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I have been to A'dam many times, and Haarlem once, but I have never cycled there. So I thought: is this a completely mad idea? It's only 10 miles, there's an established cycle route and how can you miss this essential Dutch experience?

However, I should add that I haven't been on two wheels for over 10 years, and tend to prefer things with gears. I am also quite old, or at least it feels that way, and no fitter than the ups and downs of daily routine would ensure.

Anyone done it? And where are the best places to hire a bike, and what does it cost?

i'd get a train myself but at least u know there's no hills to climb when ur riding in Holland

Possibly rent a motor scooter for the day.
A little faster than a bike and no peddling.

Your only decision will be electric or gas.

Enjoy
FlyByNite

Mint wrote:i'd get a train myself but at least u know there's no hills to climb when ur riding in Holland

Your wrong iv seen hills and lots of them...

ouirdeaux wrote:I have been to A'dam many times, and Haarlem once, but I have never cycled there. So I thought: is this a completely mad idea? It's only 10 miles, there's an established cycle route and how can you miss this essential Dutch experience?

However, I should add that I haven't been on two wheels for over 10 years, and tend to prefer things with gears. I am also quite old, or at least it feels that way, and no fitter than the ups and downs of daily routine would ensure.

Anyone done it? And where are the best places to hire a bike, and what does it cost?

Trust me its more they 10miles (if in straight line maybe) you can always bike there and take train back whit the bike for only 6euro (maybe a bit more this year) and you can travel whit the bike on train all day b4 and after rush hourS!! it a nice little bike ride id say more or less 15 miles just take the street barneys on and keep going till you in harlem (Haarlemmeweg/straart) if getting on north side of the tracks Nicer around Halfweg
Spaarnwoude/houtrak park side And if you deside to go you should bike all the way to the North sea Zaanvoort or Bloemendaal aan Zee it just UP the hill from Harlem and worth going on a nice sunny day < also from Zanvoort you can take the train back to amsterdam

it's pretty boring most of the way

I'd take the train, then rent a bike, explore the city and maybe peddle over to Zandvoort.

I always take the train to haarlem! but MHD used to make that journey all the time & its not all that bad.

It's a straight line from Amsterdam to Haarlem on bike, some of it's pretty and some of it's boring. Done in good weather with the right joints, all of it's pretty and none of it's boring. However, having not been on a bike in 10 years, it's the familiarity yer arse is gonna get with the bike saddle, is what you'll really have to think about. After 20 miles round trip, anything with more than 3 gears means you'll be sitting on a 'seat' that'll feel more like a razorblade by the time you get back. So either get less than 3 gears and cruise, or more than 3 gears and a proper pair of cycling shorts.