Cycling from Utrecht to Nijmegen
Trains in Holland are expensive. The intercity train from Utrecht to Nijmegen takes only 1 hour but costs over 13 euros. Mainly due to economics and partially due to a sense of adventure I decided to save some money by cycling to Nijmegen to catch the end of the 4 Days Marches. Door to door, it’s about 80km. Thankfully my mates in Utrecht have a bicycle I can use complete with saddle bags, bike computer, bike shorts, and water bottles. The only downside: no road tires. Regardless, it’s a good looking kit and suitable for long distance riding. With 3 litres of water, some sandwiches and snacks, I weaved my way out of Utrecht into the Dutch countryside. Small towns, sprawling farms, endless canals, a river ferry, sheep, cows, and tiny horses floated by as I pedaled on.
It’s not exactly a leisurely little ride.
In hindsight, it would’ve been wise to have a roadmap rather than rely on my smartphone’s preloaded maps and GPS. At one point I hit the wrong button, lost the directions, and had to find a place with wifi to get the directions loaded up again. And it would’ve been practical to have done some training prior to cycling 80km. I got some leg cramps at km 50, nearly ruined me! BUT I overcame them and 6 hours later…I made it!
The beautiful town of Zeist
A standard Dutch suburb
A great thinker?
Still a long way to go…
About halfway to Nijmegen!
Lush farmland
The picturesque town of Rhenen
Farmland backed by traditional and modern windmills
Tranquility
 So sweaty right now. |
 Finally seeing signs for Nijmegen! |
Just outside Rhenen
Luckily I didn’t get hit by a stray bullet here.
Crossing the Waal River
These horses are the size of big dogs
A traditional Dutch windmill
Day 3 of the 4 Days Marches in Nijmegen
After 80km of cycling, a bit of rest is deserved.