1

Is it cheaper to rent a bike or buy a bike? Obviously that depends on the duration - and the price of the bike you want to buy: 200€ or 2000€?

I’m not experienced cycler I must really warn you: although there are bikelanes, bike paths etc you will often have to drive on roads with dense and fast car and truck traffics. Car drivers EXPECT bikes to be able to drive in straight line( syr not taking up more than 60-80 cm width), follow Dutch traffic rules etc. - you will probably NOT be able to do this.

2

I used to cycle all over the place when I lived in the Netherlands (Hague area) and never had problems with being on a road with fast car and trucks. No offence Bjoern, you being Dutch and all, but I'd disagree. On the rare occasions there was no bike path/lane (and this was rare indeed), I found them very polite, one of the best countries in the world for this.

Is it cheaper to rent a bike or buy a bike? Probably rent, they'll be able to toss in a bunch of extra kit

Any specific ‘type’ (racing, mountain, etc.) of bike you recommend?

If taking your kit with you and not having it seperately delivered, get a tourer (which is basically a comfy racer with slightly wider than racer tyres and a much wider saddle) or a hybrid (mountain bike, but with thiner tyres than a true mountain bike and usually a more upright riding position. Most tourers and hybrid will be able to handle panniers - you should take full advantage and if at all possible not have anything on your back itself, it makes a world of difference.

I was thinking of going from Eindhoven to Utrecht and continuing to Amsterdam and then going down to Hague and Rotterdam. Is this route not interesting? Do you recommend some other more interesting route?

All routes are good, this is sensible depending on the time available (you haven't said)

Where can I buy maps (normal or some specific cycling maps?)?

http://www.stanfords.co.uk, http://www.fietsvakantiewinkel.nl/ (use google translate to navigate this site).

If you want a map check out Landelijke Fietsatlas Nederland 1:100.000 which is bike specific for the whole country, failing that check out the two guide books
Landelijke Fietsroutes deel 1: Noord- en Midden-Nederland (North and centre of Holland) Isbn 978-90-5881-287-2
and
Landelijke Fietsroutes deel 2: Midden- en Zuid-Nederland (Middle and south of the country) Isbn 978-90-5881-289-6

What is a ‘must’ bring?

Bike repair kit, spare inner tube, puncture repair kit, lights (good ones, I use cateyes), a cycle helmet, sun cream, breathable waterproof (ideally a bike specific one - normal walkers ones ride up your back when you're sat on a bike), a GPS might help, the LP guide to the Netherlands might help, a small handbook telling you how to fix your bike might help.

I was thinking of having a small backpack, really light. Should I put it on a bike or wear it during a ride?

Put it on the bike, trust me.

Are there in Nl some specific bicycle/pedestrian parts/side of the roads or I should I use local car roads?

Don't ride on paths that are pedestrian only, and don't ever jump traffic lights (you will encounter bicycle specific traffic lights at time)

I heard I can use this website ( http://www.vriendenopdefiets.nl/ ) for cheap b&bs, any other recommendations?

Pass, sorry

Is assume there are small shops in each residential area for food?!

Yes there are. You'll rapidly become familiar with Albert Heijn which is a major supermarket chain.

3

I'll leave the details up to arizona, who is much more of an expert on cycling for fun than I am.

Where can I buy maps (normal or some specific cycling maps?)?
Most book shops with a half-decent travel section have some maps. Alternatively try the tourist information offices (called "VVV" in Dutch). The Dutch Automobile Association, ANWB, has a number of stores throughout the country that sell detailed cycling maps for every corner of the country.

I was thinking of going from Eindhoven to Utrecht and continuing to Amsterdam and then going down to Hague and Rotterdam. Is this route not interesting?
You can make any route as interesting or boring as you want. ANWB has set up a system of "knooppunten" (literally: "junctions") connecting scenic routes; by following these knooppunten you can very easily build your own cycling route.
It is also possible to take your bicycle on trains - outside rush hour, that is - for a small fee, if you want to skip part of your route. See http://www.ns.nl for details.
One comment on "going down from Amsterdam to the Hague and Rotterdam" - keep in mind that the prevailing wind direction in the Netherlands is southwest, and that along the coast it can get quite windy. Perhaps it's a better idea to travel the other way around.

Do you recommend some other more interesting route?
NS (Dutch Railways) have set up a number of scenic routes, usually starting at one train station and ending at another. See (in Dutch) http://www.eropuit.nl/?wicket:interface=:3::::

What is a ‘must’ bring?
Rain gear. The weather is unpredictable at all times of the year, so a small rain poncho would be handy.

I was thinking of having a small backpack, really light. Should I put it on a bike or wear it during a ride?
I would put in on the rear of the bike, much more comfortable.

Are there in Nl some specific bicycle/pedestrian parts/side of the roads or I should I use local car roads?
It's not allowed to ride bicycles on the pavement, even though many Dutch cyclist don't seem to care. You can, however, be fined for riding on the pavement (or smacked in the face by a pedestrian you've just almost run over).
In towns and on narrower country roads you usually ride on a specifically marked part of the car lane. Alternatively, along busier roads (especially on the outskirts of towns and in the countryside) you'll often find separate bicycle lanes.
A round blue sign with a white picture of a bicycle indicates that you have to use the bicycle lane, a (much less) common square dark blue sign with the words "Fietspad" indicates a non-compulsory lane.

Is assume there are small shops in each residential area for food
Indeed. And given that this country has a very high population density, residential areas are rarely more than a few kilometers apart.

4

I found them very polite, one of the best countries in the world for this
If them = cyclists, I have to disagree. Most people ride as if they are the only person on the road in a 10 km radius, and are either too dumb or too careless to realise that they are in fact the weakest party in case of a collision.

If them = car drivers, that's probably more to do with the fact that car drivers are always held liable when they hit a cyclist, regardless of how carelessly the latter behaved.

5

Tnx everyone :)

6

If ou are planning a dedicated bike touring trip, using maps for cyclists, then you'll practically never have any problems whatsoever with traffic. Auto/truck roads can be easily avoided, and bike paths go practically everywhere.

You can get 1:25,000 scale maps for cyclists in places mentioned by others.

Considering the tedium of buying and reselling a bike (was that your intention?) it would probably be better off for you the tourist to rent a bike. I just did a quick Google search on prices. Depending on the type of bike (and where you rent), you're looking at around €50 per week. Even for a month-long tour, not likely you're going to get even a second hand bike at that price.

Of course, renting has it's own issues, such as getting the bike back to where you rented it. So either have a circular route or use the train to get back to where you started.

This is a tricky to answer, if you're not an experienced cyclist. A 30-40km ride may not seem much, until you're doing it every day. If you're not worried about covering a lot of km every day at high speed, then any sort of racing bike is unnecessary. Any bike with 3 gears would be enough -- not for the terrain but using low gears when cycling into the wind. Probably 5 gears is marginally better. Sticking to cycling paths, then any standard touring bike with thicker than racing bike wheels -- as described above -- would be more comfortable for a novice. Sitting posture is more upright and so more relaxing if you're mostly interested in looking around at the scenery, taking many stops,etc., the sorts of bikes rented in train stations for day trips. I find the heavy mountain bike wheels less comfortable on paved bike paths, and they'renot necessary.

Definitely, on the bike. Standard on bikes is a carrier-frame over back wheel, with rubber straps to hold things in place.

Anywhere is interesting for the first time, don't worry about it.

Do you mean specifically for while touring? A small kit to repair flats. If you rent a bike they might include one in a small pouch behind seat. A drinking bottle. Some snacks to keep your energy up (don't want sudden hunger pangs when under way).

7

Fwoggie: Danish and Dutch is still not the same.
I am just so scared of seeing tourists - even some of the 800 000 (mostly elderly) cruise tourists visiting Copenhagen and trying the free citybikes.
THEY (the cyclists) are probably not aware that they use 1.5-2 meter width of the narrow streets in the medieval town when they start - and equally much when they stop. Some even zig-zag when driving due to lack of balance (hard if it is 50% years ago you were on abike). They are normally not hit - caurse as mentioned above the car drives do whatever they can to avoid hitting them, prefer to keep license by hitting other cars instead.
They are not aware that they have to obey normal traffic rules - and not aware that traffic lights are also for bikes, one way streets are one-way for all on wheels - and that the sideWALK in THIS country is for WALKING (honestly 25% of Danish cyclists have the same misconceptions).

8

Ha Neptunian,

Tailored to your aspirations and due to your limited cycle history I´d like to suggest an alternative. It´s including places to overnight since you don´t mention that. And you can travel light (luggage on the rack!) and take in account of and react on the weather.

After arriving in Eindhoven (RyanAir?), take the train to Bunnik, 5 km outside of Utrecht. There's a Stayokay hostel. They rent bikes. I assume you can't take it elsewhere but some hostels will offer this facility, too. (http://www.stayokay.com/?gclid=CKefkcSItK4CFYWDDgodIARLOQ) You will meet many like-minded people, handy for extra info and tips.

In this way you can choose some regions to cycle or visit by public transport; you can decide on the spot.

Also reading up some previous posts about cycling in NL will give insight.

When having made a choice how to attack the country, you're welcome for additional questions.

9

There's a cycle bus of some kind where it'll transport you + bike around, and in some cases transport all your kit to the next step, but I canna find it on google yet.

10

Netherlands is very flat. So it is easy to cycle. The main problem is that you can have strong winds especially on the islands and the bike paths can be narrow.

An other problem is the cycle brakes. Well there aren't any levers near the steer which you can pull in order to stop. You have coaster brake.

In cities Netherlands is a very organised country. It is sometimes amasing how they manage to seperate all the traffic. A lot of city areas are also free of cars.

11

#9:Fwoggie,
Maybe you mean this:
1. http://www.windmeeritten.nl/ Only province of Groningen. Cycle with tailwind and back by bus. I wonder how long they'll test this tourist venue due to huge success of electicity supported bicycles;
2. Münsterland - in Euregio, though in German part - offers a fietsebus
Sidenote: the word fietse (in NL fiets = bicycle) has been derived from the German Vize-Pferd (= vice-horse), recently found out by Belgian language scientists.

And there are programmes by companies like cycletours and aktivatours.
only cycling and transport luggage or organising all in with tent or hotel etc.
They are active in many European countries.

#10: handwerpen,
In cities Netherlands is a very organised country. It is sometimes amasing how they manage to seperate all the traffic. A lot of city areas are also free of cars
I heard about Belgian Louvain-la-Nouvelle, having found a better (i.e. safer) way to separate traffic.
Actually it's in towns due to parked cars etc. more dangerous than the paths right along the road as you see pretty much in Belgium (thèy're narrow, man;-).

About the cycle-brakes: is your info based on the cycles to rent on the NS (train) station? 'the last link between station and destination', they claim.
Bikes to rent for touring have levers at the steering wheel. Sometimes citybikes have backwards brake,

Netherlands is very flat. So it is easy to cycle. The main problem is that you can have strong winds especially on the islands and the bike paths can be narrow.
-As to the wind: Adding that the same phenomenons in my experience are everywhere along the European coastline. You can sometimes rent electric bikes.
-Narrow bikepaths. There are some but generally speaking I disagree.

Anyhow, you never go wrong by going Dutch

12

You know what, this wind thing is a valid point, don't underestimate it, I should have mentioned it myself :/

13

In cities Netherlands is a very organised country. It is sometimes amasing how they manage to seperate all the traffic. A lot of city areas are also free of cars
I heard about Belgian Louvain-la-Nouvelle, having found a better (i.e. safer) way to separate traffic.
Actually it's in towns due to parked cars etc. more dangerous than the paths right along the road as you see pretty much in Belgium (thèy're narrow, man;-).

Where I live I think traffic is organised rather chaoticly. The cycling policy improved in Belgium but there still is a long road to go. It is quite shocking when you visit a big dutch provincial city like Den Bosch and see how everything is so clean,well marked and organised.

About the cycle-brakes: is your info based on the cycles to rent on the NS (train) station? 'the last link between station and destination', they claim.
Bikes to rent for touring have levers at the steering wheel. Sometimes citybikes have backwards brake,

When I visited Texel I remember having a bike with backwards brake. It also used to be very popular in Netherlands.

14

The granny bikes etc. without gears may have a braking system where you lock the pedals backwards. Common on old, simple bikes.

Any bike with gears will have a braking system activated with hand levers.
Disc brakes are getting very common now, especially for rentals with up-to-date bikes. They're more reliable than the external rubber grips on wheel rims, which are less effective when wet.