Amsterdam - Cycling

Last Updated: December 3, 1999
The city of Amsterdam is a terrible place for cycling (recreation bicyling as opposed to commuting, etc.): The streets are bumpy, there's too many lights, it's too crowded - just like any big city (except perhaps the streets are bumpier in Amsterdam). However, Amsterdam is a great place to live if you like to go on cycling trips. The area outside the city is marvelous for cycling. The big roads have bicycle lanes and the little roads have almost no traffic. There's lots of places to go, with lots to see. You'll often be cycling by canals (which are another problem) and there's the occasional windmill.

The terrain is mostly flat, so the only natural problems are the rain and the wind. The wind is terrible, but it doesn't blow all the time. The rain is a bit more of a problem: all that wind and being close to the ocean means that the weather changes quite quickly. Thus, it's wise to check the forecast take rain gear with you anyway.

The canals pose a bit of a problem because unlike in Amsterdam, the canals and rivers outside the city have few bridges over them. Thus, you'll often have to ride out of your way just to get to a bridge.

There are lots of other cyclists out and about. Usually they come in groups (not me - I rode alone). There are companies that organize bicycling trips, so if you're just in Amsterdam for a quick visit, check a guidebook and get in contact with one of these groups.

There are two types of groups of cyclists: The serious crowd and the leisurely crowd. The former tend to be younger people riding 10-20 speed bikes, wearing bicycling clothes (usually matching). These people go fairly fast. The latter tend to be older people, wearing street clothes, riding 1 or 3 speeds, and tend to ride slow. I would be passed by the former groups while I would pass the latter groups.

Routes

I took trips to the south, south-east, east, and to the north.