June 21 - Breda to Amsterdam

We were warned about headwinds today and they sure happened.  Our route was basically going north from Breda to Amsterdam and we had northwest headwinds all day.  At times we were pedaling hard enough top be going 30 km/h, but were only doing 20.  

One of our first stops was at this windmill.  There were a number of this style. 











A close up from the back side, showing the stairs to the top, which are fixed to the windmill and swing around as the upper part is turned into the wind.  The red & white wheel has a chain tied to anchor blocks - the operator rotates this wheel to change the direction the windmill faces. 
Below the stairs you can see the paddle wheel  





The other style of windmill.  We didn't see any of these operating in today's wind - they are likely replaced by pumps  installed nearby.













A stop in a pretty little village for coffee and apple pie.  Their apple pie is excellent!  






Some of our group enjoying the stop.  We debated whether we should avoid the headwind by turning around and running downwind back to Breda, and then putting our bikes on the train to Amsterdam.  Probably not a bad idea.









Here we are riding along the top of one of the large dikes.  The land on the right side is significantly higher than the left.  There are houses both sides.  I'm not sure about this - is the dike protecting only the land on one side?










A little further along we saw this large barge in the canal with a pusher tug propelling it.












Then a short ferry ride across a large canal on this rather sleek looking vessel.  

One of two ferry rides on the day.  The other ferry (sorry, no pix), was much smaller and was propelled by 'crawling' along a cable strung tightly across the river, about 3 feet above the water.  When we asked how boats would get by, we were told that the ferry would dock on one side and then loosen the cable so it was deep enough under the water for the boat to pass.



 Just past the ferry we saw this side channel with all these boats.  The wooden sailboat in front was particularly pretty and in good shape.















Further along, this drawbridge with a date of 1883 on the top - we assume this is when it was built.







 And we got just got over the drawbridge when it was raised for a cabin cruiser to pass.  The process took less than 10 minutes.












This is typical of houses for many houses along the canals - very little elevation difference between the water and the house.

Would this be considered waterfront?





No more photos as we got into Amsterdam.  Even with separate bike paths almost all the way it was crazy.  One confounding issue - small motorized bikes & mopeds are allowed on the cycle lanes.  So, on the side of the street you have houses, a pedestrian sidewalk, a 6 foot (or less) wide cycle path, then parked bikes or the roadway.  Cyclists, mopeds and pedestrians are coming in and out of the cycle path, or crossing it. 
You would hear a beep over your left shoulder, then move 8 inches to the right and a moped or cycle passes by with inches of clearance.  I got stuck behind a cyclist carrying a bass fiddle on his back.  Most of us agreed it was hair raising.  I would have liked to have a GoPro on my helmet to record the mayhem - but I might never cycle again if I looked at the movie.


Once into our hotel, I showered and then took my laundry out to the "Wasserette" for cleaning.  Having an hour to kill, I leaned up against a wall to take some photos of life in the Amsterdam streets.  This was a quiet street relative to the one we came in on.

Here you can see a moped crowding by a bicycle.







This is a cute little rig.  It looks like your standard scooter, but note the plate our young driver is standing on.  He pumps this up and down and it propels the scooter forward.










A line of cycles chained up to a railing.  Anywhere a chain can be connected is fair game.







The bicycle signal light has turned green and a group of riders surges forward.  Note the fellow with the case of Amstel beer on his handlebars.   They were carrying anything and everything on their bikes.

This looks like a regular old stairway, right?  Nope.  Cyclists use the ramps on the side to get their cycles up the stairs.

I saw a lady jump off her fast moving bike and run up the stairs two at a time wheeling her bike up the side ramp.  She jumped back on again and continued along without missing a beat.  The whole process took 5 or 6 seconds - you couldn't carry your bike up that quickly.



Last photo today of a building beside the canal.  I just wouldn't feel comfortable having an apartment or office on the lowest floor!

Culture day tomorrow.   I've booked tickets to Anne Frank's house and the Van Gogh museum.

TTFN.