The Ride Home

Getting back on UK roads (UK does not “do” cycle paths) and what a shock. The state of UK roads is a national embarrassment.

Schoonhoven to Hoek van Holland

Miserable ride. Rain started after a few miles and continued through most of ride. Weather percentages worked against me.

Forecast rain & thunderstorms. Packed-up listening to thunder, departed watching lightening ahead. But I was lucky.

Another town I’ve spent a reasonable time in before (many years ago). Can’t remember the town but can remember the carrots.

Yesterday was the hottest day ever in the Netherlands, today is forecast to be hotter. So a very early start to avoid the heat.

Along the Flevopolder dyke beside the Markermeer to Almere, then inland skirting round Hilversum camping south of the city.

Perfect weather. Clear skies, sun, warm, trivial headwind. Legs still a bit tired after yesterday but a good ride anyway.

Nightmare ride. Weather (or wind) not as forecast giving me an unexpected horrendous section south of Harlingen.

Better weather is some respects, dry & sunny but a really nasty headwind making the ride slow and very hard work.

Statistics: Over half its citizens younger than 30, an average of 1.4 bicycles per person & 60% of journeys by bicycle.

Sun but too early for the helping tailwind. A far amount of town and built-up areas cycling but interesting countryside.

More overcast cloudy weather, heading north & still close to German border. An enjoyable ride through varied countryside.