Day 1 - Schiphol to Delft - Aug. 26

Wednesday night some of us met up at the IBIS Hotel very close to the airport. The van had been picked up by Bernie and Anna and was ready to meet the cyclists at the airport on Thursday morning.  Seven were coming in just after 7:00 a.m. Thursday.  Weather forecasts called for heavy rain along with thunder and lightning and we were wondering if the planes would land.  Forecasts this time were right on.  We woke up to pouring rain and made our way to the airport for the 9:00 a.m. meeting time.  Everyone had arrived by 9:30 - some of them coming out of the arrivals area with their bikes all assembled already while waiting for the rest of their luggage. It's amazing how smoothly this all went - the 3 kisses were given to those we hadn't seen yet and one last coffee from Burger King and we were ready to roll.

 We couldn't postpone the inevitable any longer, the rain was not letting up and we had to make our way out of the airport - everyone had smiles for the camera....rain gear was a must.  Bill had his "Garmin" programmed for the cyclists on the bike paths and the "TomTom" was programmed for the van and we were off. 



Assembling the bikes at the airport.....



Ready to roll....rain gear on.....

We met up a few times during the ride but that's difficult when cyclists are on the "fiets pads" and the van on the road.  At noon we met up at a deli in Alphen a/d Rijn - the cyclists had cycled all morning in the rain.  The van followed the cyclists in and parked with the bikes.

Drying up while eating lunch



Adrian is enjoying his "appel taart with slagroom"



 

 Leaving the deli turned out to be a challenge.  Anna and I had come in before 12:00 no problem.  Right at noon, poles come out of the ground in the "centrum" of any city and block access to this area.  We tried each way out and met up with road blocks.  We finally asked 2 city workers how to get out - they were surprised we were in the "centrum" and asked us how we got there - we didn't know anymore.  They said in order to get out we had to talk to a pole and it would activate the other poles to go into the ground.  We laughed thinking they were pulling our leg but they insisted.  We asked them, "what do we say to the pole" and they replied you tell it you want out.  Anna asked if one of them would go with us and they agreed.

 It's a funny sight to see someone talk to a pole but it worked and we were on our way - another new experience.  That afternoon there were some more heavy showers for the cyclists but by the time they arrived in Delft the sun was shining.  A great way to finish off the first day.

"Talking to a pole - it worked"

 Delft is a beautiful old city - also the birth place of Bill Wybenga and John VanderSteen.  If the cyclists hadn't had enough exercise for their legs, there was more yet - our sleeping quarters were up 3 sets of very steep steps and suitcases had to be carried up as well.  They served us a delicious 3 course meal at "Het Konings Huys" that night - we all had an early night....
Distance cycled - 70 km - Flat tires - 3