Day 106: Utrecht to Arnhem

According to the direction on Google Maps, the route to Arnhem was about 42 miles from Utrecht. But I decided to take the EuroVelo 2 route, which ended up being 58.5 miles in total. Koen had warned me about the longer route, but I thought it would be more scenic to ride the EuroVelo.

I stopped at the town of Amerongen for lunch and visited Castle Amerongen. Before arriving at my Couchsurfing host’s house, I took some time to see the Airbornemuseum Hartenstein in Oosterbeek where it commemorated Operation Market Garden, a failed Allied military operation during World War II. I remember my dad had produced a book about this battle for table top miniature gaming, so it was nice for me to learn more about it.

This time, the route had some hills. They weren’t very steep and I was able to ride up the biggest of them without walking my bike. Also, there was some light rain from time to time as I rode to Arnhem. This was my first rainy day in Europe.

I didn’t arrive at my host’s place at the south side of Arnhem until 5:45 PM, which was late for me. Luis was my Couchsurfing host. After my arrival, we walked to the shopping district nearby so I can buy some groceries for dinner. Luis bought a pizza.

Since I immigrated to the US when I was younger and Luis immigrated to The Netherlands a few years ago, we felt we had something in common and talked about politics. To this day, I still have not met a Trumper from another country other than the US.

After eating my dinner and taking a shower I went to bed around 8 PM. This morning, I woke up at 7:15. Luis already left for work. I will get some breakfast before leaving for Wesel, Germany.

Bicycle signs in The Netherlands are marked at the intersections.

Loving the trees by the bike path

Passed by this modern sculpture

View of the farm

A little library

An old horse drawn carriage as part of a parade that went by.

The windmill in Amerongen

Castle Amerongen

Looks opulent

The second floor 

Front view of Castle Amerongen

Passed by this church in Rhenen

More cows

Dark clouds ahead

Another tree tunnel

Airbornemuseum Hartenstein in Oosterbeek

Stone that commemorates the Battle of Arnhem.

The Airborne Experience felt like I was walking in a real battleground.

Diorama of the command center

Germen surrounded the Allies and the battle was lost.

The house that contains the museum

Garbage can for cyclists. Must have good aim.

My Couchsurfing host, Luis