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Fast polder cycling

Summary

This tour combines excellent road cycling with the added experience of the unique Dutch polder landscape. You will also get a good impression of the Dutch water management systems.

Road bike

5 days

250 km / 155 mi

€ 490.-

Daily rides through the Dutch lowlands
Excellent road bike routes over the river dikes
Discount: 4-7 persons 5% | 8+ persons 10%

Gallery

Details

Type

Road bike

Duration

5 days

Level

Moderate

Support

Individual - GPS

Distance per day

60-80 km / 37-50 mi

Total distance

250 km / 155 mi

Lodging

Standard, (private bathroom & breakfast)

Bicycle

Optional

Dates

15 Apr 2021 - 15 Oct 2021

You can start this tour every day during this period
Booking for 2022 is possible (early booking advised)

Start

Gouda (10.00 | 10 am)

Finish

Gouda (16.00 | 4 pm)

Prices

Tour price

€ 490.-

Road bike alu/carbon

High quality alu/carbon road bike, Shimano 105-equipped

€ 152.-

Optional

Road bike full carbon

High quality lightweight full carbon road bike, Shimano Ultegra-equipped

€ 212.-

Optional

Upgrade to Comfort hotels

Comfortable 3 star accommodation

€ 91.-

Optional

Upgrade to Premium hotels

Unique 3-5 star accommodation and setting

€ 273.-

Optional

Single supplement (including single room)

€ 352.-

Itinerary

5 days - 4 nights

Day 1 – Arrival in Gouda
The mid-size town of Gouda is located 50 minutes by train or taxi from Amsterdam. Your hotel is near the train station, and situated in a quiet part of the historic town center. Gouda is the base for your tour and is famous for its cheese, candles and clay pipes. The historic center is dominated by a number of ancient churches and of course the imposing and beautifully decorated town hall, standing right in the middle of the large market square. We recommend that you take a walking tour along the highlights of the historic town center of Gouda - it’s really worth spending the couple of hours!

Day 2 – West
50km/31mi
If you have rented a bike, it will be delivered to the hotel, together with the GPS and the tour instructions. Today you start with an easy ride through the agricultural area around the village of Boskoop. This region is famous for its woody plant nurseries, which are situated on long strips of land, divided by narrow canals. The cycle paths and quiet country roads in this open landscape are perfect for the road bike cyclist. You cycle past the windmills at Zevenhuizen and one of the oldest and lowest (almost 7mtrs/20ft below sea level) polders in the Netherlands before returning to Gouda.

Day 3 – North
60km/38mi
The cycling route takes you right through two of the lake districts in mid Holland and pass through many villages and quiet hamlets. When cycling along the paths, ducks will noisily take flight while farmers in their blue overalls will look up from their work and greet you with a smile and a short Hallo – this is typical for Holland’s countryside. Along the route there are excellent stopping places where you can regain your strength while sitting down on a beautiful café terrace, enjoying delicious Dutch coffee and a delectable slice of Dutch apple pie with whipped cream.

Day 4 - South
75km/47mi
Today’s route first takes you along the typically Dutch landscape: green pastures where you will see large, black and white spotted cows grazing peacefully. The innumerable ditches and canals form an ingenious drainage system of which the Dutch are rightly proud and have worked so hard to create over the centuries. And then there are the famous Kinderdijk windmills. No cars are allowed here and the bicycle path passes right under the nineteen windmills. That will make you feel as if you are cycling in a period a few centuries back. The route continues along the Alblasserwaard polder region. Ancient and proud villages are built along narrow canals. After another ferry crossing over the River Lek, you return to Gouda via the village of Bergambacht.

Day 5 – East
60km/38mi
First you will cycle to Oudewater, famous for its 15th century Witches Weighhouse. As in the past, you can still stand on the large scales to determine whether you are light enough to fly on a broomstick! The route continues to the historic village of Montfoort and the River Rhine valley. The road running along the top of the dike that keeps the river Lek on course, offers superb views from your bike of both the inland polders on one side, and the lazily flowing, wide river on the other - you will feel like the 'King of Holland' on his bike here. Your will pass the small town of Schoonhoven, situated on the banks of the River Rhine, and which is famous for its silversmiths. The final 15km/9mi of cycling along the winding River Vlist takes you to the tour finish in Gouda.

Map & Routes

Map

Satellite

Bicycle

Road bike (optional)
- Giant TCR-1, alu frame, carbon fork
- Weight: 8.6 kg / 18.9 lbs
- Sizes: S, M, L, XL
- Shimano 105 derailleurs
- Crankset 24/34/50, Casette 12-28

Including GPS navigation

Including mobile repair service

Including cyclist's backpack (8 liters) for daily items

Including water bottle, tool set, cable lock