Reply With QuoteIronic footnote:
I just looked it up and World Naked Bike Ride - Amsterdam is today....
...starting at 1PM at the train station...
...their train for Paris...
...leaves at 1PM...
Another cycling experience for them!
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06-06-2009, 02:31 AM #1
f/k/a Mr. S.
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SilverKids cycling experience in Amsterdam
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As some of you know, I've been suffering through the fact that SilverKids are traveling
alone in Europe - "yes, I've seen TAKEN" - there are four votes in our house and apparently, mine is equal to the other three and carries no veto authority. SilverSon (age 15) rides consistently, SilverDaughter (age 18) never rides.
But, here's an excerpt of observations from her Friday blog (with emphasis added by me):
After that we came back to the hotel and rented bikes to go explore the city some more... like a local(more to come about that). We rode our bikes down to Dam Square because we had seen a lot of good souvenir shops form the tram there. We got our souvenirs that we had been looking for and wanting. After making it back to the hotel I was reminded as to why I don't cycle with my family(sorry mom and dad, not my thing)
Amsterdam and bicycles - Amsterdam is a city of bicycles, if you've seen my pictures. I'm going to try and get a picture on our way our of some bike lanes, and traffic lights... yes for the bikes they have traffic lights. Our hotel, the Bicycle Hotel rents bikes for 7.50 euros a day, when paying for them I asked the girl if there is anything I need to know. She said try and stay out of people's way, they are used to it and know where they are going, and two) that bikers own the city, cars will give you the right of way, because if something happens affecting the two of you, even if it is your fault, they still get blamed. I've also noticed that even walkers give right of way to bikers, most people have a little bell, they ring it if people up ahead start walking in the street, or are just in the way. In the morning you will see people riding their bike, one hand on the handle bars, one eating a banana or apple, also people having normal conversation on the phone while riding, people texting, people in business suits, high heels... everything. Some have child seats, they aren't like ours in the states though, they are smaller, sometimes in front of the rider, they almost all have a little rack over the back wheel. [SilverSon] and I watched how they ride with someone sitting there. They just know how it all works. Some bikes have carriers over their racks that they can use to hold things, some have a bin in front of their bike... They have everything. If my parents brought their speed bikes here they would definitely look out of place though.
Another thing here is the roads. One word for an American ... CONFUSING!!!!! on the road they have bike/motorbikes, cars, and trams. There is almost always a bike lane, but sometimes the cars and trams have the same lane, or the bikes have a wide lane and the cars can use it, if possible when a tram is stopped.. almost too confusing to explain, I'll try and get some pictures on our way to Centraal Station to catch our train tomorrow.
Oh yeah - on the phone she added "NO HELMETS". She also described a woman riding with a baby in a snugglee on her chest, keeping one hand on her 4 year old daughters neck to guide her while she rode next to mom/baby. I guess Amsterdam in permissive in more ways than we know...
Here's the Bike Park that fascinated them - three levels tall at Centraal Station:
And some of the signs - scooter vs. bike:
In a couple hours, they're off to Paris!Last edited by Mr. Bloom; 06-06-2009 at 02:38 AM.
If you don't grow where you're planted, you'll never BLOOM - Will Rogers
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06-06-2009, 02:43 AM #2
f/k/a Mr. S.
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If you don't grow where you're planted, you'll never BLOOM - Will Rogers
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06-06-2009, 03:03 AM #3
Just cyclist not linguist
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They can join them!
Originally Posted by Mr. Silver
My cycling hero: http://www.cyclinghalloffame.com/rid...asp?rider_id=1
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06-06-2009, 06:04 AM #4
Of sky 'n earth
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My partner just returned from Europe after 3 wks. there. He often noticed this particular gesture of an cycling adult gently placing their hand on shoulder, etc. to cycling child. Most definitely a gesture not seen hardly at all here in North America..or a cycling couple holding hands while cycling. Which they do much more naturally there. Originally Posted by Mr. Silver
My Personal blog on cycling & other favourite passions.
遙知馬力日久見人心 Over a long distance, you learn about the strength of your horse; over a long period of time, you get to know what’s in a person’s heart.
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06-06-2009, 06:10 AM #5
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Man, I want to be a SilverKid, too.
Happy travels and safe journey to them!
RoxyGetting in touch with my inner try-athlete.
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06-06-2009, 06:15 AM #6
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Oh my, can't wait to see today's picture selection. Originally Posted by Mr. Silver
You too can help me fight cancer, and get a lovely cookbook for your very own! My team's cookbook is for sale Click here to order. Proceeds go to our team's fundraising for the Philly Livestrong Challenge!
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06-06-2009, 11:41 AM #7
f/k/a Mr. S.
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Yeah, I'd much rather be a SilverKid rather than Mr. Silver...they clearly have more money than me...they're paying for the trip with their own money! Originally Posted by channlluv
And...WNBK started at a different train station!
If you don't grow where you're planted, you'll never BLOOM - Will Rogers
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06-06-2009, 12:36 PM #8
Born on the 2nd of Feb...
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Brings back memories...my brother and I were loose in Copenhagen, Paris etc. when we were 16 and 17. Of course that was 30 years ago. Now I have an 18yo DD and 16yo DS. Trying to get them to go to Europe together. You have industrious kids if they raised the money themselves.
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06-06-2009, 12:44 PM #9
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And why, Mr. Silver, did you think to look up that ride? I cannot wait to here their version .... Originally Posted by Mr. Silver
"You can't get what you want till you know what you want." Joe Jackson
2006 Cannondale Feminine/Ultegra/Jett
2012 Trek Speed Concept 9.5/Ultegra/saddle TBD
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06-06-2009, 12:46 PM #10
f/k/a Mr. S.
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Originally Posted by spindizzy
And why, Mr. Silver, did you think to look up that ride? I cannot wait to here their version ....
I'm still in Indiana!
If you don't grow where you're planted, you'll never BLOOM - Will Rogers
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06-06-2009, 06:18 PM #11
gravel grindess
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I was amazed while looking at the Copenhagen cycle chic blog that no one wears helmets--even infants.
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06-06-2009, 07:33 PM #12
Grad School 1, Bike 0
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This might possibly be the one thing that will finally get Silverdaughter interested in cycling Originally Posted by Mr. Silver
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06-06-2009, 08:23 PM #13
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ummmm - I don't know about the participants in Amsterdam, but if they are anything like the participants here, Chippendales they are not...... middle aged, mostly saggy, naked folks, partially covered in green and blue poster paints are probably likely to make poor Silverdaughter run even faster from cyclists.... (got swept up in the middle of them one year by accident.... they were cheerful, friendly and obviously having a lot of fun, hot.....oooooooh not so much. A teenager would probably pretty mortified.) Originally Posted by Flybye
This might possibly be the one thing that will finally get Silverdaughter interested in cycling"Sharing the road means getting along, not getting ahead" - 1994 Washington State Driver's Guide
visit my flickr stream http://flic.kr/ps/MMu5N
