Luna1

Can anyone recommend self guided cycling tours in the Netherlands or other European countries where it wouldn't be overly hot (a little hot is ok) in July? Looking for 7-10 days in a semi rural area, probably not France, Ireland or Italy as we have visited those. Interested in Spain but worried that it will be too hot. Hills ok but not looking for mainly mountain biking. Thanks!

hetismij

Have a look at http://www.tulipcycling.com/ who do tailor made trips.
An alternative is to decide were you want to cycle in the Netherlands and plan your own route. This is easy to do with cycling maps, and using the numbered connection points many provinces now have. You would then hire a bike and have to carry your own luggage and book your own accommodation, which may be too much planning to do before July.
You may find this website useful:
http://www.cycletourer.co.uk/cycletouring/holland.shtml

hetismij

Meant to add that July can be hot here too!

spaarne

The Netherlands has an excellent bicycle road system. It is unique. In these photos you'll see an example of what it is like, http://tinyurl.com/y8hltjl. The red bordered direction/distance signs are everywhere.

This was a really flat ride. If you want a little bit of roller coaster action use the fietspad through the dunes just behind the North Sea, e.g. from Zandvoort to Noordwijk is only 10 miles. By then I am ready for a beverage in a cozy Dutch cafe.

Do it on your own, with a map and compass or GPS. If you get lost ask someone for help. Everybody speaks English and they are always eager to help a *Yank*.

July is variable. In my experience it is more likely to be chilly and dripping, especially in the coastal areas.

BicycleFriends

For Belgium you can find some inspiration in the network of tracks that I posted on Bikely.

http://www.bikely.com/listpaths/by/fietslogies
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path...logies-summary

All of them follow old railway tracks and towpaths along rivers in Belgium, and the neighbouring border regions of France, Germany and the Netherlands. It's all pretty flat.

bilboburgler

I'm struggling to remember the name of the bike map company that covers most of europe in little sections ( ring bound and narrow)they cover every where. This is very good in Germany and Denmark but also elsewhere.

July will be warm and yes holland will be fantastic as so flat but you could also look at the german rivers (mosel, Rhine etc as they are flat also as is the area Verona to the sea. (PO valley)

bigtyke

Check out www.crazyguyonabike.com for trip reports on bike trips almost everywhere

bilboburgler

The map company is Cycline published by Esterbauer
www.esterbauer.com and there may be a cycline web site as well. While this is really cycling for softies it does mean that enough people use the route to ensure that B&Bs, bike shops etc exist along its length to make it easy to enjoy

JeremyinFrance

If you go cycling in a flat country, then you are at the mercy of the sun. You mentioned Spain. I would recommend northern Spain, around the foothills of the Pyrenees. A beautiful area, lots of culture, climbing if you want it, some lovely shaded valleys and specatcular scenery.
http://www.jeremytaylor.eu/cycling_over_pyrenees_1.htm
http://www.jeremytaylor.eu/jeremyinspain.htm