The Netherlands 2018!

We are off on our bikes again, this time back to Europe and The Netherlands. We enjoyed our few days there 4 years ago so we need to go back for more. Our daughter also lives in Amsterdam, so any excuse for a bike trip is a good excuse.

We have learned from our previous rides that kilos and even grams count, so we are very careful about what is being packed this time as we are carrying all our gear on our 10 day self ride exploration of southern Holland. We will be wearing the same clothes after our daily rides for 10 days, with washing being an activity undertaken every night. This trip will be a little bit different as we have 4 days in Hong Kong then 5 days in Amsterdam before we set out, and we have 2 plane trips to undertake with all the gear. So a bit more complicated and far more stuff to cart across the continents. Thankfully we can leave our stuff in Amsterdam while we cycle a loop, then pick it up & pack on our return ready for the flights home.

We have managed to find all of our bike gear, we bought some new panniers and are reusing the same top bags. All our clothes are packed in plastic bags inside the panniers to keep dry. 

Getting the stuff together.

Checking the bikes are all systems go

Road test with rack but no bags. It is definitely heavier. No PR's on that ride.

My cycling adventure gear ready to be packed.

From the top - Handlebar bag for camera & snacks, top bag for on top of the rack, back pack for my back with phone ipad, and red pannier goes on Wayne's bike.

My bike all put together with bags.

Wayne's bike with panniers and top bag.

and we are ready to go ...

Final adjustments

Short test ride to ensure weight is even and back of shoes are not touching the panniers.
It is a very scientific process.

Bike is all packed up and tucked away for a few weeks.