Day 5 Gorinchem - 4.8.05 

Despite the occasional wrong turns because signs would suddenly not be there, we really enjoyed how bike friendly Holland is on our last day there. Bike friendly is an under-statement. Bike heaven is where you see groups of elderly people cruising along in their casual gear chatting, or a woman sitting across a parcel rack, no hands, enjoying the rider's company or the teenage kids riding along holding hands. Bikes are truly part of Holland's culture and the facilities reflect that. So off we rode to Breda for lunch.More cathedrals, beautiful old buildings etc.

As we were trying to get out of own, a guy on a mountain bike asked to help. I said we were going to Zundert and he said that's where he lives and we could follow him. Hans turned out to be a triathlete who is now in the army in the special forces. The next 30km was the fastest we have done. Its so much easier when you don't have to stop to check the map. At zundert we saw the house Van Gough was born in. 10 more kms and we were in Belgium. There was no checkpoint so we checked each others passports. Peter and I were OK but Daniel looked suspicious. After some desperate negotiations we let him in.

     

Moments later it was pouring with icy cold rain. We sought shelter, put on arm and leg warmers and light jackets and set off again. We didn't get very far and stopped for a coffee. The rain cleared and we set off to Antwerp. It was obvious that the conditions weren't as good as Holland, no more bike directional signs, but we still had our lanes and paths but in worse condition. found a cute little hotel in the center of town 3meters from a massive cathedral.

Stats Dist 103 Km, Average 18km/hr, Max ND, Climb ... it's Holland

  Email John at John@CycleOdyssey.com.au
 

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