Archive for the ‘Netherlands’ Category

Autumn bike trip Eindhoven – Münster

Posted: October 23, 2012 in Cycling, Germany, Netherlands
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Probably the last warm weather weekend of the year had to be taken advantage of. A bike trip in the autumn orange light, through forests of bright red and yellow leaved trees, their colours raining on me down as I cycled past. A 315 km trip from Eindhoven to Münster in Germany.

The plan was to cycle with Volker (who joined me on some of my cycle trip in Norway this summer) from his parent’s house in Rheine to Münster: the bicycle Mecca of Germany. On Saturday I put my head down and aimed at maximum kilometres in order to amble to Rheine on Sunday by noon, and then to Münster on Sunday afternoon.

I left Eindhoven on Saturday at 06:30 in the dark and headed north east. It was an overcast day as I cycled through the cow studded fields, and through the bright red forests with the trees shedding their leaves.

The bright red of the autumn forests

The bright red of the autumn forests


Enschede in the Netherlands was my distant destination, and I made it just before nightfall at 1830.

But Sunday was the gem of the trip. Starting misty, the autumn day turned sunny, warm and perfect. The mid afternoon light made highlighted beautiful contrasts in the forest and river surroundings. As the afternoon turned into evening, and the light softened to its mellow departure, the colours became rich and orange. What a lovely light to experience this beautiful nature.

Me near the Ems River

Me near the Ems River

The Ems River

The Ems River

The Ems River

The Ems River

Orange tree in the mellow late afternoon light

Orange tree in the mellow late afternoon light

Cycling in the soft evening ilght

Cycling in the soft evening ilght

Münster

Münster

Day 1. Eindhoven – Waterloo. 167km

Posted: May 17, 2012 in Belgium, Cycling, Netherlands
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Eindhoven – Waterloo

I left mounting the front wheel pannier carriers until the last evening. This was a bad idea. I couldn’t get them mounted. I needed to be able to make a screw shorter by sawing it off. I gave up, and left with only the rear wheel bags. My test of packing the bike with all the equipment for Norway will have to wait until next time.

I was excited to leave and was awake super early. I was on the road by 5:30. It was cold and overcast. I cycled with long cycle pants and 2 layers on my torso. I made a note that for Norway I will buy warm and sturdy (and waterproof) shoes for cycling. And, I noted to bring warm gloves next time.

There was low hanging mist suspended over all the lakes. In the early morning it was a beautiful light with the sun hanging low. The birds were tweeting and the world was still sleeping. It was just me to see this glorious morning.

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The world slowly started rising. I passed (or actually was passed) by lots of packs of cyclists as I cycled along the canal, lined with rich green trees. I turned south and followed the long distance cycle route southwards. I passed along canals, then cute farmer villages and finally along a straight stretch of bike path that used to be a train track. I passed Tienen and then some beautiful forests.

I expected the hills to increase as I got further south. This was true in general. The hills came in patches. And some were tough. One just out of Tessenderlo and one just out of Tienen. In between it was flat and easy going, made a bit more difficult with a slight head wind.

I was getting hungry, and my iPhone was running out of juice. At 16:30 I pulled up in Overijse and had a tasty lunch/dinner. The only camping ground within reach was in Overijse itself. It turned out to be closed. I decided to stay in a hotel. I am now in the rather ugly Waterloo, just south of Brussels.

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