So far, my only complaint is kids flying down the path wearing headphones and texting while they ride. Almost as bad as texting and driving back home.

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TED ESSENFELD
Schoorl, Noord-Holland, Nederland
Bike Pics
English Custom Steel Internal di2
Litespeed Ghisallo

Any suggestions for a high-end bike shop in the Alkmaar/Bergen/Schoorl area?

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TED ESSENFELD
Schoorl, Noord-Holland, Nederland
Bike Pics
English Custom Steel Internal di2
Litespeed Ghisallo

http://krooneliefting.nl/fietsen/racefietsen ; (Limmen)
http://www.cycleyou.nl/ ; (Amsterdam)
http://www.slikkersport.nl/ ; (Alkmaar)
http://www.beukerwielersport.nl/ ; (Petten)

If you just need a good wrench for Campa and Shimano (doesn't do Sram):

http://www.gerbikes.nl/site/ ; (only his own brand, great guy, good wrench, fine wheel builder) (Amsterdam)

Then a controversial ones which I'm going to mention so you know which you should avoid:

http://www.pietdewit.nl/ (owner is not the most likable according to anecdotes)
http://www.vosfietsen.nl/ (Best description: shady and borderline fraudulent)

Thanks for the tip on the bike shops. Slikkersport took care of me. I also found Theo Schilder which has a pretty big selection of just about everything.

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TED ESSENFELD
Schoorl, Noord-Holland, Nederland
Bike Pics
English Custom Steel Internal di2
Litespeed Ghisallo

Piet de Wit is not so bad (a bit too far from Alkmaar & quite expensive)
I live about 20 miles from Bergen (Hoorn)
The link below is very nice for cycling (road bike)
http://www.routeyou.com/route/view/370335/fietsroute-ronde-van-noord-holland.nl
If you need information, let me know.

Unfortunately a bit rainy next week.

I'm off to Limburg on Friday for Worlds!

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TED ESSENFELD
Schoorl, Noord-Holland, Nederland
Bike Pics
English Custom Steel Internal di2
Litespeed Ghisallo

25 Things I have learned about riding/commuting in North Holland:

1. It’s windy!
2. It’s flat!
3. It’s windy!
4. The prevailing southwesterly wind results in a bitchin’tailwind on my way to work. (1 hour ride to work, 40 km)
5. The prevailing southwesterly wind results in a bitch of a headwind on my way home from work (1 hour 45 minute ride home, 40 km).
6. It’s wet!
7. The Dutch don’t wear helmets… and find it amusing that I do.
8. No matter how I dress for the ride, it is always one layer too much or one layer too little.
9. The best waterproof and breathable rain gear is neither waterproof nor breathable.
10. Fenders are a must!
11. Lights are to see as much as to be seen.
12. No matter how fast (or slow) I ride, there is always some giant (6’4”+) Dutchman on his 29er with road wheels drafting me… and they NEVER pull through.
13. The bicycle infrastructure here is AWESOME!
14. Bike lanes serve double duty as local car access to smaller villages.
15. There is always at least one idiot driving 100 km/h on the bike path.
16. Despite being separated from the highway by a grass divider, bikes on the bike path are pummelled mercilessly by wind and spray from passing vehicles.
17. Most drivers are very courteous and yield to bikes at crossings… but not bus drivers.
18. Drafting behind farm vehicles is done at one’s own peril… that isn’t mud flinging up from the tires.
19. WWII-era bunkers are a handy place to wait out a really nasty rain squall.
20. That whoosh-whoosh-whoosh sound you hear in the dark is not a team time trial, it’s a windfarm.
21. Kids here can ride no-handed while listening to music and texting simultaneously from an early age.
22. No one honks at bicyclists on the road.
23. Highway overpasses are equivalent to mountain passes… who knew you could experience a change in climate and weather by going up 30 feet?
24. If you are travelling 20 km or less, take your bike… gas and parking are too expensive.
25. It’s really frickin’windy!

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TED ESSENFELD
Schoorl, Noord-Holland, Nederland
Bike Pics
English Custom Steel Internal di2
Litespeed Ghisallo

Being Dutch ánd a cyclist I just love reading comments from foreigners regarding the Dutch cycling culture...

Over the past several weeks I have stopped to help a number of riders with problems ranging from dropped chains to flat tires and even a dead battery on a motor-assisted bike.

Tonight I suffered two flat tires and not a single cyclist even asked if I needed help. They simply rode on by like I wasn't there... even though my bike was upside down, wheels off, while I struggled to fix two flats with one tube.

I have to say, Dutch cyclists are not a friendly bunch. They all seem to ride with their heads down and don't look beyond the front tire. That's my only real disappointment so far...

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TED ESSENFELD
Schoorl, Noord-Holland, Nederland
Bike Pics
English Custom Steel Internal di2
Litespeed Ghisallo

Because nearly everyone in the Netherlands rides a bike you may find that there is no real feeling of connectedness between cyclists like there might be in the States. Also, most Dutch learn to fix a tire or chain at an early age and may - possibly wrongly - assume that others are just as able.

I hope the pro's of cycling in this country still prevail though!

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my plastic bikes, 29ers & stable of old steel

The pros outweigh the cons...

I just found it odd as I am used to every cyclist back home asking stopped cyclists if they are OK or need help. In my case, I am usually very self-sufficient. But I had two flats and only one tube. It's one of the few times I would have liked an offer of help from someone. But no luck...

I'm just going to carry two tubes from now on.

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TED ESSENFELD
Schoorl, Noord-Holland, Nederland
Bike Pics
English Custom Steel Internal di2
Litespeed Ghisallo

Give them a wave Ted, I guess 8 out of 10 cyclists will stop and help you out.

Keep on feeding us with your experiences, it's very amusing to read about your Dutch adventures

When I am riding alone I usually take one tube and a small box with patches and glue. Hardly ever need the patches but I am at least prepared for up to five or six flats.

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my plastic bikes, 29ers & stable of old steel

I feel a bit embarrassed posting this suggestion here on weight weenies, but i IS really helpful when riding in the winter (always have it on my winter bike in Denmark): http://www.bike24.com/p216437.html

It really does work but of course comes with a cost in both increased weight and a more 'sluggish' feel.

I actually looked into some sort of additional flat protection. Honestly though, most of the time, the roads and paths are clear of debris. They drive a street sweeper over the entire network (here) every week. My unfortunate experience happened on a snowy and wet day. I think there was an unusual amount of stuff on the road. But I am going to switch over to some 32c Maxxis Detonator tires and some heavy duty tubes. Yes, sluggish, and not weight weenie at all, but this is my all-steel commuting bike which weighs close to 30 pounds anyway... racks, fenders, lights, etc.

_________________
TED ESSENFELD
Schoorl, Noord-Holland, Nederland
Bike Pics
English Custom Steel Internal di2
Litespeed Ghisallo