Route to Amsterdam from London

[theboyfold]

For some reason last year I decided that for the next trade show I do in Amsterdam, I'd ride there from London.

To put it into context I first got back on a bike last February with the lofty goal of riding 10 miles around a lake without stopping! So I've moved on a bit since then. I'm pretty confident that I've done the work needed for me to complete it. So in one month I head off with a mate on a 350 mile journey over 4 days, I'm really looking forward to it.

We have a rough route, but was looking for advice and insight as to what we should look out for on the way and general hints and tips for such a ride...

[Johno]

Not sure I can help much, I live in Wassenaar, just north of The Hague and happy to help guide you on a decent route up from there or before into Amsterdam. I'd also happily tag along for the ride for a while depending when etc and whether you can suffer me.

Kind of depends how you're getting across from London, ferry to the Hook, tunnel at Calais etc?

Cycling here is awesome with cycle lanes everywhere and great riding along the rivers, canals, dikes etc. With a prevailing south westerly you can fly along if you're coming up from the Hook or further south.

[theboyfold]

We were looking at options for the channel today, Eurotunnel is very fussy about bikes. I think we'll have to go on a ferry which is frustrating I think

[DJFish]

Stena run a night crossing from Harwich to the Hook.
You rock up around 20:30, have dinner and few beers, get your head down in a comfy cabin and wake up in the Hook, ready to face the day.

[theboyfold]

We've made our minds up to go via Dover and Calais

[theboyfold]

swerni said:

Enjoy the ride

Thanks

Does anybody have any experience of taking a bike on the Eurotunnel (not Eurostar)

[sjg]

There is a Eurotunnel cycle service, but only twice a day in either direction, £18 one way. Literally a guy with a minibus who'll pick you up from a spot outside the terminals and take you through. I think it's a service they were obligated to provide as part of the contract hence the tiny capacity, limited crossings and must be pre-booked.

https://www.eurotunnel.com/uk/traveller-info/vehic...

Ferry is very similar cost but you can go on any of them.

[theboyfold]

That's brilliant, thanks!

[NorthDave]

The west of Belgium is much better suited to cycling than the east. The east is rubbish whereas I guess that the west has been influenced by Holland more.

Shouldn't make a difference to you if you are going point to point but I thought I would mention it.

Holland is absolutely awesome - cycling nirvana! Enjoy the ride.

[theboyfold]

When you rode around that region, did you come inland and away from the win on the coast?

Do we have to follow the North Sea route or are there alternatives further inland?