Amsterdam to Calais

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Jimhammer 19 Oct 21:44  

Joined: 19 Oct 2011

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Myself and two friends are planning a trip for 2012. We will be getting a ferry to the hook of holland, then cycling to Amsterdam and then down to Calais via Bruges. Im just looking for a bit of advice on the best time to go, best routes and so on. It's going to be an easy one. We are thinking of taking about a week to do it.

SeanT 22 Oct 20:12  

Joined: 22 Oct 2011

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Hi Jim hammer. My brother and I cycled from Amsterdam down the coast then to brugge and on to Calais in early August this year (we also cycled from just outside Edinburgh to North Shields where we got the overnight ferry to Ijmuiden near Amsterdam. It was a lovely experience, though I would perhaps do it the other way round if doing it again re wind factor. Still, we enjoyed it all the same.

I just wrote up a blog about it and welcome to read a bit about our experiences. Make sure and have good cycle maps (though they can be expensive for each region). Holland has great cycling tracks/paths and belguims waterways are ideal to cycle along. Here is my blog (just cut and paste) - Enjoy

http://seanandmickcyclingtrip.blogspot.com/




Bicycle Friends 24 Oct 17:41  

Joined: 01 Jun 2010

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My Profile 		What kind of accomodation will you use?


Jimhammer 25 Oct 21:24  

Joined: 19 Oct 2011

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Thanks Sean,that was an interesting read,most importatnly the very last bit of advice about cycling up to Holland instead of down to calais. as we are based in the south east,we were going to get the ferry from Harwich to the hook of Holland, however any chance to avoid headwinds would be a bonus, and i think we are going to change our plans and start from calais now.

To save on weight, we are going to go for Bed and breakfast and hostels.


SeanT 26 Oct 22:06  

Joined: 22 Oct 2011

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Hi Jim Hammer,

I am glad to hear you have decided to take our advice and cycle from Calais instead. You wont regret it, particluarly if wanting to do this within a week. It took us 10 days to cycle from Amsterdam to Calais, but took it fairly steady at times. Having the wind behind you for most of the way will be a God send. You could still basically cover the same route accept it would be the other way round and just simply cycle from Amsterdam back to the hook of Holland to get your ferry back to Harwick. What ever you do, you will enjoy cycling through Holland. best of luck to you and your friends on your trip.

Sean




annieslandmissile 27 Oct 17:58  

Joined: 14 Jul 2010

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My Profile 		Hi Sean T, wow that trip sounds really good fun!! I ve started to read your blog and see some of the photo s. Good stuff guys!




annieslandmissile 27 Oct 20:23  

Joined: 14 Jul 2010

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My Profile 		Lovin the blog! The beers, chess games, campsite adventures. I m from Glasgow and had been planning a tour for next year although must admit had never thought of going abroad but now i m maybe thinking differently.


Bicycle Friends 27 Oct 21:40  

Joined: 01 Jun 2010

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My Profile 		Halfway Brugge (Bruges) and Calais is the little town of Veurne (Furnes) absolutely worth a stop (or even a stay).
http://tourism.veurne.be/home/2263/default_tourism.aspx
Brugge is an obvious stop, although Gent (Ghent) has much more diversity and culturel richness for display.
In Damme you can spend two hours.
Middelburg is also worth a full day.

If you're spending a week in the Low Countries, then it's worth having a look if 'Vrienden op de Fiets' is not something for you.
http://www.vriendenopdefiets.nl
You get in touch with locals, paying a modest price for your overnightings and breakfasts.


SeanT 28 Oct 12:17  

Joined: 22 Oct 2011

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Hi Annieslandmissile and Bicycle friends


Annieslandmissile

Thanks for your nice comment. Just to mention that it was unfortunate that we dont have pictures of Scotland and England (re situation with cameras) - but many of the places we passed though on our way to Newcastle were really memorable and very scenic (and met some very nice people on our travels). I love cycling out in East Lothian as it is very beautiful countryside. There are so many nice places to cycle through in the uk and will have the odd long weekend break somehwre once the better weather comes in.

In Holland, the great thing is that it is flat and ideal for families cycling together especially as they have very safe cycling tracks and routes. I am glad to hear you are thinking of planning a trip abroad as it is really worth a go. You dont know till you try. I am a novice and yet managed to do it. The only thing I would do next time would be to make sure you find good campsites (if camping) by planning ahead. We were very hit and miss and relied on luck really as our blog candidly highlights. But what ever you do or plan for next year, I hope you have an enjoyable time. Sean


Bicycle Friends

You are absolutely correct about Veurne. We stopped of there for a sandwich at the main Plaza. I took a photo of the plaza as we were very impressed with the place. We were both tired and really only passing through, but thought it looked a great place to visit. I will add it into my blog and write a wee comment about.

It was regrettable that we didnt visit Ghent as I did read a little bit about it. There are so many places in Belguim to visit as you have correctly highlighted. Belguim will definately be a place I would like to go back to. Thanks again for your informative post

Sean