Exploring North Holland by Bike and Barge

Day 1: We will meet this afternoon at our barge to get settled in our twin-berth cabins, adjust our bicycles, and do a short ride before dinner. The barge is a 15-minute walk or a short taxi ride from the main train station and next door to the NEMO Science Museum. After dinner there will be a preview of the week to come!

Day 2: After breakfast we will feel like a local as we board a ferry to cross the channel, then begin our ride up the coast from the Amsterdam Noord quarter. We are soon biking through the rural area of Waterland, a peat land of houses and villages. The former island of Marken was connected to the mainland by a dike in 1957 and to this day only the residents are allowed to use automobiles here. After passing through the village of Monnickendam, granted rights as a city in 1355, we will pass through Volendam, known for its beautiful old harbor before meeting our barge in the town of Hoorn, a major harbor during the 17th century.

Day 3: Our cycling today takes us along a dike with wonderful views over the Markemeer on our right and West-Frisian villages on our left. The recently built dike from Enkhuizen to Lelystad will appear on the horizon, built to reclaim low-lying land from the sea to create what is known as a polder. Plans were never completed as perceptions changed, and the environment and fresh water became more important than reclaimed land. Our barge will await us in the town of Enkhuisen, one of the most prosperous cities in the north of Holland in the 17th century. Here we will have the opportunity to visit the Zuiderzee Museum, which shows the history of everyday life around the Zuiderzee until the middle of the 20th century.

Day 4: We will leave the dike behind to ride through a nature reserve and some typical villages, such as Medenlik, the oldest city of West-Friesland (1289). At Oude Zeug we will board the barge for the trip from the mainland to the island of Texel, the largest of the Dutch Wadden Islands.

Day 5: The island of Texel is approximately 12 miles long and a little less than 5 miles wide. The first human inhabitants may date from the Middle Stone Age (8,000-4,500 BC). In the springtime as many as 80 species of birds breed in the dunes here. In the 16th century the island was known for its green cheese colored by mixing in boiled sheep droppings, but thankfully this is now forbidden by the Dutch Food Inspection Department!

Day 6: Our barge will motor back to the mainland where we will disembark in the city of Den Helder, a Dutch naval port. We will cycle through dunes and flower bulb fields to the artist village of Bergen. Our final destination for today is Alkmaar, also called 'the city of cheese,' the home of the first Dutch weigh house for the weighing and trading of cheese.

Day 7: Today we will cycle back to Amsterdam through the peat land that was once used for cattle grazing. Before arriving back in the same harbor where we started, we will visit the outdoor museum of Zans Schaans, which boasts the largest remaining collection of working windmills in Holland.

Day 8: Our trip ends after breakfast today. We will be within walking distance of the central train terminal, which offers train connections back to the airport or other destinations throughout Holland. A walk or short taxi ride takes you into downtown Amsterdam.

Getting There

The trip begins and ends at the Amsterdam harbor, a 15-minute walk or a quick taxi ride from the Central Train station in Amsterdam. There is regular train service to/from Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport to this train station. The trip takes a little over 15 minutes depending on the time of day, and trains run approximately every 20 minutes. The train terminal is located directly below the airport terminal. There are many flights from the U.S. to Amsterdam, making this an easy destination.

Accommodations and Food

Our lodging is on a 7-cabin barge, each with two twins or a full-size mattress (for couples), a toilet, and a shower. There is often Wi-Fi when we are moored each evening and there are outlets to re-charge phones in our main gathering area. All meals are prepared by the barge chef, and beer and wine are available for purchase. Breakfasts vary, but may include a roll, fresh fruit, cereal, and sometimes eggs or a Dutch pancake. Each person packs their own lunch each day to eat along our route and it generally includes a sandwich, a piece of fruit, a granola bar, and a juice box. Dinners are heartier fare and include three courses. Vegetarians can be accommodated – please discuss this in advance with the leader.

Trip Difficulty

While Holland is known for its flat terrain, the impact of a headwind should not be underestimated. Conditions could be gloriously sunny, but there is also the likelihood of experiencing some periods of rain and/or cool temperatures. Everyone should be comfortable cycling at a pace of 10-12 miles/hour, sitting on a bike saddle for 7 days straight for 4-6 hours per day, and riding in a group. Our longest day of riding will be approximately 30 miles with ample time for stops, but everyone will need to stay together on the rides.

Equipment and Clothing

Twenty-four-speed hybrid bicycles are included in the trip price, along with a lock and a bike bag to store gear and lunch. The pedals are flat, meaning that you do not need special cycling shoes. A limited number of electric bikes are available for an additional fee. Helmets are mandatory and you are welcome to bring your own or use the helmets provided. A rain suit is required – a poncho will not work on the bike. A detailed gear list will be provided. 

References

• Michelin Netherlands Map
• The Netherlands, Lonely Planet.
• Shorto, Russell, Amsterdam, A History of the World’s Most Liberal City.
• Frank, Anne, The Diary of a Young Girl.
• Dumas, Alexandre, The Black Tulip.
• Liss, David, The Coffee Trader.

Conservation

Holland is in the unique position of having nearly 20% of its land mass below sea level and another 30% at less than 3 feet above sea level. We will ride on dikes during the trip and see firsthand how the Dutch have worked to control their water-logged environment, from the windmills designed originally to pump water to reclaim land, to the dikes designed to keep out the sea. Holland also faces issues related to a growing population, with air and water pollution being major concerns. We will discuss their unusual steps to combat these concerns, such as limiting daytime driving speeds.

Evacuation and Travel Insurance

The Sierra Club provides evacuation insurance to all participants on international trips. Since this coverage does not include any trip cancellation or interruption insurance, we suggest you purchase another policy separately to provide coverage for your trip and other travel costs. This policy also does not cover pre-trip and post-trip travel. Please note the evacuation insurance provided does not cover claims resulting from any pre-existing condition that occurs within 60 days of the trip departure. If you have specific questions about this exclusion, please review the insurance brochure. For information on purchasing a separate policy, please see our travel insurance page.