On the 3rd of August, thirteen members (a lucky number!) embarked on the very first overseas cycling trip organised by the Ealing Outdoor Club.

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This adventure was the brainchild of Marianne, who worked tirelessly with Tulip, the travel company, to plan the route, arrange travel and accommodation, sort out bicycle hire, and even brief us on the dos and don’ts of cycling in Holland.

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I’ll admit I was a little nervous about the thought of averaging 30 miles a day — but it turned out to be one of the most enjoyable and memorable holidays I’ve had with the club! We were lucky with the weather too: plenty of sunshine with just the odd shower to keep us on our toes.

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Eight cyclists travelled out by train from Liverpool Street, while the rest drove with their bikes. There was a bit of drama with a missing ticket, plus the fun of assembling bikes in the rain, but spirits stayed high. Soon we were all safely on board the ferry, where we enjoyed dinner together before sailing overnight to Hoek van Holland. 

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A daily summary

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Monday saw us rolling off the ferry and meeting Pieter at the terminal to collect the hire bikes. Once everyone was kitted out, we set off on the 31.6-mile ride to Leiden along a stunning coastal cycle route. The fresh sea breeze and wide, open skies made for a glorious start. Passing through Den Haag, we managed to irritate a few Dutch motorists — a reminder that even in cycling heaven, we could still cause a little chaos! Our hotel in Leiden was full of character. John and Nicky’s room even came with a “welcoming committee” of rather creepy-looking gnomes keeping watch! 

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Tuesday took us on a 26.2-mile ride to Gouda. The route meandered through peaceful country paths, with plenty of windmills and waterways to admire. We couldn’t resist stopping for the now-customary Dutch apple pie — a tradition quickly taking root with the group. On arrival in Gouda, the hotel provided an unexpected highlight: a jar of chocolate gold coins. Needless to say, our group made the most of it. Jim even demonstrated the proper technique for unwrapping them, sparing us from the usual crumbled disasters!

 

On Wednesday, after a leisurely wander through the local flea market, we set off on the 21.4-mile ride to Schoonhoven. The journey took us through the charming town of Oudewater, where we stopped for a relaxed lunch. We reached Schoonhoven early in the afternoon, giving us time to unwind, enjoy some beers in the sunshine, and indulge in delicious ice-cream — the perfect end to a shorter day in the saddle.

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Thursday was our longest day in the saddle, with 42.8 miles to cover en route to Delft — a distance most of us had quietly been dreading. The ride included a ferry crossing and then a stretch to Kinderdijk, where we caught the Waterbus. Kinderdijk, with its remarkable collection of 19 windmills, is one of Holland’s most famous landmarks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its name translates to “Children’s Dike,” and its history is as fascinating as the site itself. By the time we rolled into Delft late in the afternoon, we each felt a real sense of achievement. Our hotel, however, came with a surprise or two! The décor featured naked figures on the walls and glass-panelled bathrooms, much to the amusement of the group. True to form, John and Nicky once again found themselves in the most “ero-artistic” room of all! That evening we rounded off the day with a well-earned delicious Indonesian group dinner.

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Friday marked the final stage of our Holland adventure. At 11:30 a group of cyclists set off towards Hoek van Holland, while a few others lingered to enjoy a leisurely boat tour around Delft’s canals. The final ride was a manageable 16.2 miles, and soon we were all back together at the ferry port, ready for the journey home. On board, Marianne had arranged a surprise cake to celebrate Guada’s upcoming birthday — a thoughtful touch that summed up the warmth and spirit of the trip.

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Our trip to Holland was a truly memorable adventure, made possible by Marianne’s fantastic organisation and leadership. Out on the bikes, the teamwork shone through — with Marianne guiding us confidently, John keeping us on track through the cities, and Steve quietly watching over the group from the back so no one was ever left behind. Despite forecasts of rain, we were blessed with sunshine for most of the week, adding to the joy of riding and leaving some of us with unexpected tans.

 

Off the bikes, the camaraderie was just as special, with shared meals, laughter, and plenty of new stories and inside jokes. A highlight was seeing Jim, who had been in hospital only six months ago, back with us and keeping the group safe — an inspiration to everyone. Thank you to each person who brought energy, humour, and friendship, making it a holiday full of moments we’ll all treasure for a long time.