Self Guided Weekend Cycling Break

It is always a pleasure to cycle in the Netherlands, even for a short break. For a weekend or long weekend we offer a variety of ride lengths. We can offer a selection of routes from our week long holidays.

As this is a self guided holiday, you can take it on any day that you wish.

The price includes Bed and Breakfast accommodation for 2 or 3 nights, maps and ride guides.

The rides

Note that while the example days below are shown over a weekend we can also organise a shorter break at any time mid week to suit you.

Friday Arrive in Assen. Saturday Don't miss Assen's award winning market which is on today. After a walk around the market, we offer a choice of two routes of different lengths: Out of the city towards Hunebedden and a windmill, through heath and forest. Perhaps a short ride as it's your first: 22 km Or... see many hunebedden, including the largest in the Netherlands and (optionally) visit the Hunebed information centre which has information about the history associated with hunebedden. Forest, heath, villages, cafes and a swimming lake are on the route. 61 km Sunday A ride past a clog museum, a beautiful garden and art museum and lakes to the city of Groningen, which has the highest cycle usage of any city in the world. The route is 30 km long. You can return to Assen by train (train tickets are not included in the holiday price) or return via a longer countryside route which takes the total distance for today up to around 75 km. Groningen has many museums, restaurants and parks. Monday (optional) Forest, farmland and a choice of swimming pool or a beach. Or both. Two possible routes: 15 or 24 km Or... consider riding through some lovely villages, forest, past a look out tower, a radio telescope, and through the concentration camp where Anne Frank spent her last days in the Netherlands. This is followed by a very pleasant ride back through forest and heath to the city and comes to a total of 39 km.

You can start each day at any time you like after breakfast. We provide both sets of routes so you decide how far to cycle each day. For evening meals you will be back in Assen (or perhaps in Groningen on Sunday) and be able to go to any of the many varied restaurants.

Bicycles

If you bring you own bicycles, we ask that you please make sure in advance that they are well maintained, possibly by asking a bike shop to service the bikes. Also, we ask that you carry with you a puncture repair kit and any required spare parts.

As the holiday has a fixed base you will not have to carry all your luggage with you. However, please consider how you will carry what you need from day to day on your bike. It is more comfortable to carry items on the bike in a basket or pannier than in a backpack.

All our rides are on solid concrete and tarmac road surfaces.

With adequate warning we can also help with hire bicycles. These will not have a bewildering array of un-necessary gears but will have mudguards and racks and a comfortable saddle. Hire of child seats etc. may increase the cost of hire. A hire bicycle typically costs around per day.

Anything Else ?

If you have special dietary needs, such as being a vegetarian or vegan, we can help. Just let us know.

Cycling in the Netherlands is very safe. Nevertheless, we strongly recommend that participants have both travel insurance and third party liability insurance.

Children must be supervised by their parents or carers at all times.

How to book

For this week of holiday we have selected Bed and Breakfast accomodation within walking or cycling distance of the city centre so that you have the choice of eating in the evening at any of Assen's many restaurants.

The total cost of the holiday including 2 nights of Bed and Breakfast accomodation is just per person. For the three night option the cost is per person.

Please contact us directly by email or use the paypal buttons below to book.

Two day weekend cycling break.
Three day weekend cycling break.
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How to get here

Please book the tour first and wait for confirmation before booking your transport.

From the USA: It is possible to fly to Amsterdam Schiphol directly from many US airports. There is a direct train service from Schiphol to Assen which takes about 2 hours. When I last checked, Schiphol to Assen by train cost for a single ticket and for a return. A non-folding bicycle costs an additional per day for any journey.

From the UK: Assen is near to Groningen Eelde airport which is served by VLM from London City Airport (www.flyvlm.com). It is also possible to fly from most UK airports to Schiphol. You can then take a direct train from Schiphol to Assen which takes about 2 hours. When I last checked, Schiphol to Assen by train cost for a single ticket and for a return. A bicycle costs an additional per day for any journey.

For those who would rather not fly, there is of course also the option of taking a ferry (Harwich to Hoek-van-Holland, Hull to Rotterdam or Newcastle to Ijmuiden) and continuing by rail, or all the way by rail.

One of the most convenient and lowest cost options for those in East Anglia or London is to take the Dutch Flyer combined train/ferry service which provides a train from London or East Anglia to Harwich, the ferry from Harwich to Hoek van Holland and a train from Hoek van Holland to any location in the Netherlands including Assen for one all in price of about £30.

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