We have a 26 hour layover in Amsterdam and would like to do some sort of organized bike tour-either city or countryside. I know that we have enough time to do a city tour (our flight leaves at 5:40 PM) but I question whether we would have enough time with a country tour. Any suggestions of places to rent from and tours to do? Two family members are excellent bike riders, #3 family member hasn't been on anything other than an exercise bike for a few years!
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16893 posts
The cyclist sitting next to me thinks it's more fun in Amsterdam to go with a group bike tour, such as these two listed in Rick's guidebook: www.yellowbike.nl or www.joyridetours.nl. If you want to stay in a smaller town to start with, then Haarlem is also very accessible from Schipol Airport, 40 minutes by frequent direct bus (or train with a connection at Amsterdam-Sloterdijk) and you can rent bikes in the train station or at www.rentabikehaarlem.nl.
Posted by
IJzendijke, The Netherlands
1968 posts
Some 4 to 5km to the north of Amsterdam Centraal railway station you already leave the urban area. North-east of Amsterdam the country-side is really lovely with a lot of little lakes and cute little places like Zunderdorp, Waterland Ransdorp, Zuiderwoude, Durgerdam, Broek in Waterland, Marken, Monnickendam, Edam. The latter distance to Amsterdam is some 20km. If of interest you can visit touristtrap Volendam in the proces. You can also cycle to Zaanse Schans, but route to it is not scenic, unless somebody can tell the opposite.
Not all routes are seperate bikelanes, so be a bit carefull with the local traffic.
Posted by
franktown, colorado
2252 posts
My husband, son and I took the "Countryside" bike tour with Mike's Bikes a few years ago. Lots of fun and most enjoyable. Not sure you have enough time to take the one we did but you might want to take a look. Here's the link: http://www.mikesbiketoursamsterdam.com/