Why this website ?

I decided to make this website after an encounter, one beautiful summer morning in 2007, with a group of cyclists, who were on a day trip around here. They simply rented bikes in Amsterdam, and adventured in the countryside. A good idea.
But unfortunately they had absolutely no clue where to cycle, and had even less a notion of all that great sightseeing and history around them.
That's what I found out an hour or so later, when I met them a second time as they were quarrelling on a street corner. They didn't speak any Dutch, or English, to ask around, and were feeling very unhappy. It was their only day left in Holland, and now felt they blew it.
Now, that's a waste !!!

My wife and I made long bicycle trips all over Europe. Generally with just a very global plan and route in mind. Fully packed, and self supporting for a couple of days, we were also pretty independent. We found this a very relaxed way to travel.

As much as we cherished our complete freedom, with a lot of pleasant surprises (and indeed a few less pleasant ones), we would have welcomed a website like the one you're on now. With some basic practical information on cycling, and on a region and its backgrounds.
Exactly that perspective I had in mind when I started building this site. And judging from the reactions so far, that's how it is appreciated.

Later, we cycled with our children. First day trips, which they enjoyed very much. When they were 8+, trekking vacations. The longest one from Amsterdam to the Baltic Sea in eastern Germany. By that time the oldest one was a real teenager, and started to have other ideas of a relaxed vacation ...

Summer of 2009, the youngest daughter (then 15) asked if we could have another bicycle vacation. And to our surprise the oldest volunteered to join in. On a short trip of 10 days we cycled from Amsterdam to Munster in Germany, and back via an other route. A nice family vacation, and Munster is a pleasant and very bike friendly city.

Well, I hope this website is useful for your trips. And if you want advice or suggestions, don't hesitate to send a mail.
Kind regards,
Met vriendelijke groet,
Edmond

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