Holland has - north of Amsterdam - some magnificent trading and fishing villages on the former South Sea coast with small colourful houses, winding alleys, elderly inhabitants in local costumes and lots of souvenir shops.

Biking on attractive and flat(!) paths - below and above sea level - you will see dikes, green and spacious polders, canals with many water-birds, an old working windmill and ... the most beautiful and photogenic spots in Edam and Volendam.

In this bike ride you will see all above and witness how the famous Dutch cheese and wooden shoes are being made ...

... at "Irene Hoeve"

The Edam+Volendam bike ride (about 15 kilometer) is not offered as a guided tour. If you would like to do this ride
- at your own risk - you can easily do so with below hints.

Handy for printing: all details on 1 page

Preparations:

1. buy bike map in any bookstore of area around Edam/Monnickendam/Volendam
Study route with help of above small rough map:
Edam -> along mainroad to Monnickendam -> Irene Hoeve -> Windmill -> Volendam -> Edam
Irene Hoeve: see map (clogs + cheese) ... turn left and immediately at your left

2. phone bike hire in Edam:
to reserve a bike (only by phone!) and ask for conditions:
like deposit € ... + rent € ...  (cash payment) + bring passport
Edam:
"Ton Tweewielers" (3 minutes walking from busstation)
Schepenmakersdijk 6; 1135 AG Edam
Tel. 0299-371922; Mobile 06-53471787
http://www.tontweewielers.nl

Startingpoint:

busstation east of Amsterdam central station at Oosterdokskade

Bus:

check busschedule to "Edam busstation": http://www.9292ov.nl
Situation 2007:
- you need 1 strippenkaart of 15 strips per person: € 6,80 (one way = 7 strips)
- or you can buy from the busdriver:
   * a day-busticket (on all buses from same company Arriva) for: € 6,00 p.p.
   * a family day-busticket for 2 adults + max. 3 kids for only € 10,00 total.
- bus leaves 3 minutes walking east of central station at Oosterdokskade
- bus number 114 leaves every half hour at .50 and .20 to "Edam busstation" (25 minutes)

Edam:

- walk towards nearest bridge (do not cross)
- turn right into street along water
- after about 3 minutes walking bike hire "Ton Tweewielers" at right hand side

Beware:

Above information might contain mistakes: check yourselve!
Let's Go will give no more information than given above.
Doing this bike ride + using above information is fully at your own risk!