Wednesday, 21 May 2008

24 miles

That was the distance we cycled this morning. Setting off at 9.30, we headed north, into the Veluwe proper. After not seeing a house (save the hunting cottages at the Imbosch) for more than 10 miles, we had a cuppa and some delicious apple cake at the Carolinahoeve [Carolina Farmstead], a few miles east of the village of Ellecom. We then passed through an ancient hunting forest to the village proper, after which a by-road took us into the floodplains of the River IJssel, which I mentioned last week. This literally meanders through the landscape with huge big loops, one of which has left an area called the Haviksewaard. A 'waard' in Dutch means a plain by the river (havik = hawk), and you will have seen in last week's pics what rivers in Holland are like. Huge, broad things, flowing incredibly fast. Anyway, we eventually returned to the main road, which took us home after 4 or 5 miles.

We're now too knackered to do much. The total distance turned out to be 38 km / 24 miles, something I haven't ridden for decades. Hope you enjoy the pics, as per usual on Flickr.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

That was a long ride. Great pictures as usual. Helen

Anonymous said...

Beautiful, beautiful once again.  Looks like a peaceful place to ride.  Linda in Washington

Anonymous said...

Oh I do hope you arent too saddle sore ,Great pictures as ever ,,love Jan xx

Anonymous said...

I hope you have a comfy saddle on your bike.  Me and my daughter rode 12 miles once and it nearly killed us.  We couldn't sit down properly for 3 days.  Never again!!!
It looks like you had a lovely sunny day though for your ride.  Love the photos and the cattle.
Enjoy what's left of your evening.
Hugs
Carolxx

Anonymous said...

Oh my!  Can't say that I have ever seen cattle that looks like that!  The countryside is so beautiful.  Thanks so much for sharing.

Blessings!~

Susan
http://journals.aol.com/Rjet33/CountryLivingSouthernStyle/

Anonymous said...

As always your photos are wonderful and your narratives help!  Loving Holland.  :)

Anonymous said...

Wow...... I can imagine you were tired when you got back after riding that far, I expect your legs ached the following day.

It is lovely to be able to see where you have been after reading about it. I was quite shocked to see the cattle......... must have reminded you of home.

Once again thank you for sharing your journey with us........ it is truely a beautiful place.......... very calming

hugs Jayne

Anonymous said...

wow! great entry! thanks Guido!
natalie