Amsterdam - tourist advice for a bikes/cycling fan?

[matticus]

I'm about to pop over on a "city break" - including tulip tour. It's a family trip (but adults only), and not everyone shares my ... enthusiasm for cycling/bikes. But it's a long enough trip that I'm sure I can sneak off on my own one morning/afternoon.

Any bikey things to see? (I've cycled around a fair bit of NED before, so don't say "Cyclepaths!!!")

 

[Profpointy]

One random, and non-cycling, snippet, is that the public library has a very nice cafe/restaurant doing well-priced and delicious Indonesian stir frys and such. The library itself is a rather fine space too. Worth a peep in if you are having a wander in that part of the city and / or it's lunchtime and you're a bit peckish

One thing I regret is not managing to fit in a concert at the Concertebouw, which supposedlyhas the finest acoustics in the world. Our hotel was next door. We did do a back stage tour which was interesting if you like that sort of thing

Re:cycling. Don't think cycling would be worth the bother within the city as everything's so easily walkable. It is perhaps telling when you see £50 pub bikes secured with £100 high security locks, so locking any bike up within the city is clearly vital.

I'll leave others to comment on out of town rides

 

[mjr]

Out of town, Zaandam would be my destination. I've not quite made it to that architectural curiosity yet.

In the city, I'd suggest renting a bike, riding under the Rijksmuseum and doing a lap of the Vondelpark, plus I'd take a look at that underwater station bike parking if I had time, but there's lots of good stuff to see.

 

[All uphill]

If the weather's good a spin out to Haarlem is worthwhile.

I enjoy the ferry across from the back of Centraal Station to Noord Amsterdam.

 

[Sharky]

I believe there is a district, somewhere in the city, that is a good place for red rear lights.

 

[DRM]

Beware partially clad ladies sitting in shop windows, and the cake in certain cafes

 

[The Crofted Crest]

Tips for beginners:


View: https://youtu.be/sEON08d76oE?si=htCqPmMbWneJYEhd

 

[Evil_Breakfast]

Tips for beginners:


View: https://youtu.be/sEON08d76oE?si=htCqPmMbWneJYEhd

Didn't realise that Keith Lemon was dutch.

 

[T4tomo]

The hotel I used to stay in when working near The Hague for while used to have a "fleet" of bikes you could borrow for free which I often used to do for an hour or so between work and dinner.

 

[matticus]

Any bikey things to see?

Obviously I wasn't clear enough, as many of you lovely people have given me CYCLING advice ;-) I've concluded that Amsterdam is NOT interested in bikes, in a similar way that London does not have museums of motoring, or pedestrianism, or tube trains. Bikes are just one of the ways they get about, there is no cycle-sport tradition here [not sure where that becomes a thing, but as the Amstel Gold race runs around Valkenburg, I guess it's more of a Limburg province thing].

But as it happened, our hotel had hire-bikes ( a loooong way from free), so I managed two early morning spins before the grown-ups stirred.

... riding under the Rijksmuseum and doing a lap of the Vondelpark

YES! We were staying almost by the museum, so that was a natural route to take. The ground-level tunnel through the Rijk' was a joy, and VondelPark was nice (Storks!). I headed thru there out of the centre (taking in the Rembrandt Park for one), and a bit of proper countryside canal-path. Which was nice. (I did consider riding into the centre to get the full authentic experience - it's very different to the riding I've done round other newer Dutch towns, with more space for bike paths, and just generally less manic/touristy.)

I will upload some pics later. In summary, I can totally recommend a (non-cycling) trip to Amshterdaam, especially by train. (the central station is perhaps the nicest located city station I've been to). And even to a non-gardener, the tulip festival was lovely (helped by gorgeous weather, admittedly... )

 

[vickster]

I've concluded that Amsterdam is NOT interested in bikes, in a similar way that London does not have museums of ... tube trains.

Yes it does (well transport in London generally)
https://www.ltmuseum.co.uk/

 

[T4tomo]

in a similar way that London does not have museums of motoring, or pedestrianism, or tube trains.

ahem....
https://www.ltmuseum.co.uk/

 

[fossyant]

If riding a bike in the city centre, smoke a bag load of weed and jump on a bike, you'll be fine.

Don't attempt it under normal circumstances as it's mental - well the riders are. Nearly got run over a number of times as a pedestrian over 5 days. I'd be losing my rag on the bike. Only saw lycra clad riders at weekends near the ferry as they were meeting up to ride out from town.

 

[matticus]

Seems like you only wanted to post about the Transport Museum! Still, thanks for your input - it added much to my knowledge of Amsterdam.

 

[mjr]

even to a non-gardener, the tulip festival was lovely (helped by gorgeous weather, admittedly... )

Good weather helps but it was still good between rainstorms and hail wearing most of the clothes I'd taken on last year's bike tour!