Rapha Women’s 100km Ride
At AMS CC we like to celebrate all aspects of on the bike life in Amsterdam- from the old Dutch bike that clanks as it rides, to carting 3 kids, all the groceries and a puppy while making it home for dinner, to urban speed cyclist, and everyone in between. This past Sunday we met up with the women of the Rapha Club House Amsterdam who where headed out on their Women’s 100km ride through Amsterdam.
[Photos by Amsterdam Cycle Chic]
What started in 2013 as a small group of female riders in the UK, has grown exponentially ever year and expanded over 6 continents (Antartica has yet to report in). The best part of Rapha Women’s 100 is it’s not a competition; it’s about connecting a community of women cyclist around the world through a shared adventure and love of the road under two wheels.
According to Rapha’s website over 7,000 women across the globe joined in and rode together on Sunday the 23rd. More than 100 of those women were riding in Amsterdam!
[Photo courtesy of Maaike Steenwijk]
Unfortunately, my little Dutch bike wouldn’t have made it through 100km (yes, Im blaming the bike) so we only have photos of the beginning. Maaike Steenwijk followed the cyclist along the ride and was kind enough to loan us a couple of her photos. Thanks for letting us join the fun!
If you’d like to get involved next year or are looking for local cycling events, drop by the AmsterdamRapha Club House on Wolvenstraat 10 and be sure to check out A.S.C. Olympia – the oldest cycling association in the Netherlands.
Flowers & Fiets
Aalsmeer Flower Festival Bike Tour
June 17-18, 2017
We lucked out for our first Aalsmeer Flower Festival bike ride and the weather was stunning. With 6 large event stops, the self guided tour wound through the charming city and unless you got as lost as many times as we did, was 26km in total.
Each venue offered a unique experience, ranging from, making your own flower jewelry, listening to live music under a lily covered cabana, to joining a bouquet building workshop at the International Floral Design School. There truly was a little something for everyone, including a pancake truck if you got peckish (I did mention it was 26km right?).
If you missed the festival this year, I highly recommend taking a day trip to bike through Aalsmeer. The neighborhoods are quiet and beautiful, flanked by fields and greenhouses.
Aalsmeer can be reached by bike from Amsterdam with a nice ride through Amsterdam Bos or you can hop on the train, just remember your bike needs a ticket too!
Keep a look out for next year’s event which will be June 16th-17th, 2018.
Along the way you were greeted by other bloemen enthused bikers denoted by the floral chain that was given at the start of your ride.
One of the ten new Art Boxes (utility lockers) hand painted by local artist, scattered throughout the tour.
For other great day trips by bike be sure to check here and here.
(Do you have favorite summer day trips? Tell us in the comments and we’ll add it to the list!)
Parkside riding
It is the most beautiful time to ride at the moment… fresh breeze and a little sunshine. Get out on your bike, and head to your favourite park. Like ours, Vondel Park.
By Mel
TGIF joy ride
Last night these two were speeding down the Weesperzijde – with smiles of course – definitely in a hurry to get to their destination, which likely had beers and bitterballen awaiting them. 😉
Riding through the fields
Sometimes you need a little break from the city..doesn’t mean you can’t take your wheels! The gorgeous town of Zaanse Schans is a perfectly picturesque town to visit and ride around in nature. Pack a lunch, take a camera and see a little bit of what our Dutch nature has to offer. 250 years ago the windmills here formed the first industrial site in the world and some of the mills are still functioning! Happy cycling!
By Mel
Peak hour looks a little different in Amsterdam
We all have busy lives and most of us are stuck behind the wheel on our way home from work. In Amsterdam we like to do things a little different, no matter how busy it is you can almost always guarantee the travel time will be the same. Now we can’t use that age-old excuse for why we are late! A flat tyre maybe? What other reasons could we possibly have?
By Mel.
Where did Spring go?
The mist rolls in and back go our gloves and scarves. Let’s hope it’s just for a day! I will miss all the layers and a good animal print.
…9 days until Spring!
By Mel.
Multi-tasking
Fashionable people live in Amsterdam. Practicality (and good balance to boot!) plays a big part also. This stylish man is taking home is new fancy appliance whilst wearing a gorgeous jacket and matching spats! Kinda looks like Michael Douglas….is it?!
Instamonth: May’s top 10 Instagram pictures
Are you already following us on Instagram? You should, if you want to learn more about Amsterdam’s cycling culture and enjoy the diversity of cyclists and bikes in Amsterdam’s streets. Every month we will post the most liked Instagram shots here on our blog.
This is the top 10 of May:
1. Dog in crate
2. Mother and sons
3. Father and son
4. Eating an apple while cycling in the rain
5. Rainy day cycling
6. Bike parking Amsterdam central station
7. Flower pants
8. Google likes bikes
9. Mother with cargo bike and kids
10. Now that is Cycle Chic, sir!
Amsterdam Cycle Chic 