Slightly off-topic, but I'm planning a trip to Holland in September, and last night my wife asked about doing some bike touring while we're there. At first I thought it was a cruel joke--she doesn't ride much, but maybe after a year of bike commuting she's actually getting into it! I figure a tandem would probably be the way to go, since I'm a much stronger rider--boy, I don't get to say that often!

Anyway, if you have any advice about tandems or cycling/touring in Holland, I'd love to hear it. I imagine we'll do a loop, starting and ending in Amsterdam. We have about a week.

I don't know about tandem rentals, try Google to find out if there are any.
In one week you could probably cover The Netherlands from corner to corner, since it's only about 250 km form Amsterdam to the most outlying border. General points of interest are for most tourists the major cities (Amsterdam, Utrecht, Den Haag, Rotterdam, maybe Den Bosch and Maastricht). Nature-wise our country isn't that interesting, although I believe that National Park De Hoge Veluwe is worth the visit, just like most parts of The Netherlands it is not a true natural park but is has gotten some cultural influences.

If you want more information on touring on a tandem, visit www.dirty-pages.net 's forum, it has a special Tandem section where the tandem enthousiasts meet.

If you need any more information, just let me know.

Slightly off-topic, but I'm planning a trip to Holland in September, and last night my wife asked about doing some bike touring while we're there. At first I thought it was a cruel joke--she doesn't ride much, but maybe after a year of bike commuting she's actually getting into it! I figure a tandem would probably be the way to go, since I'm a much stronger rider--boy, I don't get to say that often!

Anyway, if you have any advice about tandems or cycling/touring in Holland, I'd love to hear it. I imagine we'll do a loop, starting and ending in Amsterdam. We have about a week.
Good Idea! Here's what I know about this,which is a little as I was in Holland just 3 years or so ago.
Holland has great bike paths,many are seperate from the roads. It's flat and windy! Weather can stink. The Dutch all seem to ride these bg upright heavy bikes called Gazelles. I even saw a lady in Santa Cruz last year on one she imported. The uglier the bike the less chance it will be stolen,but even that's no guarentee.
On the roads the drivers are not bent on your destruction.
But take your time and stop often,this is not the place to get in a hurry. The Dutchies sure are not.
And please find a guy bakeing fresh stroopwaffles as these really are good.
Have fun and don't forget that Rabobank,the Dutchie team, is doing well at the tour.

I've rented from a place called Mac Bikes in Amsterdam. They are at the Waterlooplein right next to the open air flea market....also right across the street from my favorite coffee shop the Greenhouse. I'm not sure if they rent tandems, but they might......have fun.

CR






Slightly off-topic, but I'm planning a trip to Holland in September, and last night my wife asked about doing some bike touring while we're there. At first I thought it was a cruel joke--she doesn't ride much, but maybe after a year of bike commuting she's actually getting into it! I figure a tandem would probably be the way to go, since I'm a much stronger rider--boy, I don't get to say that often!

Anyway, if you have any advice about tandems or cycling/touring in Holland, I'd love to hear it. I imagine we'll do a loop, starting and ending in Amsterdam. We have about a week.

Good Idea! .

Thanks BB! You picked a great screen name, cracked me up when I saw it. I have an old Specialized with Biopace rings...it's gotta be going on 20 years old, and they're still in great shape. Heavy as hell, but damn near indestructible.