The Netherlands, an introduction

Hasn't everybody seen dozens of them? The picture postcards with the obligatory wind mills, wooden shoes and tulip fields, sending you the very best regards from Holland. One can hardly stop believing that the inhabitants of this flat spot on Europe's map by the sea walk around all day dressed in their traditional costumes, making cheese and painting small tiles Delft blue. And certainly, whenever you visit the many large tourist attractions, you will encounter all that without doubt. But the Netherlands is more!
By the way: isn't it confusing? The country's official name is the Netherlands, but usually it's called Holland (which officially is a combination of two provinces in the west of the country). The inhabitants are called the Dutch (or Dutchmen), and their language Nederlands is translated 'Dutch'. Sounds very much like 'Deutsch' which, in contrast, is the national language of Germany. Go figure.
 

Primarily, Holland is a country of water. Wherever you are, the North Sea and the IJsselmeer can almost always be reached within the hour. Throughout the year it's a pleasure to stroll on the beaches and in the dunes which protect the country. And that protection is necessary, because within more than 70% of the Dutch area you'll find yourself below sea level. In past centuries, the Dutch have struggled to keep their country from being flooded by the North Sea. Not always quite successful. The Delta Works is one of the most impressive structures in the world, thus earning it the title 'The Eighth Wonder of the World'. This system of hydraulic engineering works protects Holland against storm surges and improves the water balance. A real technical tour de force!
Water is still one of the most important features of the Netherlands. Just think of the large harbors in Amsterdam and Rotterdam, or the recreational boat rides on the lakes, in the Amsterdam canals » and in water regions like the polders » in the west.
 

Also, Holland is a densely populated country, where people with various cultural backgrounds live together. Especially in the cities, representatives of the whole World can be found on one square mile. On a bright sunny day in Amsterdam's Vondelpark literally dozens of languages are spoken.
Evidence of Holland's history and tradition is found both in the cities, and in small towns and fishermen's villages. Medieval churches, trade buildings and farms offer an impressive overview of the growth and development of this small country. A couple of outdoor museum villages, like the Zuiderzee Museum » in Enkhuizen, the Open Air Museum » in Arnhem and the Zaanse Schans » are excellent destinations for a day ride by motorbike or bicycle.
 

Bicycle riding in the Netherlands

The Dutch don't just ride a bicycle for leisure. Transportation by bike is part of every day's life of most dutchmen. To school, work, or in order to do some shopping. Bicycling is popular...but bicycles are, as well. Be warned: you better lock your bicycle securely when you have to leave it somewhere on the streets...otherwise chances are, that it's stolen rapidly.
Because so many ride a bike, the Netherlands have separate bicycle lanes and tracks, a large set of traffic rules for bikes, and several road signs to increase safety of bicyclists. You'll find over 20,000km (12,500 miles) of bicycle lanes in this country, and don't be surprised if you even see traffic lights just for cyclists.
 

Like Belgium, Holland has a fine maze of LF's: Landelijke Fietsroutes (National Bicycle Routes). This maze consists of a total of 4,500km (2,800 miles) of nice bicycle lanes, fully marked, and indicated by clear signs along the road. You will mainly ride quite and safe back roads and separate bicycle lanes parallel to main roads.
Furthermore, literally hundreds of indicated smaller bike routes (30-100km) have been plotted throughout the country, locally and nationally. Wherever you find yourself in the Netherlands, from the flat polders in the North and West to the rolling hills of the Veluwe, Drenthe or Limburg in the South, you can enjoy these safe and pittoresque bicycle routes. The ANWB offers brochures with descriptions of them all.
 

Riding a motorbike

In general, the Dutch roads are excellent, but crowded. Because of the traffic density, safety measures have become increasingly important. As a result, you find traffic lights, roundabouts and speed bumps where you really wouldn't like them to be.
Not the best spot for motorbike riders, one would say. Luckily, plenty of wonderful winding roads can still be found, making Holland a great country for a motorbike trip as well. For instance the dike roads around the polders and along the main rivers. Most motorbike clubs schedule rides each weekend, and most of the times, guest riders are allowed to participate in group rides. At the LOOT website, which is the governing organization of motorbike clubs, the annual program for this year can be downloaded. Monthly updates are available, too.
Alternatively, dozens of automobile routes published by ANWB can serve as wonderful bike trips. Especially interesting for those motorbike riders who don't primarily want to achieve the best lap times and scratch the pegs in the corners, but like to enjoy the scenery, instead.
Last but not least, the KNMV, the national motorbike riders organization that conducts several clinics and training days should be mentioned. Race track practice days for this year, well worth every penny, have already been scheduled.
 

Links and event calendars

This is but a selection of event listings that might be interesting for bicyclists and motor bikers. If you would like to add an event listing, please let us know!

• The event calendar of Netherlands Board of Tourism ».
• The same Board offers Bicycle tips and trips ».
• Bicycle tracks » in Holland.
• Bicycle events » for Holland and Belgium. [DUTCH]
• The FietsRAI.nl » also publishes an event calendar for bicyclists. [DUTCH]
• Motovatie » is an active motorbike club in Amstelveen that allows guests to join them on rides. [DUTCH]
• The annual list of motorbike weekend trips by LOOT » is extensive! See the monthly updates » as well. [DUTCH]
• The british Cycle Tourer » has a nice introduction to cycling in Holland.

If you need a small part of an event calendar translated into english (and the authors can't help you), please don't hesitate and ask us!