Hi!

I'm brand new to touring, and I'm planning a solo trip covering the country of The Netherlands. I appreciate any advices and/or experiences you can provide.

My Cycling Experience:
I spent two months cycling to work on a mountain bike; kept on the same gear of 2 and 5 on a 21-speed. Each way, it took me ½ hour covering 7 miles, including a very steep bridge. The longest trip I'd ever biked was 9 hrs; it was a rental bike, one gear with coastal brake. I was tired by the end but I wasn't burnt out; with a few short stop-overs, it was enjoyable riding. That is the extend of my riding experience. That said, I am healthy and athletically built. I don't know how long and fast I would ride with full panniers, does 100km a day sound unreasonable?

Time Needed:
How much time is necessary to cycle through all 12 provinces? Let's say if one cycled, on average 6 hours or 100km a day, not including stop/rest time, how long would it hypothetically take? What was your experience? Would 2 months be enough time to cover The Netherlands?

Bike and Equipment:
1. I'm considering buying a used bike once I reached Netherlands. Must I have a touring bike or a city bike could work? I prefer coastal brake, do you think I could get away with only one gear? The country is said to be fairly flat except for two provinces: Overijssel and Limburg. Also, I prefer occassionally riding standing-up, I don't know if this is possible with full panniers.

2. Is there a ratio formula of gear/pannier:body weight:bike weight? For example: If I weigh 120 lbs (54 kilos), my personal possession (not including pannier weight,) should not exceed X number of pounds?

3. Are cycling shoes necessary? I'll be cycling leisurely but I also want to use my energy efficiently.

4. I read that all restaurants carry bike repair kits throughout the country. What items do I need to keep in my personal repair kit anyway?

Gear Protection:
1. My Dutch friends warned that bike and personal stuff crime is high, even in smaller towns and villages. Is that true, even in small towns/villages? I just thought my friends were paranoid.

2. When you go inside somewhere for an hour or so (supermarkets, cafes, restaurants, hostels, etc...), how do lock up your stuff inside the panniers, or do you bring every thing with you in a backpack?

3. What type of lock(s) do you use to secure your bike and belongings?

Accommodations and Camping:
1. I plan on bringing my camping gear. What is the weather like in August and September? How cold does it get? Should I bring a 4C (40F) synthetic sleeping bag or a -17C (0F) down sleeping bag?

2. Are campgrounds easy to find along bike routes?

3. Has anyone stayed with Vrienden op de Fiets?

4. Or camped with the Stichting Natuurkampeerterreinen? What was your experience? Do you recommend staying with any of them?

Eating and Drinking:
1. I understand the public water is generally safe to drink, do I need to bring a water filter anyway?
How many water bottles would you bring? How easy is it to get them refilled?

Packing:
1. Let's say, 2 front panniers and 2 back panniers, how would you pack? Camping gear in one back pannier, clothes in the other back pannier; food in one front pannier, flashlight/everything else in the other front pannier? What has worked for you?

2. What are some things you packed for a trip that you regret taking? What are some "common sense" things that people take on a trip but don't make sense for touring?

3. Can anyone explain what chamois cream is and how it is used? Is it necessary? What other things are necessary?

Cycling Clothes:
1. I am clueless about cycling shorts. Where I'm traveling may rain often, and I likely won't have a place to dry my shorts properly. How many pair of cycling shorts do you suggest? Are they meant to be washed everyday?

2. I read that cycling shorts may not be necessary on touring saddles, that they are needed more on road bike saddles. Is that true?

3. What articles of clothing would you pack for a two month trip?

4. How does one wash their clothes on the road? What do you bring with you?

Cycling Routes:
I don't really know how to plan out my trip. There are so many options and I get confused by where to start once I depart from Amsterdam. Where would you start off the trip, what routes would you take, and where will your trip end? Bear in mind I want to cover quaint villages, castles and nature (but not necessarily going to every forests or heath.) And I don't want to find myself back-tracking all the time.

I have the Noord and Zuid De Sterkste fietskaarts, Landelijke Fietskaart, the ANWB Fietsroutebox and a few other map books. If you want to suggest some routes, it's possible I can follow what you're saying on my maps. I also have Lonely Planet and Insight Guides.

I apologize for such a long post. Thank you for taking the time to read this and for responding!

Regards,
Holland