Off to Amsterdam the pedalers go. The day begins with a final breakfast at the Cesar and a goodbye to Nikko our host. They verify that the Kirklands made it safely to Rome. There in keeping with the banana theme it was learn that banana yogurt was available.
Today is a transit day. No riding is planned. As it turns out there may be no significant riding at all. It is hard to find anything but town bikes which are not designed for the touring we planned. They will see but BOB is anxious. While the weather is great and the transportation to Amsterdam anything but easy the bike plans failure dampened the day as well. There were two train change fiascos due to a signal problem. "Bad bikes"as a strong possibility was a disappointment. Road bikes just are hard to find in Amsterdam.
Train coupling
The Thomases have arranged for a houseboat. Luckily it was near the train station but still quite a hike. The houseboat folks also provided some town bikes. As it turned out they were very appropriate for the daily jaunts.
Our houseboat
Bike rental
Bikes
Finding the houseboat was snap. Internet is not. It is broken so Hotair will sit in front of a closed bike rental shop. We arranged for the two Cadillac town bikes above, which have seven gears and weigh a ton. Olaf and his assistant set us up. Help was offered, but a direct Olaf said he and his aid needed job security with many women and kids to feed.
Dinner was at a small cafe that made fabulous sandwiches.The bikes are different and we tested them in Centrum. The handlebars are not kind to the groin. The evening strolling the heart of Amsterdam, including the Red Light District. During the walk Hotair was just missed by a speeding bicycle and Lenore grazed by a dump truck. Picturesque Amsterdam is below.
Rolls Royce and not the only one
Municipal art
And the artist
Yep Chinese food
The library
Notice the bike parking in the structure
Boys about town drinking....and pedaling
Chocolate
JUST PEDAL
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