Routelog # 23: The Netherlands - Completing the circle... we mean cycle... well, actually, both!
From Putte (06/05/09) To Vinkel (12/06/09)
(including the schoolvisits)
Kilometre's cycled: approx. 200 kilometres
Punctures: 0
Repairs: none
Road conditions:
Fanastic roads, cycle lanes everywhere, with cyclists having the right of way in most situations.
Terrain:
Well, this is Holland. Jon said to Aukje in Kenya, when we were writing a routelog, that the terrain was flatish. She said: NO WAY, that wasnt flat!, and now Jon understands the definition of flat. The Netherlands is flat.
Weather:
After leaving Putte we had showers, and nice tail winds into Tilburg. We faced headwinds cycling the final 50 kms first to Erp, the home of Empella, and then into Vinkel, our final destination.
Liters of water consumed/day/person: 2L
Litres of water in plastic bottles consumed: 0L
Flavour-some Food:
Michiel and Caroline cooked us up a cuisiniers master piece in Putte, then the following evening the exquisit flavours of Stijn and Lobke. Cake and champagne from Empella on arrival, and the Dorsvlegel produced some typical Dutch treats with cheese. Mmmmmmmmm!
Also, Jon bought a vegetable soup which had little chunks of beef in it, which he understands is typical in Holland. Huh???
Physical Wellbeing:
Marvellous. Full bellies and blurry heads after plenty of night after night of story telling and celebrations.
Team Dynamics:
Just fine. A certain amount of stress related friction, however we have come to get used to this, and as a result we have a better outcomes.
People:
Family and friends welcomed us into Vinkel to our delight, and a huge amount of preparation was put into the arrival party. A motorcyclist we met in the middle of the desert in Sudan (Wim), and a lady whom picked us up whilst hitch hiking on the road to Lalibella in Ethiopia (Marjolein) were just to name a few people who came to celebrate the finale of The SLOW Journey. At Empella we met cyclists who had just successfully completed the Alp dHuez (Alp dHuZES), a gruelling climb in the Alps done 6 times in a day for Cancer, very impressive. Thanks to all that we came in contact with in this final section. A fantastic welcome!
School visits followed after the arrival party, and both students and teachers have been wonderful. We were welcomed on three different schools and have given presentations to over 500 students. We did a live version of 'Who wants to be a beetionaire?' and answered many, many questions about life on the road. Having youth following the journey kept us motivated and meeting all these youth in person was the best way of ending The SLOW Journey that we could have had. We hope that they benefitted from the experience as well.
Animals:
Those days are finished. Cow sheds, chickens, goats in pens, horses in fields, dogs on leads. The Dutch are organised, and they need to be with a large population in a small space.
Memorable Quote:
The Mayor did a welcome speech in de Dosvlegel in Vinkel, just after we arrived. He was very kind and called us examples in modern day crisis times, as we are looking across borders and work internationally, facing problems but working through them as we go.
We went into one of the schools to prepare the classroom for our presentation and were recognized immediately in the hallway by some students: Look, its Jon and Aukje!
Typical:
Jon became quite emotional when thanking people for their contributions towards the arrival party and background support throughout The SLOW Journey. A much needed release of built up emotion always seems to emerge just at the wrong time, typical.
Questions from students were sometimes funny, and always interesting...
Were there any McDonalds where you went?,
What did you do when you came across a child begging?
Where you ever robbed?
What was the most scariest thing you experienced?.
Unexpected Disappointment:
We really did not expect anything bad in the final few days, and the travelling was easy in comparison to the last 10 months. The fact that we are not continuing is not unexpected, however its a little sad. All good things come to an end, or so they say (who ever they are).
Secret Spot:
Dorsvlegel Party Centre, Vinkel. For all your party needs.
Empella, Erp. Solid expedition bikes.
Search, Heeswijk. Big on sustainability and inspired by the environment
Van Tilburg- Nistelrode. The place for a new wardrobe
Wihabo, Geffen. For all your printing.
Hints For Travelling This Section:
Definitly worthwhile planning your route before you leave. There are some roads that you cannot cycle on, however there are plenty of cycle lanes throughout the entire country to take advantage of. Enjoy!
Thank you all for following our routelogs. This has provided us with an excellent journal for ourselves, and we hope it has provided you with some edutaining reading and or a resource for other travellers wishing to visit some of the places we have been and seen.
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