Netherlands: Cycling the Green Heart and Hanseatic Towns

This ride is a fixed-base or semi-fixed-base ride, please read the ride description for more details.

† 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
Spend 12 nights and days discovering the Green Heart and the Hanseatic Towns of the Netherlands with six nights in each of two lovely hotels; one in Woerden in the Greet Heart and one in Doesburg, a Hanseatic city. Enjoy rides through the countryside on well-marked routes and paths through typical Dutch natural areas with windmills, cheese, historic towns, and traditional crafts. Daily loop rides in the Green Heart will take us to such iconic Dutch sites as the cheese market in Gouda, to the windmill complex of Kinderdijk, to Utrecht, an ancient university town built around the Dom Tower, and a ride along the waterline to Weesp, a small, old Dutch town in the shadow of Amsterdam. Loop rides in the Hanseatic Towns in the Gelderland province will take us to De Hoge Veluwe national park and the Kröller-Müller Museum, to Arnhem for a visit to the Netherlands Open Air Museum, to Zutphen, a centuries-old Hanseatic town by the banks of the river Ijssel, and east into the countryside known as Achterhoek (the rear corner) of the Netherlands.

RIDE RATING: This ride is rated a 1B. The Netherlands is very flat and there is minimal climbing but the wind can be an issue. We have 10 riding days with the average ride length of 45 miles; the longest ride is 58 miles. Shorter alternate routes will be available every day but they will not travel to the listed attractions/sites. The riding pace will not be at your usual road cycling MPH given the sights to stop and see. The routes will be posted on Ride with GPS for downloading to the app on your phone or to your GPS device and will have many cues/turns (an average of 120). Given the scenic routes we are taking, using cue sheets/paper maps to navigate is not possible and wayfinding is definitely part of this adventure. Most days offer the possibility of visiting an attraction or city so the days out could be long but there will be about 15 hours of daylight. An anonymous OV-Chipkaart for train travel ($8 EUR) will be provided to each participant that you may load with at least a $20 EUR credit before use so then you (and your bikes during non-rush hours) can return to the hotels via train—both hotels are in cities with or near train stations. Some, but not all of the routes, will pass through towns with train stations. A map of trains in the Netherlands is available at: https://nieuws.ns.nl/spoorkaart-2020-hier-te-downloaden/

As we will be based in two fixed locations, riders have the option of a daily long or short ride, doing an alternate ride, or can take a day of leisure. All routes are loop rides and are self-supported as there will be no support vehicle. A day off is planned in the middle of the trip when we will transfer from Woerden to Doesburg but you may cycle to Doesburg and have your luggage brought by the bus.

ITINERARY AND HIGHLIGHTS

Day 1, Weds., 5/17: arrive in Amsterdam, 2 PM meet at airport for bus to hotel in Woerden; get rental bikes, and at 6 PM, we will have our first social hour. Dinner at hotel at 7 PM. 

Day 2, Thurs., 5/18 Ride 1 to Gouda, Schoonhaven, Nieuwpoort, Oudewater, 41 miles (Cheese Market in Gouda, 10-12:30)

Day 3: Fri., 5/19; Ride 2 to Keukenhof Castle Gardens (tulip garden will likely be closed), 58 miles

Day 4: Sat., 5/20, Ride 3 to Kinderdijk Windmills, 18 EUR entry fee, 52 miles (Market Day in Woerden)

Day 5: Sun., 5/21, Ride 4 to Castle de Haar, Utrecht and Restaurant Vroeg for lunch, 41 miles

Day 6, Mon., 5/22, Ride 5 to Weesp and Muiden; return along Vecht River, 53 miles

Day 7, Tues., 5/23: TRANSFER TO DOESBURG BY BUS; 75 miles; 1.5 hours. OPTION: Cycle to Doesburg 61 miles

Day 8, Weds., 5/24: Ride 6 to Arnhem, NL Open Air Museum 20 EUR 35 miles

Day 9, Thurs., 5/25: Ride 7 to Zutphen and Castle Kepple, 42 miles (Market Day in Zutphen)

Day 10, Fri., 5/26: Ride 8 to De Hoge Veluwe national park, Kroller-Muller Museum 11 EUR, 45 miles

Days 11, Sat.., 5/27: Ride 9 Doesburg and East, 45 miles

Day 12, Sun., 5/28: Ride 10 south to Huis Berg Castle and Carpe Diem Restaurant, 38 miles

Day 13, Mon., 5/29: 8 AM depart for Amsterdam by bus

WEATHER: May is one of the best months to visit the Netherlands. Daily highs average in the mid 60s and lows average 50 degrees with rainfall averaging 2.2 inches. NL is green and lush for a reason and cool cloudy weather and rain showers can occur—don't forget to bring breathable waterproof rain gear and be prepared for all types of weather to ensure that your trip is enjoyable.

LODGING & MEALS:  Stadshotel Woerdern and Van Rossum Restaurant in Woerden and Stadthotel in Doesburg will be our homes during the tour, where breakfast is included every morning and dinner at the hotel restaurant is included the six nights that we are in Woerden and on three of our evenings in Doesburg for a total of 12 breakfasts and 9 dinners. Two drinks (beer/wine/soda) and light snacks from the hotel bars are also included for our daily happy hour. Lunches will be on your own when you’re out riding.

LOGISTICS:  Ride participants who plan to spend time in Amsterdam and/or the Netherlands/Europe before the trip may take the train to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport on Wednesday, May 17, where we will meet everyone at 2 PM  (you are responsible for your own travel to Amsterdam) with a charter bus to take you to the hotel in Woerden, about 30 miles south of Amsterdam. On Tuesday, May 23, we’ll transfer by bus about 1.5 hours east to Doesburg and on Monday, May 29, a bus will leave Doesburg at 8 a.m. to take ride participants back to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (with possibility to make a flight that day back to the U.S.) Ride participants who plan to spend extra time in the Netherlands after the trip and don’t want to ride the bus to the airport, can take a train to Amsterdam Centraal later in the morning at an additional cost of approx. 20 EUR (or to any other location of their choosing).

Transportation of bike boxes for those desiring to bring their own bikes will be provided. Tandems and e-bikes will be accepted on a case-by-case basis. Talk with the leaders about this. Rental bikes will be available through Holland Bike Tours (hollandbiketours.com). Each rider will pay Holland Bike Tours directly with a credit card. Rental bikes will be delivered to our hotel, transferred to our second location, and picked up at the completion of the tour. The bikes are high quality recreational touring bikes selected for touring in the Netherlands (they are 7-speed and heavier than you may be used to) and e-bikes are also available. If you choose to bring your own bike, it should have at least 32 mm tires. Although we will be riding mostly on paved trails, we may also be riding for short periods of time on dirt or crushed rock packed paths, roads and cobblestones. Road bikes really are not suitable for this tour. 

COST & ADMINISTRATION: Cost estimate is $3100 per person (in addition to the non-refundable $100 BAC ride registration fee). Cost includes bus transportation from Amsterdam Schiphol to the first hotel, transfer between hotels, and from the second hotel back to Amsterdam Schiphol; double occupancy for 12 nights; 12 breakfasts; 9 group dinners; two happy hour drinks (beer/wine/soda) and light snacks daily; route maps, GPS tracks and sightseeing information. Routes will be posted on a Ride with GPS event where GPS tracks can be downloaded and cue sheets and maps can be printed for those who want them, but it is up to the rider to know how to use the Ride with GPS app or his or her own GPS unit before the trip begins. The initial deposit is $1600 and is due September 1, 2022 with the final payment of $1500 due December 1, 2022. The cost is estimated based on $1.15 USD per Euro. Depending on currency exchange rates, there may be an adjustment in the amount of the final payment. 

SINGLES & SOLOS POLICIES: 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 1, 2022 to find a roommate. If they are unable to find a roommate, they will have the option to receive a full refund (minus the BAC fee and payment processing fee) or pay the $840 solo supplement and stay on the ride.  If a single pays the solo supplement, they may continue to seek a roommate, but must plan to participate without a roommate if necessary.  The Ride Leaders will assist by attempting to match singles who apply for the ride.  

Solo riders will be accepted on the ride; the solo supplement cost is $840. Solo supplement payments need to be sent to the BAC office by the Dec. 1, 2022 due date of the final payment. 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 Fees are not refundable unless the entire tour is cancelled because the number of participants registered is less than the minimum established for the tour. 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. 

Ride Participant Responsibility: 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 requests from Ride Leader. While on the ride, support your Ride Leader with offers to help with various tasks such as happy hour preparation and cleanup. 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 request you might have and respect the Ride Leader’s decisions. 

Before participating in any BAC tour, you should assess whether your medical and travel insurance coverage is sufficient. BAC maintains insurance that covers expenses related to accidents, medical emergencies such as sudden and unexpected sickness, and repatriation. This coverage applies when touring outside the US, regardless of your nationality. It will cover you door-to-door for a maximum of 90 days but will expire if you make a side trip not related to the BAC tour for more than 7 days before or after. There is limited coverage for a family member to join a covered person in an emergency. The policy covers the cost of treatment for Covid and other unexpected illnesses, but not quarantine. You should ensure that your vaccinations are up to date.

SIGN-UP: To register for this ride, use the sign-up links just above the Ride Description. After preliminary acceptance, you will be moved to the pending list and receive an email requesting you to go back to the BAC site to digitally accept the terms of the Release of Liability (ROL) and pay the non-refundable BAC Ride Registration Fee and Tour Deposit by credit card. As soon as your deposit has been processed, your name(s) will be added to the Participant List. BAC members with questions may contact the Ride Director by "clicking" the name at the top of this Ride Description.

COVID REQUIREMENTS: All participants must be fully vaccinated and be prepared to present vaccination documentation for viewing by Ride Leader if requested.