we were sitting still.  Everywhere there are cyclists of all ages:  kids heading to school,

 

mothers with a couple of children on the bike, people heading to work in suits and heels, white-haired seniors often on e-bikes which are very popular here as well.

There have been other pleasures on our visit so far in this region as well.  We spent a day in Ghent while in Belgium.  We took a train from Brussels where we had a rest day with Melinda & Jan, two Canadians in our group.  Around every corner there was a beautiful bit of architecture, statuary, a lovely shop, a canal.  It was a great visit.

 

We also enjoyed Amsterdam although it seems more overwhelmed by tourists than it was when we visited about 20 years ago with Aaron.  It is still a beautiful and interesting city and the Dutch are interesting people:  accepting and yet reserved, liberal in many regards but quite opinionated, and notably tall!

Today we hit Germany and had a gorgeous day of riding.  It’s time to head to our riders meeting and dinner so I will say goodbye for now.