Grey skies greeted our arrival in the Hook of Holland at 8am. This marked the real start of the trip.

Queueing for immigration when you’re a cycling is becoming an increasing dilemma for me. In the old days their were fewer cyclists and it was generally acceptable to jump the queue rather than walk patiently behind dozens of gas guzzlers. However, we’re all probably more impatient these days and hence with more cyclists it’s a bigger problem, but one Stena Line / Dutch Immigration seems to have solved by having a dedicated lane for cyclists. Well done Stena.

I soon found the the Rhine cycle route to Rotterdam and despite the heavy mist, needed to record the moment. Wouldn’t it be Ironic if the next 10 days was like this and I saw nothing of the Rhine ?

For me, the Netherlands is the best place in the world to cycle; it’s a nation of Cycle Superhighways, built with the cyclist front and centre. But only in the Netherlands would you see….

Or this….

However, if you do visit, definitely bring a bell and follow the cycle routes to avoid upsetting the locals.

After a coffee and bagel stop in Rotterdam, the route took me out over the Erasmusbrug Bridge which Alex and I had last crossed in 2016 as part of Rotterdam marathon. The view from the top was a bit less misty but not worth publishing.

I then found and started following Eurovelo 15  route signs in conjunction with the map in the Riding the Rhine book for @ 10 miles until they started redirecting me back into Rotterdam….. The map in the book is quite easy to follow.

Not having studied the route I stumbled across the ferry to Kinderdijk, where it’s many windmills are now a UNESCO world heritage site. Well worth a visit, as evidenced by the crowds (and jay-walkers on the cycle path).

Then after a second ferry to Schoonhoven, the rest of the day followed the berm, providing excellent views over the river and inland. And being the most densely populated country in Europe, there’s always something to see inland.

I then had a late lunch / early dinner and beer at Wijk bij Duurstede, famous for its drive though windmill.

Then at 79 miles, I encountered my first puncture. All rather frustrating as nothing seemed to have pierced my new rear Marathon Plus Schwalbe tyre and the road was good. So in the end I rolled up at my expensive glamping tent at 7:30pm with 92 miles on the computer.

And that was 12 hours in the Netherlands. A great place to cycle.