Day 3 - Leiden to Haarlem

31 miles/51 kilometers

Monday July 31 (morning): Leiden to Katwijk & Noordwijk aan Zee

The excitement of the cyclists was palpable as the second day of the tour dawned. The anticipation of cycling into Noordwijk aan Zee, the birth place of generations of their ancestors, combined with the rumours of sunshine and trailing winds served to energize and excite the “fietstochters”.

Tour Guide Andre led the cyclists through Leiden and westward on an easy ride “to the Sea” and Katwijk aan Zee. Along the way there were  explanatory stops at the University of Leiden, Hortus Botanicus and Rembrandt’s birthplace.

The name "Katwijk" probably has its origins in the name of a Germanic tribe called the Chatten (Chatti). The Dutch word "wijk" means "area", so the name probably meant something like "the Chatti area".

In Romans times, Katwijk was a place of strategic importance. Known as Lugdunum Batavorum, Katwijk was located at the northern continental border of the Roman Empire, at the mouth of the Rhine river. In these times the mouth of the Rhine was larger than it is today and there was, even in those days,  a good deal of traffic along the Rhine.

Katwijk is the largest municipality in the “duin en bollenstreek” (coastal dunes and tulip bulb growing) region.

Jacob Teunisse Barnhoorn (1700 - 1758) the 6th Great Grandfather of HCP was born (and died) in Katwijk.

Cornelis Gerritszoon van den Oever (1742 - 1822) was born in Katwijk aan Zee and married Pieterje Pietersdr Hellenburg (1743 - 1795) in 1762. Together they had a daughter Jaapje van den Oever who later married Klaas Korneliszn Plug in Noordwijk in 1786. Cornelis and  Pieterje are the 5th Great Grandparents of HCP.

Day 3: Leiden to Haarlem

through Katwijk aan Zee, Noordwijk aan Zee and Zandvoort aan Zee

31 miles / 50 kilometers

Day 3: Leiden to Haarlem

through Katwijk aan Zee, Noordwijk aan Zee and Zandvoort aan Zee

31 miles / 51 kilometers