A respite from the hustle and bustle
by Ke En Rachel Lum
Ever since coming to Amsterdam, I’ve heard about the various nerve-wracking bike incidents that both my friends as well as locals have encountered. The narrow yet crowded fietspaden (bicycle paths), the hordes of tourists walking across roads and the out-of-the-blue scooter or tram that whizzes past you — that didn’t make cycling here seem so enjoyable. Hmm… but wait, why not take a short escapade to the beautiful Dutch countryside surrounding Amsterdam where you can have a leisurely cycle alongside colorful charming villages?
In my first weekend here, I took some time off and joined We Bike Amsterdam for a 4 hours bike tour in the idyllic Dutch countryside surrounding Amsterdam. We first took the Buiksloterweg ferry across the IJ River and started our tour from there. Fortunately for me, the sun was shining, the winds were gentle and the weather on that day was beautiful. Once we departed from the ferry, we cycled past traditional Dutch houses and within minutes, we were greeted with a scenic view of green pastures filled with cows, picturesque villages and winding lakes.
Along the way, my guide, Philip, took several pit stops where he explained the history behind several buildings and houses. A memorable pit stop for me was understanding the history of a church tower in a town that was mainly protestant. Not only was I intrigued by the heritage of the different places, but it also gave me an interesting insight into the unique culture of the Netherlands. Not to mention, the refreshing sea breeze and the flat cycling route made the journey much more comfortable and relaxing, even especially for an amateur cyclist like me. I revelled in the peace and quiet of the countryside while enjoying the rustic landscapes around me.
Of course, I can’t leave out details about the delicious apple pie that we had at one of our pit stops in the village of Holysloot. Serving warm and lovely pies, the eatery Het Schoolhuis (The Schoolhouse) is not to be missed. This place has a wonderful outdoor seating for customers to enjoy their meals in the comfort of a gezellig atmosphere. Truly lekker!
No doubt, the tour gave me a glimpse of the Dutch lifestyle while allowing me to immerse in nature. Definitely a great experience to unwind and destress!
Now, who said cycling in Amsterdam has to be stressful?
This story is written by the ONCAMPUS student journalists.
When do you plan to explore the countryside surrounding Amsterdam?
