Anyone for moving to the Netherlands?

[Trekhawk]

[QUOTE=Roadie N Belgie]I live in Belgium about 20 minutes from the border of the Netherlands. Biking IS a way of life here.

Thanks for giving us an insiders view of biking in Belgium. I love the part about the city bikes that you can just pick up and ride off and then leave for another passerby.

Great to hear about life and biking in different places so keep us up to date with all your latest life/biking adventures. [QUOTE=Roadie N Belgie]I live in Belgium about 20 minutes from the border of the Netherlands. Biking IS a way of life

[gretassister]

I'd go in a heartbeat.....if there weren't all these strings attached here....ie....job, hubby, family, friends, church............hope to visit someday. I have a cycling friend in Germany. She has sent pictures of the Netherlands.

[betagirl]

*raises hand*

[VenusdeVelo]

What a great thread, I am a US expat who moved to the Netherlands a little over a year ago. People don't even think about NOT biking here, it surprises me to meet someone who does not bike to the store, to run their errands, etc. And the collection of bikes is fantastic. The train station looks like the start of a huge charity ride in the US ... a sea bikes all over -- but here it's everyday. There are bikes of all colors, many handpainted (not all that pretty but it's the thought that counts ) I've seen bikes with little flower vases with fresh flowers attached to the handlebars (NL is the land of flowers too). And one bike, was just great, completely covered in zebra stripe pile carpet material.

And then there are the people -- carrying a cell phone, AND an umbrella. I've had teleconferences at work where 1 person is on their bike! Bikes with boxes in front ("boxfiets" -- a fiets is a bike) where the kids go, usu 1 or 2. Or sometimes their dog. And then there is what we call the "dutch tandem" -- a cyclist riding and their partner is sitting in the rack in back, side saddle. There's even a technique, they push off the bike and hop on! And people who are 15 years old or 80 years old...everyone rides.

A way of life indeed.

And yes, few hills (though you can find them) but killer wind. I am learning to conquer the fight of wind on my cycling performance! Of course I prefer green to polka dots so I don't mind...

If anyone ever visits NL, give me a shout, would love to take you riding!

[Trekhawk]

[QUOTE -VenusdeVelo] I've seen bikes with little flower vases with fresh flowers attached to the handlebars (NL is the land of flowers too). And one bike, was just great, completely covered in zebra stripe pile carpet material.

And then there are the people -- carrying a cell phone, AND an umbrella. I've had teleconferences at work where 1 person is on their bike


Thanks for sharing. I love the part about the bikes with vases and the fact that riding is so much a part of everyones life.

Keep posting your Netherland experiences, I look forward to hearing more from the land of bicycles.

[Roadie N Belgie]

I hope this works, I am new to the picture/link side of things. If it works, this picture was taken in Eindhoven, NL, which is a good sized city. It's a little hard to tell in the picture, but on the other side of the walled in area, there are tons more bikes.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b7...arkandRide.jpg

These are what I call the "cruisers" (I have one and I LOVE it, but I feel like I have neglected it since I got my racing bike.) The cruisers can cost just as much as a good racing/mt bike. I have a picture I took of my cruiser some time back, to send as a size comparison to my family and friends. I thought it might get a chuckle here as well. This is my cruiser and my Smart car.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b7...Comparison.jpg

I'm going to have to get better about taking my camera along with me to capture day-to-day life.

M

[bikerz]

I LOVE those Smart Cars! (oh, and a great looking bike too!)

I lived in London for 6 months a few years ago, and those Smart Cars were everywhere - and everytime I'm driving around looking for parking in San Francisco, where there are millions of empty little spaces about 6 feet wide between driveways, I think about those cars!

[Trekhawk]

[QUOTE Roadie N Belgie]I hope this works, I am new to the picture/link side of things.

The pictures are great and I love the fact that your bike is nearly bigger than your car.

Wonderful snaps keep them coming.

[Lynne]

OMG, Roadie, that's beautiful! I wish I lived there. I love the US, but dang, I'd love to move there. Sounds like utopia....

[ChainsOflove]

Plus there are loads of good lookin blond Dutch boys!