Netherlands-Cities, Canals and Windmills

† Explanation of BAC Ride Fee – This fee is not included in the Estimated Cost and is non-refundable once submitted. The Ride Fee for US and Canada is $85 and $150 for all other countries, both are per participant.

Ride Description

OVERVIEW:   The Netherlands is a cycling paradise!  Cyclists have their own lanes and there are twice as many bicycles as there are cars.  We cycle from cities on bike paths to picturesque towns, dunes, woods and along canals, meadows and rivers sometimes all in one day.   We see historic sites, churches and beautiful architecture in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Gouda and the Hague as well as quaint small towns along the way.  This is a leisurely ride averaging 34 miles over 10 riding days.  There are castles, windmills and museums to see along the way as well as stopping for coffee and Dutch Apple Cake and lunch at farmers markets and in small towns. The Dutch introduced the apple to America as well as settling in New York and naming many of the boroughs of New York City (Harlem, Brooklyn and the Bronx).  What is Manhattan now was originally "New Amsterdam". This ride is almost exclusively on designated bike paths and lanes. We stay in 4 and 5 star hotels with very nice breakfasts included.

In a country that has 26% of its land below sea level, we will spend some time at Kinderdijk where you will see working windmills and learn how windmills were used to pump water out of the polders to create farmland and living space.

In the 1970's the Dutch decided that they had to change their ways and be less dependent on cars.  They started pedestrianizing their town centers and continue to this day to give cyclists and pedestrians priority over cars.  The Netherlands is the safest place to cycle in the western world and has over 20,000 miles of traffic free cycling paths. The Netherlands also has a special liability law making drivers automatically liable for accidents involving cyclists and pedestrians.  Most drivers are cyclists too and they are extremely courteous to cyclists.

Dutch Bike Tours will be supporting this ride as a self guided ride only. They have arranged hotels/breakfast, GPS routes and very helpful daily route booklets as well as transporting our luggage daily.  There will be no van support option on the ride, including in the event of emergencies, illness, or major mechanical issues.  We have just completed this tour with Dutch Bike Tours and were very impressed with the riding, scenery and hotels.

The daily itinerary is as follows:

April 30th   Arrive in Amsterdam  (AMS)  

May 1  Woerden

May 2  Scheveningen

May 3  Rotterdam

May 4  Papendrecht

May 5  Gorinchem

May 6  Utrecht

May 7  Harderwijk

May 8  Enkhuizen

May 9  Alkmaar

May 10 Amsterdam

May 11  leave for home

RIDE RATING: The ride is rated 1 A and there is very minimal climbing.  The longest day is from Utrecht to Harderwijk and that is 42 miles. 

WEATHER: The best times for cycling in Holland is May to October. Temperatures in early May range from highs of 59 to 60"s and lows of 44-49. Sunny/cloudy with a chance of rain.  Average rainfall in May is 2 inches.

LODGING & MEALS:  Lodging will be in 4, and 5 star hotels, 11 nights, 11 breakfasts and 4 dinners will be included.

LOGISTICS:  The tour starts in Amsterdam on April 30th.  Airport code is AMS.  Transfer from airport will be taxi or shuttle service to the hotel or train to Amsterdam Central Station, which will then require a taxi to hotel.  Start hotel and end hotel is Westcord Art Hotel in Amsterdam.  Initial Happy Hour will be at 5:30 PM.  The tour will conclude after breakfast on May 11, at the Westcord Art Hotel in Amsterdam.  The hotel will store any bike boxes. Dutch Bike Tours will rent bicycles as needed.  There are bicycle shops in all the towns we stay in.   You can either rent a bicycle or bring your own in good working condition and be able to change your own tires.  Due to some brick roads and cobblestones we recommend at least a 1.50 inch wide (38mm) tire.  This is not a ride for very narrow road tires. Bicycle rentals must be arranged directly with the outfitter and will be available for $150.

COST & ADMINISTRATION:  The cost of the tour is $2000 and includes 11 nights lodging based on double occupancy, 11 breakfasts and 4 group dinners. Cue sheets, GPS files and luggage transportation are included. Daily Happy Hours will be in hotel bars. Happy Hour snacks will be provided and your first drink will be included each night. Ferry fees will be on your own but they are usually 1-2 euros. There will be no van support for this tour.  Final costs may need to be adjusted based on the euro-dollar conversion rate (1 Euro to $1.25 was used to estimate the tour cost, the solo suppliment cost and the bicycle rental cost).

The final payment of $1,000 is due October 31, 2018.

SINGLE & SOLO POLICY:  I have room for 2 solos on this tour.  It is recommended that singles who want a roommate try to find their own.  However after receipt of the initial deposit, a single without a roommate will be placed on the ride and given until December 31st to find a roommate. If they are unable to find a roommate, they will have the option to receive a full refund (minus the non refundable $100 BAC fee and payment processing fee) or pay the solo supplement of $375 and stay on the ride if there is room for another solo participant..  If the single pays the supplement, they may continue to seek a roommate, but must plan to participate without a roommate if necessary.  The Ride Leader will assist by attempting to match singles who apply for the ride. Solo supplement payments need to be sent to the BAC office. Checks should be made out to “BAC” with a notation of the tour name included on the check. They should be mailed to: Bicycle Adventure Club, PO Box 23998, San Diego, CA 92193.

CANCELLATION POLICY:  The BAC ride registration fee and payment processing fee are not refundable unless the entire tour is cancelled. Refunds of tour payments will depend upon whether a replacement rider signs up, and on costs that can be recouped.  The amount refunded will be based on the principle that the tour’s remaining participants will not incur any additional cost as a result of cancellations.  If the cancelling participant is replaced, a refund will be made at that time.  If the cancelling participant can't be replaced, any refund will be determined after the ride and final expense report are completed.  If a single participant cancels and another roommate cannot be found, in addition to other costs that cannot be recouped the cancelling roommate may also be liable for the solo supplement fee of the roommate remaining on the tour.  BAC encourages members to purchase trip cancellation insurance.  In addition to the BAC Cancellation policy, those who cancel and are not replaced may be subject to Dutch Bike Tours cancellation policy:

The initial 15% deposit is non-refundable (unless you are replaced)

Cancellation until 21st day (inclusive) before the start of your trip  15% of tour

Cancellation from the 21st day (inclusive) until the 14th day (inclusive) before the start  50%

Cancellation from the 14th day (inclusive) until the 5th day (inclusive) before the start  75%

Cancellation from the 5th day (inclusive) to the start 90%

Cancellation on the starting day or later: the full amount

RIDE PARTICIPANT POLICY:   Please remember that BAC Ride Leaders are volunteers, and that successful tours depend on participants providing much of their own support.  Participants are expected to come to the ride well trained, in good health and ready to accomplish the required daily riding using well-maintained bicycles.  All participants should accept responsibility for a safe and enjoyable tour.  We encourage you to read the ride description carefully and respond to the Ride Leader.  While on the ride, support your Ride Leader with offers to help with various tasks such as Happy Hour preparation and clean-up.  Please do not interfere with the ride by inviting non participants onto any portion of the ride or tour.  Please keep the ride leader informed of any special requests you may have and respect the Ride Leaders decisions.

SIGN UP:  To submit a request to join this ride use the "links" displayed above this Ride Description.  When you are accepted, the Ride Leader will move you from the Waitlist to the Pending List.  At this time you will receive an e-mail notification to log in to the BAC website to sign the release of liability form and pay the non refundable BAC ride registration fee and the initial tour deposit of  $1000 by credit card.  As soon as your deposit has been processed, your name (s) will be added to the Participant List.  To contact the Ride Leader, "click" the name at the top of this ride description.