Keukenhof Gardens bike route suggestions

This past April, 2024, we rented bikes at Keukenhof after we spent the morning in the Gardens. The bikes were poorly maintained and riding them was difficult. The gears continually slipped out of place, and my bike kept bearing left. Keep in mind riders in the opposite direction were oncoming on the left, and a canal was on the right. And- it was really windy! I was happy that we tried to ride bikes, but these conditions were not ideal, so we kept the ride short. When we returned the bikes we told the staff that the bikes needed maintenance, but we saw the staff hand the bikes off to the next folks waiting.
So, do a practice ride in the parking lot, and if the bike doesn't fit you, or if the bike isn't performing correctly , go back and get one in better shape.
Have a wonderful trip!

Some alternative bike routes with descriptions are presented here which would give you some ideas of local attractions: https://bollenstreek.nl/things-to-do/cycling/cycling-routes/?lang=en..

https://bollenstreek.nl/things-to-do/cycling/cycling-routes/keukenhof-cycle-route/?lang=en has for example 4 routes that will take you past the remains of Huys Dever (https://bollenstreek.nl/things-to-do/monuments/t-huys-dever/?lang=en) and the dunes.

We had the same experience with the rental bikes at Keukenhof. The bikes were not great and it was very, very windy and had rained all morning. Cold enough to need hat and gloves on the bike. Pedaling into the wind was a workout and one gust blew me off into the grass. We did one of their recommended routes, stopping only to take pictures. On our date, about April 24, nearly every field was devoid of flowers, but we did see some swans in a canal. The 16th should be better. We are still glad we did it and Keukenhof gardens were spectacular. During the first hour after opening, in the cold drizzle, we had many areas to ourselves. There is good hot chocolate in the cafes at Keukenhof. We didn't have lunch.

Quite a few posters have suggested renting an e-bike in Leiden or Haarlem and cycle from there or take the train to the Hillegom train station and rent a bike there: https://bollenstreek.nl/things-to-do/cycling/rent-a-bike-bollenstreek-holland/rental-bike-train-station-hillegom/?lang=en&amp. This website may give you same options for renting bikes close to the Keukenhof.