Today was another interesting ride. About 55 plus kilometers. I left earlier than on the previous few days with a light head wind and almost full sunshine. I selected the dune route for the first 10 km, It was different but hilly. Yes there were ups and downs in flat Holland. My goal was to go to Keukenhof, a formal garden famous for its tulips. I had a few problems navigating in the urban areas as I always do. It is hard to maintain, even my slow speed, and watch for traffic and directional signs. I miss many and have to backtrack often. Over the years I have gotten better about knowing quickly when I have made a wrong turn. My chain started slipping on the lower gears so I had to stop and adjust it a couple of times. Later I did road side repairs. I will come and visit the Keukenhof at the end of my trip. It is only 10 miles from my last hotel. I rode through many tulip areas and took lots of pictures. The best will be posted below. At the end of my ride the head wind increased considerably. My progress slowed even more. On top of that, I inadvertently went through a very well kept wet lands wild life nature preserve. It had broad paved paths. I was stopped numerous time and was asked for my bicycle permit which I of course did not have one. I was also told I could not get one as a tourist. I was helped to the nearest gate exit which was back on the hilly dunes path. The winds had really increased by then. My double nemeses hills and headwinds. I eventually came to my hotel and celebrated the end of the ride. I walked through the beach resort area and stopped for a hamburger and a beer at a local restaurant. I was not real very hungry. It was good and larger than I had expected. Tomorrow after some much needed bicycle maintenance, I will take the train north to turn the head wind into a tail wind. Which will probably mean that the winds will shift to their normal direction on Friday. I will let you know. For some reason these pictures are not in order. Blame Bill Gates. You do know you can click on any picture and make it larger, thank Tim Cooke.
A stable next to a big country house.
My hamburger at the end of the day.
A beach scene along the way, early near Scheveningen.
Leaving Zandvoort.
Water fowl early in the day near Scheveningen.
The trail through the dunes just north of Scheveningen..
More of the above.
On the urban bike trail.
More of the same.
Flower near Lisse.
Etc.
Proof I was there, not photoshopped!
A major flower bulb distributor.
Beautiful colors.
Blues.
Oranges and yellows.
Again.
More,
The manor house to go with the stable above.
The church across the street.
The preserve where I almost got nabbed.
Wild life.
A very easy going deer.
The second part of the dune trail. it was not flat but it was windy.
Tot Ziens.
Sounds like a tough ride!!! I think I recognized the beach. We visited the North beach way back in the mid 70s. Each beach chair came with a wind blocker to help shield you from the flying sand. Loved the scenes from the preserve; too bad you couldn't continue. I guess the bier was good? Safe and joyous travels. J & L
ReplyDeleteA few times on the dunes trail, the wind would pick up the sand and it would sting as it hit you. That was especially true crossing the big dykes a few days ago down south.
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