| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
jenn754 Flight Steward


Joined: 21 Feb 2008 Posts: 70 Location: Everywhere there are islands - Currently in Greece 77 ants
|
Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2011 11:43 am Post subject: Bicycle friendly country to go for vacation? |
|
|
What is the best (romantic) place to stay for 2 weeks vacation and to be able to see it all on a bicycle, with no fear ofcourse of getting your bike stolen?
Also what is the best time of the year to go there?
I am gathering suggestions on where to travel this year and enjoy going everywhere on a bicycle and since I'll be by myself I would like the country to have a low crime rate.
Any suggestions are welcome. _________________ Mon île préférée est milos Translation: My favorite island is milos (were? in Greece, Cyclades) |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
M.Straus Flight Steward


Joined: 20 Mar 2011 Posts: 95 Location: Pacific Northwest 104 ants
|
Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2011 2:14 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I am in the south of the Netherlands right now, around Maastricht, and most everyone bikes everywhere. There are hundreds of bikes in every major square and as I look outside the library now, I see at least 300 bikes locked up and about 8 people on bikes riding around.
I also think the city is quaint, romantic, beautiful (especially with the city wall and castle-like buildings), and of course, the waterway that runs through it. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
jenn754 Flight Steward


Joined: 21 Feb 2008 Posts: 70 Location: Everywhere there are islands - Currently in Greece 77 ants
|
Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2011 5:19 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| M.Straus wrote: | I am in the south of the Netherlands right now, around Maastricht, and most everyone bikes everywhere. There are hundreds of bikes in every major square and as I look outside the library now, I see at least 300 bikes locked up and about 8 people on bikes riding around.
I also think the city is quaint, romantic, beautiful (especially with the city wall and castle-like buildings), and of course, the waterway that runs through it. |
Very interesting, what is the weather there like throughout the year? any mood swings weatherwise? _________________ Mon île préférée est milos Translation: My favorite island is milos (were? in Greece, Cyclades) |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Besalu2008 Co-Pilot


Joined: 03 Mar 2008 Posts: 478 Location: Besalu, Catalonia 625 ants
|
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
jenn754 Flight Steward


Joined: 21 Feb 2008 Posts: 70 Location: Everywhere there are islands - Currently in Greece 77 ants
|
Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2011 8:49 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Besalu2008 wrote: | Depends on what kind of cycling you are looking for (road/mountain/etc) and your level of "seriousness" ie, do you want to train like a pro or are you looking for a gentle easy routes through country lanes?
|
Actually I always ride for fun, easy pedaling and laid back kind off style. Thanks for the link. _________________ Mon île préférée est milos Translation: My favorite island is milos (were? in Greece, Cyclades) |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
laz Senior Pilot


Joined: 28 Nov 2005 Posts: 1878 Location: Newcastle, UK 2054 ants
|
Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2011 11:30 am Post subject: |
|
|
The Netherlands is ideal for a cycling holiday.
It is flat (more or less the whole country) and cycling is a national obsession so there are bucycle lanes everywhere... I mean, everywhere. Bicycles have right-of-way over everything - even if not officially, just by force of numbers. And there are some beuatiful parts of the country to explore. Cities such as Amsterdam, Maastricht, Groningen, Delft, the north coast and islands, etc.
Climate is typical European north continental climate - so not too many extremes. In the summer it would be mostly warm (20-25C) with some hot days over 30C, and in the winter it would be mostly mild (0-10C) with some cold days below 0C. _________________ Track your Euros here
My Traveljournals.net pages (pics, journals)
藍安地 |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Red Tape Captain


Joined: 25 Aug 2003 Posts: 7255 Location: Seattle, USA 9344 ants
|
Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2011 1:48 pm Post subject: |
|
|
My first thought was Denmark. More bikes than cars it seems on the streets in Copenhagen, and the country isn't too very hilly. _________________ My flight map. A million miles and counting....Where I’ve been around the globe. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
M.Straus Flight Steward


Joined: 20 Mar 2011 Posts: 95 Location: Pacific Northwest 104 ants
|
Posted: Sat Apr 09, 2011 1:53 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| jenn754 wrote: |
Very interesting, what is the weather there like throughout the year? any mood swings weatherwise? |
The weather has been amazing while I have been here. 4 out of the 5 days so far have been clear skies and sunny! The blossoming trees are in full bloom. It is really beautiful... though I hear that it is not always like this. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
payson Trainee Steward

Joined: 30 Mar 2011 Posts: 38 Location: Paris, France 39 ants
|
Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2011 8:44 am Post subject: |
|
|
Yep, that's right. Denmark and the Netherlands are probably the countries with most bikes per capita, and they are save. But if you want a romantic vacation, try Paris. There is an extensive net of bicycle points you can rent you bike from, and gee....Paris is one of the most romantic cities in the world.  |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
jonnyx Flight Steward


Joined: 16 Sep 2010 Posts: 59 Location: Mijas Costa (Malaga), Spain 74 ants
|
Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2011 11:37 am Post subject: Bicycle friendly |
|
|
I think the Netherlands and Denmark are the most bicycle friendly countries in the entire Europe, but southern Sweden is also stunning during the summer months.  |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
jenn754 Flight Steward


Joined: 21 Feb 2008 Posts: 70 Location: Everywhere there are islands - Currently in Greece 77 ants
|
Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2011 11:45 am Post subject: |
|
|
| payson wrote: | ....Paris is one of the most romantic cities in the world.  |
No kidding
Thanks for all responses. Anyone know if the above described cities have a way of locking their bikes with no worry to get stolen if staying at a hotel/apartment/hostel ?
I'm worried about the safekeeping of my bike while sleeping or resting. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
romemotion Flight Steward

Joined: 18 Jun 2010 Posts: 77 Location: Rome 86 ants
|
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
robertb Co-Pilot


Joined: 16 Nov 2009 Posts: 395 Location: London 424 ants
|
Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2011 11:35 am Post subject: |
|
|
In Holland it kind of depends what sort of bike you have. In holland there are lots of bike parks where you can lock up your bike, you even get bike cages.
Hostels and hotels vary - many people just chain their bikes to railings, but you could easily enquire if they have somewhere safe to park it.
Most dutch people ride standard bikes, i.e. not fancy mountain bikes - they're pointless. You can also rent easily if you don't want to bring your own.
If you've never been to holland you cannot imagine how many bikes there are, it is insane.
You start riding as soon as you can walk, and stop when you can't walk. My grandfather stopped riding 2 years ago at 87 after a stroke. My grandmother still rides occassionally ( 88 ). _________________ Robert
Join us at Kiribu.com for free today! - a new social travel network to help travel businesses work together to promote yourselves and your location.
Kiribu on Twitter | Facebook
My Travel Map |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
jenn754 Flight Steward


Joined: 21 Feb 2008 Posts: 70 Location: Everywhere there are islands - Currently in Greece 77 ants
|
Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2011 12:36 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Thanks for the link romemotion.
| robertb wrote: | In Holland it kind of depends what sort of bike you have. In holland there are lots of bike parks where you can lock up your bike, you even get bike cages.
Hostels and hotels vary - many people just chain their bikes to railings, but you could easily enquire if they have somewhere safe to park it.
Most dutch people ride standard bikes, i.e. not fancy mountain bikes - they're pointless. You can also rent easily if you don't want to bring your own.
If you've never been to holland you cannot imagine how many bikes there are, it is insane.
You start riding as soon as you can walk, and stop when you can't walk. My grandfather stopped riding 2 years ago at 87 after a stroke. My grandmother still rides occassionally ( 88 ). |
Wow! 87 and riding a bicycle that is great! Any idea how much local stores charge for bicycle rentals per day? Thanks for the feedback by the way. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
robertb Co-Pilot


Joined: 16 Nov 2009 Posts: 395 Location: London 424 ants
|
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
|