biking in the netherlands
 

can anyone recommend a few days trips from amsterdam? i'm here for 2 weeks and am hoping to get some riding in.

If you're already there have you consulted with the VVV (tourist) office about this subject?

Definitely go to the VVV. They will have route suggestions and maps.

You can also take the train out of Amsterdam and rent a bike in another city to start your riding, such as Haarlem (go through the Kennemerduinen, or dunes, to the beach); Leiden (ride to Noordwijk aan Zee or Katwijk aan Zee, the beach again); Naarden (ride to Muiderslot, an old defensive castle); Monnikendam (ride to Edam and/or Volendam and back); Delft (ride to the beach town of Monster - no kidding); or Bergen aan Zee (a former artists' colony near the beach). Or travel to Arnhem and ride to the National Park 'De Hoge Veluwe'. There are practically endless possibilities!

haven't done that yet. thanks for the tip!

One very nice bike trip, is to take the fast train from Amsterdam to Dordrecht (about 1.5 hr) and cycle the "molenroute" (windmill route) from there to Kinderdijk (less than 1 hr cycling)-the area with all the windmills. The Tourist office in Dordrecht is near the train station and can get a map and directions there. Here is their website:

http://www.vvvzhz.nl/engels/welcome_eng.html
http://www.kinderdijk.nl/

It's a really great route-you start by crossing on a passenger ferry to Papendrecht and follow the route signs to Alblasserdam. I highly recommend it. I lived in Dordrecht for 9 months and this was definitely the best part of living there. I'm pretty sure they rent bikes from the Dordrecht train station or from the Tourist office-email to be sure.

I forgot that one, Chris - great idea!

thanks chris, i will look into it.