"R Brickston" <rb20170REMOVE.yahoo.com@> wrote in message
news:
[email protected]...
> On Thu, 14 Sep 2006 21:50:20 +1200, Steve <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>On Thu, 14 Sep 2006 08:52:12 +0200, Artemisia wrote:
>>
>>> http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/14/world/europe/14bikes.html
>>>
>>> "In the Netherlands, Life Runs on 2 Wheels (Sometimes 3) "
>>>
>>> A pleasant illustrated discussion of what is considered by many as
>>> Cyclists' Eden.
>>>
>>>
>>> EFR
>>> Ile de France
>>
>>Well, there's no way I'm going to register for nyt just to read this
>>article. However, in all the 8 years I lived in the Netherlands, I rode no
>>more than 500km. This was solely due to the supreme arrogance and
>>offensiveness of your average Dutch cyclist. Touch me and you're dogmeat.
>>
>>And when you've had to stop in the road on the way to work for the
>>millionth time because there's only about a metre of free road as the rest
>>is full of schoolkids coming towards you, then you may change your mind as
>>well.
>>
>>Steve
>
> Not anything close to the experience I had on many trips to that
> country. Long distance routes all over the place. A'dam was a learning
> curve, but quickly mastered. Detected no arrogance or offensiveness in
> any Dutch cyclist. Quite the opposite in fact. Children know how to
> brake and steer.
That was my experience also. On two tours through Belgium, Netherlands,
Germany and South England, by far the most bike friendly and "people"
friendly places were in the Netherlands. There is a big difference between
the south and the north. I enjoyed Noord Brabant, Limburg and the north
(flemish) parts of belgium most. The people were more "down to earth" and
knew how to party it up and include strangers like myself. Scheveningen
(near the Hague) is great beach area and ferry point (Hoek from Holland) to
the UK. My experience is that the Dutch are among the most pragmatic,
practical and tolerant people I have met. That is not to say that they wont
argue etc. But they seem to expect lively debate over a beer, or "space
cake". Great great country to ride in.
That is all..... Grolsch (notice the handle.... Dutch beer.
Oh did I mention that the best beer country (IMHO) is Belgium. Ahhhh,
cycling and Beer, but not at the same time.
