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A One Week Bike Trip in Holland

Lessons Learned

One thing I would consider doing differently is to be less concerned with accumulating mileage and taking a little more time to stop and sightsee. We passed innumerable attractions in the desire to get to that day's destination and find a place to stay. And there was that feeling that since we're making good time, let's keep going before it rains or whatever.

Renting the bikes at our destination, I think, was a good decision, since it probably saved us a lot of hassle and worry (and cost) in transporting them. And they were good for my size, and good for the cobblestone streets!

We found ATM machines whenever and wherever we needed them, so depending on them for our anticipated monetary needs worked out well. And charge cards were accepted at most places, which reduced the need for carrying large amounts of cash.

The panniers with the ability to be converted to a backpack I had purchased especially for the trip were not really needed. Putting the panniers into an old army duffel bag turned out to be a good idea. The duffel bags, in addition to being lockable, provided carrying straps and protected the panniers in transport.

Since we had rented bikes with good integral locks, and took a reasonable amount of care in protecting them, the big, heavy U-lock I bought was not needed. Leaving it at home could have saved me many pounds.

Since we stayed in pensions and hostels that provided bed linens, we didn't have to carry the sheets and pillow cases we did. This may not be true for future trips to different places, however.

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