Training in The Netherlands

Hi there

How do Dutch racing cyclists train if they're not allowed to ride on the
roads? Are there enough roads with no cycle paths to make a decent
training circuit?

There is a very vague chance I might be moving there and I don't really
want to give up a decent long, fast hack on my road bike.

Cheers!

Mark

Mark wrote:

How do Dutch racing cyclists train if they're not allowed to ride on the
roads? Are there enough roads with no cycle paths to make a decent
training circuit?

Caveat that this answer based on limited experience, but... The Dutch
roads that you're not allowed to use are main trunk roads. Away from
trunk roads, which always have a good fietspad beside them, the roads
are shared. IM (limited) E there's no shortage of rural back roads to
have a hack on. Also seems to be the case that the cross-country
fietspads are reasonably well suited to a fast hack, as unlike UK cycle
tracks they don't have comedy chicanes for no obvious reason or Cyclists
Dismount signs, and unlike the urban fietspads you're less likely to get
stuck in (bicycle) traffic.

There is a very vague chance I might be moving there and I don't really
want to give up a decent long, fast hack on my road bike.

There didn't seem to be any shortage of roadies out for a long fast hack
when I've been over there. More than I see here, for starters.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

Mark wrote:

Hi there

How do Dutch racing cyclists train if they're not allowed to ride on the
roads? Are there enough roads with no cycle paths to make a decent
training circuit?

There is a very vague chance I might be moving there and I don't really
want to give up a decent long, fast hack on my road bike.


join a local club and you'll soon know plenty of decent training rides
--
---
Marten Gerritsen

INFOapestaartjeM-GINEERINGpuntNL
www.m-gineering.nl

In article ,
says...
Hi there

How do Dutch racing cyclists train if they're not allowed to ride on the
roads? Are there enough roads with no cycle paths to make a decent
training circuit?


There's loads of roads where you're allowed to ride, if you're not
allowed on the road, then there's almost always a proper cycle path.
Rural roads don't usually have cycle paths.


There is a very vague chance I might be moving there and I don't really
want to give up a decent long, fast hack on my road bike.


Don't start making excuses, you'll have more than enough roads.

--
Mike

mb wrote:
In article ,
says...

Hi there

How do Dutch racing cyclists train if they're not allowed to ride on the
roads? Are there enough roads with no cycle paths to make a decent
training circuit?



There's loads of roads where you're allowed to ride, if you're not
allowed on the road, then there's almost always a proper cycle path.
Rural roads don't usually have cycle paths.


There is a very vague chance I might be moving there and I don't really
want to give up a decent long, fast hack on my road bike.



Don't start making excuses, you'll have more than enough roads.

No hills though :-)


Julesh

On 07/05/2005 20:43:01 mb wrote:

In article ,
says...

Hi there

How do Dutch racing cyclists train if they're not allowed to ride on the
roads? Are there enough roads with no cycle paths to make a decent
training circuit?

There's loads of roads where you're allowed to ride, if you're not allowed
on the road, then there's almost always a proper cycle path. Rural roads
don't usually have cycle paths.

There is a very vague chance I might be moving there and I don't really
want to give up a decent long, fast hack on my road bike.

Don't start making excuses, you'll have more than enough roads.

The rule in the Netherlands is that if there is a cycle lane next to a
road then cyclists must use it, the cycle lane always has priority over
the road, if however your cycle is more than 75cm wide then you can use
the road regardless of cycle lane provision.
--

Buck

I would rather be out on my Catrike

http://www.catrike.co.uk