Amsterdame10 - Day One

Wow! Can you believe it? A whole year has passed (to the day!) and here I am again!

Amsterdam beckons and 60 ladies are waiting for the off! York's McArthur Glen car park is filled with bikes and bags and yellow ride shirts, the air is filled with excited chatter!

We are checked-in, de-bagged (in the nicest possible way!) and grouped together for a team photo :-)

Next we were split into teams and got ready for the off...

last year I did the ride as part of a year of challenges for my 40th Birthday so you may wonder why was I back? Well I had such a brilliant time last year and the challenge was such an achievement that I just felt compelled to join in once more... so here I was! This year my ride buddies and cabin mates were Sandra and Wendy, friends made on last years ride :-)

We just knew we would have a great time!

One by one the teams set off to cheering and air horns set off by friends and family, all gathered to see us off! So the long line of girls wound our way out into the coubntryside, along cycle lanes and tracks heading off towards Market Weighton where we were scheduled for lunch...

As we pedalled we chatted and laughs went up and down the line. It soon became obvious that one of the characters of our team was Nikki, a self-confessed loud-mouthed Scouser! She was brilliant! She kept us entertained with her banter with Mark, our front ride guide and she had us all calling out in response to her chant 'How are ya feelin'?' to which we would shout 'Gorgeous' in reply... Spirits were high as we cycled along, weaving our way through leafy lanes...

We pulled over beside a road near Seaton Ross to have a drink and check someones tyres and the break was useful to stretch legs and fingers... morale was high... Although we had pulled off the road we were wary of traffic and had various systems in place to warn each other of hazards whilst cycling, these calls often stayed with us when off the road too!

As we waited beside the road a white van was seen coming around the corner and several shouts were heard 'VAN' we called, 'It's coming FAST' I shouted and with that it hurtled around the corner, its driver fighting to stay in control... its brakes screeched as it struggled to stay on the road... we held our breath as it just managed to get around the corner without hitting us... we were angry and relieved all at once - it could have ended so badly! He was gone in the blink of an eye with nothing more than a partial plate to go on...

Shaken but determined we saddled up and rode on, thinking ahead to lunch, with Nikki calling out her chant and getting a few choice words in return!

We arrived at the pub for lunch, chips and sarnies, good job too - we were ravenous, we could have eaten the same again!! All three teams met up here to exchange banter on the journey so far and tell tales of our near miss!!

Freshly filled and ready for the off the teams set off at intervals. Our only deadline was the ferry...

Heading for Hull we followed country lanes and cycled over footbridges, we even lost our way at one point and almost found our way into some private gardens!! We had a Blair Witch experience in the woods and were sure we heard the Hound of the Baskervilles and shots being fired!

We had another mini adventure in North Ferriby but eventually found our way onto the correct road to lead us under the Humber Bridge and alongside the estuary. The dockside apartments are very smart and the block paved walkways make for easy riding. We fly past The Deep and cross over steel walkways which link the areas on both sides of the waterways.

Before long the gleaming white ferry comes into view and we are spurred along... 'How are ya feelin'?' Nikki shouts... 'Gorgeous' we yell in reply! Faster we ride, along and around, with every push of the pedals bringing us closer to our overnight rest...

At last we make it and find ourselves lined up at Passport Control alongside some fabulous Harley Davidson motorbikes! Their gleaming chrome and immaculate paintwork testimony to the pride of their riders...

Finally they agreed to allow us out of the country so we pedalled furiously up the long and winding ramp onto the ferry... what a climb but we made it - without stopping! And honked our horns wildly at the joy! Bikes locked and safely stowed we claimed our baggage from the support van and went off to find our cabins...

Get fed, get settled and get some sleep was the order of the evening... after a stroll on deck and a bevvy in the bar of course!

Amazing Amsterdame09 - Day Five :-)

For the second time this week we awoke to a multi-lingual (steady now!) greeting and knew it was time to make a move!

This was it - the last day! The final leg of our journey home and the last installment of the adventure!

Time to pack our panniers one more time - funny how we paid less attention to how we stashed it all away!! One more breakfast (they were good breakfasts!), and one more trip down to Deck 7 with all our stuff!!

Upon arriving back at the bikes we saw the carefully tied rope knots and were reminded that we had been expecting a less than calm crossing - we exchanged glances and shrugged, nobody had noticed a thing!

Once again we waited our turn to ride down the ramp, not quite the same without those motorbikes to honk at! We slowly rode down the ramp, the queue at the bottom meant we had to practically stop halfway down!! Shame! No wheee for us today!!

It felt really good to be checking in at British passport control - we had grins on our faces and knew we were one step closer to home! We couldn't wait to get going!

The weather back in the UK was a little dubious as we headed back inland. Once again we carried our bikes over that two storey steel staircase, we rode along the iron walkway, daring to look down into the murky depths, we passed the rocky rubble and reached the Halfords car park - but no Starbucks today!

As the path narrowed I remembered only too well those horrid nettles! I told myself that today, on this last day, I would just ride for my life! So I did! Straight along the path, straight through the nettles, as fast as I could, never daring to look down, on and on they went, seeming higher than before. I waited for stings and pain in my legs and arms but nothing came...

As we came out into the open we slowed and stopped, waiting for everyone else to catch up... I looked down at my legs and saw that they were red, as were my arms, covered all over in raised lumps, nettle stings! We all were! Adrenaline must have kept the pain at bay!

We regrouped and set off again along the open track, leaving the Humber Bridge behind us! Our first break of the day would be back at Brantingham but before we got there we had to tackle one almighty hill!!

After cycling on complete flat this was a massive reality check! The hill was steep and very long and the group soon split into those who went racing off ahead and those who stayed in the 'slow and steady' camp!

The road levelled off and I breathed a sigh of relief... until I realised that the hill continued around the bend and just kept going up...! I felt the energy drain from my legs and I focused on the tarmac beneath my front wheel... I grimaced with effort as my leaden legs pushed against the pedals... I was still moving but at such a slow rate I was amazed I hadn't fallen off!

I got slower and slower...and slower... and had to stop! It just wasn't possible to keep pedalling... I got off my bike and walked... but I wasn't alone... we had cycled so far over the last few days... and somehow it didn't feel like failure!

Finally we reached the top but we knew we were not the last and we looked behind us for signs of the last of our team...

Jaynes helmet rose into sight and she slowly pedalled - yes PEDALLED - into view! She had stayed on her bike the whole way up that darned hill! Every foot of tarmac, every bend in the road, she had stayed on her bike for every inch of it! What a woman! We whooped, honked and cheered for all we were worth! Way to go Jayne!

From that high we cycled the short distance to the Triton pub at Brantingham. It looked very welcoming with its large canopies and familiar benches. We rode in and dismounted... and heard a shout from Lianne! As she cycled round a bench to park up she had hit her ankle on its corner, it was very painful and started swelling almost immediately! All this way without incident and now this... out came the ice-packs and she laid it up on the bench to rest!

Teas and coffees were very welcome and the landlord was very pleased to see us again. In fact he insisted upon taking a group photo in front of the pub before we left.

By the time we set off the temperature had dropped and a few of us had donned our waterproof jackets... wet and cold just didn't appeal! From here on in the route followed along country roads and we cycled along in groups happily chatting away! On the very next pause I took off my waterproof which had proved unnecessary and I also took the chance to ring home and tell John about the landlords photo - he said he'd check the website for us!

Yet again we were making excellant speed, heading towards Howden for our lunch! Sometimes when the road was busy we had to stay in single file but mostly we were able to chat and we were back to our habit of moving up and down the line, chatting and then moving along...

Howden soon came upon us and we cycled into the car park of the pub. There was plenty of space but no racks of course so we leaned the bikes against the wall, sometimes 3-4 deep, and locked them with multiple bike locks!

Our early arrival caused a little consternation however as the chips weren't due to be ready until 1.30pm and although the sandwiches were visible, covered up on trays, they wouldn't serve us until the chips were done!! We still had 45 minutes to wait!! We were sooo hungry!

With it being the last day I allowed myself a lunchtime drink (I know, quite the daredevil!). One fruit cider later (!) and the chips were finally ready - we made a bee-line for the food! It didn't last long though and Rich had to ask them for more!!

Next door to the pub is Candy Andy's - well known as a most amazing sweetie shop! As word spread the girls popped out and Candy Andy's rapidly filled up with ladies happily stuffing paper bags with goodies galore and liquorice sticks of every colour!!

With sweets safely stored it was time to hit the road but not before I had a call from John to say that the landlord from the Triton had indeed put up the photograph of us on his website and a lovely write-up too :-)

Helmets on, locks off and we honked for all we were worth... locals must have wondered what on earth was going on!!

The route to York from Howden was a convoluted one and the road we took held a surprise for one of our team... a lady ran out with her baby to say hello as word reached her we were passing by, tears welled up from most of us as they hugged.

The road led on along familiar territory, a route I had cycled with my children, a route which I knew would pass through my village, within yards of home, at a time when I knew my daughter would be there...

Next time we paused I quickley rang and she said she would come out to see us...

Along the riverbank we cycled, through gates and stiles, in single file, until we grouped at last to take the village!

The team were great, and knowing how excited I was to see my girl again, they put me at the front...

From the back I heard... give me an 'E'... give me an 'M'...give me an 'I'...'L'...'Y'...

...and then there she was, my beautiful girl, sitting by the church, she stood to meet us and I almost dropped my bike in my haste to hug her! I wrapped my arms around her and held on tight! I had missed her so much and this adventure, this amazing, challenge had made me realise just what I could be and I just wanted to share it with her...

'Hey Em...' Lisa called and Emily went to hug her, 'and me' called Lianne... 'and me' called Jayne... she hugged them all! Tears flowed and the lump in my throat was huge!! One more brief hug and we set off again, she would be there tonight...at the finish!!

I was on such a high! With renewed energy I pedalled on, fighting back the tears! I felt so proud, what a fantastic day! I waved at my friend passing by in her car, I waved at Ron, sitting as always by the window in his house... what a day!

We cycled on to the next village and honked at the people we saw, we waved and cheered and honked some more!! What a rush!!

The plan was for all three teams to meet up at The Drovers Inn, Skipwith, so that we could cycle to York as one team! We were the first to arrive at the pub and felt like we deserved a treat so we four bought a bottle of Rose between us and enjoyed it outside in the sunshine!

Sadly Skipwirth would be the last stop of the journey for Lianne as she had to travel to Manchester that night... she would not be able to finish the ride with us! We had come so far, had such good times, shared such fun and such laughter... it seemed so unfair!

As we sipped our rose a silver car pulled into the car park, it was Russ come to collect Lianne. We left her to have her own reunion and then we all piled in for hugs too! It was definitely share and share alike when it came to hugs on this ride! She had been fantastic company and her presence at the end would be missed!

While she was loading her bike and luggage into the car we plotted a fond farewell and as Russ drove her away he had to pass through two lines of girls, all in daffodil yellow, all clapping and cheering and waving her off... I don't know if she was crying, but I know I was!!

Friends and family had been briefed to expect us back at McArthur Glen at about 6pm but Rich warned us that we were likely to be there early! We all made hasty phone calls to alert those who needed to know!

A photo call was made and Rich gathered up all the cameras while we posed as a team in front of the pub. His arm was weighed down with cameras and we all sat grinning until everyones camera had a photo taken on it! Thanks Rich x

Now this time when we set off we really did look a sight - 54 of us, cycling along, singing any tune which happened to come in our heads, even a part of a tune or a chorus would be enough to get us all joining in! We had 'You'll Never Walk Alone' amongst others, and 'Here Come the Girls' which seemed to have become a kind of anthem for the trip!

What with singing and the honky horns you would have thought it was Day One not Day Five :-) The energy was amazing and we were fair racing along...

As we approached McArthur Glen we stopped just a little way before the car park... adrenaline was pumping and we were singing 'Dancing Queen' at the tops of our voices... just around the corner family and friends were waiting and we could barely contain ourselves...

Rich said a few words at this point but for the life of me I can't remember what they were!! I was so excited, so proud, so energised, so happy... so many emotions all at once...

Well, we rode into that car park like we'd been away for a month! We honked, and cheered, and woohoo'd our way into the car park as fast as we could pedal!! Everyone cheered and clapped and waved and we all just dropped our bikes and ran to hug everyone!!

The din was incredible but the atmosphere was electric! Everyone was hugging and crying and it was the most amazing thing I have ever been a part of! Family and friends now gave way to team-mates and girls were hugging each other... there was much back slapping and signing of shirts... we were all on such a high!

John had brought with him six bottles of champagne and it wasn't long before there were scenes reminiscent of a Grand Prix win! Champagne was being sprayed everywhere and over everyone! Balloons were bouncing around and we were all buzzing!!

Team photos were needed and we all posed in rows whilst cameras clicked from every direction! In a moment of madness Lisa grabbed a bottle of champagne and ran between the ride guides pouring it over their heads!! We all screamed with laughter and the moment was priceless!

One by one people started to leave, some were being driven home, some had to drive themselves, some had just a short way to go but others had miles before they got home... all of us thinking the same...

What a fantastic thing we had done! We had just reason to be proud of ourselves and for me it was the biggest, and the best thing I have ever taken part in!

I loved it, every minute of it! And I would do it again in a heartbeat :-)



We rode from York to Amsterdam,
All the way there and back again,
We had good times, we made good friends,
We wished the journey would never end ...

We came together from near and far,
To challenge ourselves and raise the bar,
Raising money, the means to an end,
Teams irrelevant now! Just friends!

Amazing Amsterdame09 - Day Four :-)

Day Four - Amsterdam to Rotterdam, the homeward journey begins!

It was hard to believe that this fantastic journey was already coming to an end! Not that we were home yet, far from it, but we were starting our return journey and for many of us it felt like the beginning of the end.

With our panniers full and the room left empty, we trooped downstairs to claim our bikes and get them packed up and ready to go. We clamoured for the pump to gas up the tyres and once again excited chatter filled the air!

One by one the teams assembled ready for the off! We wished each other well for the days first leg... the teams wouldn't meet again until lunchtime!

We set off the way we had come, through the trees and along the paths of Fondel Park. This time there were no family barbeques, no music, and no children playing. It was Monday morning and the rush hour was upon us!

Rush hour in Amsterdam is so different to the UK - their rush hour is busy with bikes! Loads of them, everywhere you look! They ride along the woodland paths as if it's a highway! Dressed to impress the riders wear business suits and we even saw a briefcase balanced on the handlebars!

Ladies in chique long skirts and fitted jackets seemed to pedal effortlessly along with surprising speed! It was quite surreal! They of course knew exactly how to use the road and who should give way to whom at crossroads... we didn't and there were a couple of near misses - which were only misses because the Dutch cyclists were so adept at manoevering!!

Once out of the park we found ourselves back on the streets, weaving in and out of the traffic and watching for stop lights which broke up our lines!

As we left the bustle of the city behind we rode along without break or interruption. Back along the canalside, cycling once again past those immaculate houses... but this time there was nobody to honk at! No smiling faces sitting in the sun, no happy laughter from families messing about in boats!

In fact one of the few people we saw that morning was a skater, in-line skating his way along our length, passing us at speed and then coming back in the other direction! It seemed he was using this stretch of road as his track and he glided smoothly along exchanging hellos as he went! We must have passed him several times in each direction before we were off his training route...

We stopped at the small cafe we'd found on the way in and were glad to stop for tea! I was having a gloves issue resulting in tingling fingers, a problem I'd not felt before, so was pleased to take them off! I left them off when we got going again but wished I hadn't as the pressure on my palms wasn't good! I put them quickly on again at the first opportunity!

Back through the towns and along the canals, looking for the familiar sight that was Valkenburg Meer. And then there it was! We had made excellant time and the water was as blue and sparkling as it had been that first time! This time we were first to arrive and we had the pleasure of honking and whooping as the other teams rode in :-)

Soon we were all together again, sitting, chatting and munching :-)

An hour passed and lunch was done and it was time to set off again! Honky horns sounded as we waved and cheered! Pedalling ferrywards! Passing open countryside and windmills as we went...

The afternoon was kind to us and the sun shone brightly. Occasionally we had shelter from the canopy of trees but often the sun was relentless on our backs!

It didn't feel at all like we were speeding along but once again we made good time and we surprised ourselves as we arrived in Delft for afternoon tea!

Perfect! Sitting in the sunshine outside a small cafe, enjoying coffee and cake, chatting with friends - how amazing is this??

After what felt like ages we had to hit the road again, heading closer to Rotterdam and the ferry home...

We had just nine miles to go to reach the small ferry, then another nine miles to the big one! As we pedalled on there were more and more people about and the honky horns ruled once more!

Bikes once again prevailed as we saw students leaving school. They asked questions and wished us good luck. At one point we were cycling along a narrow path, bordered on both sides by green fields. The path was obviously a popular route home from school and as we passed a line of boys, cycling in the opposite direction, they held up their hands and we hit high-fives as we passed!

Soon the familiar red brick roads came into view and once again we rode along quiet residential streets, just the occasional honk this time to an unsuspecting bunch of workers paving the road!

The houses soon disappeared and we found ourselves alongside the turbines, slowly turning way above our heads! Under the underpass, winding around, we knew we were close... and then there it was...the ferry terminal with the Pride of Rotterdam gleaming in the sunshine!

Being the first to arrive and needing everyone present before checking in, we decided that the only course of action was to find a pub! So we did! There was plenty of outside seating and it gave us chance to sit and relax with a great vantage point for when the other two teams rode in!

The buzz was huge! The other customers realised they were being invaded and so we soon had the patio to ourselves! We chatted and laughed and took photos! We rang home and passed the news!

Now I had one more challenge to face before the day was over! The ferry ramp! It had beaten me at Hull and now I was determined to get all the way up, on my bike, pedalling ALL THE WAY!

Passport control wasn't too bad and we got through without incident. I took a deep breath and started pedalling! The ramp is a killer! It is so steep and that bend halfway just about finished me off! I just kept pedalling, forcing my feet to push one at a time! It felt like I was going so slowly that I would just wobble off!! But somehow I made it! WooHoo!! I honky-honked the ferryman at the top - he must have thought I was crackers!

As we unloaded the bikes we were told to lash them to the railings with the rope which was sitting in bundles along the row. We looked at each other and guessed we were in for a rough crossing!

We collected our baggage and made our way from Car Deck 7 up to Cabin Deck 10. Different cabin but same beds and same routine!

Showered and changed and ready for tea we headed to the restaurant. 'Do you know what?' we asked ourselves, 'WE DESERVE CHAMPAGNE!' and why not? We ordered not one but TWO bottles of bubbly and had the waiter serve it at the table...

The meal was excellant and we were truly stuffed! Too full really to go dancing but somehow we managed it :-) The showbar was where we headed next and a great gaggle of girls (with the occasional ride guy) made for great company! The chatter went on until the early hours, making good use of the time difference (we gained an hour going back!).

I headed off to bed a little before the others, and did in fact wish I'd stayed a little longer, but I took the chance to write once again in my journal, notes for the day...

Amazing Amsterdame09 - Day Three :-)

The cycle ride to Amsterdam had been amazing! And now here we are! In this bustling city with its canals, bars and saucy streetlife! We were tired but the excitement outshone everything else and we were keen to get into the hostel, unpack and get out and about!

We parked our bikes in a very clever two-tier bike rack and found our way upstairs to the room we would share for two nights. It had everything we could need including an en-suite loo and a separate decent-sized shower room! We even had TWO electric sockets!!

Sleeping arrangements stayed the same and we were soon unpacked and showered, ready for adventure!

Just a short walk away was a small plaza with an Irish Bar which looked warm and welcoming, I think others had been before on prior trips. The main man there was called Stanley and even though it was late by the time we arrived he agreed to accept a food order, I'm not sure his kitchen staff felt the same!

We had a great meal, sitting on high stools around a tall table. The pub had great atmosphere and we chatted and ate for ages...
After we got back to the hostel we decided to go and get a drink in their own bar before bed, It was cheaper than being out and we girls got a jug of Tequila Sunrise between us!! It lasted surprisingly well and soon the hostel staff chased us off to bed by closing everything down... but we stayed up as long as could ;-)

The new day dawned sunny and bright and with no alarm to wake us we awoke contented and with thoughts of breakfast!

The continental offering was strangely satisfying, although I had to force myself away from thoughts of a bacon buttie!

Amsterdam was calling us and it wasn't long before we were out on foot patrol!! Jayne & Lianne, Matt, Gary, Lisa and me! We had quite fancied seeing the Rijksmuseum but the queue was horrendous and so we chose the Costa Diamond museum instead! We saw an amazing selection of sparkling jewels, glittering rings and necklaces, we were allowed to try them on too... but the room wasn't unlocked until we had removed them ALL!!

Happily we meandered through the streets, the sun was shining, the girls were smiling and everything was good! We even managed a spot of shopping - mindful of the fact that we would have to carry anything we bought!

We found a cafe in a large square and stopped for lunch. We laughed and chattered until the food arrived and then tucked in! As we sat there in the sunshine it suddenly dawned on me ... we were sitting having lunch in a cafe in Amsterdam ... and we CYCLED here!! Cycled! On our bikes! From England to Holland, York to Amsterdam! I got a lump in my throat and knew I'd remember that moment...

The food was gorgeous and perfect fuel for the afternoons adventuring. We decided it would be fun to take a trip around the canals and found one which left quite soon - keen as we were to make the most of every minute :-)
The canal trip lasted 75 minutes and was really an eye opener! Did you know that they have massive ocean-going liners moored up in Amsterdam??? They have a bike park, like a huge multi-story but just for bikes, hundreds of them!!

The houses along the canals are all so different and so beautiful! The architecture was so detailed and everything immaculate!

Did you know that the trees along the canals are all Dutch Elm because their roots grow straight down and won't compromise the canal walls! Did you also know that they change the water in the canals twice each year!

The others were happily chatting away but I preferred to be out the back, in the open, watching and clicking away... my camera was in overdrive! Everywhere I looked there were images to capture! I was in my element!!

A million photos later the boat arrived back at its berth and Jayne and Lianne took the chance for a quick siesta back at the hostel while Lisa, Gary, Matt and myself found ourselves back at the Irish bar - Stanley came to take our order! We enjoyed a cappuchino and a bask in the sunshine, taking time to absorb the atmosphere and chill...

In the afternoon sunshine Gary & Lisa slipped away to the park to while away an hour or so, I wandered back to the room to find Jayne and Lianne still fast asleep. Downstairs the hostel lounge was empty, apart from a guy using their internet station, so I got myself a drink and took the time to catch up on my journal.

Usually when I'm away I write a journal every day. All the good stuff, all the fun! This trip had seen only enough time to make notes, literally just words, thoughts, places and people, anything that jogged my memory of where and when and how... but even this had left me with over two pages of notes for each day!!

Back in the room the girls were awake and we all freshened up, ready for our night on the town!

The plan was to meet downstairs at 6.30 and head off towards the Red Light District ... well when in Amsterdam...

We were joined by Sandra, Lorna, Joanne & Nic giving us a good-sized group of ten. Together we took a tram to Dam Square and wandered along, trying not to stare into wacky baccy cafes...

After a bar-stop for a drink and a chat with a very exuberant American and his family, we moved on and managed to find an Italian restaurant to eat in.

After leaving the restaurant the streets were even more packed and the darkness showed up the lighted windows and the neon strips which decorated every shop, cinema and bar!

It seems that hubbies were in for a treat and we scoured the shops looking for suitable DVD's!! Mission acomplished and what a treat - the guy in the shop gave us each a small whip to play with and keep ... what a giggle!!

We all had a certain curiosity about the famed Red Light Area and as Jayne seemed to know most about it she seemed to be our guide! 'Would you like to see more ladies?' she asked as we wound our way along...

Back by the main street with its canal we heard a commotion and a naked guy was riding a bike along the street to whooping and cheering from the crowd. We heard he was soon arrested but it was a distraction as we soon realised that we had lost Nic! Where was she? We had all been wandering along, in two's and threes, watching windows and giggling! But Nic was no longer with us!

We stopped and backtracked and soon she was found! Safe again we linked arms and all stayed together - Matt posted himself at the back as rear guard! Nice one Matt :-)

The excitement over we headed back to Dam Square for the Tram and as we walked along we found ourselves chatting with some guys who were also staying at the hostel. They were in the Canadian wheelchair basketball team and were over here for a tournament. They admitted that they had been chatting to the red light girls about the 'services' available to guys in wheelchairs. We were informed that everything was 'very satisfactory'!!

We all got the same tram but the driver was a little hasty in setting off and we all lurched violently - good job the guys had their brakes on!!

Back at the hostel we retired... to the bar! Just for a nightcap, Southern Comfort and lemonade, with a dabble of chatter and a good laugh, before bed!

Amazing Amsterdame09 - Day Two :-)

So, here we were, having cycled about 50 miles from York to Hull, excited and tired and ready for a good nights sleep...and did we get one?

No, we didn't!

The bed was hard and uncomfortable, the cabin was hot and airless and at one point in the night I felt sure the propellers had hit something or we had maybe even run aground...I held my breath and waited... scenes from Titanic flew through my head...but nobody screamed, no sirens were heard so I assured myself that it had been my imagination! By morning I knew must have slept a while as the 6am bingbong (in various languages!!) woke me up!

All four of us had not slept well and we forced ourselves to get up, pack our bags and go down for breakfast! Once fed and with water bottles filled we went down to the car deck to unleash the bikes ready for the ride from Rotterdam to Amsterdam!



Several cars were already sitting with their engines running and the fumes became quite heavy. The ferrys' huge tailgate lowered slowly down and disembarkation began. Beside us was a lane of motocycles - big ones! They started their engines and the roar was fantastic! The growl from those magnificent machines echoed round the car deck ... we loved it! We honked our horns and rang our bells, we shouted WooHoo and the bikers honked and shouted back :-) I had tears streaming down my cheeks, I was loving it!



At last it was our turn ... we pedalled off the ferry and free-wheeled down the long ramp to passport control - and promptly joined a 5 lane queue to get out of the terminal! What a wait - it took us about an hour to get through but once at the other side we were soon on our way!

Of course we had to remember to cycle on the right hand side but it wasn't hard as we all followed Rich - as long as he stayed right then so did we! (No pressure Rich!)

The route took us alongside a wide river and beside several wind turbines! In a few short miles we needed to take a ferry and had to scrabble around for enough euro coins between us to pay the ferryman! Once over the river we set off again - headed towards our first real windmill - we could see its sails in the distance!

We were soon pedalling along red brick roads with picturesque canals down the middle. Tall, ornate houses bunched up along the sides, tables and chairs decorated the sidewalks.

The route led us partly through residential streets, what a sight we must have been! A gaggle of girls in daffodil yellow, honking at everyone and shouting WooHoo!! Confused Dutch people waved and called 'hello' in an assortment of languages - wondering who we were and what on earth we were doing cycling down their road!!

We pedalled out into open fields and passed picturesque farms, canals and windmills. We passed walkers, joggers and cyclists. People of all ages out and about enjoying the fresh air ... it was great!

We were headed towards Valkenburg Meer for lunch - a scheduled stop of about 1hr. We cycled through Delft and on to Den Haag. The city was hard to follow sometimes as we turned this way and that, trusting Rich and following each other, chatting and honking as we went along.

I remember a man coming out of a shop carrying a large basket of fresh loaves, Lisa honked and shouted 'Nice Bread!' the man grinned back and shouted 'nice arse!'.

We stopped when we had to but so often we had right of way - that was so cool! All the traffic giving way to a long line of yellow topped ladies, all of us waving an unnecessary thankyou to the bewildered traffic and honking yet again :-) It was brilliant!!

At the railway station we stopped for a break. We bought ice-cold coke from the shop and drank it down, it was a hot day and we were glad of the long cold drink - the fizz really hit the spot!

Back on the bikes again and on to Valkenburg Meer! What a sight! Cool green grass to sit on and a beautiful blue lake glittering in the sun!! Another team were there already and honked madly as we rode in. Of course we honked in reply!!

We ate a fantastic lunch from P&O whilst watching windsurfers and canoeists along the waters edge! The sarnies were great but the large fresh muffin filled with lemon curd was gorgeous!

Refuelled and eager, we were ready for the off... and I do mean that! I was loving this bike ride, this fun, exciting bike ride! I was loving it! And I was ready to go again!

The afternoon took us along the main canal up to Amsterdam. It was a beautiful road and much like the Norfolk Broads. Beautiful houses, each one different and very well kept, bordered the route. It was Saturday and people were out in their gardens or messing about in boats! Every house had a jetty with some form of craft, whether it was a small dinghy or a shiny motor launch!

Honking and shouting we rode along! What a hoot! Kids on bikes rode alongside asking where we were headed. We chatted and honked, honked and chatted! It was brilliant!

Mid-afternoon we stopped at a small cafe and some of the girls took advantage of the friendly bar man and learned to ask for a lager-shandy in Dutch (snae-weiss 'snow white')!

Back on the road again but we soon found ourselves in the heart of Amsterdam! Busy roads gave way to green parks as we followed the popular paths through the citys green spaces. Everywhere we went there were families and groups of friends, sitting on the grass with barbeques! There was music and chatter and children playing! There was even bunting in the trees!

For an excited group of girls with honky horns we needed no encouragement!! We honked and honked for all we were worth, we shouted and waved and it was fantastic!!

On and on we rode, getting faster round every bend, soaking up the atmosphere, knowing we were close... and then there it was!

The hostel suddenly appeared out of the trees and we were there!! WooHoo just didn't even scratch the surface! The noise was deafening! Honky-horns, shouting and whooping filled the air! We were laughing and crying all at once!!

It was an amazing feeling! We hugged and high-fived, we took photos and hugged again! We rang home and passed the word 'we made it!'

Amazing Amsterdame09 - Day One :-)

Wow! What on earth happened to the time-space continuum?
I am convinced that somebody somewhere is messing with my quota!!

On 12th June I set off on what was the most amazing adventure and now all of a sudden I'm not only back home, but several weeks have passed and Amsterdam may as well have been a year ago!!

So what do I do? Well of course I blog!

Now you and I both know that I should have been blogging the minute I got back but I was on such a high that I couldn't sit still for the life of me!!

So now I'm looking at the journal I kept whilst away but even that is in note form because so much happened that I didn't have time every night to write it in full!!

So where do I start?
At the beginning of course...

Friday 12th June 2009 - McArthur Glen Designer Outlet
We arrived in good time - John & I in the Volvo with the bike, its panniers and my one-small-rucksack in the boot and Isaac squashed in what remained of the back seat! Luckily Emily had been able to hitch a lift with Leanne who was also coming to wave me off :-)

Mum & Dad arrived soon afterwards and my Moonwalk buddy Val also came along! I felt quite special having such a send-off party!

We didn't get much time to chat though as there were rucksacks to load into the support cars, Marie Curie cycling tops to collect, bikes to check over (one last time!) and loo visits to make!

Gaz and Craz soon had us lining up for a team photo and there were so many of us that we all had to turn sideways to fit in the picture :-)



That done we split into teams and for the first time saw the rest of the girls we would be riding with. Nerves were kicking in and I hardly dare speak for fear of my voice failing me - I had a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes (thank heavens for sunglasses!).

Don't get me wrong - I wasn't upset or frightened - just incredibly excited!! I wasn't even anxious at leaving John and the kids - I knew they would be fine - maybe I should have felt bad at leaving them - but the excitement was overwhelming and I never once had any regrets!

The teams set off at 5 minute intervals - a group of 54 cyclists all in a bunch would have caused havoc with the traffic!! A wide yellow ribbon was stretched across the exit and one by one the teams set off to waving, cheering, shouting and wooping and with more than a generous honking of horns!!

I must have had the biggest grin on my face as we set off - I had signed up for this trip more than 9 months ago and now it was here!! I was so up for it!!

From McArthur Glen we took the smaller roads and cycle tracks to Escrick and then across towards Wheldrake. We honked our horns at everyone we saw and got waves and sometimes clapping and cheering in return :-) As we cycled past a village school the children were out and we all honked as loud as we could. The children shouted and pointed - it was great!

People in gardens, guys up ladders, pedestrians and fellow cyclists - they all got the honky horn treatment!

The weather was perfect - brilliant sunshine, barely a cloud in the sky! Put suncream on John had said - I will I said! Later!

Lunch was scheduled for a pub in Market Weighton and one by one the three teams arrived... cold drinks from the bar then sarnies and hot fresh chips! Just the job!!

From there we headed over towards Hull, winding our way along the back roads and keeping away from heavy traffic where possible. We found a few hills along the way and I did wonder what I had let myself in for as my bike just didn't seem to gear down low enough...

Mid-afternoon we stopped at The Trident Inn at Brantingham, They have a gorgeous front terrace and we all piled in to order teas! Bikes were abandoned against any upright pillar or post as we all settled in - happy to rest our bums on something other than a bike seat!

The next stretch would take us through to the ferry and we were getting very excited! The chatter had kept us on a high the whole day and we couldn't believe how well we had done for time! The average speed was about 12-13mph, nothing like the 5-8mph we'd been led to believe!

We came to an open grassed cycle route which followed the Humber estuary, what a feeling that was - to see the Humber Bridge stretching out over the water - photo opportunity!! We all dismounted and got into 'team formation', Rich collected everyones camera and took photo after photo, moving cameras from one arm to the next until they had all been done. Come on girls, the next team's catching us up :-)



The next stretch of the route was to prove somewhat of a challenge...

Firstly the track became very wild and was totally unkept. The grass grew longer, disguising thistles and nettles, brambles grew everywhere! The track narrowed to only 8 inches wide, stony and hard and with a tall bank of nettles on either side!

Now I didn't know that I was bothered by nettles but I had a real problem cycling through them! I slowed right down and tried to pick my way between them, protecting my bare legs from their stingers, it took so long and I know the girls behind me would rather that I just push on and cycle through - but I just couldn't do it! I was terrified of wobbling off and falling full on into the bed of nettles! I hated it!

After a seemingly endless ordeal the track cleared and a concrete walkway came into view - graffitti and iron railings seemed a welcome exchange!

At one point the cycleway involved carrying our bikes (with panniers!!) up two flights of steel stairs and cycling along a narrow steel walkway over the top of old factory buildings near the fish docks. Then of course we had to get the bikes down the other side! The steel walkway continued over water filled locks, with only intermittent posts hung with chain to stop us falling in!!!

Eventually the concrete and graffitti returned and just a little further on we saw the ferry - what a sight! There she was the 'Pride of Rotterdam' resting at her berth, waiting for us!

WoooHooo! Honk-honk-honk! The noise was incredible and we all pedalled like fury!!

After a well organised run through Passport Control we headed for the legendary ramp - oh yes - we had heard tales of this ramp! It takes you up onto the ferry in one long, steep, continous curve, with a viscious bend just where you wouldn't want one when you're partway up a steep hill on a push bike!!

I didn't make it!! I gave up just after that viscious bend and walked up! What a killer! I resolved to cycle it next time ... ALL the way up!!

On board the ferry the bikes had to be parked along a lane with railings each side. We locked them together in twos and threes, removed all panniers, lights, pumps and handlebar bags and then went to the support cars to reclaim our rucksacks too.

Ladened down with baggage we had to navigate from the car deck on Level 7 to the cabins on Level 10!! Well I have to admin that we four took the lift!!

The cabin, when we found it, was actually larger than expected (yes really!) but only because the two upper bunks were folded up into the ceiling, one lower bunk was hidden in the wall and the other was disguised as a sofa - so basically it was a very small sitting room with a bathroom in it!!

We all piled in and dumped our bags and had the 'who sleeps where' discussion! That was soon sorted though, Jayne and Lianne underneath, Lisa and I on top ;-) Easy!

Time for showers and getting the gladrags on (for those who had been efficient enough to bring any!). It was a surprisingly smooth arrangement and certainly no time for shyness but it worked well and we were soon ready!

Tea was quite a grand affair and the food was lovely - an excellant choice with a great carvery and help-yourself service on everything else which was great ;-) We even had posh ice-cream for afters!

After tea we had a wander round and checked out the duty-free before meeting up with the others in the bar.

I took some timeout to ring home on the satellite phone as my mobile had no service by now!

I had been looking forward to a bracing walk on the deck but they don't really have a deck on these modern ferries - I had been thinking of a walk right around the outside, gripping the handrail to save being blown about but unfortunately a very small area at the stern was all there was - and of course that was where the smokers gathered!! Ah well!

Back in the bar we indulged in a few drinks and had a dance and a chatter but soon enough we all retired to bed, discussing who would charge their phone first from the only socket! We reminded each other of the bing-bong wake-up call we would get in the morning...

Amsterdame 2009

Today I posted off my application form and cheque to register for Amsterdame 2009! No turning back now (unless I get a letter back saying that they're fully booked!!).

Hopefully I'll soon get confirmation back and can start badgering you all for cash - for Marie Curie Sponsorship of course :-).

The ride is 250 miles round trip - wouldn't it be fab if I could raise £250.00?

Anyone fancy sponsoring me £1/mile :-)

I'll see about setting up an on-line page at JustGiving if that's possible, it just makes it all so much easier don't you think?

More updates to follow...

Diane :-)