A quick post, a quick fix before popping in a DVD, going to bed and see the family tomorrow.
People doing their last minute shopping, what else on December 24, 4 in the afternoon. And by what other means of transportation than their bikes. Whether a pensioner, a family with kids, or whoever, it doesn’t matter. [...]
Pedalestrians
Two Dams, Different Strokes
I was in Rotterdam on business today. Only an hour train ride from Amsterdam but a very different city. For me it’s obvious why that is, but here’s the shortest explanation you’ll ever hear:
Rotterdam was strategically bombed to pieces by the Germans in the Second World War, and Amsterdam was not.
Rebuilding it practically coincided [...]
Vitamine D Stands For Derailleur
My despair was short lived. It simply was a beautiful day. Clear blue skies and freezing. Suffice to say, it helped. I must have covered about 30 km, minimum. Not that I ever keep track of that sort of thing, but just to give you a ball park figure for my afternoon, out and about. [...]
I’m An Addict
I hope all of you had a great weekend, that you are well rested and looking forward to more Amsterdamization [oh dear].
While shooting for the ‘Sinfonia Cyclissimo‘ video I particularly enjoyed the elevated view on people riding by. It offers me, your average spoiled Amsterdammer, a welcome alternative to the usual street and bike view [...]
At Last
This Bicycle TV post is my closure on a less than desirable week, taking a few fine and wholesome vitamines, getting this bike aficionado (read: addict) back on his feet. What those vitamines are? Oh, very simpel but effective antidotes, ‘au natural’ :)
Unlocking my bike
Getting on my bike
Riding around town all afternoon
Recording it
I give you [...]
No Escape
I stepped out and walked to my local flower shop across the street from my house. Quite the luxury for some, quite normal for the locals here (yes, lots of flower shops too).
At the risk of sounding redundant, no matter where you go in Amsterdam you WILL see people on bicycles every step of the [...]
Cyclists Forever
The holiday season is in full swing in Amsterdam. Sinterklaas and his Pieten are about to hit the roofs, shops are already (and traditionally) in limbo between marketing the kids’ favorite bearded Saint from Spain and Christmas, but who cares. The city looks great.
Not winter yet, but it’s lurking. You can tell, as with every [...]
Life Goes On
So, Amsterdamize was down the last 30 hours. It’s frustrating, but alas, shit happens (and by ’shit’ I mean odd stuff that rarely happens).
Meanwhile, most of Europe experienced the first wave of winter. In Amsterdam’s case it meant lots of wind, some hail and some snow that never really sticked. Per definition, our sea climate [...]
24/7/365
Anytime, any place, anywhere. That’s when and where you’ll see people on bikes in ‘this part of the world’.
Taking the nice downtown route to go home.
Last chat between friends before going separate ways.
Left: Going home, patiently. Right: People on bikes being one while waiting for the bridge to come down.
Pulling up.
How’s This For Promotion!
From NBC Chicago:
An Oak Park man fell in love with the biking culture in the Netherlands and brought some home with him. For the first time in North America, you can get a De Fietsfabriek and go green with your commute.
My only note: why did they cut the last 20% of the chain guard off?? [...]
This And That
Dave has been in desperate need for proper ponchos for some time now, so I decided to go shopping for a few that will actually keep him and his wife dry when they confront showers riding their Electras around Portland.
At one store close to my home they were sold out, but there were 3 left [...]
Amsterdam Through Strangers’ Eyes, Part 4
Glenn Billingham, a UK expatriate living in Amsterdam, eloquently and entertainingly writes:
Powered By Our Own Shapely Thighs
The morning gathering took place again.
A Dutch rush-hour is a little different to the other global scenes of 9am and 5pm chaos. New Yorkers hustle and bustle accompanied by a take-out coffee amidst a sea of yellow cabs. City [...]
Bring Your Umbrella…Or Not
Today, the ‘Research Trailer Park’ blog posted an article from ‘The State’ newspaper in Columbia, South Carolina:
Bicycle Friendly press conference canceled
A press conference to talk about the city of Columbia’s new designation as a Bicycle Friendly Community has been canceled because of forecasted bad weather this afternoon.
The press conference has been rescheduled for 3 p.m. [...]
100% Friendly
One way to ‘measure’ a city or country’s bicycle-friendliness is to observe children on bicycles in their natural habitat…which is everywhere. Around the block, going to school, playgrounds and most importantly the roads they share with everybody else to get to their destination. Or at least, it should be everywhere. Is it safe, or is [...]
Jammin’ On My Opafiets
You remember/heard of Les & Helen from Ottawa, Canada, right? No? Ok, a short recap of what I posted before is in order then.
Les & Helen decided on spending their 2 weeks vacation cycling the Netherlands. In good spirits, and inspired by yours truly, they opted to leave their helmets, gear and mountain bikes at [...]
