Mr Incognito saddles up

[Mr Incognito]

Another cycling trip to Holland, this time in the sunshine, and with our base camp in Leiden.

We came across on the Hull to Rotterdam ferry on Wednesday night with our ebikes, rode up to Leiden yesterday, and today we went to Zandvoort and then came back down the coast.

Leiden is enjoying the sunshine, and my room looks out onto of of the city centre canals, with bars opposite. This is a really lively place, what with all the students attending Europe's oldest University.

There is a pretty good coffeeshop scene, but local regulations mean 5pm opening, which has caught many a day tripper out. It's a good place to stay though, and is pretty central for a tour base. I'll try and visit a few of the coffeeshops and report back.

I was so tired I crashed out yesterday as soon as I had had some dinner. Plus I already had a smidge of Triple G about me, which may have hastened me to the arms of Morpheus. So today was my first opportunity to get to a coffeeshop. I made it to Relaxed, and picked up some Candy Runtz cali at €15 and some Dutch Budda Haze which was €12. The Cali is certainly working - I like it's calming effect. I am vaping it, so the concentrated nature doesn't make so much of a difference. It lasts a bit longer, rather than giving a more concentrated hit, is how it seems to me.

Photos may have to wait until I get home, but there are menu pics, plus snaps from the cycling.

[HitTheNorth]

Yes Mr I!
Leiden is a lovely town isn't it. I made a few visits many years ago.
That late opening caught me out, I seem to remember they closed early too, 10 ish.
Anyway good to see you posting, always enjoy your reports

[Mr Incognito]

A trip over the river(s).

Leiden is built on branches of the Rhine, and the station area, which is home to most of the coffee shops, is on the other side of what was once the main harbour. Boats sailed to and from the known world, and it was from here that the Mayflower originally departed to America with the Pilgrims.

Already feeling the effects of another cycle ride of 45 miles plus, I headed out into the evening to try the station area out. I got to Eerste Kamer, got a menu snap and a G of Alien Cookies. Then came back past three more shops - Coffee & Dreams, Double AA and Paradise. I wasn't fit for any more shopping so headed back for dinner and an early bed. A wet towel over my head cooled me down and I ended up fast asleep for the duration.

[Mr Incognito]

Sunday morning, and back on the road.

I'm not what is normally considered a cycling build. My friend Steve - 6'2" thin as a plank, big nose and ears fits that stereotype. I'm more 5'7" and 15 stones, fat lad at the back type.

Today we are headed to Aalsmeer, which is the closest actual place to Schiphol, and is an unexpectedly fine ride from Leiden. I am on an ebike, in case you are wondering how I am managing this. The main challenge is sitting on a bike saddle for 3 hours while you turn the pedals to let the motor down the work. My legs hurt a bit, but my a*se hurts a lot. The trip to Aalsmeer takes you along the shore of a massive lake. Today, the sun was shining, there was a good breeze, and Holland was out on the water. Great to look at as you pedal along.

63km later, with a stop for lunch around half way, and we are back in Leiden mid-afternoon for a shower, a vape and a stare out of the window. I listen to another in the series of podcasts Andrew Hickey has done on "500 songs" focussing on the Beach Boys. I always liked their hits - Surfing Safari through to Good Vibrations - but never listened to their albums or later work. I can see why Brian Wilson is thought of by some as a genius, and Andrew is certainly one in that camp.

Revitalised by a good night's sleep and a cooler day I head out again to the station end of town. I pick up my phone, my wallet and my keys and set off into the night. Except what I thought was my phone was just a PSO - a phone shaped object. So when I came to pay for my g of G13 in Coffee & Dreams, I pulled out my battery pack and tried to wave it at the card machine. I had just enough cash to pick up the bill, but my "photo the menu" and "try a whole load of places" plans were thwarted. Shame because it was a nice shop with a helpful guy and a solid menu. I paid €12 for G13 after asking for a good sativa, and it has certainly got me high.

We wandered out for dinner - while it's not a touristy place, Leiden has certainly got a good choice of places to eat and drink. A classy Italian tonight, a couple of bottles of wine, and back to the Beach Boys and the Blue Zuhsi. A fine combination. It was party town Thursday, Friday and Saturday but Leiden is quiet on a Sunday night.

Tomorrow, we head to Gouda.

[brufy]

Very enjoyable report.

Sounds like fun.

[jollylittlehun]

Great report mate. Sounds like you're having fun.

How long is your holiday?

[petty]

HI Mr. I
can I recommend a Brooks B17 leather saddle. I cycled thousands of miles on B17s . There are no springs attached just honest to goodness , strong leather support which enables you to live on the bike day after day.
Best regards and fair and favourable winds though the currents from the North Sea can be chilling even in the midst of summer.
Petty
P S How and where is Lemming ?

[avfc-herbalist]

Very enjoyable read

Thanks very much