Day 15 - Ommen

As we planned for this trip, months ago, it felt clear that two aging bodies, not in the best of shape, may not fare too well riding long distances each day. So we planned to start out with 20-25km rides for at least the first week. This proved a good plan as it gave us time to take in the sites, visit museums and places of interest, and not overtax our bodies.

Two weeks in, despite the regular use of pedal assist, our bodies are stronger, which makes the prospect of putting in a few more miles each day a viable option. Today our plan is to ride 65kms, our longest day yet.

The absolute delight of bike-riding in Holland is the endless maze of bicycle paths, connected with more precision than the US Mail, and capable of taking you virtually anywhere you want to go in the Netherlands. By now, we're in our stride and easily pedal the paths, barely slowing as we sink into the curves and clip the corners of right angles as we take a new direction. Johan's Fietsknoop app allows him to chart out the path before we take off each day. Then he attaches the phone to a carrier on his handlebars where he can easily follow the route, while GPS tracks our progress. With his technical mind, it's a delight to work it all out with such precision. With my love of whimsy, I'm in heaven winding along behind him, carefree as the wind.

Late morning, we take a break in Hardenberg for a coffee, a stop at a bike shop to pick up two soft seat covers (the bodies may be hardening, but the butt-muscles are still sore!), and an opportunity to do the laundry. After an afternoon of winding our way through forestland and fields, we turn up at our next B&B, just outside of Ommen. I'm definitely spent and eager for a rest. We dine at a restaurant in Ommen's town square and map out our remaining two weeks.

 The sign reads: "Bicycle street: cars are guests."

Taking a break for lunch and laundry -- and gevulde koeken, of course!