Day 97: Rotterdam to Amsterdam

Yesterday morning, I started my ride a bit late, around 9:45 AM. I cycled from Stef’s house to the Brunch Bar to pay for the lunch from the previous day since I had forgotten to pay them. The waitress was thankful that I came back. It was the right thing to do.

I rode on the bike paths about 90% of the time from Rotterdam to Amsterdam. It was 50 miles and very flat between the cities.

I passed by the a few windmills, some ducks and swans, beautiful farmlands, and houses that sit in the water. I felt like I was cycling in a painting.

After a brief lunch at Grandcafe de Hoek Boskoop and before I arrived at Amsterdam, I recalled the dream I had around 15 years ago.

In my dream, I was cycling to a place that had a tree canopy. As I rode underneath the trees I arrived at a house. After I had that dream, I drew a picture of it in my notebook. Not sure if it meant anything at that time.

Well, I think I can truly say that it’s a dream come true when I arrived in Lomanstraat in Amsterdam. It’s a street that has trees leaned in on both sides of the street making an A shape. I rode underneath the trees and felt something magical and spiritual. The Netherlands is The Cycling Mecca and I’ve arrived at the most holy site, for me at least.

After enjoying this moment, I rode my bike through Vondelpark and went to the Jordaan district where my friend Colin lives. I arrived around 3:45 PM.

Colin and I went to college together. Even though we weren’t close friends we had a lot of friends in common. It was great to connect with him again.

After settling in, Colin and I walked to Café Enté where we had some tea and appetizers. Colin and his friend Joe were one of the main inspirations for my first bike tour. They cycled across the US in 2008, ten years before I did my trip. Colin and Joe were like heroes to me. They still have their blog up on the internet. It’s at theroll.wordpress.com.

Colin and I chatted everything from personal finance to mental health to bike touring. It was great to relax outside a cafe with a friend on a sunny afternoon.

At 6 PM, Colin had to meet with his girlfriend so they can go to dinner with their friends. I went to the Jumbo grocery store and bought some food for myself.

This morning, I woke up around 7:20. The entrance fees for the museums in The Netherlands are a bit expensive, at over 20 euros. I plan to purchase a museum pass and visit some museums in Amsterdam today.

The bicycle tunnel in Rotterdam

The bike path and the canal

Passed by a few of these windmills

Ducks on a farm

Riding with the swans

Reached 3000 miles!

House by the water

A large boat on a canal

An irrigation canal

The road is so flat. I love it!

Arrived at my dream destination, Lomanstraat in Amsterdam.

Is this another Picasso?

Riding in Vondelpark

First time seeing these birds. I think this is a coot, according to Google.

Resting in front of a statue

Hot mint tea at Café Enté

Me and Colin

Another cute car