Cycling the Netherlands: Aalsmeerderbrug to Hook of Holland

My latest Low Countries bicycle tour update: cycling in the Netherlands, Aalsmeerderbrug to the Hook of Holland. 61 miles, Google’s playing ball today. I was up nice and early today, I wanted to get the tent down and packed away before it started to rain. I was also hopeful of getting into Amsterdam before the rain came in. And on both accounts, mission accomplished. It just started to spit with rain as I left Amsterdam.

It’s been tough going today; I’ve had a strong headwind all day, which I knew I would get when I cycled up to Amsterdam. And although it’s been raining on and off all day, I was lucky enough to miss most of the showers. That was until this afternoon. Thinking it would only be another brief shower, I continued cycling. But the rain just got heavier and heavier. I took shelter under a tree, but that proved to be useless. It was fine to start with, but the wind and rain was so strong, the tree offered no shelter at all. And I was completely soaked. Even the cars on the road next to me came to a standstill, the rain was so hard.

You’re Not As Useless As You Thought

I wasn’t expecting to get as far as I have today. But when I realised, I kept umming and ahhing what to do. Should I stay another night and go in to Rotterdam tomorrow? Or should I get the ferry back to England? I cycled past several campsites and dithered at each one. Should I stay or should I go? In the end, the deciding factor was the weather. It’s looking awful for tomorrow, and I think there’s also a weather warning out.

I arrived at the ferry terminal and went to book tonight’s crossing. No chance they were fully booked. And it was the same for tomorrow night. I suppose it’s to be expected, after all, it is peak season. I think I’ve got used to travelling off-season and just turning up and getting a crossing. It just never occurred to me that they’d be full. So reluctantly, I’m booked on tomorrow afternoon’s crossing, which gets into Harwich at 8 p.m. tomorrow. An awful time to arrive anywhere, so I’ve booked a hotel.

Tour Information

It’s been years since I undertook this tour, but the memories (and the data) are all archived:

• Photos: See my photos on Flickr
• The route: View my route across the Low Countries
• Videos: Check out my YouTube videos
• Tour page: Ride overview

Follow & Support

If you’re enjoying the ride and want to fuel my next mile, you can always support me by buying me a beer. Or subscribe to my blog and follow me as I travel around on my bike. As a subscriber, you’ll be among the first to receive news and updates on future tours. And, of course, you can always follow me on social media: Facebook, Bluesky, Threads, X, Instagram, YouTube and Pinterest. I’m also on Flickr, where you’ll find pictures from all my tours, along with regular photo updates that I generally publish each month.

If you want to find out if I’m away touring at the moment and check my location, visit the Where’s Garry page. And for an insight into the gear and logistics that keep me on the road, see my Life at 10mph Guide.