An entry in the TFS Travel Journal.
Breakfasted Continentally then met up with the B & R group and set off on the big bus for a 45-minute ride. Seems like a nice enough, 1-A kind of group, though (as usual) we’re definitely the youngest ones here. Got off the bus and onto a barge, which we rode up a rural canal for an hour or so. Then went to a cheese factory where we learned all we needed to know about cheese making. We then lunched on all the cheese we needed to eat, as well as some cold cuts (not so cold in this heat, which actually broke a 60-year-old record yesterday) and a Dutch potato salad. The cheese was actually quite good; very fresh and rich. Then On The Bikes!!
The afternoon was a nice 34km ride through, initially, flat picturesque agrarian countryside, always with canals at our side, though in a 90+ degree heat which provided a bit of a challange. Got to see the original town of Breukelen, which is what that borough in NY is named for; surprisingly enough, it’s a nice, small commercial town.
We went through several small towns and one larger one (Bilthoven) all very clean and modern looking, though the houses were mostly made of small red bricks, giving them an older look, and most had nice size flourishing gardens. Also saw many small, but impressive mansions (including one with a moat), as this area is evidently pretty affluent and close enough to commute to Amsterdam.
Eventually, the terrain turned more wooded and residential. After arriving at the lovely hotel, Milton wanted to enjoy more Dutch riding and scenery, as it was only 4:30, so he set off solo for another hour or so. Saw some nice woodsy areas and much of the neighboring towns. Some very Po-Mo looking architecture in both some of the houses as well as some apartment buildings. What a bike-friendly country: large bike lanes everywhere, mileage and direction signs especially for bikers, and copious bikers of all ages; the only drawback is the quantity of brick/cobblestone streets (many) which make riding a tad bumpy.
We luxuriated in our very nice room (we think all rooms look alike) then went down for cocktails and dinner. Very nice sliced salmon starter, then entrees of risotto w/mushrooms and fillet of beef. Both were good, as were the wines (one white and one red, which we neglected to get the names of). Dessert was an apple tart w/vanilla ice cream and trays of petit fours which we felt we had worked hard enough to sample generously.