Happy & Healthy
6 THINGS YOU THINK ABOUT WHILE CYCLING THROUGH AMSTERDAM
If you work and have appointments in the center of Amsterdam, you really can't do without a bike. Yes, you can always find a place for our Twingo (proof!), but if you want to be sure of a spot and a workout, you take the bike. Recently, we have really super nice (and hübsche) bikes from VanMoof. So nowadays I cycle to lunch appointments and presentations from beauty brands. Really in heels. And then I notice all of this.
1. Everyone is so attractive
Look at every Amsterdammer on a bike and almost everyone scores at least a 7.5 on looks. There are hardly any misses downwards. Amsterdam is a beautiful city with beautiful people. And I can say that because I live in Haarlem.
2. The city is so beautiful
That too. Through Oud-Zuid to De Pijp or through the Jordaan and then with the ferry to there-is-where-it's-all-happening-North. Everywhere is beautiful and fun.
3. It really doesn't rain that often
Despite my complaints about the weather (which I still fully stand behind by the way, I mean, it's July 6 and it's autumn). That's quite remarkable. But despite that lousy weather, I still manage to cycle between the showers. It rains often, but not for very long at a time.
4. Tourists understand nothing about bike paths
They don't have them in their own country. In most countries, people cycle as a sport, not out of dire necessity to arrive on time for their appointment. They think bike paths are pedestrian paths and stroll leisurely over the bike path. Calmly also with six next to each other, they don't make a fuss about it. But I do.
“What an incredibly stupid way to die. I can't even lie in an open coffin with such a battered head”
5. Tram tracks are almost as annoying as tourists
And Amsterdam has more tram tracks than canals. The worst are those tram tracks that run parallel to your road. Because you also have to know that due to a lack of parking space, everyone calmly parks their car on the bike path and then you have to swerve with the danger that your tire ends up in the tram track and you make a tremendous slip. Literally. Speaking of those bike path parkers, I'm also afraid that they will suddenly fling their door open without looking in their mirror and that I will end up on that tram track. That's why I cycle loudly ringing my bell past all obstacles.
Speaking of that tram track. My friend M recently got stuck in the tram track and slid meters further while she was tangled in her bike and couldn't get up. A car came driving towards her over the tram track (that also happens in Amsterdam) and she saw it happen while she could do nothing. The only thing she thought was: ‘what an incredibly stupid way to die. I can't even lie in an open coffin with such a battered head.’ Fortunately, it all turned out well just in time, but people: cycling and tram tracks is a life-threatening mix. Be careful.
6. You are always on time
With the car, I'm always ten minutes late. Actually, I'm fifteen minutes early, but then I drive around for another twenty-five minutes to find a spot for my car. With the bike, I'm suddenly on time. To the minute. And I get a workout. Sort of. But it's healthy.
