Back to Amsterdam

Fietstocht Plug 2017

Day 7 - Purmerend to Amsterdam

The Return

Friday August 4: The Grand Finale: - from Purmerend to Amsterdam

360 ° video - Friday Aug 4: The Grand Finale

The Fietstochters enjoyed a relaxed and nourishing lunch in quaint village of Monnickendam in preparation for the final push to Amsterdam.

Monnickendam was celebrating the Visdagen (Fish Days) and this village is famous for their prowess in catching eels. Nevertheless no one was daring enough to try eel for lunch but Neil sampled the raw herring and Bryan had some fresh fish.

The afternoon cycling would, once again, “feature” cycling 20 kilometers directly in to a strong headwind through the picturesque countryside, along canals and over quintessentially Dutch bridges....large and small. Linda and Nancy got passengers about the e-train (3:20 in the video) two days into the winds seemed to take its toll as Alannatje dove into the long grass to rest at the afternoon break.

Finally the peloton approached Amsterdam.....just two more bridges to climb. We waited for a ship to pass under the drawbridge at the IJ (8:30 through 9:40 in the video) and made the final turn back to the Tijgeest moored at the Veemkade not far from the Centraal Station in Amsterdam.

The sense of joy and accomplishment the cyclists felt as they returned to Amsterdam after bicycling more than 330 kilometers can be seen as Hendrik pumps his fist (12:30 in the video) upon sighting the ship.

Big smiles and “high fives” all around as the team loaded their bicycles onto the ship and said a final good bye.

The cyclists have completed the Highlights of Holland tour cycling more than 330 kilometers through much of Noord Holland and Zuid Holland...including the last 50 kilometers into a very stiff headwinds.

After dinner we walked though central Amsterdam, mingled with the crowds in town for Pride Week and stopped for a beer.

Saturday morning dawned and the intrepid cyclists, still on a high from their adventure, made their way to Centraal Station to begin their journey(s) home. For a couple of the travellers the journey home would be an adventure in itself as they would not arrive home for another 50 hours.