Exploring Amsterdam
With spring arriving, it’s time to get the bike out and put on your best cycling shorts! To ease gently back into cycling, I was tempted by the Low Countries and the gems of Holland, from Amsterdam to Bruges. Keen to stay in shape after a winter filled with raclette and other delicacies from the Vercors, I decided to get my road bike out and lengthen the stages of the original route! With my friend Gary alongside me, I was ready for the journey.
Having arrived in Amsterdam the day before, we take time to stroll along the canals and explore the city on foot. We certainly aren’t the only cyclists here! Every resident owns as many bikes as an American owns cars (3 or 4)!
Exploring the city of Amsterdam in the Netherlands © David Praire
Art lovers are well catered for too. A full day is barely enough to catch a glimpse of the many works by Rembrandt, Van Gogh and others.
Cycling in the city of Amsterdam in the Netherlands © David Praire
Leaving Amsterdam
At dawn, Gary gets on his road bike and, after a few turns of the pedals (526, or 15 minutes), we have left Amsterdam behind and are following the Amstel. We soon discover the countryside and its beautifully maintained little hamlets. It feels so lovely here that we stop for a while!
Cycling along the canalised River Amstel in the Netherlands © David Praire
Back on the road, we continue along the canals, sometimes on little cycle paths barely wide enough for one bike, but always in perfect condition!
Cycle path along the Amstel with sheep in the Netherlands © David Praire
Passing through Gouda, home of its namesake cheese
Following the canal, we reach the old town of Gouda: the true capital of the cheese that bears its name!
Market square in Gouda in the Netherlands © David Praire
Gouda cheese in the Netherlands © David Praire
A few windmills later …
A few windmills later (there are plenty of them! The windmills of Kinderdijk are part of the major works undertaken to drain the polders), we continue to the coastal town of Dordrecht, where it is lovely to enjoy a drink on the quayside and watch the … barges go by.
Cycling past a windmill in Kinderdijk in the Netherlands © David Praire
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Early this Monday morning, we leave Dordrecht. On the outskirts of town, a friendly local fellow cyclist insists on leading the way. He clearly doesn’t trust our GPS (wrongly!) and is delighted to have a chance to exchange a few words.
On the quayside in Dordrecht in the Netherlands © David Praire
A stop in Willemstad
We reach Willemstad for lunch. This charming little medieval town is surrounded by fortifications and moats. It is the ideal place for a break, or an overnight stay!
Cycling in the countryside around Willemstad © David Praire
Cycling in Willemstad in the Netherlands © David Praire
A break on a terrace in Willemstad © David Praire
The province of Zeeland
Leaving Willemstad, we enter the province of Zeeland. We cross several bridges (with separate cycle paths!) to travel from island to island. The area is peaceful, and our route takes us through more little villages and past a few tulip fields.
Church in Oude-Tonge in the Netherlands © David Praire
Windmill in Oude-Tonge in the Netherlands © David Praire
Cycling past a tulip field in Oude-Tonge in the Netherlands © David Praire
Countryside near Sirjansland in the Netherlands © David Praire
We reach our accommodation in the hamlet of Schuddebeurs. It is the ideal place to unwind after a lovely day and enjoy the excellent restaurant!
Cycling towards the Zeeland Bridge (Zeelandbrug) in the Netherlands © David Praire
Today we head to Bruges via Middelburg. Shortly after setting off, we find ourselves on one of Europe’s longest bridges, with its far end hidden by the morning mist. The route then follows the coast, offering a taste of the magnificent white sandy beaches of the North Sea.
We stop in Middelburg, the capital of the province of Zeeland and one of the oldest towns in the country.
Discovering Flanders
We take a ferry from Vlissingen that brings us to Flanders. The scenery is completely different. Along the vast beaches, we cannot resist stopping at a beach café to enjoy this extraordinary setting.
Kruishoofd beach in the Netherlands © David Praire
After a long ride along the sea, the cycle path turns inland towards Bruges. Having passed a few fortified villages, we join the Damme Canal, lined with old willows, and follow it to Bruges, with its medieval town centre, canals and lace!
Cycling along the Damme Canal in Belgium © David Praire
Arriving in Bruges
In Bruges, we savour the end of our journey with an unmissable and well-earned trio: chips, beer and a waffle!
Market Square in Bruges in Belgium © David Praire
Market Square in Bruges in Belgium © David Praire
Has this account inspired you to set off on this lovely trip yourself, travelling through Holland and Belgium from Amsterdam to Bruges? Find it here!
Text and photo credit © David Praire, director of Grand Angle
Article written by
David Praire
CEO
David brings both his energy and experience to GrandAngle.Travel. His unique background — combining a rigorous academic education with an intense sporting career as a cross-country ski instructor and former high-level… Read more
